posted
Hi all. I have no luck with plotter blades. It seems like my machine eats them like nothing. I set the force on a new blade at 50G & it works fine for for a little bit, & dulls out in no time. I really don't cut that much vinyl. What could it be? Is it the machine? I have a Roland CJ 500. Does anyone else have this problem? Thanks in advance!
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2287 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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It could be your blade depth, perhaps extended too far from the holder.
Ideally the blade should just slightly score the silicone coating on the backing material. If the blade is cutting into the paper liner, it'll get dulled in a hurry.
My $.02,
Jim
-------------------- Jim Doggett General Manager, USA Yellotools, Ltd www.yellotools.com
Posts: 500 | From: Sherman, TX USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
I use Roland blades in my Vinyl Express cutter and it's the same blade for over a year. Although I don't do a whole lot of cutting, it cuts a couple of hours a day. When you install the blade in the holder, it just barely needs to be protruding from the holder. And I cut on the least amount of pressue that will cut the vinyl. Often times there will little if any impression in the backing paper.
-------------------- Rob Thomas 3410 Ketcham Ct Beautiful Springs FL 34134 Posts: 965 | From: Bonita Springs, Florida USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
i have roland plotters...pnc-1000 and a pnc-1100, the older one was more of a blade eater then the 1100. i use 60 degree blade and 50-60 gram pressure. also ive said this but everyone says ima wrong... ORACAL intermediate WILL EAT YOUR BLADE!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I don't know about Oracal. I do know the scoring the backing thing is true - if it's making more than the slightest indent in the release liner, it's too deep. It should never actually cut the backing, only make a faint impression. Also, 30 degree blades last a lot longer in my Ioline that 45's and I wouldn't even attempt a 60 except for cutting rubber. Old Paint's plotter must be something special. (or he's got exceptional mojo).
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Old Paint has something but i never heard it called "mojo" before! LOL!
We use our blades for a couple months and the put them in a container with all the other used blades. We use the old blades for cutting reflective material. Why trash a new one for that? Just use the old one and toss it out.
Have a great one!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter
Posts: 6464 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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This has come up a time or two before. So far, no one has mentioned the possibility that the platen tape may be beat up. This assumes your plotter has such. If it does, and you have put too much cutting pressure on your blade to the point of ripping through the vinyl, chances are good that the tape has been zinged. Given that, most likely you would get skips in your cuts, and try to compensate with higher cut pressure. This only makes the problem worse.
This is a "wear" item and should be replaced every now and again, the same as blades. Sometimes, it is almost as good as a new blade.
As an aside, I've found a 45 degree blade is fine for general use i.e. cast and calendered, and 60 degree for reflective. Test cut each time you change material, and use as little pressure as will do the job.
Just my .02 and good luck.
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA
Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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I have a blade for every type of vinyl. I'm careful about pressure. I have the special angle for reflective. The blades of today wear out really fast!!! 10 years ago they were different.
I run a Roland PNC 1000A. Buying carbide blades and am not happy with the performance. What did they use to make them out of, anyone remember? I use to get them direct from Roland back then (Roland no longer avail here) and they lasted well over a year. I'm lucky to get a few months out of today's blades.
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