quick5pnt0 0 Posted July 2, 2009 I need some help. I've had my pcut 24" for a couple of days not but no matter what I do I can't get it to cut nice clean lines. I'm trying to cut a domain name and some of the letters come out somewhat clean but with others it either doesn't complete the line or seems to cut into the letter slightly. If you look at the (lousy) picture I've attached you can see what I mean. You can see how it tore up the vinyl around both the outside and inside of O and the other letters have small tears on certain edges. Here are all the settings I've tried... Press 105-125 Speed 50-60 Offset 0-.30mm Blade: Half a credit card thickness, also tried less than that. I also tried checking to make sure nothing was stuck on the blade. Vinyl: Oracal 651 The only thing I can think of is maybe this machine can't cut this small. These domain names are 5" long by .40" tall. Unfortunately my pcut doesn't seem to go any slower, the lowest setting it has is 50 for speed. The manual says it can go down to 10 but no matter what I do it was only go from 50-80. BTW I've also attached the signblazer SBD file of the domain incase others with the same cutter would like to try it out for themselves. Thanks for the help! test.SBD test.SBD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr300s 1,272 Posted July 2, 2009 I am new but was having similar problems. Back the blade in some more. Just so you can barley see it. I would lower the speed. I don't understand because I just bought my Pcut and it goes all the way down to 10 ? Hit the reset on the right side and wait then the on line button to take it off and then hit mode and try it if your not doing it that way. Take a q tip with some alcohol and rub the blade and the bottom of the blade holder and the cutting strip. ( this really helped mine) Good Luck, I found out you have to keep playing with the pressure by 10 pounds until you get it right. Also make sure it is not making a double cut that will mess you up also. Whatever that was try it again and watch it to make sure its not going back over the same cut, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quick5pnt0 0 Posted July 3, 2009 Thanks for the reply. Yes mine only goes down to 50. I believe it is a problem with this unit. It's definitely not double cutting I had that problem initially but it no longer does that. I think if I could slow it down more that may solve my problem but this machine won't go below 50. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quick5pnt0 0 Posted July 3, 2009 I just contacted uscutter and they are claiming that there have been changes to the numerical scale and that it is supposed to only go down to 50. Anyone who recently purchased one want to chime in. What firmware version are you running and what speeds does yours go to? Uscutter claims that there is no difference because 50 is like 10 but I find that hard to believe. That would mean that there are only four speed settings instead of eight. Am I getting the run around? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr300s 1,272 Posted July 3, 2009 I bought mine right around May 16th and it goes down to 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quick5pnt0 0 Posted July 3, 2009 Can you check what firmware yours has? It should say it on the display when you turn it on. It is probably 4.xx thanks again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenimes 42 Posted July 3, 2009 I just contacted uscutter and they are claiming that there have been changes to the numerical scale and that it is supposed to only go down to 50. Anyone who recently purchased one want to chime in. What firmware version are you running and what speeds does yours go to? Uscutter claims that there is no difference because 50 is like 10 but I find that hard to believe. That would mean that there are only four speed settings instead of eight. Am I getting the run around? This is possible- a new version that only goes to 50, but it sounds more like they could care less about your problem to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quick5pnt0 0 Posted July 3, 2009 Yea that's what it seems like to me as well. I've had another member also tell me that their recently purchased pcut goes down to 10. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr300s 1,272 Posted July 3, 2009 Can you check what firmware yours has? It should say it on the display when you turn it on. It is probably 4.xx thanks again It say 4.3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CRD 9 Posted July 3, 2009 Have you cheked the XY setting of the machine and blade offset of the knife in SBE? Try this link of a new bie manual and check the XY setting. http://www.customracingdecal.com/manuals/Noob-V4_2.pdf Let us know if that solved the problem. Paco Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quick5pnt0 0 Posted July 3, 2009 Crd: aren't the xy settings to correct dimensions compared to what is on the computer screen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CRD 9 Posted July 4, 2009 Yes, But if XY are not correct then tear ups or unclosed cuts happen too. This is basic and should be performed with every new cutter to overcome tolerances. It cant harm to perform it anyway. Paco Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest HowardI Posted July 6, 2009 I have looked on a machine here that is a version 4.3 and it goes down to 10 and up to 80. If yours goes down to 50, how high does it go? If it still only goes to 80 I'd say it's either a bad motherboard or firmware chip. If the machine is under warranty I'd suggest replacing the motherboard. If you call me or submit a ticket at http://support.uscutter.com/index.php?_m=tickets&_a=submit we'll be happy to help you. Howard Irwin Support Specialist US Cutter 425 481-3555 Ext. 7105 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CRD 9 Posted July 6, 2009 Brandon I do not need support! I was only giving advise about correct XY setting. BTW my Pcut laser point machine has version 4.3 to and runs down to 10 speed too. Paco Raap, ( The Netherlands )! