Hot wire tool
Project
Overview
The goal of this project is to design and manufacture a hand tool using a nichrome wire and electric current.
Krishna
The team
Nicolas
VanGalaxy
BK
Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process involved twisting a nichrome wire in closed U shape and connected it to a set of copper isolated copper wires. Part of the nichrome wire was covered with plaster in order to prevent heat transfer to the pen body which was 3D printed. Also to one of the copper wires a switch was attached, in order to allow the pen user to turn it on and off.
Final Product
This heat pen is meant to engrave or cut shapes on thermoplastic materials by passing a current through the nichrome wire which has a high electric resistance that results in energy dissipation in the form of heat by the wire.
Product Comments
One of the main challenges encountered in this project was the heat insulation needed between the pen case and the nichrome wire. As stated before this problem was solved by using plaster however a better material like silicone could be used for further product improvements.
In terms of the aesthetics of the product, it should be said that there is still room for improvement. Starting from selecting more suitable colors of the pen case, refining the manufacturing process for the components and how well they are assembled and even think about redesign the pen case to be more compact.