Effect of Cutting Parameters on Performance of CNC Hot Wire styrofoam Cutting Machine

Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), is commonly used for packaging fragile items, insulation in construction, disposable food containers, crafting, and art projects. Its lightweight and insulating properties make it versatile. Additionally, it is used in floatation devices, horticulture, and construction formwork. Manual cutting of Styrofoam presents several challenges, including inaccurate cuts, rough surfaces, difficulty achieving consistency and precision, time-consuming processes, increased material waste, and safety concerns. Automation through CNC machines, like the CNC Styrofoam Cutter, addresses these issues by providing accuracy, consistency, and efficiency in handling complex designs, offering a controlled and reliable solution for cutting Styrofoam. A hotwire mechanism is used in this CNC machine to cut the Styrofoam. This paper analyses the relation between the supply current on the wire, kerf width of the cut, cutting time, and temperature variations during cutting to get the optimum cutting parameters.