posted
Hello... I just upgraded the firmware to my Graphtec FC7000-100 (42").
After the upgrade - I am having problems with cutting. Straight lines do not cut straight, they look slightly wavy. (see attached pic).
I have a call in to tech support, but they are taking a long time to get back due to the fact they are moving to a new location or something.
The reason I upgraded to the new firmware is due to some problems with my sheet cut off feature. The upgrade did not fix this issue, so if anyone knows if I can go back to my old firmware - that may help.
Thanks for any info. Mike
-------------------- Mike Stowe Signs Unlimited Mishawaka, IN info@pwcgraphics.com Posts: 208 | From: Mishawaka, Indiana USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
That does not look good, I bet you can go back but I would double check everything else first. Are you sure the text is perfectly straight in the graphic? Is the cutter itself coming loose give it a shake and see if anything is kind of loose and then fix, is the cutting stip at all damaged? How about did you upgrade your plotter driver to the latest driver after the firmware? Is any other program running in the background that is not needed when cutting on your PC? Last thought of maybe a cause is your power running the plotter is it good? Well give these a try and if you already did then maybe you will have to roll back to the old firmware.
-------------------- Steve Eisenreich Dezine Signs PO BOX 6052 Stn Forces Cold Lake, Alberta T9M 2C5 Posts: 774 | From: Cold Lake | Registered: Mar 2000
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What I would do 1st is to use the plotter's ROTATE function, re-send the data (don't copy it), see if the distortion looks the same or not. If it does, it's a software problem; if not, it's the cutter. hk
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
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If I rotate the image - the distortion appears on different line segments. It appears to be aproblem with the way the cutter cust vertical lines.
Howard - Can I roll back the firmwre to the older version?
Thanks Mike
-------------------- Mike Stowe Signs Unlimited Mishawaka, IN info@pwcgraphics.com Posts: 208 | From: Mishawaka, Indiana USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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You are probably sending HPGL to the cutter from some program you didnt mention. Can you plot to a file instead and maybe call the file "c:\test.plt" Make sure to give it a PLT extension. Then reimport the PLT file into say Corel or other program that reads HPGL. If it looks on screen as bad as it cuts, its the the software you using.
[ February 08, 2006, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: Frank Droog ]
-------------------- Frank Droog SignLab programmer Posts: 91 | From: ottawa,ont,Canada | Registered: Jun 2003
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I am using Flexi 7.6 v.2 It is not a problem with the software. I brought the .PLT into corel & it looked fine - Also, I did not have any cutting problems till I upgraded the firmware on the cutter.
Thanks Mike
-------------------- Mike Stowe Signs Unlimited Mishawaka, IN info@pwcgraphics.com Posts: 208 | From: Mishawaka, Indiana USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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When you upgraded the firmware did it change the setting on the plotter back to the default from HPGL? Just curious.
I have my 30" now and haven't had any issues but I haven't upgraded the firmware. I do have a problem figuring out how to line up the vinyl so it will track straight over 6 ft. It's moving left about 1/2" when I run out 8ft. of vinyl.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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There aren't any firmware issues that we're aware of.
A perfect way to find out what's happening is to do a test cut:
Set up everything normally, Select TEST
Select CUTTING PRO
Examine the result.
That test will cut the words "cutting pro" along the X axis about i" high.,about 12" long. You can use the machine's SCALE command to double or triple the size if you want. This test makes no use of outside software at all, and the letters are absolutely perfect. If you see any distortion at at all, you have a cutter problem. You can use a pen for this to avoid wasting vinyl.
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
posted
Node edit the job in Flexi Are there any Nodes in the drawing where it screws up on the cutter?
If there are only nodes in the corners, it should cut corretly. If there are nodes along the sides of the letters, maybe try to delete them.
Do you have ARC support ON in flexi. Maybe take it off.
If its something loose on the cutter itself, send the job 2 or 3 or 4 times. Does it screw up EXACTLY the same way each time looking at it with a magnifying glass. (possibly back to software issue) Or does it screw up differantly each time. (probably hardware issue)
hope you sort it out.
May Ignore this post, you got yours in a few minutes befor i did.
[ February 08, 2006, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: Frank Droog ]
-------------------- Frank Droog SignLab programmer Posts: 91 | From: ottawa,ont,Canada | Registered: Jun 2003
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Please call our tech support (again) and make sure you talk to someone. Call me if you have trouble with this, we have a new tech support manager who needs to know of our shortcomings.
howard
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
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I don't know if you can or not, Mike, but the answer comes from the same source anyway...tech support. The move is over, they should be more reachable now. hk
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
Check the bearings on the top pressure rollers and clean them!
My plotter wasn't tracking straight. Finally one roller ceased solid!!!!!!!! The friction actually melted the rubber. On examination the other roller was starting to show signs of wear too.
Fortunately my tech here does house calls and replaced both with what looks teflon rollers. Correct Howard?
He also completely striped, serviced and cleaned the plotter for a small fee and suggested I get this done on a regular two-year basis.
An ounce of prevention is better than a ton of problems.
posted
I just want to thank Howard for always watching the website and paying attention to his customer issues. Over the years, he's always been interested, and involved, in the Letterville Community.
We are constantly urging our Merchants to follow Howard's example. There are many times we hear some say that they just don't have the time. I can only shake my head.
Why is it Suppliers invest thousands of dollars to attend and man booths at trade shows that expose them to a few thousand potential customers over 3 days, yet not have time for the thousands that pass thru Leterville everyday of the year?
Never meant to hijack your post Mike. I just felt very good to see Howard helping you with your problem. That's the way it should be!
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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