47
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Weeding
#Turn on the machine - the power switch is on the left-hand side.
#Make sure the locking lever is up (i.e. released), and if it isn't pull it up. It is on the top left right side of the machine.#If there is already a spool of vinyl in the machine, spool it back up, tape the end down, and remove the two spool guidewheels by unscrewing the handgrips until they gently come pull out. Please Place the spool back with the rest of the stock.#Select the spool color of vinyl you would like to use.
#Attach the spool guidewheels to your selected spool and gently tighten them down until they no longer spin.
#Place the spool's guidewheels in the guidetracks behind the machine. You may need to readjust reposition 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, . Adjust the three pinch rollers as necessary to accommodate the vinyl size and then activate the locking lever to lock the vinyl on place.#Size your material with the edge (down arrow) or single (right arrow) buttons.
==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''' Output` dialogue. (Icon that is shaped as a machine on the left sidebar or shortcut `S`)
#Select the appropriate settings.
#Read in your material size.
'''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.'''
Once your design is finished cutting, check to make sure all the desired elements are there before releasing the lever. If everything is to your liking do the following:
#Use the white cutter located in the "vinyl tools" drawer or scissors to cut out your design.
#Roll the unused spool back up.
#Procede to [[Workshop: Introduction to 2D vector cutting with the GCC Jaguar VLX Vinyl Cutter#Weeding|Weeding]].
==Safety==
==Weeding==
[[File:Weeding image.png|alt=weeding adhesive vinyl|thumb|Weeding a design out of adhesive-backed vinyl on safety-mat!|253x253px]]
The vinyl cutter only cuts material so it will not create your envisioned design right away. For that, we need weeding. Weeding is the process in which you prepare your vinyl by removing material you do not want. In the end, you should arrive at something that closely resembles your SVG design. The tools necessary are located in the vinyl station drawer labeled `Vinyl Tools` as well as on the overhead station. The following are needed:
#Weeder (Sharp pointed tool).
#Safety mat.
#Squeegee (For adhesive backed vinyl).
#Transfer paper (For adhesive backed vinyl).
[[File:Squeegee .png|alt=squeegee usage|thumb|Here is how to use the squeegee to smooth transfer paper onto a weeded design!|252x252px]]This process is the quite tedious and requires a bit of patience and precision. The weeder should be used to carefully puncture the vinyl and pull material away. The smaller and more intricate the design, the more careful you have to be to not peel up very tiny designs.
After weeding, if using heat-transfer vinyl, follow the Heat Press instructions below. If using adhesive-back vinyl, use the transfer paper to transfer your design to the target surface. Cut out a piece of transfer paper about the size of your design. Peel apart the transfer paper and place the adhesive side on your design. Using the squeegee, smooth out any air bubbles. When ready to transfer the sticker to your target surface, peel the transfer paper and design off and place on surface; smooth with squeegee and remove transfer paper.
==Heat Press==
#A timer will automatically start (ask a CaTS for time suggestions based for your material). The lever will pop back open automatically when the timer finishes.
=== Human Safety ===
* When in use, '''''DO NOT TOUCH''''' the heat bed as it is very hot and '''''WILL BURN YOU'''''.
===Machine Safety===
