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Laser foam cutters? - 8/28/2008 3:41:07 AM   
videorov


 

Posts: 79
Joined: 7/19/2003
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Does anyone know the brand of laser cutters that companies use to cut these new foams on the market.
Ive seen some types of flatbed cutters at some graphics printing tradeshows before.
Im trying to find out what type of laser cutter they using to cut these foamy plane kits with.
Im thinking of setting myself up with one to cut my designs out aswell. I know their not cheap
but still want to set one up for myself.
       Post #: 1

RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/28/2008 4:06:56 AM   
longdan



Posts: 524
Joined: 10/18/2006
From: Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
Status: offline 		do you mean laser or hotwire? foam is usually cut with a hot wire. Or else, if enough are being made, they are done in a mold.

(in reply to videorov)
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RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/28/2008 4:13:43 AM   
CoosBayLumber


 

Posts: 3054
Joined: 1/20/2002
From: San Bernardino Calif
Status: offline 		I often wondered the same.



I do know that they had someone with CNC capabilities do the rough out on a wood block, then the laser cutting was done to the wood to provide details.

Then the block of wood was packed with plugs and shot with foam to make a fuselage.

They did not carve the fuselage out of a block of foam as we do. That just takes too long.

Wm.


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Thousands of Laser Cut parts, thousands

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RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/28/2008 4:53:19 AM   
videorov


 

Posts: 79
Joined: 7/19/2003
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Well I think they are using laser on the foamies since the foam is all flat. Ive seen the large hot wire machines at tradeshows
that are sometimes 18x18 ft across. I saw one one time that was used to make theater sets for stages.

I thinks these foamies are using a laser machine but they could use a hotwire I guess too. They could cut the contor of
a wing out of a thik block of foam then slice it like bread for a bunch of them. I think that could be done.
I know they are alot cheaper then the lasers. I just need to cut foam. I can use a cnc for the wood stuff.
Computer controlled hotwire that is.

< Message edited by videorov -- 8/28/2008 4:54:04 AM >

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RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/28/2008 5:13:41 AM   
Chad Veich



Posts: 2864
Joined: 12/13/2001
From: Litchfield Park, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		I'm pretty sure any of the available laser engraving machines on the market will cut Depron and similar. I think many of the companies are using CNC routers intstead to prevent getting a discolored edge but that is a guess on my part.

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RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/28/2008 12:14:23 PM   
bps



Posts: 735
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Indianapolis, IN, USA
Status: offline 		I have a 60 watt laser and it cuts foams very well. Hardens the edges of most foams with the exception of ppe which it cuts very well, better than balsa. You are correct in that most engraving lasers will cut foam, balsa, plastic and the wattage of the laser will deturmin how thick of material you can cut.


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RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/28/2008 3:19:02 PM   
CoosBayLumber


 

Posts: 3054
Joined: 1/20/2002
From: San Bernardino Calif
Status: offline 		JEB...


My wonder is just how the foam is to be clamped to table. Most lasers that I know of will not adjust the head to like six inches away from surface. None of which permit tilting of the laser head.

Not that it cannot be done, but I to would like to hear of a name first. If you know of someone at Cohearant, the world's largest producer of laser heads, they then could perhaps aim you towards the firm who sells such a tilting and variable powered thing.


Wm.


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Thousands of Laser Cut parts, thousands

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RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/28/2008 8:49:26 PM   
bps



Posts: 735
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Indianapolis, IN, USA
Status: offline 		I should clarify that only flat sheet can be cut on a flat bed laser. A lot of the new foam kits are made from flat sheet 1/8 to 1/4 thick. The laser head on mine adjusts from 0 to 16 inhes in height. My laser would not be capable of cutting an airfoil in say 2" thick foam.


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RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/28/2008 11:36:39 PM   
jrbmoto


 

Posts: 358
Joined: 2/13/2005
From: Glendora, CA, USA
Status: online 		I know this is a little off the subject but can anyone recomend a foam cutter in the So. Ca./ L.A. area? I've searched the internet but all I get are companys in other states. I would like to deal with someone locally. I know theres got to be someone around here. Thanks,


-Johnny-

(in reply to bps)
       Post #: 9

RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/29/2008 1:41:59 AM   
CoosBayLumber


 

Posts: 3054
Joined: 1/20/2002
From: San Bernardino Calif
Status: offline 		Johnny....

Last time I looked at the Business pages for Los Angeles and Orange county, there were no less than 75 firms offering laser cutting services. I know of four working with models, but they are in San Bernardino County.


Wm.


_____________________________

www.mybloo.com/coosbay/laser/laser.html
Thousands of Laser Cut parts, thousands

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RE: Laser foam cutters? - 8/31/2008 7:53:31 PM   
WhiteRook



Posts: 910
Joined: 11/3/2002
From: westbrook, ME, USA
Status: offline 		TRY wingmfg.com

(in reply to CoosBayLumber)
       Post #: 11

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