Driver for GCC Puma III

[Joshmc1 3]

Hi folks, 

I decided to purchase a 2nd hand GCC Puma III. Unfortunately, the cutter did not come with a CD. Does anyone know where I can download driver for this machine?

Thank you

Josh

[slice&dice 2,460]

Hey Josh, let's see what we can do.

Quick questions ---   when you bought the machine, did you have the seller demonstrate that it works? What program was running with the Puma? Why did you buy a unit without any compatible cutting software?

SignBlazer (free to use abandonware) has the driver for Puma II which you can try.
https://www.mediafire.com/file/fjk69hgu2cpnr16/signblazer_setup.exe/file

 

 

[Joshmc1 3]

He ran a test on the machine itself but not using his PC, explaining that he recently upgraded to a new PC. The cable he used with the cutter was an old one (pictured) and therefore did not connect to his new PC. When I left his house I realised he actually supplied a USB cable which he could have used to connect to his new PC. I think he was using Flexi-Sign. I purchased the unit without software as a friend of mine has flexisign and was willing to help install a copy on my machine. Thank you for the link to Signblazer, I downloaded it but have not used this software previously so have no idea what I am doing.

[slice&dice 2,460]

Josh, you present a challenge. Accepted.

First of all, you are going to want to have your laptop connected via USB to the machine, forget about those parallel ports.

FlexiSign is nice, and should run the Puma.

SignBlazer Cutter Setup has the Puma II which we don't know if it will work with your III.

[Joshmc1 3]

 

 

Josh, you present a challenge. Accepted.

First of all, you are going to want to have your laptop connected via USB to the machine, forget about those parallel ports.

FlexiSign is nice, and should run the Puma.

SignBlazer Cutter Setup has the Puma II which we don't know if it will work with your III.

I’m challenging for a lot of people lol. Something to do with being impulsive probably 

I’ll stick with the USB cable and port then. Downloaded Signblazer and selected the Puma II but not sure how to run a test yet

These are some screenshots from when I tried to install the driver on the GCC site 

Device Manager in Windows 11 shows a device (printer) connected via USB however it says a driver isn’t installed. 

[Joshmc1 3]

I've also acquired an adaptor which allows me to connect using the serial interface connector to USB port. 

Seems like the PC is trying to send something to the cutter but it's not registering. Freezes at this point

[Joshmc1 3]

On the phone with GCC Netherlands. Have advised I probably have a defective machine 

[slice&dice 2,460]

Josh, I am not convinced that you have any physical problem with the cutter. (USB port failure).

What you need to do is get the communications port sorted out.

Com1 is not the one to choose, when you've got a USB cable. Also, that 'adapter' is likely not gonna work.

Try installing this VCP,  it's saved me a lot of headaches and hopefully gets your PC to talk to the Puma.

https://mydrivers.online/software/stm32-virtual-com-port-driver

 

 

[darcshadow 1,640]

Do you have an older computer you could put an older version of windows on? The manual online says it should detect and download the drivers when you plug it in however it also says if using windows 7 or newer you need to be in admin mode. That tells me the drivers are rather old and possibly don't even exist for windows 11.

On the plus side, you do have the serial option. You don't need drivers if using the serial option, you just need a functioning serial port. When you use the serial adapter you'll need to check in your device manager to see what comm port was assigned to it. Some software doesn't like the higher port numbers, so you'd be best off changing the assigned port to 1 or 2 and then setting the cutting software to match.

[Joshmc1 3]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate your input here and will try both of those suggestions 

I was talking to GCC tech support in Netherlands last night and he was walking me through doing a basic cut test directly from the machine 

I wasn’t even able to do that.

put machine in offline mode 

select cut test

could get enter button to register 

[Joshmc1 3]

@darcshadow

Had a lot of trouble finding which com port the cutter was assigned to in device manager 

[haumana 1,226]

Nice that you found which COM Port your machine assigned. 

Next, is that port under 4? If not, try to reassign the port to a number 4 or under.

Are you using a null modem cable if you are using the serial port out of the machine?  If you are, do you have the drivers for the keyspan (serial-usb) adapter installed?

When you have a low number com port assisned, make sure that you select the proper port in the cuttign software, and do not allow for "auto" because that rarely gets it right.

Do what you can not to use any usb extensions, or having the cable be too long.

