🫧Foam Sculpting

The material properties of high-density extruded polystyrene foam (aka blue foam) make it ideal for efficiently massing and sculpting model components. Blue foam is:

• Sandable

• High compressive strength

• Rigid

The material can be shaped using hand tools.

Hot wire cutters, paired with templates, can also be used to efficiently cut complex 3D forms.

Refer to Foam Sculpting under Techniques for more resources relating to the process, as well as coating and finishing models.

Hot Wire Foam Cutters

About

Image Sources: Left

A resistive wire is heated to the melting point of blue foam. The foam must be fed at the rate at which it melts. A template is needed to produce smooth, accurate cuts.

Our Machines

• Ironcore Transformers P/L H43 T1/1579, 4x

Materials

Available at the ProtoLAB:

High-Density Extruded Polystyrene Foam (EPS) (aka Blue Foam)

Offcuts are freely available.

If the available offcuts do not fit your purpose, show your design to a technician to discuss your prototyping process and cut a larger sheet down to size if necessary.

Access

INDUCTION REQUIRED

Complete the Induction

Once you pass the Hot Wire Foam Cutting Induction, you may use the hot wire cutters during Open Hours.