Cutting Vinyl on CNC @ CBSS

Generating the Vector Drawing(s)

• At CBSS we use Vectorworks to generate the graphics for cutting vinyl. It is important to understand that the cutter follows lines, but cannot understand pixel graphics or text.

Example Logo Design to be Cut

• Drawing Lines and Shapes
  • set up units in mm and scale 1:1 (usually other scales are acceptable)
  • remember that the vinyl knife will follow lines on the perimeter of the shapes you wish to be cut out
    • draw lines for the knife to follow using the 2D tools
• Dealing With Text
  • Vectorworks
    • use vectorworks text tool and text menu to create simple text.
    • for text along a path create a path (circle tool or polyline for example) then create the text. Select both the text and the path and use text menu - text along path.
    • all text cannot be cut until it is converted to lines. select text, text menu - true type to polyline. (sometimes if using certain features, such as clip surface, it is necessary to ungroup the polyline, organization menu - ungroup)
  • More advanced text
    • consider using other programs, such as Corel Draw
    • export the text as dxf and go to next step or import into Vectorworks
• Dealing With Pixel Images
  • pixel images cannot be cut directly.
  • the recommended way to deal with pixilated images is to import them into Vectorworks and resize as required. Use the polyline tool (bezier vertex mode works well) and trace along the edges of the surfaces to be cut.
  • the recommended way can be tedious but is successful and allows full control of the lines. Alternatively vector lines can be created using Flash, part of the Macromedia suite. Open the pixel image, under the modify menu - trace bitmap. Export as a dxf file. Lines are not often sufficiently smooth and cutting times and have been very large. It may be worth considering if there are may small colours to do.
• Saving the Required Files
  • export dxf/dwg default settings

Generating the NC Code

• Setting Up The Software and Importing Files
• -inch to mm if necessary

• open dxf/dwg file

• view from top

• move lines to fit in xy axis,
• select curves to move

• move under edit menu

• rescale if necessary
• Import tools
• Tools Menu - Load Tool Library
  • \\Cobyhsfs2\DISK2\Docs\Handout\mcculloch\VisMill\CBSS.CSV
• Generating Toolpath
• select curves to cut (same method as selecting curves to move above)
• pick tool vinyl knife
  • Tool Menu - create select tool

• 2 1/2 Axis milling select engraving
• pick total cut depth to be 8

• generate
• check
  • show in isometric, double click on toolpath, scroll down toolpath to see tool cut in simulation

• Post Processing

• Set post options
  • Post Process Menu - Set Post Options
  • Folder where post-processor files are located - \\Cobyhsfs2\DISK2\Docs\Handout\mcculloch\VisMill (note: you may have to type this in rather than use the browser)

• Post Process,
• select larkenmm
• change output file to your directory
• change the output file name and make sure extension is .nc

• hit OK

Actual Cutting on the CNC Machine

• Starting the Machine and the Software and Opening the .nc File
• check with your instructor
• start the CNC machine (with the on switch) and CNC computer

• supervisor must be present
• start spooler, when it asks to initiate say OK
• File Menu - Open G Code File , find your .nc file and open it
• Setting Up the Material
• find vinyl cut and tape it down

• check with your instructor
• Cutting
• test the program
  • move the knife to the appropriate x,y origin and set to 0,0
  • move the knife about 50 mm to 200 mm above table and set z=0
  • run program and ensure knife does not go off vinyl in x and y
  • check with your instructor
• Cut Vinyl
  • lower z to vinyl until about 4 mm gap (knife is resting on vinyl for aprox 4 mm)

• set z=-8.0
• raise z to 0.0 and ensure it is sufficiently above vinyl (aprox 4 mm)
• run program,
• must be at the machine for full cut
• be aware of the e-stop on the machine and on the computer
  and stop process if there is any unpredictable operation.
• Finished vinyl can be a positive or negative image. See your instructor about application of the vinyl to the substrate.

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