Question Graphtec Fc8600 does not do test cuts

[Annette Asberg]

Hi
So as said our Graphtec Fc8600 does not do test-cuts, well sometimes it does but mostly not. When I have tried to do it it will move 5 inches across the media and as much down and announce that I need to hit enter and that's it. No test cuts just an annoying move. So I shut the cutter off and try again and this can go on for 3 to 5 times and all of a sudden it will work. Does anyone have the same problem and know what to do about it?

 

[Charlie J]

You need to set your origin, and then do your test cut. You can't do a test cut behind your origin.

 

[Annette Asberg]

You need to set your origin, and then do your test cut. You can't do a test cut behind your origin.

Sorry but that does not help I have tried it

 

[karst41]

You are missing steps.

Load your material with Condition 1 (or2)
Your plotter should be set and ready to cut,,,,,,,,right??

OK Here we go in steps.

Press the Condition Key.
You will see the test cut patterns at the bottom of the screen
Left arrow for one pattern cut. right arrow for a three pattern cut (I prefer 3)

When you select the pattern, look up at the screen you will see this:
1. Force
2. Cutter Offset
Press the button on your control panel for 1.
Your test cut starts.

If you are satisfied with the pattern, you need to Exit.

Enter key
4 Cancel
Condition

Take note: If the test cuts show any curve then you have a cutter offset issue.
Most of the time you have the Wrong blade.

The blade for Most Vinyls is the 09 blade
For thick materials Intermediate print film with High Performance Over laminate
Or Intermediate over lam. you need the 15 blade
The 15 Blade is used in the RED TIP Holder.

If you go back to plot some intermediate vinyl with the 15 blade, the cuts will look like heII.

I set Condition 1 for my Intermediates Spot colors
Condition 2 is for my Intermediate Prints with the expensive thin lam.
Condition 3 is a blade set for High Performance film like 220 or 7725 3m
Condition 4 is thin print film (IJ18- vv 3 with 8519 thin Lam)
Condition 5 is Intermed print film with intermed lam.
Condition 6 Frosted crystal
cond 7 Window tint
Cond 8 Magnetic or sandblast mask.

I only use the first 5

Good aluminum bodied blade holders can be bought for $20 off eBay.

BUY OEM BLADES ONLY. they last for long time if you set up your blade correctly.

Hope this helps

 

[Annette Asberg]

You need to set your origin, and then do your test cut. You can't do a test cut behind your origin.

Hi again Charlie
No it did work. I think my plotter is living it's own life

 

[Annette Asberg]

You are missing steps.

Load your material with Condition 1 (or2)
Your plotter should be set and ready to cut,,,,,,,,right??

OK Here we go in steps.

Press the Condition Key.
You will see the test cut patterns at the bottom of the screen
Left arrow for one pattern cut. right arrow for a three pattern cut (I prefer 3)

When you select the pattern, look up at the screen you will see this:
1. Force
2. Cutter Offset
Press the button on your control panel for 1.
Your test cut starts.

If you are satisfied with the pattern, you need to Exit.

Enter key
4 Cancel
Condition

Take note: If the test cuts show any curve then you have a cutter offset issue.
Most of the time you have the Wrong blade.

The blade for Most Vinyls is the 09 blade
For thick materials Intermediate print film with High Performance Over laminate
Or Intermediate over lam. you need the 15 blade
The 15 Blade is used in the RED TIP Holder.

If you go back to plot some intermediate vinyl with the 15 blade, the cuts will look like heII.

I set Condition 1 for my Intermediates Spot colors
Condition 2 is for my Intermediate Prints with the expensive thin lam.
Condition 3 is a blade set for High Performance film like 220 or 7725 3m
Condition 4 is thin print film (IJ18- vv 3 with 8519 thin Lam)
Condition 5 is Intermed print film with intermed lam.
Condition 6 Frosted crystal
cond 7 Window tint
Cond 8 Magnetic or sandblast mask.

I only use the first 5

Good aluminum bodied blade holders can be bought for $20 off eBay.

BUY OEM BLADES ONLY. they last for long time if you set up your blade correctly.

Hope this helps[/QUOTE
Thank you so much for the instruction on cuts and materials that is worthless

 

[FearinLoathin]

I have the same issue with my FC9000 frequently. It's like it wants to some days, and some days not. AI told me not to use Roll 2 when loading, but that makes no sense and didn't help. So much for Gemini knowing everything.

I instead set my origin (running a contour cut so away from the marks and cut area, obviously), tried it again, and viola!

 

[JBurton]

Yeah, you can't load the machine, scroll material backwards, and do a test cut without first hitting 'set origin'. The machine thinks it's going to cut into it's cut strip, but never indicates as much.