Re: How to use a hot wire (Kanthal) to cut a plastic bin containing a liquid

From: jerry Wass (wassbiplane_at_tds.net)
Date: 07/27/04 

Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 12:56:39 -0700

"Charles A. Sherwood" wrote:

> >Good piece of information. I have an additional element in my setup;
> >the liquid inside the bin. As the plastic is melted around the wire it
>
> I think the liquid in the bin will cool the wire and it will stop
> cutting until the liquid leaks out. I have experimented with hot
> wire to cut styrofoam and even the styrofoam will cool the wire.
> Thin sections will cut quickly and thick sections will cut very
> slowly and require more current.

I think the current will be close to the same, whether the bin is filled or
empty--
The voltage will be less, because the wire in the liquid will be cooled and
it's
resistance lower---the rest of the wire,however that in the air outside,
and within
the molten plastic will still get hot... However,The temperature gradient
from air to plastic, to liquid, may be such that you can't melt the plastic
before the wire in the air burns out.

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