AIC's Proxxon Thermocut

          Here at AIC, one of our favorite machines is the Proxxon's Hot Wire Thermocut. It is used to cut Styrofoam and other plastics. The thin metal wire is heated up and melts the Styrofoam, thus making a clean slice. Without the hot wire, it is very difficult to cut Styrofoam, because the edges crumble, leaving a rugged break rather than the smooth cut that the Thermocut provides. Because of its simplicity, students are able to bring their creations to life with ease.

          The Proxxon Thermocut has many features that assist in design. If used correctly, the hot wire easily slices through the Styrofoam. To use the Proxxon Thermocut, follow these simple steps:

• Safety first! Tie up hair, tuck in tassels, and make sure there is adequate ventilation.
• The knob to the left of the red light and the knob at the top control the tightness of the hot wire. It can be loosened so that the wire is slack and tightened so that the wire is taut. 
• The knob directly to the left of the switch controls how hot the wire is on a spectrum of 0 to 6. Adjust these settings according to the material being used. The denser the material, the hotter the wire needs to be.
• Turn on the switch and start cutting! Caution: the wire is very hot and the machine will barely make noise when its on. 

 Additionally, there is a grid on the silver surface of the machine that helps guide straight lines. A guard can be attached that also help create straight lines. To see a video tutorial, click here.
          During the Mindess Makerspace 3D Design Course, students were trained how to use the hot wire. One student gasped upon using it, "It's so satisfying!" Indeed, the Thermocut allows for their dreams to become reality. Once a shape is traced out with pencil, it can be cut out with precision. Using Styrofoam and the hotwire, one child created a birdhouse, while another made a model truck. Personally, I used the Proxxon Thermocut to create a prototype of the Space Shuttle Atlantis (see right). The Thermocut is an easy way for students to express their creativity because of the ease of use.
         We are thrilled to have this tool in our makerspace. Before the Proxxon Thermocut, Styrofoam was not a viable material to design with, but now students are able to use Styrofoam as a material to bring their ideas to life. New frontiers are open, and their imaginations take flight.

To learn more about the Ashland Innovation Center, click here.
To learn more about the Mindess Makerspace 3D Design Course at AIC, click here.