Vinyl Cutter: Difference between revisions

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== Software ==
== Software ==


You can send your designs to the vinyl cutter directly from Inkscape by using the Plot extension.  You can access it by following the menus: Extensions > Export > Plot...
You can send your designs to the vinyl cutter directly from Inkscape by using the Plot extension.   


The default settings work but you might need to set the Serial Port the Vinyl cutter is assigned on your computer.
If you are using Linux, you will need to install the python serial library (python3-serial).  On Windows and Mac, everything is packaged with Inkscape.


[[File:Vinyl-101-settings.png|400px]]
You can access it by following the menus: Extensions > Export > Plot...
 
 
[[File:vc_plotsettings.png|400px]]
 
The first time that you run the Plot extension, you will need to set the serial port being used by the vinyl cutter.  The rest of the settings can stay at the default.
 
On Linux, this is likely /dev/ttyACM0.  You can confirm or discover by plugging the vinyl cutter usb into your computer and then using dmesg on the terminal to see what is assigned.
 
On Windows, this is probably one of COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, COM5.  Once you connect the vinyl cutter, you can look in devices and see what it was assigned.
 
On Mac, it will be something like /dev/tty.usb???  [insert help on finding this for mac]

Revision as of 22:52, 5 February 2022

Machine

USCutter SC2 34"

Uscuttersc2.jpg

Vc power.jpg

The machine powers on from a switch on the side.


Vc plug usb.jpg

The vinyl cutter uses a serial connection via usb to your computer.


Controls

The Vinyl Cutter has two modes: online mode and pause mode.


ONLINE MODE

Vc onlinemode.jpg

When in ONLINE MODE, the screen says the System is idle and the arrow keys will change the speed or pressure settings.


PAUSE MODE

Vinyl-cutter-controls.jpg

When in PAUSE MODE, the screen will say PAUSE... and the arrow keys will feed the vinyl up/down or move the cutting head left/right. Additionally, you can press the ORIGIN button and set the Home Position for the cutter head.

Consumables

The vinyl cutter uses any standard Roland style blade. It is usually equipped with a 45 degree angle blade for general usage.

https://uscutter.com/3-Pack-Of-Roland-Cemented-Carbide-Blades-45-Degrees/

The blade holder can be replaced here:

https://uscutter.com/Blade-Holder-For-Sc-Sc2-Lpii-Laserpoint-3/


Loading Vinyl

Most vinyl meant for cutting can be used with the vinyl cutter.

Arts and Crafts zone keeps rolls of Oracal 651 (in red, black, and white) available for convenience. If you use it, there is a signup sheet to state how much you used so you can be invoiced later.

Vc roll.jpg

On the back of the vinyl cutter are two rollers meant for holding rolls of vinyl.


Vc unlock.jpg

The vinyl cutter has 3 pinch rollers. Flipping their arms up allows you to load vinyl and align the pinch rollers horizontally to hold the vinyl in place.


Vc load.jpg

Once the pinch rollers are unlocked, load the vinyl and align the them evenly across the width of the vinyl.


Vc lock.jpg

Once the vinyl is loaded and pinch rollers align, lock the pinch rollers by pressing their arms down.


Vc small sheets too.jpg

You can also use small sheets or cutoffs. If it is small enough, only use 2 pinch rollers and make sure they are inset from the edges.


Software

You can send your designs to the vinyl cutter directly from Inkscape by using the Plot extension.

If you are using Linux, you will need to install the python serial library (python3-serial). On Windows and Mac, everything is packaged with Inkscape.

You can access it by following the menus: Extensions > Export > Plot...


Vc plotsettings.png

The first time that you run the Plot extension, you will need to set the serial port being used by the vinyl cutter. The rest of the settings can stay at the default.

On Linux, this is likely /dev/ttyACM0. You can confirm or discover by plugging the vinyl cutter usb into your computer and then using dmesg on the terminal to see what is assigned.

On Windows, this is probably one of COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, COM5. Once you connect the vinyl cutter, you can look in devices and see what it was assigned.

On Mac, it will be something like /dev/tty.usb??? [insert help on finding this for mac]