What type of cutter

[BrianS]

Naming this thread was quite difficult so I apologize if it's misleading. I would like you folks to take a look at these Youtube videos of a CNC foam cutter/plotter and chime in with your opinion on what it's using to cut the foam. I can't tell exactly. To me it looks like something is reciprocating powered by a little motor. but what? (a spiral scroll saw blade, pin, ???)

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxeFXGiankE[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE3LhvZKAQE[/ame]

Now I'm pretty sure some of you are thinking, "Hey Dummy! Why don't you just ask the guy that built it!" Well I have! I've emailed him at least 3 times, sent him a message via Youtube and commented on the videos, all politely asking about the cutter, all within a year or two (I don't want to pester him). It seems there are many other people wondering about this cutter too, if you read the video comments. So for whatever reason he won't answer, Oh well. I know there's a smart bunch here and I figured I'd do well to get your collective input.
Thanks in advance.

Brian

 

[easymike29]

A hot NiChrome wire?

Gene

 

[malcolmt]

I think it is a pin or needle like a sewing machine ?
Malcolm

 

[jwcnc1911]

Most foam cutters are a hot wire.

 

[MachineTom]

The cutter is likely a round file like cutter, that travels up/down powered by the little motor on top, about 3/4 of the way through the video, the motor stops then restarts, sounds matches the stop/start.

The cutter is surely round in profile, may be only a needle type thing, but without teeth as a file I'd think the travel speed woud be slower than shown, as with a file surface the material is sawn, not just drilled as would a needle and it also would require the head to stop at each increment to punch the hole rather than travel as a saw does. My $.02

 

[ShedBoy]

The cutter is likely a round file like cutter, that travels up/down powered by the little motor on top, about 3/4 of the way through the video, the motor stops then restarts, sounds matches the stop/start.

The cutter is surely round in profile, may be only a needle type thing, but without teeth as a file I'd think the travel speed woud be slower than shown, as with a file surface the material is sawn, not just drilled as would a needle and it also would require the head to stop at each increment to punch the hole rather than travel as a saw does. My $.02

I would agree, hot wire usually need to be strung also and this seems to be a one sided affair. Cuts well though.

Brock

 

[ShopShoe]

It looks like a pin-type cutter similiar to the "Cutawl" machine once used by display makers and set designers.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS9faQOSEbc[/ame]

--ShopShoe

 

[malcolmt]

Yes Shopshoe, i get it now, Cut AWL hence point or similar
Thank you
Malcolm

 

[BrianS]

Gents,

Thanks for all the replies/opinions. I was leaning toward some sort of pin/awl but wasn't sure if it was serrated or smooth. Thanks for the movie of the Cutawl machine. I never saw one of those before. I'm gonna look more into those.

 

[Noitoen]

You can hear the ripping sound when he tears the pieces apart.
Must have a efficient stopping method to move to a new location without dragging the needle still stuck in the foam. Easy way would be, lifting the set-up all together.

 

[prof65]

Maybe a thin saw blade like this:

http://www.proxxon-tools.com/tools/Proxxon-Spiral-Toothed-Fretsaw-Blades.html

I own some of these blades, I will try a test cut this afternoon.

Roberto