Foam cutting CNC software

foam_man · May 26, 2001, 06:46 PM

Hi All
I have built a foam cutting CNC. I need the software that will controll the 4 stepper motors that move the XY tables in the correct direction. Does anyone know who makes this software?
Thanks

exempt · May 27, 2001, 10:39 PM

I thought for sure that I saw some type of CNC software in a Micromark catalog once but upon inspection of my latest catalog I don't see it, they do have a bunch of accesories for this though. I bet if you call them they may be able to point you in the right direction. www.micromark.com
Sounds like a great project! I would love to do something like this someday.

Reagrds,
Scott

Scott J · May 28, 2001, 12:41 AM

Hey foam_man,
Bill Griggs Models carries cnc foam cutting software. http://www.griggsmodels.com/

Scott

pfg · May 28, 2001, 02:48 AM

get a copy of "Nuts and Volts" - its not carried at many places but has exactly what you need - even free software for the actual cutter control. e-mail me if you have trouble and we'll find a way to get you the info. http://www.nutsvolts.com/

[This message has been edited by pfg (edited 05-28-2001).]

Far4nugn · Sep 05, 2001, 09:42 PM

foam_man, did you ever finish this project? I'm about to start he same thing and would like to know if you found a solution for the software.

I plan to use a pair of (2channel) controllers from www.steppercontrol.com and some small steppers I have around my shop.

Thanks!

jrgii · Sep 06, 2001, 08:03 PM

I actually use a machine similar to what you guys are looking for, but it is a very expensive hardware and software solution for a hobbyist.I can cut foam up to 2" thick. I normaly work with polyethelene, polyurethane and a depron like material. Check out the link to see what it looks like.
http://www.data-technology.com/dt2200.html

stealthy · Sep 07, 2001, 02:37 AM

I purchased a copy from a guy in france, I have the link if your still looking for software. I think the price was around $30-$40, I'm about to build my cnc foam cutter this month along with a cnc router.

wigham1 · Sep 07, 2001, 04:13 AM

Hi Foam_man

Would you consider telling us how you built the machine???

Thanks
Stephen

[This message has been edited by wigham1 (edited 09-07-2001).]

Far4nugn · Sep 07, 2001, 02:00 PM

jrgii, the laser cutting machine on that site is most impressive! wow.

Stealthy, please post a link to the SW site if its not too much trouble.

Thanks!

philc · Sep 07, 2001, 02:22 PM

I built this type of foam cutting machine quite a few years ago, and wrote software to run it. It is written in a C like language, if you want to take a look at it. It runs the motors in short, straight paths, which cut a nice smooth path on the machine. To make the whole system work you need a decent CAD program to develop the shapes to cut, a pre-processor(simple Basic program) to convert the shapes into steps/motor, and then the cutter hardware and software.

Far4nugn · Sep 08, 2001, 09:50 AM

philc, I'd like to try it if thats ok. I was considering doing the same, but I have very little programming experience and only in VB. I use 3D Studio Max to create the shapes, or I can scan a print and 'vectorize' it with other software.

Please email me a copy and maybe some advice on using it (if its not obvious) to: Scott@clausen.net

Thank a bunch!

May 26, 2001, 06:46 PM	#1
foam_man Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cupertino, CA, USA Posts: 104	Foam cutting CNC software Hi All I have built a foam cutting CNC. I need the software that will controll the 4 stepper motors that move the XY tables in the correct direction. Does anyone know who makes this software? Thanks

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May 27, 2001, 10:39 PM	#2
exempt Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 378	I thought for sure that I saw some type of CNC software in a Micromark catalog once but upon inspection of my latest catalog I don't see it, they do have a bunch of accesories for this though. I bet if you call them they may be able to point you in the right direction. www.micromark.com Sounds like a great project! I would love to do something like this someday. Reagrds, Scott

May 28, 2001, 12:41 AM	#3
Scott J Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Posts: 171	Hey foam_man, Bill Griggs Models carries cnc foam cutting software. http://www.griggsmodels.com/ Scott

May 28, 2001, 02:48 AM	#4
pfg Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 446	get a copy of "Nuts and Volts" - its not carried at many places but has exactly what you need - even free software for the actual cutter control. e-mail me if you have trouble and we'll find a way to get you the info. http://www.nutsvolts.com/ [This message has been edited by pfg (edited 05-28-2001).]

Sep 05, 2001, 09:42 PM	#5
Far4nugn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 566	foam_man, did you ever finish this project? I'm about to start he same thing and would like to know if you found a solution for the software. I plan to use a pair of (2channel) controllers from www.steppercontrol.com and some small steppers I have around my shop. Thanks!

Sep 06, 2001, 08:03 PM	#6
jrgii Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 36	I actually use a machine similar to what you guys are looking for, but it is a very expensive hardware and software solution for a hobbyist.I can cut foam up to 2" thick. I normaly work with polyethelene, polyurethane and a depron like material. Check out the link to see what it looks like. http://www.data-technology.com/dt2200.html

Sep 07, 2001, 02:37 AM	#7
stealthy ultramega super star Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Tucson,AZ 365 days of Sunshine Posts: 313	I purchased a copy from a guy in france, I have the link if your still looking for software. I think the price was around $30-$40, I'm about to build my cnc foam cutter this month along with a cnc router.

Sep 07, 2001, 04:13 AM	#8
wigham1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 47	Hi Foam_man Would you consider telling us how you built the machine??? Thanks Stephen [This message has been edited by wigham1 (edited 09-07-2001).]

Sep 07, 2001, 02:00 PM	#9
Far4nugn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 566	jrgii, the laser cutting machine on that site is most impressive! wow. Stealthy, please post a link to the SW site if its not too much trouble. Thanks!

Sep 07, 2001, 02:22 PM	#10
philc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: PA Posts: 19	I built this type of foam cutting machine quite a few years ago, and wrote software to run it. It is written in a C like language, if you want to take a look at it. It runs the motors in short, straight paths, which cut a nice smooth path on the machine. To make the whole system work you need a decent CAD program to develop the shapes to cut, a pre-processor(simple Basic program) to convert the shapes into steps/motor, and then the cutter hardware and software.

Sep 08, 2001, 09:50 AM	#11
Far4nugn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 566	philc, I'd like to try it if thats ok. I was considering doing the same, but I have very little programming experience and only in VB. I use 3D Studio Max to create the shapes, or I can scan a print and 'vectorize' it with other software. Please email me a copy and maybe some advice on using it (if its not obvious) to: Scott@clausen.net Thank a bunch!