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added explanations for overview, vinyl costs, svg formats, and cutting your job.
==Overview==
The GCC Jaguar VLX is a 2.5D CNC subtractive manufacturing machine. It generally cuts vinyl sheets - which come in spools - but can also cut standard paper.A roll of sheet stock is placed within the bed of the machine and a small blade makes precise cuts into the material. Typically, this machine is used in conjunction with vinyl stock to make designs for use as stickers or t-shirt designs. The CAM software uses vector designs exclusively for cutting. To learn about what vector drawings are and how to create them, attend our Introduction to 2D CAD (with Inkscape) workshop. The remainder of this page is devoted to the proper and safe use of our vinyl cutting machine.
==Vinyl==
*#adhesive
*#wax paper backing.
*:Patterns are cut unmirroredas is, weeded, moved to transfer paper, and then finally placed on the target object. In DaBL, all spools of adhesive-back vinyl are 18in in width.
*'''Heat-transfer vinyl''': for adhering to fabrics. This raw material is layered into:
*#heat-activated adhesive
*#clear plastic backing.
*:Patterns are cut mirrored, weeded, placed onto the fabric, and then heat-pressed
Both types of vinyl are available for use in DaBL, free of charge. We supply a variety of colors including but not limited to red, blue, and black. If you do plan to make a large quantity of t-shirts or stickers for a club or event, we may ask you to supply your own materials so that we maintain enough vinyl for other members.
==CAM==
Once you have a vector design (which you learn how to do in [[Introduction to 2D CAD (with Inkscape)]], and you are ready to cut it, you must turn the design into a set of instructions that can be understood by the vinyl cutter. This is is the [[Computer-aided manufacturing|CAM]] step. The CAM software for the vinyl cutter is called GreatCut 4.
Your design must be in SVG format. ==Set up: CAM software== #'''Import''' your design and lay it out on The reason for this is because the CAD software's canvasonly understands vectors. Resize if needed.#If you are cutting heat-transfer vinyl, you must '''mirror''' your design.#Enter the '''Cut''' dialogue.#'''''Always preview the cuts before commanding In order for the machine to properly cut them.''''' Check the your design , it needs precise mathematical equations to be cut to verify its position, orientationfollow when cutting. For this reason, JPGs and check for accurate pathingPNGs will not work. The CAM software will also ignore any colors or stroke sizes in your SVG design. Note It only cares that the front of the machine there is rendered as a vector path in the left-hand side of design for the preview, i.e. the material will spool out from left to right in the preview, rather than from top blade to bottomfollow.
==Set up: Machine with vinyl==
#Place the spool's guidewheels in the guidetracks behind the machine. You may need to readjust them if the previous spool was of a different width; do this gently.
#Pull the end of the vinyl into the vinyl cutter, just past the long white stripe, and then activate the locking lever to lock the vinyl on place.
==Set up: CAM software==
#'''Import''' your design and lay it out on the software's canvas. Resize if needed.
#If you are cutting heat-transfer vinyl, you must '''mirror''' your design. (This can be done in the CAM or CAD software)
#Enter the '''Cut''' dialogue. (Icon that is shaped as a machine on the left sidebar or shortcut `S`)
#Select the appropriate settings.
#Read in your material size.
#'''''Always preview the cuts before commanding the machine to cut them.''''' Check the design to be cut to verify its position, orientation, and check for accurate pathing. Note that the front of the machine is rendered as the left-hand side of the preview, i.e. the material will spool out from left to right in the preview, rather than from top to bottom.
== Cutting! ==
Once both of the set up procedures are completed, the last step is as follows:
# Cut your design!
Again, this can be accessed through the cut dialogue and pressing selecting the `Output` option from the window '''''(only after previewing your cut)''''' or selecting the Cut object icon or pressing enter on the keyboard from within the preview menu.
'''If you need to stop your job for any reason while it is in progress, pull the release lever at the back right of the machine to interrupt the current cut.'''
==Safety==
===Learning Objectives===
By the end of this Workshop, you should:
* Understand the need for vectors
* Know how to properly size your material
*
#
===Measurable Outcomes===
By the end of this Workshop, you should be able to:
* How to load stock into the machine
* Be able to weed
*
#
