Contour cut problems

[Ken1f]

I'm printing some oval decals using FlexiPro 8.1, Mutoh valuejet and contour cutting on my FC7000-130 and am having a bit of a problem.
The the cut size should be 28" overall but is cutting about .03in. too small. I've read and tried most everything in the Graphtec manual and nothing seems to work. I figured my best bet would be using the output size compensation in Flexi but even that doesn't change anything. I checked the printer and Condition Priority is set to Program so it should be accepting commands from the software. Why doesn't output size compensation have any effect? I'll call Graphtec and Flexi on Monday morning but hope that someone here has an answer so I can finish the decals today.


Thanks for any help.

 

[woolly]

hi
have you measured the print is that the correct size. then measure the cut is that correct ?.

the fc feed calibration with condition is a very confusing

woolly

 

[bob]

I'm printing some oval decals using FlexiPro 8.1, Mutoh valuejet and contour cutting on my FC7000-130 and am having a bit of a problem.
The the cut size should be 28" overall but is cutting about .03in. too small. I've read and tried most everything in the Graphtec manual and nothing seems to work. I figured my best bet would be using the output size compensation in Flexi but even that doesn't change anything. I checked the printer and Condition Priority is set to Program so it should be accepting commands from the software. Why doesn't output size compensation have any effect? I'll call Graphtec and Flexi on Monday morning but hope that someone here has an answer so I can finish the decals today.

3/100's, less than 1/32, of an inch is considered hitting right on in most shops. I'm surprised you can measure it that accurately. I figure anything less than +-1/16 is a raging success.

Priority mode, manual or program, should have no effect on contour cutting. My priority mode is always set to Manual, generally considered to be a Good Idea, and I contour cut just fine. Priority mode mostly affects speed, downforce, and stuff like that. Things that most find prudent to set from the front panel.

If you're using 3 or 4 registration marks then the plotter's size compensation shouldn't be a factor. The machine should be using those marks rather than running out arbitrary distances. if you're using the plotter's auto registration either manually or via Flexi then you might want to check the registration sensing calibration. Usually it's right on, but who knows.

 

[Ken1f]

Bob,

I agree that usually being off .03 is no big deal except on these decals I have a .1 blue boarder around it so when I'm off .03 overall the left side decal has a boarder on one side of .07 and the other is now .13
I just looked for a registration sensing calibration setting in the Graphtec manual and didn't find it. Do you know what chapter it is in?

Woolly,
The print is almost right on, it's the contour that is off.
I would have thought that the output size compensation for the Graphtec in Production Manager would be the place to adjust this but it doesn't seem to change anything. I must have something set wrong but can't seem to find what it may be.

Thanks

 

[woolly]

my preferred toy for this is my sc540ex but in high production mode i bring my graphtec fc7000 130 in to the production run.

one faced with similar problem but not quite that tight.
created a oblong 1000mm long and cut that the cut box was 1002 mm so reduced the cut path only by that ratio.
i got in to a big mess trying to use the feed calibration to condition menu commands and ended up having to completely reset the plotter.

as a rule the printer and plotters will always be correct across the bed but media thickness will make a difference down the plotter. as its so close this could be part of it

woolly

 

[bob]

...
as a rule the printer and plotters will always be correct across the bed but media thickness will make a difference down the plotter. as its so close this could be part of it

Not in this universe. The media thickness does not effect X length. This is one of those things that 'everyone knows' but it's wrong. The top of the media travels exactly the same distance as the bottom of the media regardless of thickness.

The media travels flat through the feed mechanism. If and only if the media were fed by wrapping it around a feed roller would thickness play any part.

 

[woolly]

who's right don't know bob i have pondered that may times.
what i can tell you is that the print distance alters with a change of media thickness.

printing 90 gsm paper for high accuracy boat manufacture drawings then on to a lexan type material twice as thick requires a different feed calibration. thick banner requires a different feed to std vinyl work.
may be something else but thats what happens. in my experience.


woolly

 

[Ken1f]

For now I guess I'll just group the print, group the cutlines, increase the size of the cut group by the needed .03, then center the cut and print.
Not the way I think it should be done but I think it should work.
If anyone comes up with the right way please let me know.

Thanks for all the input.