Graphtec ce5000 setup help with cutting Master 2

[Chris Wool]

quick reply the step size has to be set the same inCM2 and the plotter normally 0.1mm if different it will plot a scaled version

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Chris

Thanks for the reply.

I thought i was fairly good with computers but i have no idea how to do this, can you please talk me through it…?

[Frank Droog]

When the plotter is turned on, it briefly display either HL or GL on the LCD
If it displays GL, it means the plotter is in graphtecs GPGL mode.
GPGL has 4 resolutions. 254, 508 , 1016 and 2540 steps per inch

press pause
keep hitting Next till you get to Command.
press enter
It should say GPGL
press enter
That gets you to Step Size.

Make a not of the number, and make sure cut master is also set for that resolution.

[Daniel Evans]

Thank you soooooooooo much for that, i’ve now got it to cut, the settings were 0.100 on both, down that sound right? and at the bottom of CM2 it says size 49.448mm x 200.553mm Should this be 100% accurate? because i’ve measured it and it’s coming out 44mm.

I’ve also got gaps in the lines and the corners arn’t great so as far as i’m awear, i need to setup the offset for the corners but not sure how to do this, also why am i getting judder on the lines?

Thanks for your help so far guys

[Chris Wool]

judder in the lines is usually the knife is not freely rotating in the holder

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks guys

Managed to stop the judder, god knows how, i let up on the pressure and that’s now 12, changed the quality to 1 and it seems to be working, put the offset at +2, i’m using a smart knife so the blade all set.

Still not completely happy with the results yet compared to what I got with a basic chinese cutter.

How small a text can these machines handle? I’ve done a lot of detailed logos using the chinese cutter and getting fair results, weeding wasn’t too much of an hassle, i’ve tried one of the logos on the graphtec using the above settings and weeding was a right pain, even turned on the tangential mode which made it even worse.

Also when using the test mode, weeding is fine, but should the square be perfect or am i asking for too much?

Thanks

[Craig Ross]

I’m currently looking in to purchasing one of these, did you get a good deal?

Do you mind saying where you got it from if so. 🙂

[Alex Pirozek]

The test cut square and triangle should be perfect in shape. If they are not then the blade offset is wrong or the cutting strip is damaged. I would say it’s your blade offset.

If you play around with the settings and get your test cut perfect then cut graphics should cut OK to what you see on the screen.

If your test cut is out then everything else will be out leading you astray with other settings you don’t need to change.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks, i’ll keep playing about with the settings until i get it right, if i still don’t get anywhere, i might have to post a pic of the outcome to see if anyone has a suggestion after that.

@Craig, i got it on a well known auction site, just keep a lookout, got it for just over £1000 with a load of vinyl, just need to perfect the settings now until i am happy.

I’ll let you know if i see anymore about.

[Craig Ross]

Wouldn’t have been from someone in Kent would it?

[Daniel Evans]

yeah, why’s that?

[Craig Ross]

Cause I messaged this person within an hour of them placing it on eBay and had absolutely no response. 🙁 I was gutted when it was removed this morning after obviously a off-ebay deal happening.

How much did you get it for?

[Daniel Evans]

sorry bud, £1300, more than I wanted to spend but needed one ASAP

[Craig Ross]

Fair enough was it a CE5000-120 you were after?

Have you managed to work it out yet? Are you still struggling.

[Daniel Evans]

Originally no, i was just after a 60, even got offered one for £550 which i was gonna take but decided to go for this one, didn’t realise how big this was ha ha.

still struggling at the mo, i’m fairly new to cutting and there are so many settings to choose. you got a recommendations

It’s got a smart blade in it, ordered a couple more for a spare and another for flock t-shirt vinyl.

[Craig Ross]

Well if you change your mind and decide its too big just let me know.

I’m guessing your just starting out.

What blade is in there? 45 or a 60?

What setting do you have it on?
(When you press enter to measure the width of the vinyl what comes up?)

[Daniel Evans]

Wil do buddy.

I’m not sure what blade it has, it’s one of the smart blades from Edward Mathias.

I’m not there at the mo bu i hink it read 5 O9U offset +2 speed 30 press 14 quality 1

does that make sense?

[Chris Wool]

all these people using CM2 have they bought out a new one.

[Craig Ross]

Hows the Graphtec treating you now?

[Daniel Evans]

Hi Craig

It’s going really well, put a new cutting strip on and figured out the moving knife holder thing was slightly loose, adjusted that and it goes like a dream, just started contour cutting today, it’s going well but you waste alot of the paper due to having to leave 3 inches at the top.

How have you got on finding one? Not seen any about myself

[Chris Wool]

you can get larger sticky cutting mats or make your own with card and photo spray glue, to save the lost space.

[Daniel Evans]

Great idea, was thinking of doing something like this, what thickness of card do you use? don’t want to put something to thick through?

[Chris Wool]

i used a a3 sheet of 350 gsm card drew the a4 sheet outline in the middle so could position the sheet square and use the edge of the card to line up to the plotter bed.

[Daniel Evans]

Thanks Chris

I’ll give that a go on Monday.