Designed Computing Systems is the creator of a series of programs developed to support CNC foam cutting.  Our programs have been in use since 2005 by the hobbist to university research departments.  Our extensive experience makes us the best choice for your CNC foam cutting software needs.

Latest News – April 18, 2011

FoamWorks 4.0 Released

We have completed the the final phase of  beta testing of a new version of FoamWorks, FoamWorks 4.0.   The new version is now available for download and purchase.

This new version moves in a new direction. FoamWorks 4.0 will generate standard g-code output files that can be executed by programs like Mach3 or DeskCNC. FoamWork 4.0 doesn't include any foam cutter machine operation features as that is now left up to programs like Mach3.

New features include g-code generation from either DAT or DXF files, improved tapered cut calculator based on a CAD/graphic approach, cutting path set/testing features similar to those included in CadWorks and a cut simulation view among other features.

FoamWorks 4.0

FoamWorks 4.0 is the 4th program in a line of software releases designed to make hot wire foam cutting as easy as possible.  Click here for more details.

Past version of FoamWorks not only generated the required cut files to execute a cut but they also were designed to run the foam cutting equipment. FoamWorks 4.0 is different. FoamWorks 4.0 now generates standard g-code files that can be executed by any standard g-code compiler that support 4 axis control. like  Mach3.

Video demontraton of FoamWorks 4.0 in Action (Thanks Robert)

FoamWorks 3.0 - Metric and English Versions

Foam Works 3.0  CNC software specifically designed  to drive a 4-axis hot wire foam cutter via the parallel port of any Windows based computer running Win98, WinME, WinXP or Win2K.  The program contains one section designed to cut RC airfoils. Included are aids to cut constant cord wings, swept wings, tapered wings, leading edge swept wings, trailing edge swept wings.  A second section is designed for cutting all general shapes.   Foamworks can cut any shape that can be drawn using any of the common CAD programs and then converted to a DAT.

CadWorks

CadWorks is a companion program designed to work with FoamWorks 3.0  It supports basic CAD tools as well as utilities to create the DAT file (non scaled description of a profile) from DXF, DWG drawings.  

Conversion functions include:

  • Explode all Block entities of the DXF (individual function)
  • Replace polylines, splines with lines (individual function)
  • Automatic Conversion to DAT with 2 or 4 mouse clicks. 2 mouse click for sequentially drawn dxf files and 4 mouse clicks for randomly drawn files.
  • Explode of LINEs and ARCs into specified number of segments
  • Sequentially drawn dxf file
  • Prep DXF (remove block, polylines, etc)
  • Specify starting point and cut direction
  • Randomly drawn dxf file
  • Prep DXF (remove block, polylines, etc)
  • Specify starting point and cut direction
  • Reorganize DXF per step 2 specification
  • Convert to DAT