Electronically+Controlled+Nichrome-Wire+Cutter

Nichrome-Wire Cutter is an essential tool for model aircraft constructions. We mainly use Nichrome-Wire Cutters to fabricate model aircraft wing assemblies, other than that Nichrom-Wire Cutters are used to cut wax, polystyrene materials and other similar kind of materials.

In this project we construct electronically Controlled Nichrome-Wire Cutter. The main feature of this cutter is its (non mechanical) variable temperature controller. The temperature of the Nichrome-Wire is controlled using TL494 PWM controller. In this design TL494 is oscillated with fixed frequency and only varying factor is its duty cycle, in this given design R2 is used to control the duty cycle of the frequency.



This Nichrome-Wire Cutter requires 8V to 20V - 3A DC power source and 16.5V - 3A is recommended supply for this system. When constructing this system makes sure to solder and connect all the components properly, improper connections may cause oscillations and instabilities in output.

Recommended wire for this system is 1m of 24 S.W.G Nichrome-wire (//generally with mix of 60% nickel, 16% chromium, 24% iron//) with approximately 6 Ω resistance. When constructing this system take special care about this Nichrome-wire. Improper wiring/mounting may cause severe burns, fire and/or permanent damage to the equipments.

The schematic, PCB and all the other materials related to this project are available to download under the terms of [|Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported license].

Project Related Downloads
[|Complete schematics, PCB and other related documents of Electronically Controlled Nichrome-Wire Cutter.]