 

[Joshmc1 3]

I think the important thing to point out again is that during a phone call with GCC support in the Netherlands, the tech was unable to run a simple cut test directly from the machine itself. We're not even talking about establishing a connection between the software and the cutter. A basic test cut failed. I can select it on the menu but hitting "enter" does nothing. I contacted the guy who sold it to me and he apologised, claimed he didnt know it wasnt working and offered to transfer my money back. I provided him with my account details but nothing yet.

[slice&dice 2,460]

On Monday, Josh claimed the seller "...ran a test on the machine itself"

Now, he's saying that a test cut isn't functional.

While I'm not familiar with the GCC operation, I do know that every machine I've owned has a dedicated TEST button on the keypad, it's not part of any cycling menus.

If you don't get any satisfaction (refund) from this seller, file a small-claims case in court. Do you have a local version of Judge Judy?

[darcshadow 1,640]

there is a test cut button on your keypad. Does that do anything? Just turn the cutter on, load some vinyl, and press the test cut. Anything happen?

[haumana 1,226]

 

I think the important thing to point out again is that during a phone call with GCC support in the Netherlands, the tech was unable to run a simple cut test directly from the machine itself. We're not even talking about establishing a connection between the software and the cutter. A basic test cut failed. I can select it on the menu but hitting "enter" does nothing. I contacted the guy who sold it to me and he apologised, claimed he didnt know it wasnt working and offered to transfer my money back. I provided him with my account details but nothing yet.

Good luck with the refund.

I admittedly am perplexed.  Either the seller ran a test, which typically does not require the cutter to be connected to any computer, or he did not.  Now, if the seller did run a test, and it in fact cut someting - a retangle, a star, a triangle, whatever the machine's default test "pattern" is, then I am going to side with Slice and say the current issues are with connectivity. If the seller fired it up, tried to run a test (via the cutter's control panel) and nothing happened, then do you best to get your money back and scrap the machine when you finally do.

[Joshmc1 3]

[Joshmc1 3]

See attached video. The sellers sent me a picture of a cut test (attached) but when I tried to do the same it doesn’t work. The issue is the “enter” button. It doesn’t register when I press it 

[slice&dice 2,460]

What happens if you just press that CutTest button by itself?

(You are in a menu which requires you to first press the left and right arrows to select a pattern, THEN press Enter/OK, and then the CutTest)

[Joshmc1 3]

Pressing enter does nothing 

[MZ SKEETER 4,714]

FOUND THIS. 

Test Cut 1) Select ON/OFF LINE for screen to read “Offline for System Setup”

2) Select CUT TEST so screen reads “Square Cut”

3) Select ENTER

4) Move blade into an area to perform a test cut with the arrows on the keypad.

5) Select Enter

https://assets.stahls.com/stahls/content/pdf/education/Training-Resource-gcc-pumaIII-vinyl-cutter.pdf

This is for PUMA IV  Looks the same.

[slice&dice 2,460]

It appears that Josh purchased an expensive brick.

Piece of good advice (mentioned often over the years here) is to verify the correct operation of a used cutter, by seeing it actually perform a cut from the computer and that computer with software is included.

I hope Josh manages to obtain his refund.

[MZ SKEETER 4,714]

There are parts available.  Maybe cheaper than this.  I just posted the first one I saw.   https://vinylcutterparts.com/control-panel-assembly-for-gcc-puma-iii-and-jaguar-iv.html

[Wildgoose 4,200]

Josh,

Everyone on the forum is an end user. All volunteer. So far they have expended a reasonably high amount of effort to help you get rolling. We love cutters and are excited to help new users out. Please be respectful when responding and give everyone the benefit of the doubt that they want to help you. We don't tolerate flaming here so I can guarantee that none of the regular people here will mess with you in any unfriendly way. Please respond appropriately. This is a HUGE resource for the cutting world and there is a lot of information available on here covering almost every question.

In my estimation you have a couple problems.
1. Does your cutter actually work or not? Sounds a bit doubtful but I can tell you from experience that getting hooked up and running is often the greatest hurdle and can be troubling even with a brand new very $$$ cutter. So it is entirely possible it's just a connection problem. If you bought this from someone far away from you you may be out of luck.

2. Connecting to software for someone unfamiliar is problematic almost every time. Don't get frustrated. Here is an option I would throw at you. I use SignCut Pro and they offer their program on a rented basis and will give you several days free use to try it out. They are based over in the UK and offer live help to get you connected. I will post a link to their website for you to try out. However this is only going to help IF the cutter actually works. 

https://signcutpro.com

 

[Joshmc1 3]

Thanks Wildgoose. Much appreciated 

sorry this has been a harrowing ordeal and I’m just frustrated but appreciate what you’ve said