New Here and need some EXPERT Help!! Cuts Overlapping each other!!

[BobbyLay 2]

New guy here

 

I have a US Cutter MH MK2 Cutter that I just purchased along with the SCAL 3 Pro software.

 

Here is the problem I am having....

 

I am cutting 8 decals all arranged on the mat so that they wont hit the pinch rollers and eliminate as much waste as possible.

 

My letters are overlapping each other and ruining every single decal but maybe 1-3 each round. But Its not a consistent problem like it picks and chooses where it wants to screw up.

 

I have wasted enough material now and pulled out just about all of my hair trying to determine the issue but nothing I change fixes it!!!!

 

Baude rate at 4800, Cut speed at 400 and using the dreaded USB connection ( I've done the reading about the keyspan adapter already )

Ground wire installed and pulling out enough material for the job each time so its not pulling from the roll.

 

 

Now just a week ago I was cutting and got every single decal to come out perfect with no overlapping and suddenly today this issue comes back.

 

 

What gives?!?!?!

[rpmrpm 32]

I have a MH Mk1 and use straight USB (I do have a new in package Tripp-lite standing by) but everything I have read has convinced me I would not operate a Mk2 with-out a Tripp-Lite USA-19HS adapter for concerns like you are having.

 

Also be aware of heavy material static build-up may cause random cuts. I saw this pop-up on USCutter recently. Might be worth a try.

http://www.uscutter.com/Anit-Static-Kit-for-Vinyl-Cutters

 

The more I think about it, could one of the stepper motor shaft/pulley set screws be randomly slipping. Might be worth a look under the end caps and some loctite.

[MZ SKEETER 4,708]

Make sure the set screws on the grit rollers are tight.  Also the pinch rollers going over the decal does not hurt anything.  Once applied it is fine...Try slowing the cutter speed  down..  A Keyspan Adapter.  is the best bet if you don't have a serial cable or serial card.

[BobbyLay 2]

I dont get any random cuts, I get full letters cutting out but cutting out over each other instead of evenly spaced out like it shows on the mat.

 

Ill check out the machine itself but I am really leaning towards it being software related or me not having something set correctly in the software before I hit cut.

[MZ SKEETER 4,708]

Instead of cutting the vinyl, use your pen on the back of the backing,,,,See if the vinyl is moving correctly...

 

You could also download Signblazer  which is FREE software and maybe eliminate the machine or software.problems.  Just to try something.

[BobbyLay 2]

Ill give that a try Skeeter!  

[BobbyLay 2]

So i tightened up the pinch rollers a little more and flipped my vinyl and used the pen, It did just fine til about halfway through when the head had to come back to the front of the image and continue with the next word and BAM it started drawing on top of the other letters.   I did notice it made a sound like the grit rollers slipped right before it made its way back to the front of the job.   I can feed vinyl back and forth manually but at times it makes an awful sound and doesnt move at all......I think this machine is busted!

[Dakotagrafx 7,297]

did you check the grit rollers set screws as skeeter had mentioned?  search box will help too for instructions to check belt tension

Here is one that came broken

http://forum.uscutter.com/index.php?/topic/47930-not-completing-cutsbad-test-cuts/?hl=%2Bbelt+%2Btension#entry386151

[BobbyLay 2]

Yes the set screws were tight.  I will search how to check for belt tension, i think this is my issue.  I may be able to fix it but id rather box this hunk up and let them deal with it LOL

[BobbyLay 2]

So I took the left side cover off to expose the motor and belt assembly for the rollers and when it slips the belt nor the shaft is spinning (slipping).   If i put the least amount of pressure with my hand on the vinyl and try to feed it, It makes the slipping sound but nothing is moving.

[BobbyLay 2]

Can you put the pinch rollers down too tight?   As long as there is no vinyl in the machine and the rollers are up it will not slip and make that noise unless I hold the rollers down myself

[BobbyLay 2]

Nobody?

[BobbyLay 2]

Just got off the phone with Tech Support and the dude was super nice and helpful which is always a plus when your going crazy.   And he had me remove the middle pinch roller to eliminate some of the pressure on the grit rollers and switched my connection from USB to Printer and my cut came out perfect this time, no overlapping.   Small issues easily resolved but being a newb to this everything is a learning process!