by Gigi » July 9th, 2016, 6:58 pm
Lots of us have designed in Corel Draw. You never mentioned that you were using that to design. Instead of exporting your design as an svg and then importing it into SCAL, you can download the Corel Draw plug in and you can send your design straight from Corel Draw to SCAL to cut - which will save you several steps. The plug ins only work with SCAL PRO, so you will have to upgrade the software for a minimal amount (it also increased the size you can cut and allows you to cut by color etc and the majority feel it is well worth the upgrade to have the additional features) - so just a thought there.
I definitely would not be cutting vinyl with the click blade set at 4. I suggest you adjust your click blade (instructions are in the learning center) so you are cutting the vinyl at 1. You should have just a little bit of the blade extended and be able to cut at a relatively low number. I think your blade is set too high so you are using too much force for a lightweight material and that might be causing some of the inconsistencies.
JMHO, but most of us who have been using the machine for a long time are cutting REGULAR vinyl at a relatively low force. For instance. I use the click blade for everything . I love it, but it's a personal preference. I cut vinyl at 20. If I am using the Duck Brand sheets (they are fun for cards( I set it at 25. There are some who cut vinyl at 2 - you just have to find the right amount.
Do you have the ability to take a video of your machine cutting so we can see how you have the blade set up, the distance from the vinyl etc? If you are using the setting blade to set the height of your blade, it doesn't make sense to me that you need that much force to cut vinyl - and that you are getting erratic cuts. If your cuts are jagged, again it makes me wonder if it is the blade as you are using different blades with different machines.
I believe it would help you a lot of you stayed with one blade set up and one type of material and worked on that until you had success rather than switching around so much as it is really hard to get a feel for is causing issues - is it the blade, the vinyl, the force, the mat etc?? Too many variables...
Also - I don't think you ever answered if you are using tables when you use a mat.
Silver Bullet Admin/Tech Support
Happily using an 24" Silver Bullet Platinum
Gigi