Job Process
This page explains how to process your job once you have setup the geometry file and are ready to print.
Download the Print Driver
Download the Print Driver here.
In order to use the Card Cutter, you will have to download and install the Print Driver from Graphtec, please note, the driver is only compatible with PCs.
Send to Print
Once you have downloaded the driver and have your geometry ready to print, follow these steps to adjust the settings in accordance to the material that you are using:
Select the correct driver: the Graphtec FC4500, set the orientation to 'landscape', output type to 'vector', output colour to 'print colour', view output to 'top' and scale to '1:1'.
2. Set the correct dimension properties for your job
3. Click into the Options tab, scroll down to 'Toll Assignment'; this is where you can specify the settings for your Card Cutting job.
Printer Settings
You will need to configure the cutting settings depending on what material you are intending to use on the Card Cutter. Delete any unused colours in the Tool Assignment window.
Note: Check the "Disable Output" for the Magenta layer.
Material | Cond. No. | Speed | Force | Quality | |
Polypropylene | Cut | 6 | 20 | 35 | 1 |
Score | 5 | 20 | 15 | 1 | |
Pen | 1 | 20 | 5 | ||
Ivory Card 290gsm | Cut | 6 | 20 | 35 | 1 |
Score | 5 | 20 | 15 | 1 | |
Pen | 1 | 20 | 5 | ||
Optix Card 300gsm | Cut | 6 | 20 | 35 | 1 |
Score | 5 | 20 | 15 | 1 | |
Pen | 1 | 20 | 5 |
Setup the Machine
Now that you have your file done and the printer settings entered for your chosen material, let's look at how to setup the machine.
1. Attach/Check Blade
Gently move the cutting arm to the lower left corner of the machine, locate the tool carriage and make sure that the blade attachment is firmly tightened.
2. Attach Pen Tool
If you are using the Pen Tool in your card cutter job, it must be attached before you turn the machine on. The pens that will fit the tool carriage are Artline 200 Fineliners, you can supply your own, or use the FabLab's pens.
Note: Students steal the pens a lot, so if there are none at the Card Cutter please talk to the Guru, or bring your own.
3. Place Material
Place your selected material onto the cutting bed- use masking tape to adhere you material to the bed. This is very important, as the force of the blade will move the sheet if it is not properly taped down.
Below is an example of the sheet catching and tearing during a cutting operation:
Errors like this are an important reason why you need to supervise your job at all times. In general to avoid the blade catching and tearing you paper, you should place score lines rather than cut lines at corners >45 degrees.
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