uksignboards.com | can anyone help with cutter forces and the VP-300?

Roland Cutters

can anyone help with cutter forces and the VP-300?

Posted by FireBlade_Al on 16 October 2007 at 13:46

Sorry if this has been asked before but I am interested in hearing what typical cutter force you would normally set for a VP-300 "Cut Only"?

Assuming that the cutter is new (or fairly new) what cutting pressure would you apply for cutting through Metamark MD5-100 with a Hexis matt laminate overlay? Sorry, I don’t have any other details for the Laminate. All I know is that it is a matt finish from Hexis.

I get fairly good results by setting:

150g for MD5-100
and
300g for laminated MD5-100

But the cut on the laminated vinyl is a bit tatty. It appears unfinished in the same corners on every section except the outer ones but I think this may be due to not using all the rollers? I only use the two outer rollers.

I could increase from 300 to 350 but I would like to know if anyone considers this too much pressure anyway?

Alan

Steve Morgan replied 18 years ago 3 Members · 8 Replies
8 Replies

Chris Wool

Member
16 October 2007 at 14:19

providing my roland nos mean the same that is far to high.

100 max md5 cast 80

laminated 150 to 185 at the higher pressures you can see the vinyl straining in the middle making poor loops.

when did you change the blade last

chris
FireBlade_Al

Member
16 October 2007 at 14:37

Thanks Chris,

It is a new machine, installed in July and used once every two weeks (scandalous I know!). I first set the cutting force at about 70 (for just the MD5-100, no laminate) but it seemed that some corners were still connected. It made a mess of a few prints which I had to throw away but I increased the cutter force and everything seems better. I looked on the underside of the Vinyl to see if there were any signs of the blade scoring the backing but nothing apparent so I thought I had set it okay but it did seem a high pressure to me.

Do you use all the rollers on your machine? I was advised to use just the two outer rollers. Could this be the reason why small window "cut outs" (140mm x 60mm) do not completely cut in the corners?

Maybe I should reduce it to 90? And set it to 120 with laminate?

Alan
FireBlade_Al

Member
16 October 2007 at 14:42

I forgot to mention that the "print" is about 600mm x 400mm with about 20 small "cut outs"

Alan
Steve Morgan

Member
16 October 2007 at 15:01

Pressure way too high as Chris said, I’m supprised you’re not cutting through the into the cutting strip. In fact check the strip because you may well have left an impression in it which will affect the cutting anyway.
With a newish blade:
MD5 + overlaminate about 145grms
MD5 on its own about 65-70grms
Oracle751 series 50-55grms

Steve
FireBlade_Al

Member
16 October 2007 at 15:14

Wouldn’t the MD5 backing be scored?
Chris Wool

Member
16 October 2007 at 15:25

print and cut 2 rollers

print lam and cut all the rollers.
you may have knocked the tip of the blade hence the pressures with out going all the way through and would account for the miss cutting

chris
FireBlade_Al

Member
16 October 2007 at 15:32

I’ll have a look at the blade. How much for a replacement? Any recommendations? I’ve seen Rob recommend Printone. Had to look for their website but it appears to be having an upgrade.

Thanks for your help

Alan
Steve Morgan

Member
16 October 2007 at 16:46

A lot of people on here find Edward Mathias & Co sell good alternatives to the standard Roland blade. Speak to them on 0151 728 7221

Steve