by Gigi » January 28th, 2020, 1:48 pm
I have several thoughts and none of them have anything to do with the Silver Bullet directly. This machine can handle all that you are trying to do but there are many other variables that you might not be considering. And I am not sure if one or all are causing the issue so will just share what I know.... and I do not have a Mac (full disclosure!!) but have learned from others over time that it could also be a problem. Let's start there.
I know that Mac used to have something called a "nap app" and it interfered with large cutting files over and over again. Users just had to be sure to turn it off and things were fine. That is one thought as I don't know if that app has been improved and/or deleted!
It sounds like your blade is getting stuck in the plastic. It is sticking in the same place? You say it's not the file, but it could be the way you are cutting the files Bear with me a minute. The mylar you are cutting is fine, but you might want to try the 60 degree plus blade to see if the cuts are better. BUT.... it could definitely be the mylar that you are cutting. And it could be several issues. If the mylar contains a high content of plastic, that heats the blade and causes problems with cutting and the material is softer. So you could cut one or two stencils without issue, but when cutting a large amount, the plastic could be overheating the blade and thus "degrading" it and the cuts. We have seen it happen time and time again. People can say that they are using the same material for years but when they checked with the manufacturer, the formula for the material changed and that made all of the difference in the world - in a negative way. So it could definitely be the material that you are using. Again, you wouldn't see a problem cutting one at a time, but cutting many changes everything. The machine can handle it - it's not the machine. (and you can simplify files using the path>simplify option in SCAL without losing quality in the file, but you don't have to. Just letting you know that the option exists. I have simplified many node intensive files without losing any quality, but that's your call.)
The fact that SCAL is still sending the info makes me think that perhaps the Nap app or some other program is interfering with the transmission of the information. Also, when there are issues like this, always start with a machine reset as sometimes that will clear the channels and get things on track again.
Also - another thing I have seen happen that we have never found a reason for, is the placement of files. I have had a few files that don't cut well, but if I rotate them, they cut beautifully. No rhyme or reason for it, but it changes the cutting path and sometimes that helps.
I am throwing a lot at you as I am not sure why you are having issues, but clearly the blade is stuck - either because a program is interfering or the blade is too hot due to plastic content and not cutting. Try the machine reset, move your designs around a little to eliminate a specific file problem (or identify it) and try again. If it still happens in a different place, look at a conflicting program. If not that, then check into the makeup of the mylar you are cutting. All stencil material is NOT created equal - not even close!
Good luck.
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Happily using an 24" Silver Bullet Platinum
Gigi