Machines for EPP and XPS
Machines for cutting and milling EPP and XPS boards – with hot wire, fastwire or the milling machine.
Understanding EPP and XPS – and processing them correctly
XPS is extruded polystyrene (Styrodur), EPP is expanded polypropylene. Both are light, closed-cell and thermally cuttable foams.
Both are processed as boards. Their use is very different – XPS mainly in insulation, model-making and sign-making, EPP mainly in packaging, model-making, drones and automotive – but the processing is essentially the same.
There are three routes for cutting: thermal cutting with the hot wire, mechanical separation with the fastwire and CNC milling. Which route fits depends above all on dimensional accuracy, the edge and the application.
Which process suits your EPP and XPS boards?
XPS and EPP are processed in the same way – there are three routes. What matters is dimensional accuracy, the edge you need and your application.
Do you want to cut XPS and EPP thermally?
Then the hot wire (single wire) is the standard route. The hot wire melts its way through the board without any force and leaves a smooth, sealed edge – ideal for contours, profiles and letters from XPS and EPP boards.
Good to know: XPS should be weighted down during thermal cutting so that it does not warp from the heat; EPP can re-bond slightly after the cut. If that is a problem, the fastwire is the better choice.
View hot wire machines
Does it need to be especially dimensionally accurate and precise?
Then the fastwire is the right choice. The fast-circulating wire separates purely mechanically, without heat input – giving very dimensionally accurate, precise cuts.
Advantage: without heat, XPS does not warp and EPP does not re-bond after the cut. Fresh material can also be processed directly.
View fastwire machines
Do you want to mill XPS and EPP?
Then a CNC milling machine is the right choice. It mills pockets, recesses and contours into the board under CNC control.
Typical: milled tool inlays and transport packaging from EPP – for example precise-fit holders for components.
View milling machines
Frequently asked questions
Are XPS and EPP cut differently?
No. Their use is very different – XPS mainly in insulation and sign-making, EPP mainly in packaging, model-making, drones and automotive – but the processing is essentially the same. The same three routes apply to both: hot wire, fastwire and milling.
Why does XPS have to be weighted down when hot wire cutting?
The heat input can cause XPS to warp. Weighting the board down keeps it dimensionally accurate. To avoid this, XPS is cut with the fastwire – purely mechanically, without heat.
Why sometimes fastwire instead of hot wire?
Whenever it needs to be especially dimensionally accurate and precise. The fastwire separates without heat: XPS does not warp, EPP does not re-bond after the cut, and fresh material can be processed directly.
What is CNC milling used for with EPP and XPS?
For CNC milling of pockets, recesses and contours. Typical are tool inlays and transport packaging from EPP with precise-fit holders for components.
What exactly are EPP and XPS?
XPS is extruded polystyrene, also known as Styrodur. EPP is expanded polypropylene. Both are light, closed-cell and thermally cuttable board foams.
Which other materials run on these machines?
The hot wire also cuts EPS and Neopor; the fastwire processes other foams and insulation materials that are not heat-sensitive; the milling machines mill various board-shaped materials. Pure block processing of EPS and Neopor, by contrast, is handled by dedicated hot wire block machines.
Not sure yet which route fits?
Then get in touch with us.
Once we know whether you process XPS or EPP, how dimensionally accurate the result must be and what is to be produced, we quickly find the right route – hot wire, fastwire or milling.
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