Sunday, 13 September 2009

poor's man CNC hot wire cutter - Updated!


This time I built a computer controlled device that will allow you to cut out shapes from styrofoam boards with great precision.

To make it more fun I tried to build the whole thing by re-purposing scrap parts I found here and there, so I used a couple of scanners, a hanger and a hot wire. The scanners I found them on the trash (officially I will deny that I pick stuff from the trash), the hanger I got it from my cleaning service and the hot wire was 3 euros.

This is the way it works, draw a shape using your favourite drawing software or download one from the internet, just make sure the file is a SVG, because that is what my system understands.

I found myself this nice eagle, which is quite a complex shape as you can see:
And this what you get:



Here is the promised video so you can see the system in action...




Here are some pictures showing details of the CNC
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35 comments:

  1. Anonymous13 October 2009 at 08:09

    Hello Raul,

    I write for hackaday.com. I'd like to do a feature on your hot-wire foam cutter. Can you send me a bit more information on it? Specifically, what is the hardware you are using and how did you build it? I'd love to see any pictures or schematics and hear any description of your experiences in getting everything working. I hope to hear from you!

    -Mike Szczys
    hackaday.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. PaulBo13 October 2009 at 14:42

    I'd love to see more details on the build as well! I'm very tempted to try this myself; it looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  3. sMiles19 October 2009 at 20:40

    Nice project. I have a very similar cnc, scanner parts, but I used php to process the svg files. mega16, usb interface, 3 axis. Maybe we can compare our php and pearl code

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous20 October 2009 at 02:40

    very nice.
    Is possible to have your project?
    (my mail is: amauriello@hotmail.com)
    tanks
    amauriello.

    ReplyDelete
  5. nomasteryoda20 October 2009 at 04:08

    http://nomasteryoda.blogspot.com/2004/10/dumpster-diving.html

    Don't be afraid to say you recycled something!! I love to dumpster dive and have gotten many, many good things from dumpsters. Most recent pull was 3 SMC N routers, new in the box sans their power supplies, which were replaced by the Mfg. free of charge.

    ReplyDelete
  6. conundrum20 October 2009 at 10:36

    very cool :)

    i also salvage parts from trash, my most recent "scrapuisition" was a dead epson all in one printer, complete with working internal scanner, steppers and driver board.

    Interestingly, the optical reader assembly can be repurposed on some printers (the sort using the cheap PM motor) as a fine positioner using some Polymorph/Shapelock.
    Mount the read unit on the scan arm and run the optical tape along the scanner's long axis securing at each end and run the driver off the existing ribbon.

    I also repurposed Zip drive ribbons as laser driver lines for my UV etcher..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown18 May 2010 at 04:43

    Great project.

    I would love to try it myself.
    Would you share the code for it?

    amirm01@yahoo.com

    Thanks,
    Ami

    ReplyDelete
  8. Unknown6 September 2010 at 18:46

    Hello Raul

    It is a very interesting project and the result is great looking with what you did, I would love to build, you can
    give more information.
    My email is ssomnus@gmail.com
    Thank you.

    Saul

    ReplyDelete
  9. Harsha Wijesooriya12 February 2011 at 23:33

    what is the software you are using?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Raul13 February 2011 at 06:45

    I wrote a silly python program to drive the CNC

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lozza195029 December 2011 at 00:33

    I have found everything except the board with the 2h bridges and shift register. Can I buy on of the shelf ? Or can you provide part names and circuit .
    Thanks
    Laurie australia

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lozza195029 December 2011 at 17:48

    My e - mail is lauriemattila59@ hotmail.com. Perhaps you sell me the board ?
    Thanks
    Laurie

    ReplyDelete
  13. Raul30 December 2011 at 04:11

    Hi Lozza, thanks for your interest!

    You dont really need those hbridges I build I just used them because I had them around.

    Any arduino shield that helps you move 2 stepper motors will do, this would be the easiest way to build it. You can also use stepper motor drivers that you can buy for $11 from pololu for example, probably that would be easier

    Does this help?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jack28 February 2012 at 06:37

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The Good Life17 November 2013 at 18:21

    Hi
    Raul

    I was hoping you could help me.

    I am looking to cut spray foam off my vaulted ceiling.
    The rafters are 16" apart.
    They sell tools for this but I cannot afford $300 now, I spent it on foam!

    I found a guy that made a hot wire cutter on Youtube with a flashlight and a wire with a coathanger frame.

    I dont know alot but it seems to me that the coat hanger would also conduct electricity and heat up.

    Any suggestions on what materials I could use that wouldnt heat too much and melt my flashlight?
    So far, I have a $3 flashlight that came with 2 D batteries, a plain coat hanger and an old E string from a guitar

    ReplyDelete
  16. Raul18 November 2013 at 07:05

    Hi TheGoodLife,

    The coat hunger has to be isolated from the steel wire otherwise the current will flow through the hanger and not through the steel wire.

    I would try googling a bit i'm sure there has to be great tutorials out there on how to build such a thing.

    Good Luck!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oudom1 December 2015 at 15:37

    Hi Raul! Your project is nice! Would it be possible if I want to buy your project. My email: oudomchetha@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oudom1 December 2015 at 15:38

    Hi Raul! Your project is nice! Would it be possible if I want to buy your project. My email: oudomchetha@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
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    Nice Information! I personally really appreciate your article. This is a great website. I will make sure that I stop back again!
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