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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Paul Smith on May 04, 2007, 05:44:11 AM

Title: AMA's Foam Cutter
Post by: Paul Smith on May 04, 2007, 05:44:11 AM

I saw an AMA ad where it appears that they have a computer-driven foam cutter that works directly from computer plans (like laser-cut balsa), and cuts foam cores without physical templates.

Is this possible?

Is anybody else already doing this?

As a side issue, it seems that AMA is extending into the manufacturing side of the hobby.  Good business under the new manager?

Title: Re: AMA's Foam Cutter
Post by: Robert McHam on May 04, 2007, 06:09:46 AM

You bet its possible... Go here:
http://www.drayconstruction.com/foamstuffs/ and then clic on the video a little ways down the page. The video quality is low but it will show you that foam cores are more than a possibility!
You can also set up to cut two cores at once!

Robert

Title: Re: AMA's Foam Cutter
Post by: peabody on May 04, 2007, 03:04:46 PM

I believe that Phil Cartier is using one of these....

Title: Re: AMA's Foam Cutter
Post by: captcurt on May 04, 2007, 04:15:09 PM

Hi Paul:

Being in the Automation bidness, I started gathering stuff to put a system together a year or so ago.  I have most of the stuff, including software but havent found the time or space yet.  Its too easy to cut em by hand unless you are in production. 

And one must be able to convert the CAD drawing into the proper foil data for the CNC software--it isnt as easy as just giving it the drawing.

I managed to find a couple of 40" double linear rails and ball screws with servo motors on them off the Bay.  And they were a real bargain.

Curt

Title: Re: AMA's Foam Cutter
Post by: Paul Smith on May 05, 2007, 01:25:57 PM

I don't doubt that it can be done.  The technology certainly exists if somebody wants to invest the resources.  Like laser-cut balsa, CNC foam cutting opens the door to unlimited styles with minimal tooling cost.   This AMA thing is just the first commercial application I've seen.

The software would need to extrapolate the taper off the foam and make the root airfoil bigger than nominal and the tip smaller.

Title: Re: AMA's Foam Cutter
Post by: Al Rabe on May 05, 2007, 06:19:45 PM

Kyle Tankersley is now also cutting foam cores in addition to laser cutting kits.  His process is computerized.  The quality should be as good as AMA and the price possibly better.  We had problems with the post office crushing molded balsa leading edges for out Mustang and Bearcat kits so Kyle is now shipping foam leading edge cores instead of molded sheeting.

Al

Title: Re: AMA's Foam Cutter
Post by: phil c on May 05, 2007, 07:16:24 PM

The Core House has been using CNC hot wire cutting since 1985.
The problem never was being able to do it, but to build a machine at a low enough cost to make it economical for model building.

Title: Re: AMA's Foam Cutter
Post by: Bob Reeves on May 07, 2007, 10:09:21 AM

http://www.hobbycnc.com/

Title: Re: AMA's Foam Cutter
Post by: Crist Rigotti on May 07, 2007, 11:20:15 AM

Bob,
Ditto on that link!   #^