Looking for laser cuttable foam approx 3/16

[Martin Boekers]

I'm looking for a cuttable foam for inserts into "coin boxes"

I have an order for 100 or so and the coins are an odd shape
so I need some foam or a felt-like product that will be cut to fit.

I can mount some felt to board stock and cut, but I'd rather have
a dense foam.


Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Gary Hair]

Martin,
Go to Michaels Craft Store and get "fun foam". I have cut lots of it for a customer of mine and it really cuts nicely. You'll have to play with the settings a bit to get a clean cut without charring, but once you do it works really well. They have it in 12x12 sheets for a buck or two.

Gary

[Michael Kowalczyk]

Fun foam at Michaels or Hobby lobby. You will have to practice and adjust to compensate for laser kerf (melt factor) but available in many bright colors and very inexpensive. Not sure if it comes in 3/16". Other idea is the foam board they use for RC planes. Comes in black, white and gray. Cuts nice. Here's a page for you: http://www.rcfoam.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=75

Hope this helps and ...

[Josh Richard]

Here's a page for you: http://www.rcfoam.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=75

I never used it, but I like the look of the beveling tool!

http://www.rcfoam.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=909&category_id=146

[Chuck Stone]

I just picked up some foam from an upholsterer for pen boxes. I got some 1/4" and 3/4"
and both cut well with the laser. (this was the spongy, pillowy stuff)
I also have some flocking from DonJer that you can either spray on with their
special equipment, or you can spray the foam with glue (or spray paint) and
put it all in a plastic bag to 'shake and bake' .. remove quickly, shake off the
excess and let it dry. Voila .. flocked foam inserts.

[Myk Rian]

HD or Lowes carries foam insulation. Comes in a folded pack. 1/4"x4'x50'
Less than $40.
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/bd/bd04b9c9-5555-401d-a2d3-a23cd467d872_300.jpg

[Dmitriy Kumets]

beware of foam - foamcore usually has PVC and styrofoam flames up like crazy.
Fun foam is good if you are looking for a soft foam.
Depron is great (and laser safe) if you want a rigid foam.
Check out http://www.rcfoam.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=958&category_id=97

[Alexa Ristow]

Fun foam can be purchased in thicker and larger sheets if you look for a local supplier of EVA foam. EVA stands for Ethylene Vinyle Acetate. This is the name it goes by in the non crafty world. I buy sheets of 2m x 1m x ( 5 to 25 mm ) from a local supplier of closed cell foam products here in south Africa. I am sure that it is readily available in the USA. A quick google brought up too many to mention. It is laser safe, contains no chlorine or PVC. I have been cutting large quantities for over two years with no health or machine issues.
Cheers,

Alexa