Difference between revisions of "Graphtec Vinyl Cutter"

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* ...
 
* ...
 
=Using the Plotter=
 
=Using the Plotter=
 +
===Load Vinyl===
 +
* Place roll on back rack
 
* Put lever in down position to unlock
 
* Put lever in down position to unlock
 +
* feed vinyl in from the back
 +
** it will get stuck on lips as you push it through.  I suggest using a small tool to help lift it up.
 
[[File:leverdown.jpg]]
 
[[File:leverdown.jpg]]
* Load vinyl
+
===Position Rollers===
* Move rollers
 
 
* Flip lever up
 
* Flip lever up
 
* Press enter for Roll 1
 
* Press enter for Roll 1

Revision as of 04:26, 23 March 2013

Basic Info

  • Located upstairs
  • ...

Using the Plotter

Load Vinyl

  • Place roll on back rack
  • Put lever in down position to unlock
  • feed vinyl in from the back
    • it will get stuck on lips as you push it through. I suggest using a small tool to help lift it up.

Leverdown.jpg

Position Rollers

  • Flip lever up
  • Press enter for Roll 1
  • Move head with keypad to desired origin
  • Press Origin
  • Print!
  • Pull out weeding
  • put transfer tape on design
  • clean target surface
  • put on a light spray of transfer solution
  • place vinyl on object
  • squeegee transfer solution out from design (inside to out)
  • let dry
  • peel of transfer tape
  • done!

Setting up Linux

  • Hook up to USB
  • Install printer in CUPS
  • Choose Raw Queue as driver
  • Maker sure plotter is in HG-GL mode
    • Hit pause
    • Page Next until you see command
    • Enter
    • Arrow over to HG-GL
  • The best way to plot in Linux is with the Inkscape plugin, InkCut
  • Install inkscape
  • Download InkCut here:

http://inkcut.sourceforge.net/

mv InkCut-1.0.tar.gz ~/.config/inkscape/extensions/
cd ~/.config/inkscape/extensions/
tar -xf InkCut-1.0.tar.gz

Using InkCut and Inkscape

Basics

  • start Inkscape
  • draw something to print
  • make sure it is a path
  • select it
  • Extensions -> Cutting/Plotting -> InkCut

Text

  • Create text
    • fatter characters will be easier to work with
  • Rotate text 90 degress if needed (default will cut deep, not along the front edge of the vinyl)
  • Select text
  • Object -> Fill and Stroke
    • No fill
    • Select some stroke
  • Object -> Object to Path
  • Object -> Ungroup
  • Extensions -> Cutter/Plotter -> InkCut
  • Print!