Hot Wire Foam Cutter

Discussion on Stirling or "hot air" engines (all types)
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jimlarsen
Posts: 213
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:04 am

Hot Wire Foam Cutter

Post by jimlarsen »

If you ever make a Low Temperature Differential Stirling Engine, like a coffee cup or pancake style engine, this is a slick way to cut the foam for your displacer disks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfvFJsMwDXc
Ian S C
Posts: 2218
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:15 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Hot Wire Foam Cutter

Post by Ian S C »

I'v got two hot wire cutters, one for cutting discs, and the other for cutting slices of which ever thickness is required. I have a low voltage DC power supply in my workshop, and they plug into that. Another use could be making model aeroplanes, I,v only made one LTD motor, so the cutters don't get much use. Ian S C
Chriske
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 1:24 am

Re: Hot Wire Foam Cutter

Post by Chriske »

Hi,

I have built three of these foam-cutters connected to 1 PC-power supply.
I use them pretty much the same as Ian and my thirth is for cutting smaller basic blocks to be used with the other two cutters.
Not all brands of foam can be cut with these hot wires.

Chris
Mijn thuis is waar mijn draaibank staat...
jimlarsen
Posts: 213
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:04 am

Re: Hot Wire Foam Cutter

Post by jimlarsen »

I have made an improvement to the framework of the hot wire foam cutter. I noticed others doing similar things and it does help keep the wire taught when heated.

http://youtu.be/gajBrMvvR0I
Chriske
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 1:24 am

Re: Hot Wire Foam Cutter

Post by Chriske »

Hi,

Nice solution, I didn't think of that one...
I use a paper-clip pulling on the wires. Tension is regulated with a few rubberbands.

Chris
Mijn thuis is waar mijn draaibank staat...
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