Difference between revisions of "Graphtec FC2200-90/EX"
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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 . | + | *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=== | ||
− | * | + | ====Tool setup==== |
− | ** | + | |
− | * | + | *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 |
− | ** | + | *Sample settings can be found below |
− | *** | + | |
+ | ====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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====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 | ||
+ | *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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===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== | ||
− | Starting point for | + | ===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] | *[https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17QpdqChdCzYvCMbTnM13wBxACZXlW0Zi7po2hpxJg6g/edit?usp=sharing Vinyl Cutting Basics Slides] |
Latest revision as of 09:59, 29 November 2023
This is a flatbed vinyl cutter and plotter. It works.
Contents
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
Tool setup
- 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
- Sample settings can be found below
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
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
- 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
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.