Vinyl cutter: Difference between revisions

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[[File:PixMax Vinyl Cutter.jpg|thumb|right]]
===Specs===
===Specs===
Smurf UK Cutter
PixMax 720 / Jinko JR 720
HWQ630 (allegedly but could be HWF630)
 
*Built-in optical eye for laser guiding
*Biro pen component included
*Integrated ruler guide
*Mac / Windows compatible
*USB B Socket
*Optional Serial Cable connection.


===Software===
===Software===
The space has purchased a licence for EasyCutStudio.  It is installed on PC6
The space has purchased a licence for EasyCutStudio.  It is installed on PC6
The space has a 12 month licence for SignCut Pro.  It is installed on PC10, it is not intuitive.
===Use===
The vinyl cutter is space infrastructure and is in the computer lab.  It has a cover to keep dust out of the mechanisms.
[[File:Vinyl Cutter Cover.jpg|thumb|none]]
There is a switch on the left hand side of the machine for powering the device up.
The Vinyl cutter can also operate as a plotter with a pen accessory which is stored in a holder on the leg of the machine.
[[File:Vinyl Cutter Pen holder.jpg|thumb|none]]
There is a spacer which is required to hold the pen or cutter at the correct height in the carriage.  If this is missing you can download and print a copy [https://www.printables.com/model/701785-pixmax-720-jinko-jr-720-vinyl-cutter-pen-holder-sp here].  There are several spares on the pen cartridge, these are not a requirement.  As the pen is unlikely to get much use, there is a small rubber cap on the tip of the biro which should be removed before first use.
[[File:Vinyl Cutter Spacer.jpg|thumb|none]]


===Item on Loan===
To engage the feed mechanism you must push down the levers at the back of the machine.  Each of the three feed mechanisms can move from side to side.  Ensure they are spaced equidistantly to the material.  The brass screws are for tensioning the springs.  We have found that no tension is really required to grip normal vinyl and that even slight tension causes track marks to appear on the sheet material, so bear this in mind.


The hardware is on loan from Lel.
YOU CAN ONLY MOVE THE LEVERS WHEN THE LEVERS ARE IN THE UP POSITION


===Inkscape===
Levers down / engaged


We have not got this working with Inkscape at the moment, but are having a fiddle. If you do manage to get this working with it, please let us know. (The cutters are supplied with software which can't be moved between machines, hence trying to get inkscape or something similar to work in the first instance.)
[[File:Vinyl Cutter Feed Mechanism engaged.jpg|thumb|none]]


This appears to be a problem with inkscape which may be fixed in current versions, but apparently 0.92 was the last inkscape some plotters worked reliably on.
Levers up / disengaged.


https://inkscape.org/forums/cutplot/vinyl-cutter-when-using-exportplot-extension-cuts-as-it-returns-to-origin/
[[File:Vinyl Cutter Mechanism disengaged.jpg|thumb|none]]

Latest revision as of 10:14, 1 January 2024

Specs

PixMax 720 / Jinko JR 720

  • Built-in optical eye for laser guiding
  • Biro pen component included
  • Integrated ruler guide
  • Mac / Windows compatible
  • USB B Socket
  • Optional Serial Cable connection.

Software

The space has purchased a licence for EasyCutStudio. It is installed on PC6 The space has a 12 month licence for SignCut Pro. It is installed on PC10, it is not intuitive.

Use

The vinyl cutter is space infrastructure and is in the computer lab. It has a cover to keep dust out of the mechanisms.

There is a switch on the left hand side of the machine for powering the device up.

The Vinyl cutter can also operate as a plotter with a pen accessory which is stored in a holder on the leg of the machine.

There is a spacer which is required to hold the pen or cutter at the correct height in the carriage. If this is missing you can download and print a copy here. There are several spares on the pen cartridge, these are not a requirement. As the pen is unlikely to get much use, there is a small rubber cap on the tip of the biro which should be removed before first use.

To engage the feed mechanism you must push down the levers at the back of the machine. Each of the three feed mechanisms can move from side to side. Ensure they are spaced equidistantly to the material. The brass screws are for tensioning the springs. We have found that no tension is really required to grip normal vinyl and that even slight tension causes track marks to appear on the sheet material, so bear this in mind.

YOU CAN ONLY MOVE THE LEVERS WHEN THE LEVERS ARE IN THE UP POSITION

Levers down / engaged

Levers up / disengaged.