can anyone help with a mimaki CG-130fx plotter problem?

[Peter Normington]

Try this, feed the rear of the vinyl roll under the plotter base, (before lowering the rollers) align the two edges, (front and rear sides)so ensuring all is dead square, lower the rollers then press the roll button. Then feed out a few m to see if all is square.

Peter

btw is this a recent problem, like was all ok before or is the plotter new to you?

[Taroon Mistry]

Hi Peter

I’ve used plotting machines before, well smaller 2ft ones.

Now this is my own. Ive had the problem all the time and have to keep doing paper cuts to try and make it square.

Once done, feed out 2metres to make sure its till in line.

Its becoming such a pain as i do alot of digital print and cut.

Even if the media is off the roll and is a sheet 2mt sq still having the same problem.

Its straight in the printer so it should be straight in the cutter.

Now I cant sell stickers that are off even by 2mm it looks cheap and poor workman ship

i had an engineer out he said it was the rollers so he cleaner them up and tested it.

But the probelm is still the same.

Tried calling the ppl who sold me the machines but there is such a delay in them coming out to see me.

Need to get it sorted as i got big orders coming in soon and need the cutter to be spot on.

[Taroon Mistry]

Hi Peter

I’ve used plotting machines before, well smaller 2ft ones.

Now this is my own. Ive had the problem all the time and have to keep doing paper cuts to try and make it square.

Once done, feed out 2metres to make sure its till in line.

Its becoming such a pain as i do alot of digital print and cut.

Even if the media is off the roll and is a sheet 2mt sq still having the same problem.

Its straight in the printer so it should be straight in the cutter.

Now I cant sell stickers that are off even by 2mm it looks cheap and poor workman ship

i had an engineer out he said it was the rollers so he cleaner them up and tested it.

But the probelm is still the same.

Tried calling the ppl who sold me the machines but there is such a delay in them coming out to see me.

Need to get it sorted as i got big orders coming in soon and need the cutter to be spot on.

[Peter Normington]

What software and printer are you using? and how are you setting your reg marks. If the vinyl is set square to start with it shouldn’t really be able to go off.

Peter

[Taroon Mistry]

Software is adobe illustrator with the fine cut programme

I bought the mimiaki jv3-130spII bundle that came with the cutter.

It picks up the registration marks and everything

Its as square as my eye can see and it still causes this problem

[Peter Normington]

With print and cut the media may change in size after curing/ cooling so with small stickers it is a good idea to make them in smaller arrays with reg marks around each array, so each part is registered and cut as an individual piece. I use the same printer and cutter as you but use signlab software, which also prints a straight line, before and after the prints, This aids getting the print square in the plotter.

Not sure if I am helping here, just making a few suggestions.

Peter

[Chris Wool]

does this machine have variable pressure rollers,
could be one high one low.

chris

[Taroon Mistry]

Cheers peter

Yours posts have helped, it all adds to learning

cheers pal

[David Rowland]

print does vary and my experience with cutting very large graphics on that machine can be 1-2mm off sometimes.

[Colin Crow]

I used to get similar problems loading long prints into my Summa cutter and eventually concluded that even a very minor misalignment front-to-back could result in quite a skew over 2-3 metres.

I have partially cured this by feeding an extra long piece of vinyl into the cutter and running back and fourth, adjusting slightly, until this was running absolutely square over the length. Then using this as a guide I fitted small strips of vinyl on the front and rear carriage lining up with the edge of the vinyl. Now when loading cut sheet I simply slide the vinyl up to vinyl strips back and front until it buts and then lower the rollers. Not foolproof but much more reliable.

Colin

[Mark Nihotte]

I purchased a cg 130fx a year or so ago to supplement my graphtec and as a back up for cutting prints from my roland sp540 (I have found it better to dry off decal runs when the cuts are through a printed area). When I’m tired, the others often hear me mumbling about ‘…can’t get the #*%# thing to run straight’. However, if you do as Peter suggests – line up both front and rear – it should solve your problem.

We do a few large illuminated signs (eg 3M x 6M) and whilst I set up the jobs to cut single passes, it runs so true, we are usually able to cut the subsequent passes without resetting.

Big bonus with the Mimaki is the ‘pouncing’ attachment – saves heaps of time – most I have run thru it is abot 10M in one go – paper rolls are not as well sliced as vinyl rolls generally are and of course its no big deal if it does run off, because you can splice in a piece where it went wrong

Anyone out ther still got an old Graphtec fc2100-60? – Its my bullet proof baby!

[tinsomsigns]

just bought a mimaki cg60sl
and have a old fc3100/60
but away with graphtec at mo as it wont cut
but if they mustard it be fixed
but my wallet be a lot lighter no doubt