RCFoamCutter - The Software

There are 4 options to run our machines:

1. Using the old PC printer port - this option will only work on WinXP or Win7 32 bit OS

2. Using USB adapter UC100 -  The adapter will work with Win7 64 bit, Win8 and win10
3. Using Arduino with DevCNC-USB software 

4. Using Arduino with GRBL - work in progress

4 Axis stepper motor driver board

WinXP or Win7 32 Bit

Mach3

25 pin connctor

printer port

Mach3

Parallel Port

Left X motor

Left Y motor

Right X motor

Right Y motor

OR

4 Axis stepper motor driver board

Win7, Win8 , Win 10

Mach3

Mach3

Mach3

USB

4 Axis stepper motor driver board

DevCNC

USB

Arduino

The Process & Software

Foam cutting requires 3 steps:

1. Design - 2D shapes - save in DXF format (R14 or 2000 are preferred)

2. Convert the DXF to G code - use DevFoam or other g code generation tools.

    In order to generate G code (convert DXF to G code in order to run the machine) we recommend using DevFoam - for 
    straight cuts and DevFoamPro for tapered shapes. Program can be found here www.devcad.com

3. To run the 4 axis hot wire machine, there are two options.

Option 1 - Using Mach3 available from www.machsupport.com 

                 Using WinXP or Win7 32 bit windows machine with an onboard parallel port, setup the program as in this link

                 Using Win7 64 bit, Win 8 or Win10, you will need to use the UC100 or an equivalent adapter, make sure to
                 install all the necessary drivers and then setup mach3.

Option 2 - Using DevCNC available from www.devcad.com

                 Using DevCNC requires a different hardware package - for more information click here
Option 3 - Using Arduino with GRBL available - We are currently working on this option

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DevFoam and DevFoamPro setup

Follow the step by step instructions in the video below

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