Fab Academy 2015CNC EDM Machine Prototype
Week 1. I propose a scalable CNC controlled Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) wire cutter for my final project. In this prototype, it can be modelled with a hot wire foam cutter. Two stepper motors move the object and the string stays in place at the bottom. This way the modelled EDM machine can have a fluid tank over the plasma. EDM machines can cut very hard materials without stress to the moving parts, therefore stepper motors will not have to be especially strong.
The sketch shows the simplified idea of the mechanical parts. The object moves in the directions of X-axis and Y-axis. The prototype can be used as a foam cutter for example for modelling objects. It will be designed as much as possible to be scalable to the bigger machine just growing the size of parts.
Week 2. The second home assignment of week 2 was to sketch the final project with CAD. I used Google's SketchUp. After little testing the sketching was easy to do. Final parts are developed based on this:
Both stepper motors lie on top of the moving head. Hot wire is assembled between the edges. The object to cut is tightened between the jars with two nuts.