johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Sept 9, 2016 14:02:01 GMT
I don't think I've posted on this board before, usually hang out on NSBR. Anyhow, I'm about to be in the market for a new cutting machine, a more 'pro' version. I sell handmade items so I do a lot of repetitive cutting, mainly small items. I have 2 Silhouette Cameos and for most of my stuff that's fine, but there are some shapes that it's just not cutting it (no pun intended  ) The main need is for speed. Right now I have 1.5" crabs cutting on one machine. Their little claws are rather detailed. It's been cutting for over an hour and only about half done. Size is irrelevant since almost everything is 8.5x11 paper. Primarily 60lb-ish cardstock, I have no need to cut vinyl, wood, or anything fancy. What would you recommend? I've been looking at one of the KNK machines (either Zing or Maxx) or the Silver Bullet. Cost is a factor, but not the biggest one, I just need something that get the job done more quickly, time is money. |
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Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
Posts: 4,218 
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Post by Peamac on Sept 9, 2016 15:48:53 GMT
This thread might help- it's from last December, but a lot of refupeas weigh in with good advice on different machines. I'm not familiar enough with the different machines to give any advice. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 7, 2024 19:14:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2016 7:23:06 GMT
I just posted a long answer over at this thread- 2peasrefugees.boards.net/thread/48710/diecutting-machines-dummies. I don't want the girls to strangle me for posting another one, lol. Speed wise a lot of the cutters are not going to be fast at all. They are going to be the same speed akin to the Cameo. The issue you are experiencing is software. You are wanting a software that the data stream can go through faster (packets). Sure Cuts A Lot, MTC & UKScrappers will probably have the best info on software programs and their speeds. I use to have this information but I lost it in my last move. I had a software program I was working on too. No you don't need a new cutter. Better software. I hope that helps. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Sept 10, 2016 21:41:05 GMT
The speed can be two things--how fast your computer processes the file and the Cameo settings. Is your computer a newer model with a fast processor? Is it bogged down with a lot of files with little storage left? That can affect the processor speeds. I would expect an intricate cut like that to take a while, but more like 30 minutes for an 8.5 x 11 sheet.
Also, Google the cutting speed to see how to change it and what changing what settings does for you. You may find you are double cutting or you reduced the speed for intricate cuts. I do that as well, but it definitely slows down the project.
Lastly, you can link several Cameos to the same machine. You need to have a USB port and cable for each, but it's pretty simple after that. I know Silhouette School has a video demo for that.
Good luck!
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Sept 10, 2016 21:53:44 GMT
The speed can be two things--how fast your computer processes the file and the Cameo settings. Is your computer a newer model with a fast processor? Is it bogged down with a lot of files with little storage left? That can affect the processor speeds. I would expect an intricate cut like that to take a while, but more like 30 minutes for an 8.5 x 11 sheet. Also, Google the cutting speed to see how to change it and what changing what settings does for you. You may find you are double cutting or you reduced the speed for intricate cuts. I do that as well, but it definitely slows down the project. Lastly, you can link several Cameos to the same machine. You need to have a USB port and cable for each, but it's pretty simple after that. I know Silhouette School has a video demo for that. Good luck! Thanks  . I actually use sd cards so computer speed is irrelevant. I have my speed set at 10 and my depth at 33. Pretty sure double cut was turned off. I initially said size doesn't matter (when it comes to a cutter, lol) but now I'm starting to think that maybe I could layout 4 different pages on one mat and have it cut all the layers at one time. Of course then my options are reduced and the cost skyrockets  |
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Post by Basket1lady on Sept 10, 2016 22:10:33 GMT
The computer still needs to process the data from an SD card. And not all SD cards are created equal--you definitely want to look at the high performance cards. It doubles the price, but I use them for photography and the difference is amazing.
