whitecastle

MH-721 up and running on my Macbook Pro - here's how.

Recommended Posts

When considering this cutter, I was confused about all the various pieces of info when it came to Mac setup. So I thought I'd post the easy and few steps it took to get it running on my Mac. I use illustrator partnered with Signcut via USB. (no adaptor)

  • 1. Buy your cutter.
  • 2. Get your cutter.
  • 3. Get your activation codes and download links for Signcut. One year is included with your purchase, and it's a great way to get up and running fast. It *may be in the box with your cutter, but if not, the support team will get you the info you need. Only took 1 hour for me to get sorted as there wasn't any paper work with my cutter.You need to go to http://www.signcutpro.com/Register-Bundle.html and register your bundle. You will then be shown the download links. You are also sent an email with download instructions.
  • 4. Download and install Signcut. I also installed the Illustrator plugin which allows me to send straight to Signcut from Illustrator.
  • 5. IMPORTANT: Install the USB/Serial extensions. This will allow your mac to send commands to the cutter through USB. Select the right one for your OS. These are available here: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
  • 6. Connect your Mac to Cutter via included USB cable.
  • 7. Fire up Signcut and open an EPS file. Send to cutter.
  • 8. Enjoy.

Hopes this sheds some light on how simple it is to get this cutter working on the mac. Cheers.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks a ton on this. I'll be ordering this exact cutter and have a macbook as well so this helps a ton! Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

also, quick question if you happen to come back and check this post.. are you running a serial converter? I'm not too familiar with this, but I hear the USB is slow and can be choppy, and i hear a $30 keyscan usb to serial converter is really recommend to be faster and stuff, are you doing this? or does the step number #5 make it work faster with USB? I'm just in a debate to buy one or not thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am not running the USB/Serial converter. I decided to give it a whirl before I bought the adapter that is recommended.  It worked perfectly after I installed the drivers. It is NOT slow for me with this setup. In fact it's pretty damn quick in my opinion, and I have it set to Normal speed. I can't imagine how fast the Fast setting is.

Once you get it working, you'll need to fiddle with the blade setting. grab a credit card and put place it on top of the cutter head. Then dial the blade to it sits about half the thickness of the credit card. YES, half the thickness. Just peeping out the tiniest amount. Then dial the force down to like 50. I'm getting amazingly intricate cuts out of this set up.

I would also LOOSEN up the springs for the pinch feeders. Otherwise they will leave an impression on the vinyl. I have mine set to half way through the gold nuts. You'll know what I mean when you look at the nuts.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Make sure the cable is connected - Obvious I know, but I was sending jobs last night and couldn't figure out why it wasn't' cutting. Then I saw the cable wasn't hooked up - Doh.

If not that, I'd make sure you installed the right set of drivers. I had no success until I did that.

Lastly, make sure Baud is the same in Signcut as on your cutter, and that output device is set correctly. Here are my settings:

post-6183-12986544925432_thumb.png

post-6183-12986544935198_thumb.png

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Will this work on LP24?

Just set up my LP24 the same way (but before I read this thread)

Yes it works fine, and the contour cutting feature works too!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

THANK YOU! I haven't tried it yet, but makes sense. I also have a mac and illustrator cs4 and hope that I can figure out how to correctly move the file to a sign cut program and actually be able to get the outlines. How do you like the sign cut program you're using? Oh, I do have parallels for the mac and corel draw graphic suite x4. You think that might work out and respond with a us cutter mh871?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

ALL MY PROBLEMS ANSWERED!!! THIS WORKED PERFECT, THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I do recommend to download the usb driver first and if not you can find it under the cutter options once downloaded. Otherwise you only have tcp and bluetooth options when installing sign cut. Also, if you didn't get your registration # for signcut, it will be at the bottom of the email from when you purchased the cutter. I have a mh871 which was not listed as an option on sign cut, however i choose the next model up. Everything seems to work great, except my sloppy designs with tooo many outlines and other junk. AI sends it right to sign cut!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just another note, if you wanna go the quick and dirty way, although if you are purist please dont read this... install parallels and run xp and then you can load SignBlazer for free :)

Wayne

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Many thanks for posting these instructions.

I just used them to get my new MH721 set up and connected to a Mac G5 -- it couldn't have gone more smoothly.

Thanks again,

Sid

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Help please.  I have never been able to cut from the Mac side.  I have always had to use the bootcamp and usb/serial converter.  I am running the newest i5 macbook pro, signcut productivity pro, and an mh721  I thought I did everything but all I see in com box is tcp/ip, write to file, and /dev/cu.bluetoothe-pda-sync.  HELP! 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am trying to get my cutter set up. I have loaded the drivers but when I go into sign cut it does not show the usb option. Please Help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

anything here?    Most people find using a Keyspan adapter helps out alot on Macs. .  That is the brand name,  Keyspan Adapter.  You can do a search for Keyspan Adapter/Mac here on the forum. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Keyspan-High-Speed-USB-Serial-Adapter-USA-19HS-/120420154018?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c0999baa2

http://support.uscutter.com/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=view&parentcategoryid=11&pcid=4&nav=0,4

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

All,

I wrote the above instructions sometime ago. I thought I would update the information with some additions for the Keyspan USB Serial Adapter. I recently bought the adapter as i was having some troubles cutting large, complex jobs. The cutter would just halt in the middle of the job.

Anyway, since installing the and using the adapter I've had no issues. So:

  • If you are having troubles, a Keyspan Adapter may help. You will want Keyspan Adapter #USA-19HS
  • You can find it at many places online, if you are in Canada, which I am, I recommend Memory Express http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX7694(ME).aspx
  • It's a little pricy there, but they are great at price matching - I got mine for about $40 after a match
  • Install the software that comes with the adapter. Stuff will happen and you will see a "New Network Device" dialog asking you to configure. Don't bother.
  • Also installed is a Keyspan Serial Assistant. Open this and it will tell you which two serial port have been installed
  • With the cutter on, and connected, open Signcut.
  • Under Settings, Choose Cutter
  • Select the drop down for "Output Device / Port" choose the port that applies - you should see two: USA19Hf...  & Key Serial 1
  • USA19Hf... worked fine for me.

The real unfortunate thing is my Signcut trial has now expired, and even thought I've spent many hours getting it up and running and assisting many others doing the same, because vinyl cutting is just a hobby for me, and my needs are so limited, I can't justify the cost of renewing. Every piece of software I've ever owned, I've bought - and it was mine. I fundamentally disagree on principle with a licensing model for software.

So I probably won't be updating this anymore, but ping me if you need help, and I'll see what i can do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now