Introduction: Hot Wire Foam Cutter - Arduino PWM

About: Software, electronics, do-it-yourself

Last time I did the Hot wire foam cutter but I missed the temperature control. So that's why I made a simple PWM control. The whole project was based on Arduino ATtiny85 Digispark. For this project I only needed three pins, so the ATtiny85 is fine. Also I carried the wires in the PVC pipes. This article can also see here:


Hot wire foam cutter - Arduino PWM


Hot wire foam cutter

Step 1: Components

  • Arduino Digispark ATtiny85
  • Plastic box for electronics
  • Some wires
  • IRF530
  • 5 x resistors 1k ohm
  • 2 x resistors 100 ohm
  • 1 x potentiometer 10k ohm
  • 2 x BC547
  • 1 x LED 3v
  • 1 x 7812
  • Hot wire foam cutter

Step 2: Schematic Diagram

Step 3: Fixing

After soldering the circuit, we can mount it to the PVC pipe.

Step 4: Wires

The next step is to place the wires inside the PVC pipe.

Step 5: Software for the Controller

The software itself is very simple.
#define LED_PIN 0
	#define PWM_PIN 1
	
	
	int val = 0;
	long t = 0;
	bool sw = LOW;
	
	//the setup routine runs once when you press reset:
	void setup() {                
	  pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT); //LED on Model B
	  pinMode(PWM_PIN, OUTPUT);
	
	  analogWrite(PWM_PIN, 0);
	  delay(1000);
	}
	
	void loop(){
	  val = analogRead( A1 );
	  analogWrite(PWM_PIN, val/4 );
	  
	  if( millis() - t > 1000 ){
	    sw = !sw;
	    digitalWrite(LED_PIN, sw);
	    t = millis();
	  }
	
	}
Download source code: Hot_wire_foam_cutter.ino

Step 6: Programming ATtiny85 With Arduino IDE

  1. Select board digispark (Default - 16.5mhz)
  2. Select programmer micronucleus
  3. Press upload and connect ATtiny85 Digispark to USB. You have 60 seconds to do it.

  4. Wait until it's over

Step 7: The End

Work finished time to test Hot wire. Soon it will be Easter, so I will cut out Easter bunny.

Microcontroller Contest 2017

Participated in the
Microcontroller Contest 2017