Difference between revisions of "GCC Jaguar VLX Vinyl Cutter"

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Put simply, the vinyl cutter is a computer-numeric-controlled (CNC) blade. It’s capable of making many exact cuts into a sheet of vinyl very rapidly. This makes the vinyl cutter most useful for cutting designs into vinyl stickers and heat transfers.  
 
Put simply, the vinyl cutter is a computer-numeric-controlled (CNC) blade. It’s capable of making many exact cuts into a sheet of vinyl very rapidly. This makes the vinyl cutter most useful for cutting designs into vinyl stickers and heat transfers.  
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== Sizing Material ==
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After loading stock into the machine, we need to properly measure the dimensions of the material so that the CAM software knows what it has available to cut. It is important to note that the material should always be within the front and back sensors. There are 3 methods for sizing material:
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# Roll (Left arrow)
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# Edge (Down arrow)
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# Single (Right arrow)
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The "Roll" option will spool out the entire roll of material and measure the length on what is the x-axis. "Edge" serves as the complement as it will only measure the width of the material using the y-axis across the front of the machine. The last option, "Single" will do both; it measures both the length and width of the material on both axes. Options 2 and 3 find frequent use on this machine while option 1 does not. Using "Edge" is great for spools of vinyl as it will measure just the width. However, it will spool out about a meter when cutting just as a calibration test so keep this in mind. "Single" is effective in using smaller scrap pieces that have arbitrary dimensions. We currently do not have a use for "Roll" so it is best to not use that option.
  
 
==CAM==
 
==CAM==
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== CAD ==
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==CAD==
 
To learn how to use Inkscape to design items to cut, see [[Introduction to 2D CAD (with Inkscape)]].  Inkscape is a free and open-source software similar to illustrator.  You can also google "[My Design] svg" to try and get a design for your needs.    The svg, or Scalable Vector Graphic is an XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics.  SVG files are needed to use on the vinyl cutter.
 
To learn how to use Inkscape to design items to cut, see [[Introduction to 2D CAD (with Inkscape)]].  Inkscape is a free and open-source software similar to illustrator.  You can also google "[My Design] svg" to try and get a design for your needs.    The svg, or Scalable Vector Graphic is an XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics.  SVG files are needed to use on the vinyl cutter.

Revision as of 18:55, 18 November 2019

"Vinyl cutter"

(If you would like to become certified on this machine, attend an Introduction to vector cutting with the GCC Jaguar VLX Vinyl Cutter workshop!)

The GCC Jaguar VLX vinyl cutter is a 2D subtractive manufacturing machine.

Put simply, the vinyl cutter is a computer-numeric-controlled (CNC) blade. It’s capable of making many exact cuts into a sheet of vinyl very rapidly. This makes the vinyl cutter most useful for cutting designs into vinyl stickers and heat transfers.

Sizing Material

After loading stock into the machine, we need to properly measure the dimensions of the material so that the CAM software knows what it has available to cut. It is important to note that the material should always be within the front and back sensors. There are 3 methods for sizing material:

  1. Roll (Left arrow)
  2. Edge (Down arrow)
  3. Single (Right arrow)

The "Roll" option will spool out the entire roll of material and measure the length on what is the x-axis. "Edge" serves as the complement as it will only measure the width of the material using the y-axis across the front of the machine. The last option, "Single" will do both; it measures both the length and width of the material on both axes. Options 2 and 3 find frequent use on this machine while option 1 does not. Using "Edge" is great for spools of vinyl as it will measure just the width. However, it will spool out about a meter when cutting just as a calibration test so keep this in mind. "Single" is effective in using smaller scrap pieces that have arbitrary dimensions. We currently do not have a use for "Roll" so it is best to not use that option.

CAM

The CAM software used with the Jaguar is called GreatCut4. There are material profiles within which you should heed when you are cutting different materials.

Default Material Cutting Settings

Material (profile) Blade Pressure (g) Speed (cm/s)
Adhesive Back, Standard Red (45º) 40 90
Heat Transfer, Standard Red (45º) 40 90
Heat Transfer, Sparkle Red (45º) 80 70
Heat Transfer, Felt See a CaTS for further guidance 60 50

CAD

To learn how to use Inkscape to design items to cut, see Introduction to 2D CAD (with Inkscape). Inkscape is a free and open-source software similar to illustrator. You can also google "[My Design] svg" to try and get a design for your needs. The svg, or Scalable Vector Graphic is an XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics. SVG files are needed to use on the vinyl cutter.