I need to get a 24 inch cutter that is friction fed. I waste so much material it drives me crazy. Also my gerber 375 only cuts 15in and I need at least a 24 inch and maybe a 30. What kind of cutter will work with the Omega or GA software? I have been trying to find a used one but have found a couple of good deals on new ones from ebay. Any suggestions? Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
What you will save in material you will lose in labor to babysit a friction fed Cynthia, I have both, I have a graphtec 4100-75, works fine from Omega, real nice machine, it is a 30", but let me tell ya, why the industry abandoned sprockets is beyond me. And what is more expensive time or materials???
Man I'd love to have a 375, someday I will. Friction fed is a time eater. I love it when friction owners gloat about a 20 foot run without tracking off, HA try 50 yards then come talk to me.
But enough of that, I recommend the graphtec because I have one and it works fine with Omega.
[ July 30, 2003, 10:06 PM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
Posted by Michael Berry (Member # 2604) on :
Cindy,
We have an Envisionm 375, and like Bob said, if it was a friction feed, you would have to babysit the beast! We also have a Graphtec CE1000-60.
I am not sure you would be able to use a non sprocket feed plotter to do the contour cuts. What if that friction feed was off just a smidge?
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Mike with the 4100-75 I have I have laser pointer to line up the bullseyes, and in Omega 2,0 you can use up to 4 for friction alignment, I have used it a few times but it can be off a smidge like you say.
trains still run on tracks for a reason lol
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
We do contour cuts often with graphtec 4100-130, I use 2 point alignment with laser sight if run is under 24" use 3 point alignment if run is longer. I try to break up jobs so that decal runs don't exceed 6' in length. I can keep cut registration to within 1/16 on 6' run. I'm usually cutting inkjet prints on 36" vinyl. If I've laminated (hot) the print I have to use 3 point alignment to calculate & compensate for stretch. It's going to be interesting to see how it cuts output from the Matan Spark which will be 16" wide and I'll want to cut much longer runs. We run both cut & print functions directly from Corel.
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
I use an anagraph AE60E, I luv it, always works, cuts great, cuts on track, i do not have to baby sit it whiles its cutting.
Its plenty fast and whats really good, is ut quiet, ITs quiet enuf to let it run in my office while i'm on the phone..
Dotn know if it will run from yer software tho...
Posted by Heidi Holus (Member # 4056) on :
We LOVE our Graphtec.. It gets used everyday and has never let us down.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Cynthia,
Gerber makes a 30" Envision plotter that is sprocket fed. I had one and loved it.
If you definately want a 24", I'd recommend either Summa or Graphtec. They are friction fed, but they're the best I've seen.
Posted by Scott Pagan (Member # 2507) on :
if you look in the GSP plotter setup you'll see all the (many) plotters that the software will run. i've even tested it to run our 48" flatbed plotters (3 Wild TA-41s) and it did fine. since my shop does so much contour cutting for both digital and screen printed sheets, the flat bed plotter design works much better for us. the enVision 375 is for our Edge work exclusively.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Contour cutting screen printed sheets is something I've got to figure out how to do. I have a Gerber Odyssey plotter, but I'm wondering if I'm better off with different one (brand and model) just for that purpose.
I would love to figure out how to use Omega and/or SignLab to generate film positives via my imagesetter so that it includes the plotter registration marks that will allow me to align the plotter to the print. (i hope that makes sense)
[ July 31, 2003, 07:22 AM: Message edited by: Glenn Taylor ]
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Cynthia, I've been involved in too many blame games and lost a lot of money when the hardware vendor blames the software vendor, etc. If you can afford it, stick with Gerber. When something goes wrong, you won't have anyone but Gerber to point the finger at.
Glenn, You may already do this, but I'll suggest it anyway. Contour cut the vinyl first beore you print it. It works quite well if you're using a sprocket fed cutter. There's too many variables to worry about if you try to use friction fed. Email or call me if you want more details.
Havin' fun, Checkers
Posted by GARY CULY (Member # 3130) on :
24 in. gerber 650 fastrak...bullitproof...tracking-150 inches daily..not sure bout more than that
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
I run a SummaSign Pro T750 with OPOS and my Omega software, and don't have tracking problems, I also have a Sprint and S750 that I cut my EDge stuff on a I pounce with the S750.
I like the flexiblity with the Summa, I am not limited to Sprocket 15" or 30", its a more exzpensive machine than The Graphtec, I loóked at them too fullwidth 4100 Graphtec was not much more here than the Summa.
Posted by Scott Pagan (Member # 2507) on :
Checkers (Brian) has a good idea. be careful if you clearcoat that you don't let the clear get into the contour kiss-cut. it can attack the adhesive and after your decal has been applied and starts to fail... (well you know)
Posted by Fran Maholland (Member # 3609) on :
Cyn, subsequet to my e-mail, I just read more of the responses to this topic.
Granted, sprocket is the way to go with a "site". However, for the budget-conscious crafter who is careful and resourceful, shorter-length pieces can be accomplished (I believe) with a decent friction-fed machine. Again, it's time-consuming and careful set-up (and some "babysitting") may be required. Like anything else, money talks. We all could be walking in graphic comfort and convenience if we had the bucks, but would probably opt to retire to the lap of luxury if that were the case.
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