US Cutter MH1351 (noob questions - tried reading 3 forums)

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Vinyl cutter model: US Cutter Refine MH1351 (used)

Date purchased: 3/6/09

Connection method: USB to Serial DB9 (by  Dynex)

Software: SignCut 2X (fully registered version) and SignBlazer (trial version)

Operating system: Windows XP Home Edition (on a laptop - HP Pavilion)

Material: Vinyl

I am the proud new owner of a US Cutter machine. It is a used machine that I purchased from another startup business. I am looking for personal and professional use and he had a great deal.  His only issue was that the USB to USB broke off the motherboard.  That said, he demonstrated that it could work without using that port.  So I took myself to Best Buy and picked up the Dynex USB to Serial DB9 cable. 

1. Followed the instructions on the US Cutter site and this forum for setting up the driver for the USB.  Check.

2. Setup the settings in System > Hardware > Advanced settings, etc. Check.

3. Installed SignCut 2X (fully registered version). Check.

4. Setup the settings in the Device Manager and SignCut 2X to match. Check.

Not communicating. SignCut 2X would not come through with a confirmed test connection and when attempting to communicate, the cutter does nothing.

Tried to install the trial version of SignBlazer since it came recommended by US Cutter and the previous owner.

1. Setup the correct settings for both the software and the device manager (made sure the cutter actually has the correct Baude rate on the screen to match the two settings on my computer).

SignBlazer seems to be sending my work to the cutter and says it is cutting, but never comes up with any errors when the cutter doesn't cut.

Can anyone help me troubleshoot this?  I was working on it til 4am this morning and got up at 7 thinking a fresh start would help...I am still stuck.  Made some level of progress with the SignBlazer software since at least it told me it was communicating with the cutter.

I think it could be one of two problems (incorrect driver setup or my laptop).

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Jennifer

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Ok, so I tried with a desktop to see if it was my laptop that was causing the problem. Nothing. Same issues.

It must be a setting somewhere or the driver not set up correctly. I have tried installing and uninstalling the driver from the Support section of uscutter several times without success. The serial to usb cable came with it's own disk drivers, so iIinstalled those and the signblazer software says "Sending output to cutter" and then closes, but the cutter never cuts.

The test button on the cutter does work and cuts the diamond, so I am pretty sure the motherboard is fine.

I have set it to COM1, COM2, and COM5 (3 and 4 are in use), matching it to the software.

I have also ensured the Baud is set correctly (tried 4800 and 9600).

I also tried setting the Flow Control to Xon/Off, Hardware, and None. 

In Hardware, it doesn't send to the cutter at all, it just says that it can't initialize the cutter (indicating to me driver setup incorrectly).  I am by no means a computer expert, but I have been reading the forums and trying EVERYTHING to get it to work.

Thanks again if anyone can help me.

[tlzimmerman 11]

I am just guessing here, but figured I would try to give you something to go on until somebody who has something closer to your setup chimes in.

When you install the usb-serial converter does it show up in your device manager as a com port?  I would go to the device manager and find that usb-serial converter and see what port it is set to.  That is the one you need to use.  It may be listed as a USB device?  Not sure how those set themselves up.

You mentioned having a desktop....if I was you I would hook the serial cable directly to the desktop if it has a serial port (most do), then you should just set your program to com1 and boom away you go.

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It is set up to COM1 right now. The auto-setup was COM5.  I tried COM1, 2, and 5.  3 and 4 are being used.  

I don't have a serial only cable, so I used an LPT cable to connect to that old desktop. I can get the software to get to "Sending Output to Cutter" in the SignBlazer software, but it still doesn't cut.

Hmmmm.

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Thank you so much for your help TLzimmerman. I am headed out to the store to go buy a Serial cable...if I can find one.

Have a good evening.

[Rodger 527]

Radio Shack has serial to serial  ( female to female is what i got for my pc & Co-Pam )for $18 ( 6' ) .

  I have read to disconnect everything else . What happens if you set it to comm 3 or 4 ( disconnect whatever you have connected & try it with SignBlazer ) ?

  I have went thru the same thing you are going thru using the usb to serial adapter . It has always been matching the setting in your device manager with what is set in the SignBlazer settings . 

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Roger and TlZimmerman. You both rock!!! I headed out to Fry's Electronics and picked up a Serial cable for $9.  That did it!  SignCut 2X and SignBlazer both cut!!!

I am sooooooo happy. Thanks you guys!  It was my last hope and when it started cutting, I was elated!

Take care and happy cutting!

Jennifer

[Rodger 527]

Hey Jennifer ,

You ever heard about a guy named Tommy Tutones

Glad you got it going  . I am still having a blast making things for myself & friends . My 1rst paying job was a set of truck door decals . I got $50 for them . Walla ... paid for ALOT of materials with about $5 in materials  & 15 minutes at most .

Rodger

[tlzimmerman 11]

glad to hear you got it going

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Yes!  Great song about me, but he doesn't have my number right!!!  Now that you mention it, I am singing away!

8-6-7-5-3-0-niiiiiine...la la lalalala la la laaaaa.

[Rodger 527]

Hey Jenny  ,

That is fun ! BenR98 is a Jennifer also as is my sister . That songs starts in my head almost evrytime I hear that name . I have GOT Jenny's # ( Benr98 )  .. will work on fixing the # for you 

[Benr98 40]

  Rodger!! 

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Great name Ben!!!  I love it!  Ha!  Peas in a pod!