Tom,
Miki and Jimmy need to add an “create blank profile dxf” option, where the software takes your profile design, adds extra foam based on cutting tolerance and then creates a dxf file that can be used by a cnc eps hotwire machine.
You are correct you can put a eps block in the beastie but man lots of bean bag material and a possible hold issue for her in the thicker densities like the 3.75lb. We receive EPS foam factory direct with any and every rocker we need. If we need a custom rocker we can order it, and have it 3-4 days later or just use an oversized blank if the adjustment is subtle. We do not have to worry about the Clark (skin) density issue as EPS is uniform throughout. We simply glue them up and mill them usually into boards that take little scrub time. We have had some ask us to take fewer passes and mill CT EPS knock offs for the planer guys. The higher densities come off beautiful and usually we dont need to seal them. Hope this helps…
The problem is the system needs to know where the finished shape is relative to two support points and a tail stop in X, Y & Z. So, it needs to know the acurate shape of the blank so that after it’s taken away the excess bottom foam and you flip the blank over. It needs to know where the deck will end up. So, you got to measure it in.
Yep, Tom’s right got it dialed on this one.
The way it works is that you design a blank like a surfboard. Generally you only need to do what Tom mentioned about measuring the profile, but as he said you want to make sure you do this accurately. There is some information on our website about the measuring box we recommend, there are also tutorials that detail talk about the tools used in the software that make this process more efficient. Generally with blanks the outline is not really needed as long as you make the wide enough, otherwise there is no point.
Then in the machine parameters panel you will click “choose blank file” and bring in your blank file. The click on the machine panel and you should be able to move the board you’ve been working on with the arrow keys, hold shift + the up or down key to tilt the blank. If you have this process figured out it will make it easy for a machine operator to do you boards, assuming you’re accurate with your measurements and you bring your blank.
Meanshapes knows, he’s done a lot of this, also Chris Russell in San Diego is also well versed in this area.
Sorry if this sounds complicated but it’s actually pretty straight forward, especially when you see how the machine works.
Let me know if there are any more questions.
Jimmy
APS3000
Actually I was suggesting that the software produce a dxf file from the board profile that can be used by a cnc hotwire machine to cut a profile from a block of EPS, which is then used as a blank in the APS3000. So I design my board, I export the dxf, I email it to a local EPS place that have a cnc hotwire machine. I pick up my profile from them, give it to the shop with the APS3000 machine. They shape the board.
Jimmy Thanks… Pin head is right I currently meet with the manufacturer to get our rockers correct. To have a file we can send them would save precious time! Since I have not met an insulfoam employee that moonlights as a board builder we have drama sometimes with there CAD drawings. I use our APS PDF’s in combo to the clark catalog to get them close. We then build a 1/16 into the blank to compensate for their 10% loss or gain we can get from their hotwire technology. The secret sauce is to place the board smack center in the blank. HMMM somebody must have enough EPS blanks for the masses. The rail profile upgrade you programmed has helped us much with the issue of center rocker vs the rail rocker and the potential to place the board into the blank incorrectly. HMMMMM I wish santa would put in a metric measuring system to view how many milameter clearance you have ( Board in Blank ) and our stocking should be filled with an option to change the live slice view from white to black so the guys with glasses can see the concave transition easier. One thing is for sure the Mikster made one hell of a beastie, WE LOVE HER! Keep up the hard work and let us know if we can help in anyway. We have made some exciting discoveries the last 48 hrs!!! EPS was so challenging to handshape thanks for taking the fun out of it! I now have more time to check out SWAYS.
Meanshapes… what type of files and/or software does insulfoam use? Also, do they use a 3d file or just like a 2d side view of the blank? Do they cut out the outline of the board in addition to the thickness/rocker? Any info you have would be appreciated because I am working on modeling up the clark catalog to share so that people could get EPS companies to cut out their blanks for them.
Crude 2d they can only cut the rocker profile and only to 8’ they use an autocad software. We have had issues getting perfect profiles so we build in a little extra thickness for our blanks since we mill them into boards/ct blanks for the hand guy’s. We hotwire our own LB blanks painful indeed. The ends of the block are for sure the better foam if you are kind to them they will give you the choice stuff, and usually will cut samples for you. You know being nice and patient goes along way…Some of the smaller companiues are more difficult to deal with. We have had the best luck with Insulfoam…It really doesnt make sense unless you are ordering it larger QTY. If you just need a few order form somebody as they tend not to like to deal with small orders. 1 block can get 20-22 blanks. if they are placed in the block right by the Cad technician. They will even split them in halves for you with qty orders… Where can you get a custom rocker in 3-4 days? Everyone potentially could have their own custom rockers. Time for designers to design. Do ya own thang! 
jimmy,
i have 3d iges files of multiple types of boards. is it possible to import existing CAD files into the APS3000 program and then export them as .brd files - or something the CNC machine can process?
kirk
miki and jimmy have the best design program around …its also free …
as soon as a DXF option was available , people would use the program to run other machines , now that wouldnt be healthy for business …
aps program and machine come as a package for that reason …
i was asking for this option 18 months back , i now realise why it hasnt had priority …
dont hold your breath …
regards
BERT
Bert,
What I’m talking about is a dxf file of just the profile - a very simple 2d file. Allowing their software to run other machines, if they are giving it away, would be business suicide for those guys.
Sorry Kirk, right now that is currently not possible. Actually, that would likely require a fair amount of work. What we’ve always encouraged people is to take measurements of what they want and use the guide points feature. That feature gives us the most flexibility based on all the different things people do.
Jimmy
Thanks for the compliment Bert.
Bert is right, we do have a machine and a software package that come as one and we’d like to keep it that way. We currently feel that the free software in it’s current form provides a useful tool for many designers. We would like to protect our interests to some degree as selling the machines is what allows use to make updates and improvements on both our hardware and software. Besides that, it’s a lot of fun.
We always welcome feature requests and hope that some will understand that not all can be met in a timely fashion because of many reasons, technical or otherwise.
On a different note, I have been talking with meanshapes on how things are working over there with him and his EPS blanks. I’m learning more and more as this area is somewhat new to me regarding blank production of this type and the possible features that would be useful in dealing with insulation companies. Thanks for the wishlist and we’ll get cracking, but maybe after the holiday season, both Miki and I are on vacation right now. Sorry for the timing as I know there is a blank crisis going on right now.
Jimmy
APS3000
Jimmy give me a call! when you get a sec let me know whats up?