Cutting Neopor with CNC Hot Wire
Neopor is not the same as EPS. The graphite content makes cutting more demanding - and requires different machines.
What Is Neopor?
Neopor is an expanded polystyrene developed by BASF containing graphite particles. The graphite particles reflect thermal radiation and significantly improve insulation performance - Neopor insulates considerably better than standard EPS at the same thickness. In hot wire cutting however these graphite particles present a special challenge.
The Graphite Problem in Hot Wire Cutting
When cutting Neopor the graphite particles deposit around the hot wire and cool it down. The melting power of the wire decreases - it gets stuck or breaks. This problem is particularly pronounced during long cutting times on a single wire. The longer the wire cuts without interruption, the more graphite is deposited.
For Neopor processing we always recommend multi-wire machines. The CUT4000S and CUT5000S have shorter cutting times per wire - the graphite deposition per wire is lower. The cutting process is more stable, wire breaks are rarer and production quality is higher. The cutting speed also has to be set lower for Neopor than for standard EPS.
Setting Tips for Neopor
- Reduce cutting speed - slower than for standard EPS
- Increase temperature if necessary - graphite cools the wire down
- Make regular test cuts - observe graphite deposition
- Check the wire more frequently and replace if necessary
- Prefer a multi-wire machine - shorter cutting times per wire
Frequently Asked Questions
The key questions and answers on this topic.
Why is Neopor harder to cut than EPS?
Neopor contains graphite particles that deposit on the wire during cutting and cool it down. The melting power decreases - the wire gets stuck or breaks. Multi-wire machines with shorter cutting times per wire solve this problem.
Which machine is best suited for Neopor?
For Neopor we recommend the CUT4000S or CUT5000S - multi-wire machines with shorter cutting times per wire reduce graphite deposition and make the process more stable.
Neopor in Production?
We advise on the right machine and settings for Neopor processing.
Related Knowledge
Related articles from our practical knowledge on this topic.
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