Questions About the ERC TimSav CNC foam cutter

[Destructor]

Hey guys. I found the ERC TimSav CNC cutter a few weeks ago and I'm thinking of building it. I had some questions about the machine:

1)Is it worth it to make? If I want to make a foam cutter is this a good, reliable machine?
2) How much space does the CNC cutter take up? How big of a table do I need to keep it?
3)Does it need any surface below it before cutting foam or can it cut foam placed directly on the table or floor?
4)Can it do score cuts?
5)How much printing time do all the parts take? Can I print all the parts on an Ender 3 v2?
6)Is there any way to screw it to the table or floor. I saw in the operation video that the cutter was being taped to the floor; is there a more robust solution?

PS: this is my first post so forgive me if I did anything wrong.

 

[luvmy40]

The value of the cuter is in the accuracy and speed of cutting the planes. If you are not going to build more than a couple planes, I'd say you shouldn't bother with the CNC cutter. Unless, of course you just want to build one for the experience.

As far as reliability, I found that it took a little trial and error to get things running smoothly and reliably. I have not had any issues with mine in a while.

There are many user designed parts and several different cutter head assemblies posted up on thingiverse and printables and other sites as well, I'm sure. There are frame parts with mounting tabs to screw the assembly down to a table. There are hold down clamps for the foam board that can also be screwed down.

There is a modified extension for Inkscape(developed by a member here) that recognizes line color and allows for multiple depths of cut in one pass.

My finished cutter assembly is 40"by 32".

I use a sacrificial piece of foam board under the project piece to protect the needle when cutting. I think this is the norm for most.

I printed everything on an Ender 3 V1. It does take some time to get everything printed.

I would highly recommend upgrading the print head assembly to one with linear bearings and also the roller end to one with 2 wheels for stability.

Have fun!

 

[Foamforce]

Hey guys. I found the ERC TimSav CNC cutter a few weeks ago and I'm thinking of building it. I had some questions about the machine:

1)Is it worth it to make? If I want to make a foam cutter is this a good, reliable machine?
2) How much space does the CNC cutter take up? How big of a table do I need to keep it?
3)Does it need any surface below it before cutting foam or can it cut foam placed directly on the table or floor?
4)Can it do score cuts?
5)How much printing time do all the parts take? Can I print all the parts on an Ender 3 v2?
6)Is there any way to screw it to the table or floor. I saw in the operation video that the cutter was being taped to the floor; is there a more robust solution?

PS: this is my first post so forgive me if I did anything wrong.

I agree with what @luvmy40 said.

1. The break even time is probably cutting about 20 planes. It took me quite a while to work out all the kinks so that I have a reliable machine now. That said, it was completely worth it to me. I make battle planes for friends and have also used it to make things like Chinese lanterns for my kid’s class and glider projects for birthday parties.
2+3. I built a base for mine that is 36x41. Having a perfectly flat surface is critical for getting the depth of cuts precise. If you have space to add a base, it helps a lot. At a minimum, a very flat sheet of 3/4” finish plywood would do. Otherwise, use a very flat table and tape it down.
4. Yup, very nicely. Refer to previous.
5. I printed all the parts over the course of a few days. Some of the parts are fairly large, so they take awhile.
6. Yes, screwing it down to the platform helps a lot. I used the left and right plates, as well as the hold down brackets, from @ScottInIowa linked here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4816013/files

Also, the original head design is the most finicky part of the machine. I highly recommend @ScottInIowa ’s redesigned head, linked here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5442906

Fwiw, Scott isn’t paying me to promote his designs, 😂

 

[Destructor]

Thanks for the help guys. I already have most of the electronic parts lying around, so I'll start printing the parts soon. I'll post more updates in the course of the project.
Also, @luvmy40 can you give me more info on the linear bearings and roller wheels?

 

[luvmy40]

Here are the links to the cutter assembly and X roller/tensioner I used. There are links to the parts needed for assembly in the comments/description.

ERC TimSav ball bearing head by zero_o

ERC TimSav ball bearing headThis a new head version for the ERC TimSav Foam board CNC cutter. It is based on linear rails and bearing and hence more sturdy. It also supports a drawing marker handling that can be operated with the same single servo. This way, cutting and drawing can be all done...

www.thingiverse.com

ERC Timsav dual roller x tensioner by Dudley1001

so one thing I found with the ERC Timsav was that there was a twisting action on the x rail while cutting due to drag so I remixed the x tensioner to have 2 rollers to give it better stabilization on the end of the x rail. It will require another roller and bolt/nut. I recommend printing at a...

www.thingiverse.com

 

[Mr NCT]

For me the ERC is another rabbit hole to go down. I've cut 3 planes so far but have enjoyed the learning curve on inkscape, laser web (for generating coherent g code), adding the cutting head @luvmy40 recommends, building a vacuum table and adding a second Y axis motor. Lets face it, do we need it - no, but then we don't need to fly planes either. It's just fun.

BTW, here's a modified gear for that cutting head that gives more travel - makes marking with a pen easier.

ERC TimSav ball bearing head gear mod by MisterNCT

I modified the gear to give the head more travel. Thanks to zero_o for a great design.

www.thingiverse.com