Machines for PU, PUR and PIR
Machines for cutting and milling PU, PUR and PIR insulation – with a circulating fastwire or a CNC milling machine.
Understanding PU, PUR and PIR – and processing them correctly
PU and PUR are two names for the same rigid polyurethane foam. PIR (polyisocyanurate) is chemically related but offers better fire behavior. All are pressure-resistant insulation foams with very good insulating performance and are processed essentially the same way.
All are available as a raw block and as a finished insulation board. Raw blocks vary by foaming line – typically up to around 2,500–3,000 mm long, with special lines up to 5,000 mm, at widths of around 1,000–1,250 mm. Common standard boards are e.g. 2,400 × 1,200 mm or 1,200 × 600 mm in thicknesses from 20 to 200 mm.
Unlike Styropor, PU, PUR and PIR cannot be cut with a hot wire – they do not melt but char. They are therefore processed mechanically.
There are several routes: the specialized 3-axis roof machine FW5000HR for tapered insulation, the circulating fastwire for block and board cutting, and the CNC milling machine for contours, pockets and special shapes.
Which process suits your PU, PUR and PIR insulation?
PU, PUR and PIR are processed in the same way – there are several routes. What matters is your application (roof or general cutting), the material form (block or board) and the contour you need.
Do you want to produce tapered insulation for the roof?
Then you need a 3-axis machine like the FW5000HR. The fastwire roof machine cuts tapered boards, valley and hip boards and roof crickets from PU, PUR and PIR with three CNC axes – with a circulating cutting wire and a conveyor belt for continuous roof production.
Typical: tapered insulation and special parts for flat roofs, including valley and hip boards from a single piece.
View FW5000HR
Do you want to cut PU, PUR and PIR with a circulating wire?
Then the CNC fastwire series (FW Series) is the right choice. The fast-circulating wire separates PU, PUR and PIR blocks and boards purely mechanically and cleanly – also upright, with side walls for plate stabilization.
Typical: straight cuts, cut parts and contours from PU, PUR and PIR insulation – from a single board to a whole raw block.
View FW Series
Do you want to mill PU, PUR and PIR?
Then a CNC milling machine is the right choice. It mills pockets, recesses, tapers and contours into board or block under CNC control.
Typical: three-dimensional shapes, tapered insulation, recesses and special cut parts from PU, PUR and PIR.
View milling machines
Frequently asked questions
Why can't PU, PUR and PIR be cut with a hot wire?
PU, PUR and PIR are thermoset rigid foams. They cannot be separated cleanly with heat – they do not melt, they char. They are therefore processed mechanically: with a circulating fastwire or by milling.
Do PU, PUR and PIR come as a block or as a board?
All come both as a raw block and as a finished insulation board. Raw blocks are up to around 2,500–3,000 mm long depending on the line (special lines up to 5,000 mm); common standard boards are e.g. 2,400 × 1,200 mm or 1,200 × 600 mm in thicknesses from 20 to 200 mm.
Fastwire or milling – what is the difference?
The circulating fastwire of the FW Series separates boards and blocks cleanly and is strong for straight cuts and cut parts. The CNC milling machine produces pockets, recesses, tapers and three-dimensional contours.
What is the difference between PU, PUR and PIR?
PU and PUR are two names for the same rigid polyurethane foam. PIR (polyisocyanurate) is chemically related but offers better fire behavior. All are processed the same way.
Which densities can be processed?
PU, PUR and PIR insulation comes in various densities. Which machine and which cutting parameters fit depends on the specific material and density – we clarify that together.
Which other materials run on these machines?
The fastwire machines also cut stone wool, glass wool and other insulation materials that are not thermally cuttable; the milling machine processes various board- and block-shaped materials. Thermally cuttable foams such as EPS, XPS and EPP, by contrast, run on CNC hot wire machines.
Not sure yet which route fits?
Then get in touch with us.
Once we know whether you process PU, PUR or PIR, whether as a block or a board and which contours are to be produced, we quickly find out whether fastwire or milling is the better fit.
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