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wide format cutting- vinyl plotter profile cutting
hi,
We currently have an older Gerber Odyseey and driving that with GA from Spandex.. but it really isn’t a profile cutter, has no real mark detection system etc.What I want is to narrow down a list of large vinyl plotters that would work with Corel Draw related files (import in to another program/copy paste to the program/cut within corel)
I have had experience in using a Mimaki CG-FX 75 in another company with FineCut, its a cracking system as the cutter has the inteligence built in and cuts out of Illustrator/corel easily and cuts sections etc.
I understand Summa do a good system but what else is there that is profile based or has an Opus detection system?
Currently thinking of selling our Gerber(s) and changing to an XP environment with one wide cutter that profile cuts and does the general cutting.
I was considering buying one of these older thermal Roland Print/Cut solutions, but I hear that we cannot cut after we printed (on our JV3) or it is difficult, I need to be able to get our staff to use it without too much hassle.
I know some of you have grenadiers/cadets that have it all inbuilt but the print-cut idea, however that wasn’t a selling point to us, I have no intention of letting our staff near our printer, prefer to keep the printer in a clean enironment without it being wrecked by the inexpereienced.
Thanks
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30 Replies
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Dave, by profile, do you mean contour cut?
I thought yo had that sussed with your jv3?
Most decent plotters nowadays will have a reg mark facility, either auto or manual sensors. just go for a reputable make that is compatable with the majority of your existing kit. graphtec, summa, mimaki?Peter
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we profile cut with a scalpel, just as easy really and a case of just following a faint line… it’s just time to look at the options a bit more particularly as we want to dump GA and I haven’t really come across another program that will drive the Gerber Odyseey correctly (i think signlab does but buying that will be buying something we wont use)…
maybe the wrong time of year to post this but just wanted to single out some of the other machines out there.
cutting small stickers out is where these machines come into their own.
yes, profile is contour, thats what i meant.
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Hi, i use a summa D120se to contour cut prints from my Mutoh Rockhopper. Produce prints with contour cut and 5mm square reg marks at each corner (extra marks required for longer length). Export contour & reg marks into winplot folder, print & laminate then load in cutter and cut via winplot.
Kev
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Dave I suppose it depends on the market you are suppliyng to.
If you can contour cut then your client base will be larger, cutting with a scalpel is not cost effective, especially when you want to print and cut individual letters. Or am i missing something here? I know you do a lot of print on clear, so perhaps you dont really need to contour cut. I know it works on a white background, but what about a red van?Peter
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thanks both…
Peter, the likelyhood of putting funky printed text onto a coloured van is rare, we would use solid cut standard cut vinyl with our existing plotters, usual stuff. We do about 1 or 2 vans a day, depends really, but we have about 3-4 people already so it would get cut out fairly quick. A way we have used before is to router cut some thin plastic and run the scalpal around that over vinyl, it works but tad silly.
Kevin, ah, the summa is a machine that have looked at before, was really interested in that one however not seen the 5mm squares. If I am correct, WinPlot works well with corel? any niggles?
Any others? Also am I right that the Spandex badged machines are Summa’s? will they work with WinPlot.
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Dave, yes the P2C and P2C S from spandex are summa plotters,
don’t know if they will work with winPlot.Nick.
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Dave, I guess you have answered your own question then.
if you already have plotters for solid colours, why do you need to buy another to contour cut?
Peter -
Oh please peter, go to bed!
Ah.. thats the ones Nick… thanks for that.
What about the Graphtec’s anyone got one of them and can they Contour cut? What is this creation cut thing? thats what I trying to figure out is what ‘other’ plotters are there (and maybe yesterday).
How about the Mutoh ULTIMA ? is that got what it takes for contour cutting ?
The Summa and the Mimaki’s are the only plotters I knew about to be honest.
Anyone know if FlexiSign or other programs will run a Gerber Odyseey?
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I have a Graphtec, but I don’t have a digi printer at home so I don’t use the optical sensor.
Jem’s husband might be able to answer some questions for you if he sees this.
-Marek -
Dave, if you go with Summa then you will get WinCut that will cut from Corel 😀
Nick.
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hm. interesting Graphtec.. just read the PDF’s on the ‘shop’ area.. i see both the 5000 and 3000 series can have an optional reg marker and it looks like the same method as the Mimaki cutters.
Marek, how do you get on with yours? is it quick? does it cut first time every time? how happy are you with it and which model?
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Dave mate,
I am trying to help out here, if you cut your print by scalpel, have already got plotters, then why do you need to by another machine to contour cut?
