How to Cut EVA Foam on a CNC Router

Will EVA Foam machine? That is the question.
Tools shown:
Amana 46272
Datron 0068055K (6mm shaft)
Demonstrated on the Shapeoko HDM

[@stuffalecmakes]

I, for one, would absolutely love a series on milling random materials

[@Volt64bolt]

Second

[@BenjaminMarshallScienceMan]

Yeah, "Will it machine?" sounds like a cool idea. I've often wondered how I would need to change settings or if a machine is even capable of cutting certain materials.

[@HorizonMakes]

I am all for starting a series about machining random objects!

[@capnthepeafarmer]

Thank you for a quick comparison of good / bad results for machining! It's very helpful to see the results side by side with a simple change like climb / conventional instead of something that has to be "tuned".

[@joshuabray37]

I followed Winston’s steps and got PERFECT cuts. I used a 1/8in down cut Amana foam cutting end mill. It cut like butter. I was using EVA foam tiles. This was for a case for a tool. It turned out perfect.

[@TanyaHakala]

Which side did you attach to your table? The textured top or the smooth bottom? I’m wondering if one side sticks better, but also if one side gives a better initial cutting surface than the other. Thanks!

[@kybonacci]

@@TanyaHakala I'm attaching smooth side with some cheap chinese double side tape, and it's not moving at all. I tried textured top to fix the same way but it's peeling off very easy

[@gizmobowen]

Thanks Winston, that was very concise and helpful. I also loved the real time video at the end to show just how quickly it goes.

[@ThisIsGoogle]

I did not enjoy it. It scared my wife and she had to be sedated. This is speed privilege and left wing propaganda

[@TheNextDecade]

Ah the secret is out... Amana makes a great specialty foam tool for this, 46270 / 46270-K. I have also experimented with some Dremel bits and found similar successes. Your cuts are coming out really rough in some areas, the pockets look fine but the outside edges leave much to be desired. As for securing the EVA, Tape has been the worst, Honestly anything involving the wood sacrificial board was a bust. Enter my solution: Securing in a insulation foam sacrificial board, Forstner bit to level it out, and using tall T pins to secure the EVA to the foam. Gotta be strategic when placing the pins to prevent them hitting the workhead, but I have found massive success with cutting parts using pins to hold place. Currently experimenting with EVA foam carving, I'll be sure to contact y'all once I get some solid results.

[@TheNextDecade]

Oh and THANK YOU!! I got into learning CNC thanks to your videos, Now I have a S3-XL thanks to a old work friend. Made a lot of my new workflow feel like a dream, I can't thank you enough!

[@JakedeBin]

Let me know how that works. I was thinking along the lines of the same solution. Outer edges are really all I'm concerned about.

[@SeamlessFab]

I don’t have any problem securing EVA to the spoilboards with tape and 2p10.

[@johnhogue8946]

I cut the butt caps for fishing rods out of EVA on my SO3. But I get it in 1.5" square 12" long blocks and I cut a 2 inch section off and put it into a vise and just cut with my normal ball cutters. It does pretty good.

[@MattLitkeRacing]

I’ve cut foam for making custom toolbox inserts. Both on the Shapeoko and with a hand router. Looks like I need to upgrade my bits! That Datron makes a big difference

[@joshuabray37]

Oh, man! I wish I’d seen this yesterday! I was putting the double sided tape on the foam. That was a pain in the neck, getting the backing off… I was using a lower density foam with a 1/4 down cut bit. My depth per pass was 0.5 in (I meant for O.05, it 0.5 was better)… it cut perfectly.

[@benster1993ben]

thank you! I've been searching all week for good information on routing foam including posting on your forum, maybe helped you get this video. haha Thanks again.

[@miles11we]

you know this guy means business with his fancy fein vacuum

[@NathanHarris83]

Thank the gods the world finally has a ketchup packet holder.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Yes, I'm glad that he chose to make a case for something sensible.

[@Nems271]

I cut a lot of foam. Ive had good success with compresión bits. But I also use 6 strait flute cutter with very clean cuts at a depth of an inch. It is a tricky material for sure.

