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

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(Created page with "This is a flatbed vinyl cutter and plotter. It works.")
 
(→‎Workflow: set force first, then run test)
 
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This is a flatbed vinyl cutter and plotter. It works.
 
This is a flatbed vinyl cutter and plotter. It works.
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 +
[[File:Graphtec_fc2200.gif]]
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 +
==Workflow==
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===Create the file===
 +
 +
*Create/import a file in Inkscape
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*Select all
 +
*Path > Object To Path
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*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.
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*File > Save A Copy> choose .hpgl extension
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**'''Make sure that "Tool offset correction" is set to 0 or your cut will be very bad.'''
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===Set up the tool===
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 +
*Secure media (vinyl) to the table with masking tape
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*Insert the tool you plan to use in one of the tool holder and tighten
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*If you are using a cutting tool the blade '''should not''' be sticking out farther than the thickness that you want to cut
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*Turn machine one (red button at the bottom)
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 +
===Adjust conditions===
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Note: Sample settings can be found below
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 +
*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
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*Consult the manuals under the machine for troubleshooting tips
 +
 +
===Test===
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*Press 'Test' button
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*Position cutter in an unused area
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*Press '1' for Test 1
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*The machine will cut a triangle inside a square
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**The square should peel away cleanly without peeling the triangle
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**When the triangle is removed there should only be a very faint outline on the backing
 +
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=== Set area ===
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* Press 'Area' button
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* The screen will prompt you to position the tool in the lower left (LL)
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* When tool is set, press enter
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* The screen prompt will change to upper right (UR)
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* When tool is set, press enter
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* Option: you can choose default for both these settings if your material is at the bottom left of the table
 +
 +
===Run the file===
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*Go to http://graphtec.makeict.org:5000
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*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
 +
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==Settings==
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===Small Blade (Blue Knob)===
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'''Cutter Offset: 17'''
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====Starting point for vinyl:====
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*Stickout: 0.2mm
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*Force:18
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*Speed:10
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*Quality:1
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 +
===Large Blade (Red Knob)===
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'''Cutter Offset: 28'''
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===Sharpie===
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'''Cutter Offset: 0'''
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 +
*Force:5
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*Speed:15
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*Quality:1
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 +
==Tips==
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 +
*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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 +
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=15_FEPuQvpRuOy_wG0z43D3wh7xqOZnh1 Test Files Drive Folder]
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*[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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