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

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(→‎Workflow: set force first, then run test)
 
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[[File:Graphtec_fc2200.gif]]
 
[[File:Graphtec_fc2200.gif]]
  
−
== 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.'''
  
 +
===Set up the tool===
  
−
*On the computer, put the file into the CUT_NOW folder on the desktop.
+
*Secure media (vinyl) to the table with masking tape
−
**Username and password are both 'maker'  
+
*Insert the tool you plan to use in one of the tool holder and tighten
−
*Once there double-click the 'Run Vinyl Cutter' shortcut.
+
*If you are using a cutting tool the blade '''should not''' be sticking out farther than the thickness that you want to cut
−
**It will choose the first file in the folder, so make sure yours is the only one
+
*Turn machine one (red button at the bottom)
−
***Cut will not start if the machine is in 'view' or 'test' mode.
+
 
−
**Once done it will be moved to the CUT_DONE folder with the same name.
+
===Adjust conditions===
−
***It WILL overwrite files with the same name.
+
Note: Sample settings can be found below
 +
 
 +
*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
 +
*If you are having cut issues, cranking the blade all the way out is '''NOT''' the solution
 +
*Consult the manuals under the machine for troubleshooting tips
 +
 
 +
===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
 +
 
 +
=== Set area ===
 +
 
 +
* Press 'Area' button
 +
* The screen will prompt you to position the tool in the lower left (LL)
 +
* When tool is set, press enter
 +
* The screen prompt will change to upper right (UR)
 +
* When tool is set, press enter
 +
* Option: you can choose default for both these settings if your material is at the bottom left of the table
 +
 
 +
===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==
 
==Settings==
Line 23: Line 60:
 
'''Cutter Offset: 17'''
 
'''Cutter Offset: 17'''
 
====Starting point for vinyl:====
 
====Starting point for vinyl:====
 +
 
*Stickout: 0.2mm
 
*Stickout: 0.2mm
 
*Force:18
 
*Force:18
 
*Speed:10
 
*Speed:10
 
*Quality:1
 
*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]
 
*[https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17QpdqChdCzYvCMbTnM13wBxACZXlW0Zi7po2hpxJg6g/edit?usp=sharing Vinyl Cutting Basics Slides]

Latest revision as of 08:41, 14 November 2024

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.

Set up the tool

  • Secure media (vinyl) to the table with masking tape
  • Insert the tool you plan to use in one of the tool holder and tighten
  • If you are using a cutting tool the blade should not be sticking out farther than the thickness that you want to cut
  • Turn machine one (red button at the bottom)

Adjust conditions

Note: Sample settings can be found below

  • 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
  • If you are having cut issues, cranking the blade all the way out is NOT the solution
  • Consult the manuals under the machine for troubleshooting tips

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

Set area

  • Press 'Area' button
  • The screen will prompt you to position the tool in the lower left (LL)
  • When tool is set, press enter
  • The screen prompt will change to upper right (UR)
  • When tool is set, press enter
  • Option: you can choose default for both these settings if your material is at the bottom left of the table

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

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