Difference between revisions of "Graphtec FC2200-90/EX"

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== Workflow ==
 
== Workflow ==
 +
=== Create the file ===
 
*Create/import a file in Inkscape
 
*Create/import a file in Inkscape
 
*Select all
 
*Select all
 
*Path > Object To Path
 
*Path > Object To Path
*File > Save A Copy> choose .plt extension
+
*Check that lines are what you expect by turning of all fills and turning on all strokes. The lines that you see are the ones that will be cut.
**Must have Uniconverter installed
+
*File > Save A Copy> choose .hpgl extension
 +
** '''Make sure that "Tool offset correction" is set to 0 or your cut will be very bad.'''
  
 +
=== Test and adjust settings ===
 +
==== Test ====
 +
* Press 'Test' button
 +
* Position cutter in an unused area
 +
* Press '1' for Test 1
 +
* The machine will cut a triangle inside a square
 +
** The square should peel away cleanly without peeling the triangle
 +
** When the triangle is removed there should only be a very faint outline on the backing
 +
==== Adjust ====
 +
* Press the 'Condition' button to change settings
 +
* Use the '1' and '2' buttons to move the cursor
 +
* Use the '3' and '4' buttons to adjust the selected setting
  
*On the computer, put the file into the CUT_NOW folder on the desktop.
+
 
**Username and password are both 'maker'  
+
=== Run the file ===
*Once there double-click the 'Run Vinyl Cutter' shortcut.  
+
* Go to [http://graphtec.makeict.org:5000 http://graphtec.makeict.org:5000]
**It will choose the first file in the folder, so make sure yours is the only one
+
* Click the blue button to open the file menu
***Cut will not start if the machine is in 'view' or 'test' mode.
+
* Scroll to the bottom of the list and click the upload button
**Once done it will be moved to the CUT_DONE folder with the same name.  
+
* Select file in system menu
***It WILL overwrite files with the same name.
+
* To set active file, click filename in list
 +
* Click green button to run file
 +
 
 +
==Settings==
 +
===Small Blade (Blue Knob)===
 +
'''Cutter Offset: 17'''
 +
====Starting point for vinyl:====
 +
*Stickout: 0.2mm
 +
*Force:18
 +
*Speed:10
 +
*Quality:1
 +
 
 +
===Large Blade (Red Knob)===
 +
'''Cutter Offset: 28'''
 +
 
 +
===Sharpie===
 +
'''Cutter Offset: 0'''
 +
*Force:5
 +
*Speed:15
 +
*Quality:1
 +
 
 +
==Tips==
 +
*After saving the HPGL file open it up in Inkscape to verify the output looks right. If there are issues, go back to the source file and save it as a PDF. Open the PDF in Inkscape and then save as HPGL. This has fixed all of the conversion issues we have run into so far.
 +
*If you get an error in inkscape when saving the HPGL that says the file cannot be saved, just copy everything into a new file and save it there. For some reason this works.
  
 
==Test Files==
 
==Test Files==
[https://drive.google.com/open?id=15_FEPuQvpRuOy_wG0z43D3wh7xqOZnh1 Test Files Drive Folder]
+
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=15_FEPuQvpRuOy_wG0z43D3wh7xqOZnh1 Test Files Drive Folder]
 +
*[https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17QpdqChdCzYvCMbTnM13wBxACZXlW0Zi7po2hpxJg6g/edit?usp=sharing Vinyl Cutting Basics Slides]

Revision as of 21:59, 29 July 2019

This is a flatbed vinyl cutter and plotter. It works.

Graphtec fc2200.gif

Workflow

Create the file

  • Create/import a file in Inkscape
  • Select all
  • Path > Object To Path
  • Check that lines are what you expect by turning of all fills and turning on all strokes. The lines that you see are the ones that will be cut.
  • File > Save A Copy> choose .hpgl extension
    • Make sure that "Tool offset correction" is set to 0 or your cut will be very bad.

Test and adjust settings

Test

  • Press 'Test' button
  • Position cutter in an unused area
  • Press '1' for Test 1
  • The machine will cut a triangle inside a square
    • The square should peel away cleanly without peeling the triangle
    • When the triangle is removed there should only be a very faint outline on the backing

Adjust

  • Press the 'Condition' button to change settings
  • Use the '1' and '2' buttons to move the cursor
  • Use the '3' and '4' buttons to adjust the selected setting


Run the file

  • Go to http://graphtec.makeict.org:5000
  • Click the blue button to open the file menu
  • Scroll to the bottom of the list and click the upload button
  • Select file in system menu
  • To set active file, click filename in list
  • Click green button to run file

Settings

Small Blade (Blue Knob)

Cutter Offset: 17

Starting point for vinyl:

  • Stickout: 0.2mm
  • Force:18
  • Speed:10
  • Quality:1

Large Blade (Red Knob)

Cutter Offset: 28

Sharpie

Cutter Offset: 0

  • Force:5
  • Speed:15
  • Quality:1

Tips

  • After saving the HPGL file open it up in Inkscape to verify the output looks right. If there are issues, go back to the source file and save it as a PDF. Open the PDF in Inkscape and then save as HPGL. This has fixed all of the conversion issues we have run into so far.
  • If you get an error in inkscape when saving the HPGL that says the file cannot be saved, just copy everything into a new file and save it there. For some reason this works.

Test Files