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Sources for large CNC foam cutting machine

Sources for large CNC foam cutting machine

Sources for large CNC foam cutting machine

(OP)
Hi all,

I'd appreciate any leads, suggestions and advice on buying a large 3 or 5-axis CNC machine to cut foam plugs for making composite moulds. What are the drawbacks with only having 3 or 4-axis vs. 5-axis.

New, used or DIY would all be useful as we are on a relatively tight budget. Our biggest mould is about 10m long but we can cut the plug in sections and use a smaller machine.

thanks, Derek

Derek White
www.design-outsourcing.com

RE: Sources for large CNC foam cutting machine

(OP)
Thanks for the lead David,

I had a look and these are hot wire cutters and cannot cut a complex curve.

I have found a few suppliers and the bigger machines start at about half a million new and are about $150,000+ used.

We will probably retrofit a 5-axis welding robot to be a 5-axis milling machine and put it on rails (on the floor, wall or ceiling) with a ball screw to cut the longer blocks. Used welding robots are very cheap and you can use a PC instead of the old controllers.

cheers, derek

Derek White
www.design-outsourcing.com

RE: Sources for large CNC foam cutting machine

Derek,
Try this manufacturer, we use them for our pattern shops. We use 3-axis machines to cut 3D shapes.

http://www.f-zimmermann.com/en/index_en.html

Good Luck
Mo

RE: Sources for large CNC foam cutting machine

Look at this web site http://www.janicki.com/ they build there own and maybe able to give you some help.

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