Help, Graphtec not cutting

[Harry Cleary]

Why are the letters coming away? Is it not cutting all the way through? or is the cut on the letters not finished? If it’s the latter, it’s your blade offset setting, adjust it until it is right.

[Jo-Ann]

Hello Harry,
It is cutting the letters clearly and completely, but it’s really difficult to weed, After saying that i am wondering if it’s a problem with the Vinyl.
When i am weeding the letters don’t want to stick to the backing, they are coming up, They are smaller letter about and inch but i have not had this problem before..I am one of these pains who has been teaching myself, i don’t quite well so far, but it’s the nitty gritty bits that i a unsure off.
Jo

[Neil Davey]

Hi Jo, could be something simple, is the blade holder fully secured, all the way in and tight in it’s holder?

What vinyl are you using?

Is the blade sharp?

Neil

[Gary Birch]

Jo
Sounds to me like you need to increase the pressure

Cheers

Gary

[Harry Cleary]

At an inch high I would imagine the vinyl would have to be of really good quality……never cut that small so I am not sure.

[Mark Jahn]

As Harry says, when cutting really small letters we find a very sharp blade is needed.

Coincidentally we’ve just cut some small letters this morning for t shirts and the old blade was causing problems. New blade in it’s place and everything is now fine.

[Jo-Ann]

The vinyl is Ritrama Ri Mark, Matt vinyl, M300 series.
The force is 20 and the speed is 20. quality 2?
The blad ein the machine has been used maybe 30 times, for small cuts max sixe 60" x 12" so i don’t think it is blunt.
But i am baffled

[Jayne Marsh]

Take a look at your blade and make sure the tip isnt damaged, if it is then it wont matter how much pressure you apply it still wont cut well. If it is damaged then you will need a new blade, you can damage it by knocking it on something and chipping the end.

[Jason Xuereb]

If your blade is scoring your backing paper your blade isn’t sharp enough.

[Russell Huffer]

My Graphtec CE3000 120 MKII started cutting badly last week and was almost impossible to weed, spoke to Graphtec who diagnosed it as the head had lost its position on the up and down scale. They told me to switch it off and turn back on while holding down the up direction key, this resets to factory defaults, done this and it has been like a new cutter since cutting clean and weeding easy.
Regards

Russell.

[Jo-Ann]

Hi Guys,
I have re set as russell suggested and i am actually wondering if i am being too optimistic in my wishes for what i am trying to cut.
For the moment a am cutting examples of the finished item in A4 size.
Is it just that the letters are too small to easily weed out.
What would you say are the perfect settings for cutting small.
Thanks again
Jo

[Alex Pirozek]

Jo,
It’s either the vinyl you’re using or the blade. I’ve had problems in the past with cheaper white vinyl that wouldn’t weed properly (even with 25mm high letters) and a new blade, it was like i left the vinyl cut and the the adhesive was bleeding back together. I changed vinyl and all was well again.
My graphtec will cut down to 5mm high letters with ease but you will have to slow the speed down to maybe 10 or so for this.
With a new blade the force should be around 14-15 on the panel for normal vinyl. If you’re on 20 and still not cutting the vinyl cleanly then i would suggest your blade is worn out. With a new blade on 20 force will probably cut though the vinyl and backing with normal 70mic vinyl !!
Hope this helps,
Alex.

[Jo-Ann]

Hello,
Once again you have all been a great help, I have picked up lots of tips and advice and it be put to good use. Thanks guys
Jo 😀

[Jason Xuereb]

Question: Does your teflon strip cut up or have a groove in it?

[Jo-Ann]

Hello Jason,

It has had very light usage but does have a slight "scratch" but not a groove.

Thanks
Jo