Need Help Cutting a circle graphic that is laminated

[Andrew Hodgson]

Hello, I have printed on General Formulations 212 and laminated with GF 211. I placed the 36" circle graphic in our Graphtec 8600 and got a jagged edge when cutting. I have attached a picture of the cut.

Tool: CB09U
Speed: 12 cm/s
Acceleration: 1
Cut Force: 35
Cutter Perforation: 8mm / 0.35mm

What should I try to do to get a smoother cut? I am able to cut through the material fine.

 

[Solventinkjet]

Is this happening on all jobs? If so i would suspect a bad cut blade holder or cut protection strip.

 

[Andrew Hodgson]

Is this happening on all jobs? If so i would suspect a bad cut blade holder or cut protection strip.

This only happens when I laminate the vinyl. When I cut non-laminated vinyl, I have smooth cut lines.

 

[Solventinkjet]

This only happens when I laminate the vinyl. When I cut non-laminated vinyl, I have smooth cut lines.

Interesting. In that case I would probably switch to a 60* blade. 45* is for basic cutting but the 60* blade is specifically used for thicker materials.

 

[artofacks1]

Could it be that your blade force isnt set up to cut the thicker material?

 

[unclebun]

I have a feeling from looking at that picture that you aren't cutting all the way through the printed white vinyl, so it's tearing as you weed it. Since the laminate is 6 mil, not only do you need to increase the cut pressure, you also have to extend the blade farther than normal from the holder.

 

[bannertime]

You'll also need to verify blade depth. If it's too deep, it'll look like that.

 

[Andrew Hodgson]

I have a feeling from looking at that picture that you aren't cutting all the way through the printed white vinyl, so it's tearing as you weed it. Since the laminate is 6 mil, not only do you need to increase the cut pressure, you also have to extend the blade farther than normal from the holder.

The blade is going through the material and I have maxed out the cut pressure to the max of 48 and I am still getting the same results.

 

[Andrew Hodgson]

You'll also need to verify blade depth. If it's too deep, it'll look like that.

I think you're right, I changed the blade height and it is better but still a little jagged. I will look into getting a blade made for thicker material.

 

[woolly]

have i read op correctly this is perfcut settings if so looks like media bunching probably not happening all the way round

 

[Tattoosleeve]

The 60* blade is a must.

Two other things you could check.

Roller tension - if you're running thicker material it's important to make sure all your rollers are on the tightest spring setting. We found sometimes the tail end of the media was popping the clips up on the reverse feed. We cut lots of thick/ heavyheavy Motorsports so we actually put really strong elastics on the clamps to hold them closed.

The other thing is roller count. We actually added 2 addition rollers so there are now 5 on the machine to make sure material isn't slipping.

I think the knife is more likely the issue but check those if the problem persists.