Rectangle Cut won't close

[Gail]

15 " bc cougar with Make the cut. I am cutting a rectangle 9" wide and 10 inches high. on the right side where it started, it is left open when it comes around to finish the cut. It is about 1mm off. (it needs to go to the right 1mm to meet where it started from). I re-calibrated the machine and it still does not cut. Is it just too big or what? Thanks for any help you can give

[LisaH]

My first though is: double check to make sure the pinch wheels are aligned properly and not hanging slightly off to one side of the grit shaft.

I will try one, but I have the SB and use SCAL...BRB

Okay - not going to be any help here 'cause mine cut correctly.

[LisaH]

Maybe someone that uses the Cougar / MTC will be here soon to offer some advice...

[Angel135612]

My first thought is to check the overcut setting. It sounds like it needs to be increased a bit so that the ends will meet. If you are using the KNK plugin, I beleive there is somewhere on that screen to set the overcut. I'm not at home now so I can't open my software and check just where it is at.

[Thyme]

You may possibly have skewing. Measure the width of the rectangle at the top and at the bottom. If the top is wider then it is skewing.
Possible Causes -
Pinch wheels not far enough apart.
Blunt blade.
Too high a speed.
Too high a force

[Gigi]

I was thinking along Dawn's lines...... wonder if there is skewing. Be sure your pinch wheels are in their proper place so they are gripping. They might also need cleaning.

Did you say what kind of mat you are using? I have had cuts go off using a Cricut mat........ I only use those for things that dont matter anymore - like when I am experimenting!!

[Gail]

I got it finally! It was skewing by 1/4 on the 10" side. I always use my cougar mat that came with the machine. As for the wheels, I keep my right wheel on the mat edge, one going down the middle, and one on the left side of my 12x12 paper and they are lined up with the red marks. Is that considered too close? With 8 1/2 x 11, I lift the last one. But for this project, my speed and force were way too high for the rectangle even though I had used these settings on something much smaller and it cut fine. So, I lowered it considerably and it cut fine. Thanks so much.

[Elizabeth]

Glad you got it it figured out, Gail. Happy cutting!