Laser Cutting Foam

   Does anyone know whether or not you can cut polyurethane foam on a Versalaser or something similar?
I want to be able to cut the same shape identically several times but it would take donkey's years by hand.

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Glitcher7 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 27 Oct 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote Glitcher7 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser Cutting Foam Posted: 15 Nov 12 at 8:20pm
	Does anyone know whether or not you can cut polyurethane foam on a Versalaser or something similar? I want to be able to cut the same shape identically several times but it would take donkey's years by hand.
	Farr 3.7 398 in build Laser 137012 Norfolk Punt 100

Daniel Holman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 17 Nov 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 997	Post Options Post Reply Quote Daniel Holman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 12 at 3:27pm
	Hot wire and templates

Strawberry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 21 Jun 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1337	Post Options Post Reply Quote Strawberry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Nov 12 at 4:11pm
	What you want is waterjet cutting rather than laser cutting. And these are the people to speak to: http://www.fibrefusion.com/
	Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Nov 12 at 8:16pm
	Waterjetting is a bit ott just for foam Stu. Fibrefusion do a good line in carbon foam sandwich which they waterjet.

Glitcher7 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 27 Oct 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote Glitcher7 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 10:44am
	The reason I asked is because I have access to a Versalaser. However I could make up some plastic templates on the Versalaser and hot wire them as suggested. Any idea on how to make/use a hot wire? Thanks for the input.
	Farr 3.7 398 in build Laser 137012 Norfolk Punt 100

Oatsandbeans Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 19 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oatsandbeans Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 11:50am
	I' m not 100% sure that a hot wire would work on a foam like PU as it is a thermoset. Hot wire works a dream on polystyrene as it softens at temperature. Pvc and PUs dont - it may just fry it. If you want to give it a go you need to get some resistance heating wire (nichrome) and connect it to a variable power supply running at a safe voltage (not 240v!). You support it on a wooden C -shaped frame holding the wire in tension by a bit of shock cord on the other side. The current supplied and the wire resistance will determine the heating effect. (Try to do it safely without electrocuting yourself!)

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 1:05pm
	If you've got access to the laser, surely it would be possible to have a trial?
	-_ Al