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest HowardI Posted July 10, 2009 I have looked at new machines which have firmware 4.50 and they indeed only go down to 50. I am investigating the ability to fix this or be able to obtain more of the older chips. I will post more when I have further information. Howard Irwin Support Specialist US Cutter 425 481-3555 - OR - 888-298-8143 Ext. 7105 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Serzoni 0 Posted August 3, 2009 Has there ever been a resolution to this? I just bought a PCUT that only goes down to 50 (firmware version 4.5) and compared to my friend's Laser Point (version 4.2), it's nearly twice as fast on 50 as his is on 10. My cutter is cutting WAAAAAY too fast for the small lettering that I need it to cut. I'm starting to think that I bought the wrong cutter for the jobs that I need to cut - small decals and paint masks for RC cars. It was my understanding that the PCUT and Laser Point were essentially the same cutter, but he never has any problems with small fonts on his cutter. We went through and compared settings and I never could prevent the vinyl from being pulled up on small lettering. It only seems to do it on the squared corners of the fonts. Fonts with rounded corners seem to be okay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest HowardI Posted August 3, 2009 If you can contact me directly you can order the replacement chip. If you're not comfortable replacing the chip you can replace the motherboard instead. Howard Irwin Support Specialist US Cutter 425-481-3555 888-298-8143 - Option 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted August 4, 2009 my Co-Pam cuts stuff smaller than that at 60 with no problems at all ( I like the sound it makes & wish it would go faster ). I think you can tune it to cut ,40 decals @ 50 . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest HowardI Posted August 4, 2009 It also cost twice as much. The PCut WILL do it but not as fast as the copam. You might try adjusting the pressure down a bit? Just let us know how you'd like to proceed. Howard Irwin Support Specialist US Cutter 425-481-3555 888-298-8143 - Option 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Serzoni 0 Posted August 7, 2009 I called the same day as my last post and the guy on the phone told me I would have to pay to replace the entire motherboard and that it wasn't a warranty issue because the machine functioned?? I tried to cut some more decals last night and it seems as though things are getting worse. I've tried adjusting offset, pressure, and blade depth.. and nothing has changed. My friend who has used a laser point for quite a while with a lot of success keeps saying it's the cutting speed. I'm ready to throw this thing out to the road or Office Space it if I can't get it to cut like it's supposed to. Attached is a pic of some vinyl I tried to cut this morning before I left for work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarconastic 29 Posted August 7, 2009 I 'm gonna ask what may be some stupidly simple questions of you. 1. How many passes is the Cutter making around each of those letters. (Should be only one) 2. How old is that vinyl. Or is it Cheap Vinyl? There should not be any gapping in a vinyl cut to where you can see white. It looks like either it's making multiple passes and tearing out the pieces, or that the vinyl you have is terribly old calendared vinyl that is shrinking away after it's cut. Or that your Blade is way to far down and cutting into the paper causing the separations. 3. Is your machine still under Warranty? If it is, call USCUtter Tech Support and get them to straighten you out. Part of that Warranty is to help you get up an running, regardless of the cause. They have always been great with me. Even in the beginning when I called several times to ask Stupid questions that make you go DOH! after wards. As a test, put the pen in the machine and do that same design on a piece paper, and show us that as well. It may clarify it. Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Serzoni 0 Posted August 7, 2009 1. It's only making a single pass. 2. The vinyl is new. I've adjusted the blade depth in and out along with adjusting the pressure. No change in regards to the ripping and tearing. 3. The machine is a week old today. I called Tech Support and as posted above, they said that "50 is the old 10" and that if I wanted to get the old firmware, I would have to fork out the money for a replacement motherboard with the old firmware on it. He also suggested that I play with the pressure, which I did and as stated above, no luck. When I use the pen, everything is perfect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,708 Posted August 7, 2009 1. It's only making a single pass. 2. The vinyl is new. I've adjusted the blade depth in and out along with adjusting the pressure. No change in regards to the ripping and tearing. 3. The machine is a week old today. I called Tech Support and as posted above, they said that "50 is the old 10" and that if I wanted to get the old firmware, I would have to fork out the money for a replacement motherboard with the old firmware on it. He also suggested that I play with the pressure, which I did and as stated above, no luck. When I use the pen, everything is perfect. you say the vinyl is new.. but what kind is it? Brand name? Type? I would try a different brand, Name brand high quality vinyl and see if it does the same thing... and make sure that the blade is just barely sticking out , and that the blade is in the rear blade holder,,, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest HowardI Posted August 7, 2009 Didn't you call in? I helped someone with this issue by sending them a replacement chip. I can do this for you as well if it's not you that I helped. Howard Irwin Support Specialist US Cutter 425-481-3555 888-298-8143 - Option 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarconastic 29 Posted August 9, 2009 I found something out today that I hadn't thought a whole lot about. Temperature. Before we turned the AC on this summer it was getting a little warmer, and I was cutting some 751 and it was pain to weed, was too stretching and the cuts seemed a little rough, in that they almost were stretched/torn instead of smooth. So I figure the heat was the problem. Turned on the air and not a problem. Just today i pulled out some cheaper vinyl to do a freebie job for family. It has been really hot here the last several days so the air has been running like crazy, and I live in a split level. All the cold air migrates to the basement where the cutter is. My first cut looked a lot like Serzoni's picture. it was peeling back all the tiny elements and was a bear to weed what was left. The way I solved it was to Increase the pressure by 10 and slow the speed down to 30. and give it a little more blade, till it was just barely occasionally scratching the silicone back. It's probably not a fix all, but I thought I would let everyone know what I noticed. Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites