4-Axis CNC Hot-Wire Cutter

Machine Design, Assembly, Configurations and Testing

  • Strengths demonstrated: Programming and Debugging, Soldering, Mechanical Design and Assembly
  • Tools used: Solidworks, Aruino Compiler, Stepper Motors
  • School Team: University of Toronto HPVDT
  • Project date: 2021 Summer
  • Competition Information: The Kremer International Marathon Competition

What?
The Human Powered Vehicle Design Team (HPVDT) is attempting to break the Kremer International Marathon Prize with a human powered airplane needed a CNC machine that was able to accurately cut styrofoam into wing ribs and wing tips. These parts give the structure of the wing which would be covered by sheets of carbon fiber to create the aerofoil shape.

How?
I created a design based on 80-20 aluminum beams on SolidWorks that held a wire of nichrome between two towers. When a current is passed through this wire, it heats up and slices long prisms through styrofoam with ease. The towers were controlled using an arduino hooked up to some stepper motors and drivers.

Results
The finished 4-axis CNC machine allowed for precise cuts prisms of the wing ribs which were then cut into thin slices. The team now has machinery to bring future builds to testing quicker.