Thinking of purchasing FC8000-160

[smdgrfx]

What do you guys think of this machine? Does anyone have one?

I currently have a Gerber HS15Plus - 15" sprocket fed and a Summa D620 - 24" friction fed.

I have not been able to successfully cut convex 12mil laminate with either of the two and was thinking of getting another plotter to handle the chore. I am looking at the Graphtec 160 model because it would be a good match for my Mimaki JV3-160sp - can handle 63" prints. My local distributor will sell it to me for $5k, but I am wondering if that is a good deal. The list is $7500, but I don't feel like that means much. I looked around online and found the plotter for $5250 delivered to my door. Is there any other plotters I should be considering with the same performance?

 

[omgsideburns]

i dont think you can go wrong with graphtec.

 

[ZacCarter]

We have a FC7000 MKII here at our shop and it does great. Use it mostly for doing contour cuts on from postershop cut server after printing a job from our mimaki jv3.

 

[smdgrfx]

Okay...I went ahead and bought it on Friday. Brought it the shop and set it up. The pinch rollers were set in the higher pressure setting and sitting on the grippers. So...there are flat spots on all of the pinch rollers. Will that smooth out, or am I going to have to warranty them? Also, the very first pinch roller lever is broken. It still works, but I'm definitely going to call that in for replacement. Do any of you guys use the cloth catch?

 

[jasonx]

I had a broken lever as well on one of my machines. Been waiting 4 months for a replacement. If the guys aren't careful they can cause uneven pressure on that pinch roller and it throws the tracking all out.

 

[omgsideburns]

I have the cloth catch baskets on my 7000, love 'em. had metal wire basket before but the cloths can push in to save space when you're not using them. keeps my vinyl clean.

 

[smdgrfx]

I've had a couple of other large plotters - older summa T1000 with basket and Mimaki CG130, but never had the cloth. I used it on a job Monday and it worked out pretty good. I like it. I called Graphtec and they are sending me the replacement lever. The pinch rollers seem to have worked themselves out, so I'm okay with that. Now, if I can just figure out how to load the updated driver into Flexi and make a driver for Gerber Omega...I'll be good to go.