Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 24"

Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 24"

Postby morgan.driessens » September 3rd, 2014, 12:40 am

Hi Guys,

My name is Morgan and I'm a newbie to the forum. I just bought a Silver Bullet Pro 24" and I've been trying to get the hang of it.
In saying that, I think the best way to put forward my question is to show an example.

Basically, when I'm doing vinyl cutting in Sure Cuts a Lot 3, for some reason, on each object (especially when I'm cutting the same sticker multiple times in a line), it will forget to cut the same line, or miss it by a couple of millimetres, so have to cut each image in multiple spots with a scalpel to fix up each bit (near impossible to do on black vinyl.) I've attached a picture of what I mean. Basically I have to hand-cut a horizontal line on the "R" and the second "S" (You can tell which one by my dodgy scalpel cut), retrim the top of the "K" each time because it cuts about 1.5mm above where it should, and also as I've shown with the blue guides above, when I cut, the horizontal lines are inconsistent through the letters "B, E & S" in Bikes, as well as multiple locations in Expressive. I've also found that it has a tendency to actually cut into the letters as well. So, when it cuts the sticker 5 times, it will consistently make the same errors on each one.

So if anyone could give me any hints on how I could improve this, it would be much appreciated.

SPECS OF CUTTING:

Blade: 45 degree offset
Vinyl: Oracal Vinyl 651
Speed: 150
Force:50

Thank you,

Morg
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Elizabeth » September 3rd, 2014, 9:05 pm

Hi Morg. Welcome to the forum. What force and speed are you cutting at? Which blade are you using? Could you attach a copy of the SCAL file you are using? There is a possibility that it is the font/file you are cutting rather than the machine or settings. Either way, we should be able to help you troubleshoot.
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby morgan.driessens » September 4th, 2014, 12:32 am

Hi Elizabeth,

Thank you for the reply. I've attached the scal file too.
Basically the specs I've tried about been as follows:

Speed: 65, 150
Force: 25, 50
Blade: 45 degree

I also tried different overcuts of 0mm, 1mm and 2mm.

For some reason, the accuracy isn't there with anything that I cut. I've attached an extra picture of a basic text cutout.

Any help would be great thanks!

Morgan
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Gigi » September 4th, 2014, 1:42 am

Just tried it. It IS node intensive and I was going to simplify it but wanted to try it the way you had it and I had absolutely NO problem. It cut beautifully, although it slowed down a time or two just because of all of the nodes. I cut it with a force of 23 and velocity of 750. I used the 45 degree blade in the click holder (blade of choice!) and overcut is unchecked.

Could your blade be chipped so it is skipping on certain parts?? Thinking.....
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Elizabeth » September 4th, 2014, 5:50 am

As Gigi suggests, I would change the blade to eliminate that as an issue. Then I would lower the force to 10 and work up from there. It doesn't take much force to cut vinyl.

Are you using white vinyl with a blue backing? I remember some time ago there was a discussion about this particular vinyl not sticking to the backing well, and causing poor cuts.
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby morgan.driessens » September 6th, 2014, 8:21 pm

Hi Crew,

Thank you very much for the help, I really appreciate it. Thank you Gigi for uploading the picture, your image has come out really crisp. I tried to apply your feedback and didn't have any success. I used your settings, tried many different offsets ranging from 0mm, 0.25mm, 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm, 0.7mm and 0.8mm, tried using the 45 degree blade and 60 degree blade. I even tried using different vinyl like Elizabeth, and the results were all negative.

I resorted to trying to cut basic squares and circles from the scal library, and I've uploaded an image of the results. The square seems to turn out okay, but the circles are way off. So I'm not really sure what to do.

I've contacted the seller and she's going to see what she can do.

Kind regards,

Morgan
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Gigi » September 6th, 2014, 8:34 pm

I am perpexed but let me ask a few more questions. Have you put a brand new blade in and are you sure it's not chipped?

When you say the results were all negative, can you explain a little more? Did it not cut in the same places you said before? If so it makes me wonder how you are cutting the vinyl. Do you have it on a roll or do you have smaller pieces on the mat? If you are using a mat, are you using the tables or something to hold the mat level?

Are you using a Windows or Mac platform?

Are your pinch wheels directly over the grit shaft so nothing is slipping? Grasping for something to make sense. I feel like I should know what to say to help!

Will keep thinking. I would go back to the "0" offset. By continually changing variables you may be accidentally confusing the situation. I never change my offset (ok - rarely :hide: )

Lisa is the tech support pro so hopefully she will have an idea soon. She cuts vinyl a lot more than I do :)
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby LisaH » September 6th, 2014, 9:03 pm

Hi,

I would use a new 45 deg blade, set my offset to .25mm, and my overcut to 1.0mm.

Are you using straight from the roll or vinyl attached to a mat? If on the mat, are you using a brayer to make sure it is adhered well and the tables or something similar to keep the mat flat while cutting?

Are you using the blade setting tool to set the height of your blade tip above your media? (The force sounds high to me) I usually cut vinyl in the teens.

Make sure your pinch wheels are below the white rectangles on the carriage track and above the grit shafts.

You may also want to decrease the nodes and up your speed.
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Gigi » September 6th, 2014, 10:03 pm

Thanks Lisa. I knew you would have better answers than me! :)
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby LisaH » September 6th, 2014, 10:07 pm

Not really, LOL, but thanks!
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby LisaH » September 7th, 2014, 7:54 am

morgan.driessens

Morgan, can you please tell me if you purchased new or used? (I know you purchased through Jo)
Thanks!
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby jobab » September 7th, 2014, 7:58 pm

Hi Lisa

It is a new machine. I am trying to work out what is happening as well. Any ideas appreciated.
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Gigi » September 7th, 2014, 9:46 pm

I am at a loss too, Jo. I still would love to know, as we both asked, if he is cutting from the roll or on the mat - that might give a clue. I cannot duplicate the results on the logo file. Trying to figure it out......

Please let us know how this evolves as we all learn when things like this happen. Thanks Jo.
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby jobab » September 7th, 2014, 10:39 pm

He has tried cutting both off the roll and using a mat and it makes no difference... I am leaning towards a problem with the machine.
He is going to try a factory reset and I will try to think of other things it could be.
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Gigi » September 7th, 2014, 10:54 pm

Strange........ thanks Jo. Hope the factory reset helps.
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby morgan.driessens » September 27th, 2014, 6:51 pm

Hey Crew,

My apologises for the late response. Jo and I have been working through the situation and she's been very helpful! If we find anything out, we'll let you know for anyone that might encounter the same issue.

Kind regards,

Morgan
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Gigi » September 27th, 2014, 9:09 pm

Jo is wonderful. I know she will persevere until the solution is found. Yes, please share the outcome. Thank you!
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Elizabeth » September 29th, 2014, 5:29 pm

I am always amazed at the customer support that we Silver Bullet and Cougar owners receive from Sherri, Dawn and Jo!
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
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Re: Hints on Improving Cutting Accuracy? Silver Bullet Pro 2

Postby Gigi » September 29th, 2014, 6:34 pm

Well said, Elizabeth!
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