CNC Foam Cutting is reliant on both mechanics and software, while the machine accuracy will have bearing on the outcome it's the software that will be main advantage in the hours leading up to the cutting process.

From a software prospective we need to consider the design aspect (Computer Aided Design CAD) and the cutting operation (Computer Aided Manufacturing CAM) as individual functions. Experience has shown that once your design becomes more complicated with spars and complicated shapes then the free to cheaper CAD software is not capable. The main issue often centers around the need to place spars at different X positions which creates the need for the software to handle sync points.  These sync points allow the wire to travel at different speeds to ensure the wire arrives at the correct place to start cutting. On the other hand the less sophisticated software needs the same number points in the same percentage position on the x axis to ensure the shapes on both end are cut correctly. Another import point to consider is that if your cutting involves creating different shapes at each end. e.g.. a wing with a different root airfoil to the tip ie more/less thickness or camber then most cutting software will cope within reason. It is in the extreme that the issues exists. e.g. trying to cut a circle at one end a square at the other over a distance less than the table width. So with this point in mind a good table design will have movable gantry to allow the towers to be as close to the ends of the work as possible to avoid this limitation

More to come....................