Graphtec CE5000-120 leaving diagonal lines through artwork?

[John Parfit]

I can think of two possible things Daniel, poor or no vacuum or knife blade holder and solenoid.

Happened to me with a Roland, suspected fluff up the blade holder but couldn’t remove it if it was indeed fluff; temporary fix lift blade holder and secure further up its shaft but a new aluminium holder (£6- china-fleabay) cured it.

John

[Chris Wool]

are these lines just scratch marks or actually cut.

[Daniel Evans]

their actually cut marks, goes right through the text and everything, loads of them

[Martin Pearson]

What software you using and how is the plotter connected, could be something to do with how you have the USB port set up if your connecting that way.

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Martin

I’m running it via usb through windows which is run on parallels on the mac, i’ve managed to cut the text before but the last two times i’ve tried, the diagonal lines appear. I’m using cutting master 2 through illustrator.
The thing is everything has worked before, nothing changed, it just started. strange

[Chris Wool]

is this a imported file or one you created.

set up a new file with 6 ish squares across the vinyl about 30mm sq. about 20mm apart
rotate each one 90 deg in turn.
then plot them does the knife not lift as it goes from square to start the next square. ( the idea of rotating each one is to see the knife track)
if it does cut going between each square the there is a plotter problem.
with the machine switched off lightly move the knife holder down it should snap back up as you release the pressure. normally some grit in the magnet windings blow it out with compressed air.

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Chris

I’ll try that just in case but i think I’ve fixed it, i cleared the buffer and now it seems to be working ok although I’ve only done small things.

When looking closely, i noticed my lines were wonky, i’ve been playing about with test cuts since i got it and was never happy, I changed the blade, put a new cutting strip on and still no difference until i noticed the whole moving mechanism was slightly loose, i took the top off and adjusted it, it now works like a dream.

Also If anyone needs to get a cutting strip for this, i got a teflon strip 20mm 10thou, works perfect and a fraction of the graphtec’s price as recommended on here.

Now i’m just programming my settings for different vinyls

if anyone has the following settings for these vinyls, it would be appreciated if you could let me know what you are using so it gives me somewhere to start.

Also, does anyone use the pen? My one is like a felt tip pen, when i use it it goes ok, then when it stops the paper rises and i get a blob of ink, has anyone else experienced this?

Here are the vinyls I use at the mo, i also use a smart knife, thanks

Oracal 751
mactac 8300
Magic Touch Premium Flex
Siser Flock
Siser PS