As far as cutting 4 designs on one mat, the Cameo does that. You just position the designs on the mat in relation with the different colors you are using. Or do you mean that you would have 4 layers of CS in one spot on a mat? I've not heard of that option, but I'm not sure how you would keep the layers together and keep them from slipping during a cut.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Sept 10, 2016 22:23:21 GMT
The computer still needs to process the data from an SD card. And not all SD cards are created equal--you definitely want to look at the high performance cards. It doubles the price, but I use them for photography and the difference is amazing. As far as cutting 4 designs on one mat, the Cameo does that. You just position the designs on the mat in relation with the different colors you are using. Or do you mean that you would have 4 layers of CS in one spot on a mat? I've not heard of that option, but I'm not sure how you would keep the layers together and keep them from slipping during a cut. Hmmmm, I'll have to check out the cards. I'm pretty sure I'm using all sdhc?? (Maybe sdhd, I don't know, but the better ones) though I do know that card has more on it than some of the others, still only a tiny amount of memory used up (wish I could find cards smaller than 8gb, even one gb of files is too much to scroll thru). You were right about laying out the different papers (not stacking them). To get 4 pages at once I'd have to have a machine at least 17" wide (or a mat longer than 24"). |
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Post by Basket1lady on Sept 11, 2016 2:16:57 GMT
The computer still needs to process the data from an SD card. And not all SD cards are created equal--you definitely want to look at the high performance cards. It doubles the price, but I use them for photography and the difference is amazing. As far as cutting 4 designs on one mat, the Cameo does that. You just position the designs on the mat in relation with the different colors you are using. Or do you mean that you would have 4 layers of CS in one spot on a mat? I've not heard of that option, but I'm not sure how you would keep the layers together and keep them from slipping during a cut. Hmmmm, I'll have to check out the cards. I'm pretty sure I'm using all sdhc?? (Maybe sdhd, I don't know, but the better ones) though I do know that card has more on it than some of the others, still only a tiny amount of memory used up (wish I could find cards smaller than 8gb, even one gb of files is too much to scroll thru). You were right about laying out the different papers (not stacking them). To get 4 pages at once I'd have to have a machine at least 17" wide (or a mat longer than 24"). Something is off. I'm just not sure what and I'm throwing out ideas. Really though, I suspect it's the settings. One little box checked (or unchecked) can change a lot. If you have a page of 1.5" crabs and you are using 8.5 X 11" paper, that about 20-25 crabs? And the machine is cutting for over an hour and only half the page is done? So only 10 ish crabs are cut in an hour? Even if the crabs have a lot of detail within them, that still seems like a long time. A very long time. Hopefully you can figure it out. That would make me nuts to watch the machine cut that slowly. As as for the bigger format, I don't know that there is a machine out there that cuts 17" wide without going to a professional machine, which must be thousands of dollars. I'd probably invest in some 24" mats and have them lined up ready to go. When one is done, you should be able to swap the mats out in less than a minute. Of course, you would have to be nearby when a cut is done, but I always hand around when I'm cutting in case something gets jammed, the paper loosens from the mat or gremlins take over the machine and it all goes wonky! |
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Sept 11, 2016 2:26:49 GMT
It was just shy of 50' crabs in total (about 1.5 wide, shorter then that) just over 2 hours. I asked on the silhouette FB page, they said it was probably due to how detailed it was.
But thank you for your thoughts, I'm going to review the settings to se if there's something set wrong (totally possible). I usually stay in the room during cutting just in case but I like to not to get too involved in another task to streamline things a bit.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 7, 2024 19:14:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2016 6:41:56 GMT
The SD card is probably the problem. I don't know the motherboard specs on the Cameo. Since it is a plotter the onboard memory is probably on the low side. The SD card is having to reread the file for each time it needs to cut the crab which is probably making the cutting very slow. I hope I am making sense.
Most of my die cutting is on the tiny side. I make dollhouse miniatures, nail art, ATC's. I cut tiny things a lot. My files don't take that long to cut. I cut very detailed like doilies, spiderwebs, snowflakes, flourishes. I don't think detailed crab legs would take that long to cut. I definitely think it could be your SD card. Can you try to cut out the same design on your computer? I know a lot of people do not have/want a computer in their craft room. If you could then you would know if it is the card or the machine.
I hope that helps a bit.
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. I actually use sd cards so computer speed is irrelevant. I have my speed set at 10 and my depth at 33. Pretty sure double cut was turned off. 