FoxAlien HW40 CNC Hot Wire Foam Cutter, Thermocut Foam Cutting Machine for Foam Board, EVA, EPP, EPE Heating Wire Electric Cutting Tool with Temperature Control and Voltage Digital Display (400x400mm)

This machine was super simple to put together and the instructions kept it super simple. I got it built in under 30 minutes and I was already testing it through the motions. Software is easy but does have a learning curve if you haven’t used it before.

I jumped on this machine after learning the CNC laser and CNC router from Foxalien. This machine offers a distinctly different work medium than what I was used to working with wood for the most part.A quick list of PROs and CONs then a little more in depth...PRO's ---- Overall quality build. Once together its a fairly solid machine....-- Works just as expected. Cut some foam projects quickly and cleanly just as advertised.-- Had a good work space size. Everyone always wants "bigger, and bigger" but overall the space this machine provides is more than adequate for any projects i'll be doing around the house / home and hobby.CONs ---- Although good instructions the building of the machine can be cumbersome and more involved than needed.-- Some of the cord length leaves little room to work with when it comes to placing your machine in your workspace.-- Provides the ability to do 3 dimensional foam objects but doesn't really provide software to do so.Full review .... I am still fairly new with this machine but it has performed as I expected it to. Building the machine was a little cumbersome. The instructions are detailed enough that I cant complain about that but still required me watching a build video and still took me some time to wrap my head around the positioning of the wire itself on the build. During the build process I did over tighten something a snapped a black ceramic washer. They were very quick and willing to replace this piece for me but took some time coming from China ( not their fault ). Would like to see a few additional washers in the "extra parts" portion of the build kit though. Would be a nice touch to avoid this in the future.Once assembled and ready to run I had to carefully place the power supply reasonably close the machine since the wires run under the machine to the axis. Originally I had it a bit to far away and it tired to pull the power supply with it to no avail. Oops.I ran the test files with it with some packing foam they sent with the machine and it cut out just fine. Using the Gcode Sender they provide with it did have a slight issue with the feed rate which originally made me believe it wasn't working properly. Which brings me to my next point.Software.... Using CNC for router and lasering there are adequate free programs out there to get you by as your are just learning. Once you "find your way" you always upgrade to some form of paid software as you feel fits your needs. With this machine it works in a different manner and none of the other CNC software I was using works with it, which is ok and expected, but I also haven't found anything economical for my needs yet. They provide instructions to make 2D files with ink scape software ( free ) and provide a free g code sender so you do have software to start with but it is limited and not supported by the machine manufacturer which sometimes leaves some learning / help gaps.When it comes to 3D files, I haven't found a cheap option yet.Again, I give it 3.5 stars ( rounded to 4 ) for overall quality of the machine. If some assembly issues could be a little simpler with the wire assembly and the heating unit on the wire as well as a much better software package or solution the review would be much higher.I would recommend this machine depending on your needs ( mainly foam projects etc ) but keep in mind there will be a little learning curve with it and finding a good software package to get you going !

Very fast delivery timeGreat machine, accurate cutting

Mostly pre-assembled, went together in about 45 mins with the hot wire install being the tricky part, but the manual is pretty thorough with lots of clear photos.It includes sample cut files and a guide on how to use them to get right into your first project.