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I don't do much SignGold but I've noticed that it cuts a little different than high performance vinyl. Seems like some corners and small serifs lift a bit. I have a Graphtec FC5100-75 plotter and it does an excellent job on everything else. We've experimented with different knife settings but I still get this. Is it just the nature of the beast or am I doing something wrong? Any tips?
-------------------- Dan Seese Dan Seese Studios, inc. 3830 Capitol Drive Ft. Collins, CO 80526 (970) 226-0618 danseesestudios@qwest.net Posts: 18 | From: Fort Collins, Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Dan...I used to notice that also. What I did was buy a brand new blade and I use it for ONLY cutting SignGold. No more rough cuts at the corners.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Thanks Dave. I actually do have a new blade in the plotter but may try that thought of reserving it for SignGold only. I end up doing a number of different materials on my plotter (Gerber Mask, high performance vinyl, Hartco Sandblast stencil, SignGold), so keeping blades for specific applications is not a bad idea. Dan
-------------------- Dan Seese Dan Seese Studios, inc. 3830 Capitol Drive Ft. Collins, CO 80526 (970) 226-0618 danseesestudios@qwest.net Posts: 18 | From: Fort Collins, Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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You don't say what your settings are, so try these:
Speed 20-30 Force 14-16 Quality 2-3 Offset CB-09-0
And make sure you don't have more blade extension than necessary. Do a test cut; use test 2. The center cut uses the force you selected, the one previous to that uses one step lower; the one after sets one step greater. You should be able to zero in on the correct force / blade extension in one or two steps. If you still have trouble be suspicious of your blade holder.
Howard Keiper 707 746 7172
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
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Jury...NO...SignGold is only 1 mil thick as compared to hi-performance vinl at 2 mil thick. A 45° blade is what's called for.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Howard, I checked and my settings fall within your recommendations: Speed 25 Force 15 Quality 3 Offset CB09Ux (couldn't find CB-09-0) I always try to keep the knife extension to a minimum. I did notice in doing a test cut that the direction of the serif that is lifting seems to be consistent. I took a capitol A in Americana Bold, 1.25" height, rotated it all 4 directions and cut the samples. The serif that points toward the machine seems to be the one that lifts. No problem with high performance vinyl but a slight lift with SignGold - enough that I sometimes need to replace a letter here & there. Thanks for the info on the test cuts and the advice to use Test2. I usually use Test 1 thinking, why would I want 3 cuts. Probably helps to read all the instructions. I'll keep trying to refine it. Maybe stay away from real fine stuff, although that's one of the nice things about Graphtec. I used to have an Ioline, which was fine but the Graphtec far outperforms it on little stuff. I have a "low-production" shop so I don't need a workhorse thats churning it out all the time, but it's sure nice to have it do it right when I need it. Thanks also to Dave & Jury for your input.
-------------------- Dan Seese Dan Seese Studios, inc. 3830 Capitol Drive Ft. Collins, CO 80526 (970) 226-0618 danseesestudios@qwest.net Posts: 18 | From: Fort Collins, Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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If your triangle seems to have a leg that doesn't close, reduce the force to about 12 0r so. Anyway, it seems to be a mismatch between the force and extension. Give me a call if you want.
hk
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
Dave Grundy probably hit the nail right on the head. It's more than likely a sharpness issue. If indeed you have a new blade in your plotter, make sure it's sharp. (I say that, only because I've had new blades that looked like they were used to cut masonry...so I check mine with a printer's lupe)
You may want to slow your plotter down by 10-15% if the problem persists. SignGold is only 1 mil thick, (about half that of most hi perf vinyls) and will cut fine with a 45 degree blade.
What I recomend for people to try, is making a test cut first. Cut a 1/2" upper case helvetica "A" or an "N". If there are any speed, pressure or sharpness issues, they will show up when the "incised" parts of the N are cut, or the incised triangle within the A.
Additionally, I'll add two things here. One; SignGold's release liner (backing sheet) is pretty tough stuff. Unlike traditional silicon/paper liners, you don't have to worry about scoring it and having the paper come up with the vinyl. Don't cut THROUGH it of course, but don't be shy either. Two; I didn't see WHICH SignGold product you were cutting. All of our surface products are 1 mil, with the exception of MiraGold and our Thermal Printable line of golds, which are slightly thicker. Again, make a test cut first.
When it comes time to tape this job...use at least a medium tack tape, and often, a high tack tape is the best choice. SignGold uses a very aggressive adhesive, and the tack characteristics of the tape need to be stronger per square inch, than our adhesive. I have great luck using TransferRite's Ultra Tape.
Ok, now I'm rambling..but just wanted to get the message across.
If you need to, email me, and I'll reply with a .pdf file of our latest instruction sheet. Email me at: SignGoldTech@yahoo.com or at theBrush@rochester.rr.com
Thanks for choosing SignGold genuine 22 karat gold films!
Regards,
Brian Briskie
Posts: 465 | From: / | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
Thanks Brian. I'll email you for that. With the plotter advice from Howard & your help, maybe I'll end up doing more SignGold than I currently do. I just don't try to sell it much because I prefer the hand laid gold - although some some applications, SignGold is tops. Ease of application would definately increase my use.
-------------------- Dan Seese Dan Seese Studios, inc. 3830 Capitol Drive Ft. Collins, CO 80526 (970) 226-0618 danseesestudios@qwest.net Posts: 18 | From: Fort Collins, Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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I defer to Brian..he knows more than I ever will about cutting his product correctly.
With the 4100 or 5100 machines, blade extension doesn't depend on the distance from the platten to the blade like other machines, bur measures from the surface of the medium downward. This means that the nose of the holder must touch the surface so it knows where the surface is. The blade, therefore, will only extend about 0.001". If you cut a lot of Signgold or other thin films, you might want to consider using the CB-15S, a saphire tipped variety with a very shallow rise angle...made especially for the purpose.
-------------------- Howard Keiper Independent Contractor Benicia, Ca. thekeip@comcast.net
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