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Hi, Myra... It isn't magical...it IS capable! Vendor's comments frequently incite a virtual spec. war; so let me just state what the Graphtec 4100+ can do: Yes, It can cut 1/16" characters in vinyl (I like Mactac intermediate best for this, but it may not be the best all around medium), same for metalized polyester, Rubylith, Amberlith, etc. I generally recommend Helvitica but sometimes, a font with soft serifs like Goudy or Garamond give nice results too. And yes, it weeds very well indeed...in most cases...like ordinary cutting. The same machine can cut all reflectives including "Diamond Grade". Diamond and Hi-intensity require special technique because of the "upside down" nature of the material...the polyester surface is what holds everything together. You have to cut from the inside out..as you would with a router, without touching the flimsy saran wrap that protects the adhesive. The same machine can cut Rubylith so it weeds like a good vinyl...and it does so without ever scratching the clear substrate. Actually, because Ruby doesn't screw things up when it falls back on itself, I have come to prefer weeding it to vinyl. This machine cuts Sandblast stencil material more perfectly than any other cutter I've ever seen...Others may do as well, I've not seen any example. I have often cut 1/4" Times Roman w/italic in Hartco's 32 mil PVC based monument grade material, as well as Anchor's double backed 32 mil stuff...I don't know what product number it is. The Anchor is more rubber like and stretches more; the Hartco is much harder material. Both cut and weed like good HP vinyl. The finished cut is utterly awsome. The machine cuts any magnetic media up to 35 mil with absolutely perfect corners and intersections so the graphic will separate where you want it to...it DOES make a difference. The machine tracks well...not perfect, but well. We figure and state (not "guarantee", whatever that means) 10 meters, or about 40 ft. It does have the capability of allowing a re-alignment of the medium on-the-fly to correct wandering. It has a very effective "Axis Alignment" feature which, though not automatic, functions well in that application that wants to mount or remount a graphic for contour cutting. It doesn't require registration marks if the corners of the image are identifiable. This is a very cool machine. My persomal favorite is the 4100-100. I'm teaching it to whistle Dixie. hk
------------------ Howard Keiper Sales Mgr., Graphtec Benicia, Ca. keip@pacbell.net
Posts: 409 | From: Benicia, Ca., USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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Thank you so very much Howard! That took effort, but obviously you have your heart in it! Sounds fabulous, sounds like when mine gives out that's the new plotter to get. I am going to Orlando's Sign Show next week, and if I have a breather I will look (?will it be there?) to see this baby run. Sounds like you have a phenomenal machine, thanks a whole lot for taking the time to take my questions seriously.
------------------ Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC V 336-722-1033/F 336-723-6112 signslimited@triad.rr.com
Posts: 1244 | From: Winston-Salem, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Myra... Graphtec will be there..I won't. I guess it costs too much money to send a Left Coaster to Fla. Oh well, maybe next time. By all means, please stop by the Graphtec booth and say hello..we'd be delighted to show you what we can do. Regards, Howard
------------------ Howard Keiper Sales Mgr., Graphtec Benicia, Ca. keip@pacbell.net
Posts: 409 | From: Benicia, Ca., USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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