These are a few photos of the foam cutting machine components
This is the top view of the controller board. As you can see it isn't too complicated.
The socket at the bottom is where the parallel port to the PC plugs in and the four white sockets are where the four
stepper motors attach.
Across the centre are the four IC's that control the stepper motors ...These have heatsinks on them.....This contoller board is placed in a box with a cooling fan that blows across the top of the IC's to keep them cool.
Below are the two end slides that give both the horizontal and vertical movements. The cutting bow is
attached the slides at the bottom where the cutting wire passes through a connector bearing like is used on
helicoptor control rod ends. The hole in the rod end is bushed to fit the cutting wire with minimun clearance.
The top of the bow rests in the cradle supports at the top of the vertical slide.
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Last Modified on Monday 5th. July, 1999