SCAL with Laser Point Ii

[Chris Molloy 0]

When cutting a simple rectangle created in SCAL 5,  the cut executes, SCAL has finished sending the job.

then the cutter moves to seemingly random locations, pauses, does not lower knife, moves to another and pauses, repeats for several minutes.

SCAL is activated and registered.  Confirmed rectangle is only object on canvas. On win 11, USB connection.  LP II selected as plotter using default cut preset.

Thoughts?

[haumana 1,229]

Have you tried swapping out the USB cable?

Did Win11 run some kind of auto update?

Is this a new setup for you, or have you had this puter/cutter setup, and only now are getting this issue?

[Chris Molloy 0]

This cutter is new to me.  When it does this, reseting the cutter stops the unwanted activity, but will no longer connect/run the communication test.  Need to turn off/on and reset the com in the cut dialog.  It has worked properly on a few occasions.

it is set to and connected via usb, but the port lists as “COM 5 (serial port)”

[MZ SKEETER 4,728]

 

This cutter is new to me.  When it does this, reseting the cutter stops the unwanted activity, but will no longer connect/run the communication test.  Need to turn off/on and reset the com in the cut dialog.  It has worked properly on a few occasions.

it is set to and connected via usb, but the port lists as “COM 5 (serial port)”

 COM Port # must be set between 1-4,  nothing higher, In your computer device manager and your cutter software. They must match.   On a value cutter like you have it is not true USB like more expensive vinyl cutters. GRaphtec/Roland.  On value cutters, turn off the cutter  between cuts, so that it dumps the data from the previous order.  Always push the ORIGIN button before cutting.  Always have vinyl slack for the whole order. With value cutters like yours best to run on a Tripp lite Keyspan Adapter (that is the brand name)  and a null modem cable.  Much better connection. The Tripp lite has it's own driver, rather than the cheap Chinese chipset in the vinyl cutter. Find the best price.  https://tripplite.eaton.com/support/USA19HS  You plug the null moden cable into your vinyl cutter, then connect to the Tripplite to it., then USB end goes into your USB on computer. 

[haumana 1,229]

First see if you can reassign the COM Port in Windows Device Manager to something 4 or lower.  If you can do that, then make sure the COM Port number matches in the cutting software too.  Then you can send a test job to the cutter.  

It's possible that Win11 did an update of some sort that reassigned the COM Port number.  Auto updates in Win11 is problematic for communication to cutters at times.

In the previous jobs that you've sent, did they cut well and only now you're experiencing the issue, or were you getting intermittent issue before as well?  Just trying to isolate what is actually causing the issue.

[Chris Molloy 0]

Did what was suggested, changed from com 5 to com 2.  Still not right, changed to hardware flow control, communication problem fixed, but still doing a little dance after finishing a layer.  Short little squiggle in bottom right corner, outside objects, lowers knife and jiggles back and forth 1/2”.  

[MZ SKEETER 4,728]

Did you see this cutter operate before you received it?  If so, was it operating alright?  Have you ever ran a vinyl cutter before?  Is if possible to upload a video of your problem?  Is the teflon cutting strip smooth and not chewed up?  No scratches? 

[haumana 1,229]

you can also try to download a different cutting software, they usually have a trial mode, and see if it'll cut properly.  just keep in mind that a lot of the trial mode software will cut the design, then add a slash through the design.  it's part of trial version and not something that's defective.