You already said you do not need to cut individual letters on a red van or whatever, If you could express your exact needs, by giving examples of what you want to do, then you may get a better response.
I suspect that you already know all the options, having researched fully,
and you will opt for the machine that on paper suits you.Sorry if you think its time for bed,
perhaps you should have an early night..
peter -
I am always researching.. UKSB helps a lot with that 😛
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Dave forget the shop mate, details there are very old. see members section for more details on machines and prices on graphtec models.
many graphtecs come with sensor as standard as well as free stand and lower pricing. I’m considering buying one myself just now. -
ah.. thanks..
interesting.. -
Rob, do you know if the graphtec plotters comes with any software, or works from corel.
Nick.
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i think it comes with a driver that “may” allow this. i would imagine it would but wouldn’t like to say for certain.
use your contact form in the members section and they will answer any questions you have direct mate. -
that would be an intersting one..about corel etc
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The problem I have is that I have Omega and Corel, not signlab.
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Nik
Just had a quick look on my graphtec disc, it contains windows drivers, but no specific software. except “cutmaster” which seams to be specific to adobe illustrator. I think to cut from coral, you would need an interface prog, such as co-cut? Not sure But if you are going for a quality plotter, why not invest in a specific prog like signlab? Makes life a lot easier.
You can download a demo from cadlink.com and see how you get on with it.Peter
Nik you will get a good price for signlab if you already have omega, and you get to keep the omega, so it is a saleable item.
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quote Dave Rowland:Marek, how do you get on with yours? is it quick? does it cut first time every time? how happy are you with it and which model?
I love mine.
I bought the FC5100-75 series.
Like I said, I don’t have/use the sensor for digital prints. It cuts great. The menu on the machine is really easy to use. You can save different cut settings for different materials and access them quickly.
I use gerber omega software though so not sure on the drivers.
-Marek -
Peter, Omega is Gerber, and runs my Edge, GSx cutter and Summa D60,
it is very good but not as flexible as SingLab. -
as peter says mate, maybe worth investing a little more for the cut version or higher of signlab. signlab comes in modules. so you don’t have to go for the full package just the module you require. (though some are limited) if you have old software ide ask brian hays about cross grading your software for discount. your uksg member also, so I’m sure he will keep you right.
also… as your interested in a graphtec they also offer flexisign entry level software. you could have the machine plus software for less than what you would have paid for the machine alone a couple of months ago now your a uksg member. -
I know, should have got SignLab, wish I had found UKSB sooner (hot)
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Nik,
I run my gerber through signlab, I x graded to signlab from omega over 2 years ago, I sold the omega on ebay and got a good price, which almost covered the cost of signlab print and cut. I have to comps running signlab, so all files are the same, no converting or exporting, so it does save time and complications. I never could get on with omega, having started out with signlab.. thats why I converted.But each to his own.
Peter
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Peter I’m looking into it now, I have got 2 copy’s of Omega, so can sell one if I can get a good return on it.
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currently we are a corel shop.. downstairs with the cutters is Graphics Advantage…
Corel is the way to go in our view… we don’t need all the fancy SignLab features, we need to be able to create logos and make print/litho/router/cut jobs easily and quickly. Our staff sometimes comes from other print industries and may have illustrator/corel knowledge so is very useful. That’s why I like the idea of a corel only shop.. (except router).
However looking at the demos of Delcams stuff for routers, that is a smart bit of kit.
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Hi Dave if want to keep it Corel, the Summa comes with WinCut which (depending on version) will put a button in Draw, clicking on this transfers ready for cut. If your version of Corel is not supported than export as eps does the trick. You only need to put small squares on your print at definite distances ie 150mm apart, you will be prompted at cut time how many/how far, the cutter head is moved manually close to the first square, it will then search automically for the first and then the rest. Select the items to cut (some or all) and that is effectively it. Must admit its been ages since I’ve done it but I know it was that simple.
Alan -
Hi Dave, and Happy New year to everyone,
The new Graphtec FC7000 has auto reg detection built in as standard and a manual system also, it comes with a plug in for Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator , and its own basic software, the AI plug in is mac and PC up to CS2. They are in widths from 750 , 1000, 1300, 1600, & a 600g head force,
I’m an engineer for Graphtec so I don’t want to break any board rules, but the above is for your info, 🙂
cheers
Jeff
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Dave-
My summa DC3 does exactly what you describe, and now I was just notified that the newest color control software has expanded to include contour cutting integrally. I am getting the upgrade and will post the results.
Steve
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