American Hotwire Machines: The MAGIC-REEL
Faster Cutting Speeds
Longer Hotwire Life
No Need to Monitor Wire Tension
No More Wasted Time and Foam due to Improper Wire Tension
Unrestricted 4-Axis Cutting!
The MAGIC-REEL is the ideal hotwire tensioning device that also allows the hotwire to grow in length when cutting in 4-axis mode. The MAGIC-REEL is magic because it turns anyone into a better operator, now you only need to set the proper temperature and cutting speed to achieve perfect results.
No longer do you need to worry about hotwire tension. The MAGIC-REEL maintains a constant 9 to 10 lbs of tension on the hotwire at all times and allows the hotwire to grow up to 33" in length. If you need even more extension, one reel can be used at each end of the hotwire for a full 66" of extension. This means that a wire that is 8' 6" long when cutting in 2 axis mode can grow to 14' long in 4-axis mode to allow more freedom of movement of the harps in cutting 3-D shapes.
The MAGIC-REEL
The MAGIC-REELs were developed by American Hotwire Machines and are only available on the PRO and MASTER SCULPTOR foamcutting machines. They are made from high tech materials and use two different ceramics (one of the ceramics is used on the Space Shuttle). PTFE Teflon is used for bearings to provide smooth movement and heat resistance.
Even if all of your work is cutting 2-axis shapes and you are never asked to cut 4 axis 3-D shapes, the MAGIC-REEL works so well as a wire tensioner that it is included as standard equipment on both models of the SCULPTOR. The ability to feed out hotwire means that whenever you accidentally hit the wire when jogging or loading and unloading, it just moves out of the way. This means longer hotwire life, no more stretched hotwires or springs, and no more wasted time and expense having to retie or change the wire because it stretched.
Spring Post
One MAGIC-REEL can store up to 33" of extra hotwire for 4 axis work. If most of your work is 2 axis cutting, it is recommended that normally you only store about 12 inches to protect the wire against accidental bumps. This would also provide enough wire to cut the most common 4 axis 3-D shapes used in the architectural trade, namely tapered and tapered-fluted columns. By only storing about 12" of wire, less energy is used to heat the wire. The 9 to 10 pound tension that the MAGIC-REEL maintains on the hotwire is ideal for the wire that is supplied with the SCULPTOR. However the tension is adjustable and the MAGIC-REEL can be used with any hotwire type or diameter.
Each MAGIC-REEL is equipped with a spring post for the other end of the hotwire. Only in the case of cutting extreme 3-D shapes is it necessary to put one MAGIC-REEL on each end of the hotwire.