MZ SKEETER

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Posts posted by MZ SKEETER


  1. Which vinyl cutter do you have?  Vinyl is in mil  measurement  and average vinyl is 2-3 mil thickness for most any job with sign vinyl.  The mil measurement is stated on most vinyl ads.  1 mm is equal to 39.3701 mils  You cut mil, thin vinyl, for average vinyl jobs.  There are different types of vinyl which you must learn those uses. You buy the type of vinyl for your job.  Oracal 651 vinyl is mostly 2.5 mils 

    ORACAL 651 VINYL

    Oracal 651 Vinyl is the most popular vinyl material amongst professionals in the signage industry as well as crafters with high standards. 651 Vinyl sets the industry standard for high performance intermdiate calendered vinyl. Only 2.5 mils thick, Oracal 651 vinyl offers six year outdoor durability, flexibility, thermal print compatibility, and a choice of 59 high-gloss colors. This high-quality vinyl is a good choice for moderately complex jobs that don't require the extra conformability provided by ORACAL's cast films.


  2. The only USB to serial adapter recommended to work with a vinyl cutter is a Tripp-lite Keyspan Adapter with a nulll modem serial cable. Tripp-lite is the brand name. Mentioned to use on this forum hundreds and hundreds of times.  Most other usb to serial adapter are like the cheap Chinese chip set that is the JK Gold cut. you really are not improving a thing by using it.   I also found this. 

    https://www.easycutstudio.com/blog/goldcut-cutter-setup-guide.html#:~:text=To use the Goldcut Vinyl,will default to "JK".

    Find the best price.   https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Keyspan-High-Speed-USA-19HS/dp/B0000VYJRY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=JB0CK4TDSB6Z&keywords=tripp+lite+keyspan+usb+to+serial+adapter&qid=1697642213&sprefix=tripp+lite+Keyspan%2Caps%2C427&sr=8-3


  3.  

    Windows no longer has the "lower left corner" -- everything is on a dynamic taskbar (cribbed from Apple's MacOS).

    Alternatively, use "Windows key + S" keyboard shortcut.

     

    Which reminds me, I need to back up my files!

    Where does the OP state which Windows they are using?  They don't.  I am on Windows 10 and it certainly has the search bar..in the lower left corner.  I have had every windows up to 10 and they have had the search bar. PLUS, You can enable that search box on lower left side on Windows11 or hide it on certain builds of Windows 11. This video shows a prerelease October 7/2022,  The info can be found other places online.  

     

    windows 10.jpg


  4. Try all 1-4 comports and make sure you also change the com ports in Flexi. Make sure all baud rates are on 9600. Was Red Sail there?  Is the null modem cable new?  Did you try a trial software?  A newer software will have the MH cutter in it.  You never showed the screen shots of the new settings with the Tripp-lite.  Device manager and Flexi set up.   If nothing works, time to get off that cutter and get a newer cutter.  A SC2 is a better upgrade. 

    I couldn't get Slice/Dice download to work either. 

    This page isn’t working

    kiss.flyduino.net didn’t send any data.

    ERR_EMPTY_RESPONSE


  5.  

    " You could also try a trial version of a different cutting software, to see if it is the vinyl cutter problem or the software problem.  "

    Trial versions of cutting software normally have cutting/printing feature disabled.
    VinylMaster Demo, for instance, won't allow export/Cut/Print.

    claimer14, did you try the VCP suggested?

    Signcut has a trial. And with Scalp it will just put a couple slices thru it, but you still know if it is connected. Trouble shooting with it.  Signcut.Three weeks unrestricted.

    https://signcut.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/19000035466-can-i-try-signcut-before-i-make-a-purchase-

     


  6. What vinyl cutter are you selecting as the "brand" name on your vinyl cutter set up in Flexi?  If the Flexi has Red Sail Tech, try it.  People use the Red Sail brand for the MH cutter in SignBlazer.  Both your device manager and the Flexi have to have the baud rate the same. I would try 9600 on both.  Open up the properties in device manager and make sure it is on 9600 as well as Flexi set up. 


  7.  Does the cutter still do the TEST feature, without being connected to the computer?  Change the baud rate to 4800 or 9600. Try both.  You will also need a null modem serial cable to attach to the Tripp Lite Keyspan Adapter. then to the vinyl cutter. Cables can get broken wires. And you should not use long cables.  Most important is showing screen shots of your computer device manager driver installed, and your Flexi set up. If that doesn't work, time to get a new upgrade away from the MH cutter line. You could also try a trial version of a different cutting software, to see if it is the vinyl cutter problem or the software problem. 


  8. You never mentioned what brand of USB to serial adapter you are using. Only Tripp-lite Keyspan Adapter or a Belkin is guaranteed to work with a vinyl cutter. Most any other USB to serial adapter will be as bad as the cheap USB Chinese chipset that is in the MH vinyl cutter. It is not TRUE USB. The MH cutter is bad about connecting. Some people have no problems, others nothing but problems. Does the cutter work now that you matched the com port numbers?  Is this a new vinyl cutter to you. or the same one that you had problems with back in 2009? 


  9. You should have downloaded the driver for the USB to serial adapter. reboot your computer. Go into your computer device manager.  What is the  com port number there that the driver downloaded to?  It should be between 1-4. If not change it to a number between 1-4. Then go the Flexi set up and choose the same com port number. They must match. 

    What computer operating system are you using?   Flexi 7.5 and  7.6 are for Windows XP and older operating systems. or use compatibility mode XP.


