Building a CNC machine to cut surfboards

[corran]

Hello all,

I'm embarking into the strange, and scary world, of building a CNC machine to cut polystyrene foam into surfboards (which are later laminated with fiberglass etc).

We're talking about a 10' x 2' surface area that can cut 3D shapes. Commercial machine that do this run in excess of $40 000 to $50 000!!! Out of my price range.

I know diddly squat about these things, and have never built anything like this. But I'm pretty good at figuring things out and building stuff in general.

So... first questions... are there any online plans for machines like this that exist? What should I expect to spend on building one (mechanics, electrical, programs to guide the machine, and also to scan existing boards so they can be duplicated).

Thanks for the help. I'm sure I'll have many more questions soon enough...

Corran

(www.2imagine.net if you want to see my boards).

[Switcher]

Looks like you could go a couple ways.

1) 3-axis cnc router

2) 2-axis Hot wire foam cutter


The router would use endmills (rough), ball-endmill (finish).

The hot wire could be used If you wanted to just get a rough profile (shape) of the board, it could also cut a lot more than the router at one time, depends on the table size, example line up 10 foam blanks (secure blanks) then run your g-code.

If you go with the router you will, need a 3-D model, or be able to probe an existing board.

Mach3 is the cnc control program that most guys run to control the cnc machine. It supports a lot of things (probe, etc...).

Cost is up to the builder, it can vary big time.

What's your budget?

Note:
I don't know much about diff, types of foam, I'm thinking the hot wire will cut your foam?



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[Switcher]

This photo shows a board cut with a hot wire.


You might like to look thru this site (diy hot wire).

Videos



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