We upgraded our XC-540 cutter to a Summa S2 T160. We were using an XC-540 for the cutting and it was limited in many ways due to accuracy and length of cuts for what we needed at this time.
It's fun to learn new interfaces and setup procedures. I took the ol' out of the box, plug it in and try to make it work to get enough data to ask some questions about features and tips from guys. I value the input of experienced users over text book type procedures or hammering a rep with a lot of questions before the purchase once it's known to be the best equipment for our needs. The real deal comes from users and I hope to get some feedback from you guys on tips & suggestions.
I was very happy on how easy it was to setup the Summa for barcode online. Setup the new cutter for Caldera and checked the barcode option.
It was nice just to switch it up from the Roland marks to a barcode system on the prints. It was very easy to line up the barcode section of the print with the shadow line from the cutter. The positioning was fast and on point for the first starting point from the HP print with the barcode.
In the past we would mark "S" for start and "E" for end between our print/cut projects. This helped us properly load the XC-540 for cutting our prints from HP and Vutek. Caldera has a Cut orientation option that can be used to know the proper orientation of the print. I just have to remember that the bottom of the screenshot image should be the first out of the cutter when standing in front of the cutter.
Is there a way to make it not read it both ways the same for the orientation when loaded? Perhaps an option within the Summa interface or Caldera? Every now and then I will not pay enough attention and load it backwards thus causing delays and loss of profits once it cuts from the wrong side.
I was concerned that Phototex would have issues during the process. That was put to bed as quickly as it cuts, which is very fast. The cuts were on point and even with a bit of lump in the media in some of the areas were not a problem. The trimmed edges were very consistent on some runs with different sized shapes. I was very impressed with the overall time and accuracy of the cutter.
I did not try to use the Flexcut 1 or Flexcut 2 options with Caldera. Although this is one of the features I hope to master to help with logos and small decal batch runs.
Any suggestions on which is better (Flexcut 1 or Flexcut 2) or tips on using it as in things to watch out for during the process?
I found this thread on Caldera Support for Flexcut... Do I need to change the settings for the "Line Type" often? Any tips on this would be great!
https://otrs.caldera.com/otrs/public.pl?Action=PublicFAQZoom;ItemID=444
There is also a Kiss Cutting 1 and Kiss Cutting 2. I used Kiss Cutting 1 on our runs to his point. What is the difference?
The "Tool Type" for "Current tool".
Am I able to use this for our kiss cut projects or do I need to select the "Kiss Cutting 1 or Kiss Cutting 2".
I use the slowest setting in hopes that it will ensure the best accuracy and it's still much faster than our previous roll cutter.
What speeds do you use for calendared, cast, and other specialty media? Any suggestions...? What speed setting have you noticed a slight loss in accuracy?
Do you have any tips that standout in your head for Caldera and Summa when working with certain media / brands?
We have been using Clean Cut blades and very happy with the product. Have you used them in the past? If so, do you think the Summa blades are better for your S2 series or did you go back to using Clean Cut blades?
What is the max length you try to limit your cuts for vinyl and/or Phototex? Does this change your comfort zone based on the size of the roll (24" to 60")?
Any input on tips & tricks using this series will be greatly appreciated!!!
We purchased the S2 series from Phil w/ Airmark. It was a very smooth process and we hope to purchase a few of these in 2019. I would suggest Phil & Airmark for anyone looking into the purchase of a Graphtec or Summa cutter.
Thanks for your input. I hope you and your staffs have a wonderful Holiday season and break some sales records in 2019! This industry is awesome and we are lucky be a part of it!
It's fun to learn new interfaces and setup procedures. I took the ol' out of the box, plug it in and try to make it work to get enough data to ask some questions about features and tips from guys. I value the input of experienced users over text book type procedures or hammering a rep with a lot of questions before the purchase once it's known to be the best equipment for our needs. The real deal comes from users and I hope to get some feedback from you guys on tips & suggestions.
I was very happy on how easy it was to setup the Summa for barcode online. Setup the new cutter for Caldera and checked the barcode option.
It was nice just to switch it up from the Roland marks to a barcode system on the prints. It was very easy to line up the barcode section of the print with the shadow line from the cutter. The positioning was fast and on point for the first starting point from the HP print with the barcode.
In the past we would mark "S" for start and "E" for end between our print/cut projects. This helped us properly load the XC-540 for cutting our prints from HP and Vutek. Caldera has a Cut orientation option that can be used to know the proper orientation of the print. I just have to remember that the bottom of the screenshot image should be the first out of the cutter when standing in front of the cutter.
Is there a way to make it not read it both ways the same for the orientation when loaded? Perhaps an option within the Summa interface or Caldera? Every now and then I will not pay enough attention and load it backwards thus causing delays and loss of profits once it cuts from the wrong side.
I was concerned that Phototex would have issues during the process. That was put to bed as quickly as it cuts, which is very fast. The cuts were on point and even with a bit of lump in the media in some of the areas were not a problem. The trimmed edges were very consistent on some runs with different sized shapes. I was very impressed with the overall time and accuracy of the cutter.
I did not try to use the Flexcut 1 or Flexcut 2 options with Caldera. Although this is one of the features I hope to master to help with logos and small decal batch runs.
Any suggestions on which is better (Flexcut 1 or Flexcut 2) or tips on using it as in things to watch out for during the process?
I found this thread on Caldera Support for Flexcut... Do I need to change the settings for the "Line Type" often? Any tips on this would be great!
https://otrs.caldera.com/otrs/public.pl?Action=PublicFAQZoom;ItemID=444
There is also a Kiss Cutting 1 and Kiss Cutting 2. I used Kiss Cutting 1 on our runs to his point. What is the difference?
The "Tool Type" for "Current tool".
Am I able to use this for our kiss cut projects or do I need to select the "Kiss Cutting 1 or Kiss Cutting 2".
I use the slowest setting in hopes that it will ensure the best accuracy and it's still much faster than our previous roll cutter.
What speeds do you use for calendared, cast, and other specialty media? Any suggestions...? What speed setting have you noticed a slight loss in accuracy?
Do you have any tips that standout in your head for Caldera and Summa when working with certain media / brands?
We have been using Clean Cut blades and very happy with the product. Have you used them in the past? If so, do you think the Summa blades are better for your S2 series or did you go back to using Clean Cut blades?
What is the max length you try to limit your cuts for vinyl and/or Phototex? Does this change your comfort zone based on the size of the roll (24" to 60")?
Any input on tips & tricks using this series will be greatly appreciated!!!
We purchased the S2 series from Phil w/ Airmark. It was a very smooth process and we hope to purchase a few of these in 2019. I would suggest Phil & Airmark for anyone looking into the purchase of a Graphtec or Summa cutter.
Thanks for your input. I hope you and your staffs have a wonderful Holiday season and break some sales records in 2019! This industry is awesome and we are lucky be a part of it!