  10.  The only USB adapter guaranteed to work with a vinyl cutter is a Tripp-lite Keyspan Adapter.  Tripplite is the brand name, and you will need a null modem serial cable to connect the cable to the vinyl cutter. The Tripp lite Keyspan Adapter will have it's own driver to download and it will show up in your computer device manager.   You only use com port numbers 1-4. Nothing higher.   I see you have 6, won't work. Go into the port properties and change it down to 1 or 2 .  Then make sure your computer device manager com port # and Flexi com port number are the same.  They must match. 


  11. it is still free  with a new Graphtec purchase.  Not with a used cutter. The original  free software offer went to the original buyer of  your  vinyl cutter.  And the OP above had a new cutter. That was how you got the Graphtec Pro Studio software back in 2017. Now they give the license with the new cutter and a download link.  I thought were using Vinyl Master, because you wanted to stay with Vinyl Master.


  12. According to the user manual. you have a Sheet cut button right on the panel.  Look into your user manual for the vinyl cutter. The Roland user manual shows all the the options for each button. Look how the buttons have options for them, like the blue print for each button.

    There is a HELP at the top of your layout screen that is the user manual for your cutting software. 

     

    roland sheet cut key.jpg


  13. Agree, need the far right pinch roller on the right edge of the vinyl. I have a 30" Graphtec that only has 2 pinch rollers and it works fine that way. You don't need to use all of those pinch rollers.  Get down eye level with the machine and watch it. Run the machine slow. I never run my cutter fast. 

    With the force at only 65, it makes me think that you have too much blade exposed out of the blade holder. It should be less blade, more force. That blade should be so far in the blade holder that you think it would not cut at all. You should just barely even see the tip of it. This works for any vinyl. Blade depth is the first thing that has to be done. Too much blade will cause drag.  Check your TEST cuts from the machine. 

    To start with, you should set your blade depth correctly, by taking the blade holder out of the machine, and firmly cut across a piece of scrap vinyl, you will be cutting. You should only be cutting the vinyl and barely a mark on wax paper backing, Adjust blade to get there, Then put the blade holder back in machine, and use the force of the machine to get there, same results, only cutting the vinyl and barely a mark in wax paper backing. You should barely see and feel the blade tip out of the blade holder. Regular sign vinyl is only 2-3 mil thick. You only cut with the very tip of the blade. When you think the blade is so far in the blade holder, that you think it would not even cut, that is probably correct. The blade holder should be almost touching the vinyl with hardly any gap between the vinyl and the blade holder. With cutter off, push the blade holder down and get down eye level with it. If the blade is set correctly, even pushing down the blade holder, you cannot cut thru the wax paper backing, because the blade would not be long enough. It's not about just not cutting thru the wax paper backing, but also having the least amount of blade possible to stop drag.

    blade depth.jpg

    • Like 1

  14. Hopefully you have plenty of vinyl free to do the entire order and you are not pulling from the roll. Never pull from the roll while cutting.   Did you mess with the pinch roller tension?  You shouldn't.  Do you have the pinch rollers over the grit rollers on the bottom?  They should always be. Make sure the set screws in the grit rollers are tight.  Does it do the same thing with a pen drawing?    


  15. CE7000   Expanded Cutting Area
    It expands the cutting area to include objects outside of the area enclosed by registration marks. Production efficiency is enhanced by reducing media waste.

    Your user manual is your best friend. Search under PUSH ROLLERS, In the INDEX.  You can  turn the media sensor and pinch rollers off. (Push rollers. 1-4, 1-6, 1-8)  (Push roller sensors.10-5 ) This info is in your Graphtec user manual which can be found on the Graphtec website.  Many people use a cutting mat, so they can hold smaller vinyl. can be purchased at Walmart and hobby shops. Ebay.

    Also, is there a carrier sheet I can attach my "magnet sheets" to to make sure they're square?

    Personally I would never cut magnet sheets on my Graphtec, and my cutter has a lot more force than the CE7000.  That is a lot of wear and tear on an expensive cutter.   A Cricut can do it with a DEEP CUT BLADE,  But that is your choice to make.  Maybe possible with 2-3 passes so it isn't trying all at 1 time. 


  16. You could go to Vinylmaster.com and get a current updated version of VinylMaster Cut for around $60 and be cutting today. You could also try their trial version.   https://vinylmaster.software/products/cut   Signcut I think, also has a trial version.   The Copam has not been sold on UScutter for several years, which is why threads are old.

    Info for the Copam

    https://support.uscutter.com/hc/en-us/sections/360007369351-Copam-Vinyl-Cutter-Series


  17. As soon as you wrote Mac, you lost here. Most anyone here is a Windows user that answers questions . And don't know of anyone using Cutting Master 5.  There is only a couple handful of members here that answers questions.   Graphtec provided you with a GREAT over $1000 design and cutting software FREE with your purchase. WINDOWS ONLY., if purchased new. Which is designed by the creators of FlexisignPro,  (SAI), without the RIP.  GRAPHTEC PRO STUDIO.  Grab a windows computer and you will be much further ahead. There is support for that.  You could also use Bootcamp or whatever else you can use on a Mac computer to use a Windows program. We are a bunch of old timers here, who don't need to upgrade to newer software. I am still back on an XP laptop on a purchased new 2008 Graphtec FC7000., using Flexistarter 8.6, Plus I have an FC8000,  We have no need for the newest soft wares. Or upgraded Windows. Most users who come here, get their questions answered, if we can, and they move on.