Make a CNC Hot Wire Foam Cutter from parts available at your local hardware store

Step 11 The Software

There are a few software out there that will run the machine - some need special hardware - we spent months testing and evaluating many of these software and hardware.

1. FoamWorks software will work with the electronics in the package below - has CAD
capabilities as well
2. GMFC - needs a timer module - without the timer the package below will not work
3. Mach3 is a generic CNC router software will work with the package below, but you need to
be able to generate 4 axis g code.
4. KCAM - same as above - generic CNC router software - will do nice PCB boards as well
5. DeskCNC - is an additional hardware board that connects to the PC via the serial port and
its output is the electronics
package below, not very easy to put together but doable.

Online store

All of the software above other then DeskCNC require you to have a printer port on the PC

If you are going to cut wings or simple shapes we would recommend the use of Foamworks
If you want to cut complicated shapes and multiple shapes we would recommend DeskCNC or Mach3. We currently use AutoCAD to draw the shapes, then convert them into G code using DeskCNC, and the last step is to run the machine using Mach3.

Here are some tutorials for all 3 software packages - we have spent many hours creating them, and they are free of charge to use or distribute !!

www.8linx.com