Plotter freezing up in the middle of jobs?

[rip_kurl@hotmail.com 0]

        Does anyone else ever have this problem?; I go to cut a project and nothing happens. It says it is "sending to plotter" and I wait and wait and nothing happens, then when I try to cancel, my computer freezes up, and I have to re start my computer and loose my entire file....Everytime. . i have heard it is good to turn the plotter off and on everynow and then. Any other ideas?

[dkhochhalter 1]

This happens to me too. One reminder: always save your work before sending it to the cutter. It's so frustrating when SB freezes up on you. I usually assume that if it doesn't start cutting alsmot immediately, its not going to. So, just turn off the plotter and the computer and try again once it reloads.

But, if there is anyone who knows the *real problem of why its doing this, do tell.

[BlackMesa 0]

I remember reading somewhere that it was a memory issue.  I don't know and haven't really come up with much more.

The biggest problem I've had was trying to cut multiples of the same image.  When I set it up on the first screen, it would lock up.  So I would get to the cut screen and have it set to cut multiple images, which most of the time works fine but the other day it partially cut both images, therefore ruining some vinyl.

The other thing I've ran into was a few months ago, I was doing a huge image.  It was 8"x8", but there was a lot of little details.  Couldn't get it to cut in one shot, luckily for me I was able to do a separation with the image and cut it in two parts and had to treat it like a 2 layer job.

[SynFX 1]

Ok... so heres the scoop and the 'fix'

I had the MH 721 (did until last night when it died)

Ok so if you have a value plotter such as the Refine MH series cutters

you probably are all too familiar with the process.. Over many

times using the plotter I refined a method to keep it going..

Each time I would cut I would have to perform the following:

- Unplug USB

- Power on plotter

- Position material(if not already done)

- Plug in USB

- Turn off plotter

- Turn plotter back on

- Set Force to 50g

- Press Cut

It would work usually, sometimes needing to ABORT and cut

again.. then it would work fine. After each cut or copies being

made I would have to repeat the process because the COM Port

would disappear and the screen on the plotter would go blank.

The MH series comes with a 1mb RAM chip, with an Out of Stock

4mb chip for $22 that could be installed to 'fix the problem.'

I have lots of lines, messed up letters and the like most of the time.

so last night I was cutting out material for signs I am working on

and it finishes,.. I walk over and nothing is there.. So I rewind

the material, do the steps, cut again.. I came back the second time

and still nothing.. The carriage is now inoperable! It does nothing..

the belts still pull it left and right as if it is working, yet no force is

applied when cutting..

I am placing my order for the Copam CP-2500 Monday morning!