[@waynegilchrist3535]

I've got a laser but it's good to know I can cut this stuff with my shapeoko!!!! Good video.

[@a0fiore13]

Ive had good results using the masking tape+super glue for work holding and using downcutting endmills. The biggest thing to remember is to make sure its conventional cutting.

[@ThisIsGoogle]

I prefer quantum cutting because it makes me feel superior to my peers

[@C3DPropShop]

👌 been waiting for this one!

[@Pixel-CNC]

Great video winston!

[@bob-ny6kn]

Dude. I have cut thousands upon thousands of tool silhouettes for tool box control, all traced and razor cut by hand. Wow. Replaced by a robot, indeed.

[@ratyoke]

I would have never guessed that kind of foam could be machined.

[@johndennis3181]

I'm going to give this a try, I have a Robodrill with a 24k spindle and 1181 imp feed capability. This could work well for shipping fragile parts.

[@bigbob1699]

You can help yourself by blocking in the foam on all four sides and using right hand cutting tool with a left-hand twist.

[@GelX]

You help me a lot for my project, thanks bro 👍

[@richardwhitehead6966]

Damn. That is pretty much what I need for my final year university project. Don't think i can justify the purchase of it though.

[@ekremyorulmaz9286]

Hello, what is the density of the EVA foam you use? What is its hardness rating?

[@Soundwave857]

Thats is super interesting, do you know if its possible to mill dense upholstery foam?

[@AllanScheSar]

Thanks Winston :)

[@dustinmeier9753]

Next on Will-It-Mill, epoxy-filled granite counter tops. 😂

[@bindysbaasjenl]

How well do these cutters hold up with longer use? Many foams are notorious for how quickly they dull knife blades. I've had breakaway knives significantly dull after just three long cuts in high-density EVA (100kg/m³).

[@4BoltClevo]

Yeah, it's crazy. I was cutting EVA foam with scalpel type blades and they dulled after a few cuts.

[@AcrylicMemories]

Try Sentra and Dibond There great to CNC

[@shanemadden5108]

What brand eva foam are you milling here?

[@javieruriel]

Can we add a new tool on the carbide software or just in the pro?

[@adityajain520]

Hi , I am looking for Cnc Laser Cutting Router Machine for Eva foam packing .Please Confirm . Thank You

[@ravenmooore]

I wish I can get the Datron endmill With international shipping

[@Mag_Castle]

how do you pick conventional cutting in carbide create?

[@carbide3d]

That setting was added to Carbide Create Pro earlier this year.

[@Steelplayer59]

“Don’t breathe this!”. 😁

[@joseguevara184]

probably can route PANELS for SOUNDPROOF...

[@insanegammer109]

Use the painters tape on both surfaces + super glue method to hold down the foam?

[@carbide3d]

It's one of several options you can use.

[@MattLitkeRacing]

I’ve been using a double sided masking tape. Look for Painter’s Mate Double-Sided Poly-Hanging Tape

[@kedzior1991]

Use a heat gun to achieve a nice surface after machining

[@carbide3d]

Sounds a lot like flame polishing acrylic.

[@olavodias]

hahahaha love the intro!!

[@sublimationman]

Or, use a CO2 laser and it cuts like butter with a perfect smooth finish. Oh, and no hold downs required.

[@IroncloudMetalworks]

Do you offer custom cutting? I have some things I'd like cut from EVA!

[@carbide3d]

We do not.

[@lafarms]

keep your foam in the freezer until you are ready to go.

[@hainkm]

Lol...the blend music

[@oliver9089]

I tried this and must report that it does not work as well with mustard and not whatsoever with relish.

[@carbide3d]

Have you tried Soy Sauce?

[@tornadokat]

"We're not about to start a series on machining random objects"... well, that day has arrived: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gafYnq2hgZuBbrM

[@carbide3d]

Good point.

[@Kenneth-fw7tm]

🙈 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓶

[@ThisIsGoogle]

It's not worth it. Just use your teeth. They are cheap, I can personally make around 50.000 dollars worth of foam inserts before I need new teeth

[@clairevero]

My god, learn how to pronounce aluminium

[@rookie693]

Doesn't matter