hardware/software for new machine

[GAWnCA]

I don't think it really does. I guess you could make it work, but it sure is overkill. Try http://gm.cnc.free.fr/en/index.html I've got a firned building a LONG -EZ plane and he is cuttin ghis foam using this software. Gilles gives pretty good support. You can download the Pro version and run it for 30 days and then if you like it, it's about $200.00 USD to buy.

Quick question: Does MACH (2 or 3) have support for hot-wire machines?

~Luke

[IAD]

I see. The reason I was asking was because I'm building both a router and a (have built) a hot-wire setup, and figured driving both with the same software package would be nice. I've used GFMC a bit, and I do like it, except for the price-tag.

~Luke

[jetski]

I used a NiCrome wire with great results on a manual unit. I dont remember the dia.

[flyboy1015]

I saw a few posts back that Captahab wanted to build a heat control. I used a power transistor that I had in my box and then used a potentiometer to adjust the amps. It's very simple and pretty effective. If you wanted something a little more complex, you could add an LED bar (LM3914) driver to make a meter with LEDs to monitor the voltage/current.

[jetski]

First you go to Wal-mart and pick up a cheap batt. charger. Then you hook the positive up to one side and the negative to the other end of the Ni Chrome wire and to make it hotter you slide the one closer and to make it not so hot you slide them apart. Oh there is an expansion problem, so I put a small spring that will stretch about 3-4 inches to keep the slack out. I would bet you could use a HO train trans former and a few test clips. Just depends of the amps you need to heat the wire to the temp you need. I was cuttin 6-8 inch styrofoam for a roof. Now the only foam I cut is off the top of a tall beer glass. Guiness need a truck jump start wire set up.