Graphtec FC2200-90/EX

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This is a flatbed vinyl cutter and plotter. It works.

Graphtec fc2200.gif

Workflow

Create the file

  • Create/import a file in Inkscape
  • Select all
  • Path > Object To Path
  • Check that lines are what you expect by turning of all fills and turning on all strokes. The lines that you see are the ones that will be cut.
  • File > Save A Copy> choose .hpgl extension
    • Make sure that "Tool offset correction" is set to 0 or your cut will be very bad.

Test and adjust settings

Test

  • Press 'Test' button
  • Position cutter in an unused area
  • Press '1' for Test 1
  • The machine will cut a triangle inside a square
    • The square should peel away cleanly without peeling the triangle
    • When the triangle is removed there should only be a very faint outline on the backing

Adjust

  • Press the 'Condition' button to change settings
  • Use the '1' and '2' buttons to move the cursor
  • Use the '3' and '4' buttons to adjust the selected setting


Run the file

New

  • Go to http://graphtec.makeict.org:5000
  • Click the blue button to open the file menu
  • Scroll to the bottom of the list and click the upload button
  • Select file in system menu
  • To set active file, click filename in list
  • Click green button to run file

Old

  • On the computer, put the file into the CUT_NOW folder on the desktop.
    • Username and password are both 'maker'
  • Once there double-click the 'Run Vinyl Cutter' shortcut.
    • It will choose the first file in the folder, so make sure yours is the only one
      • Cut will not start if the machine is in 'view' or 'test' mode.
    • Once done it will be moved to the CUT_DONE folder with the same name.
      • It WILL overwrite files with the same name.

Settings

Small Blade (Blue Knob)

Cutter Offset: 17

Starting point for vinyl:

  • Stickout: 0.2mm
  • Force:18
  • Speed:10
  • Quality:1

Large Blade (Red Knob)

Cutter Offset: 28

Sharpie

Cutter Offset: 0

  • Force:5
  • Speed:15
  • Quality:1

Tips

  • After saving the HPGL file open it up in Inkscape to verify the output looks right. If there are issues, go back to the source file and save it as a PDF. Open the PDF in Inkscape and then save as HPGL. This has fixed all of the conversion issues we have run into so far.
  • If you get an error in inkscape when saving the HPGL that says the file cannot be saved, just copy everything into a new file and save it there. For some reason this works.

Test Files