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Equipment/VinylCutterOld: Difference between revisions
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==Instructions== | ==Instructions== | ||
====Quick setup guide==== | ====Quick setup guide==== | ||
# Set inkscape to HPGL output. File > Save As > HPGL format. | |||
# Draw your figure. | |||
# Connect the cutter via USB to Lovelace. This is done with a serial port converter from 25-pins -> 9-pins -> USB. There should be a converter on the same shelf as the cutter (be sure to check behind it), or you may find one attached to the old console in the quiet room. | |||
# Load vinyl from behind, making sure that it is flush with the left edge and has some slack for being pulled to and fro. | |||
# Turn on the cutter, the cutter head should fly to the right edge. | |||
# Press Setup, cutter parks at left. | |||
# Move cutter if necessary with cursor buttons, press Origin Set to mark lower right corner of drawing | |||
# Run '~/serialshite.rb <HPGL filename>' from a Terminal. | |||
It should be possible to enable the serial port as a printer and print direct to it, but I found this produced cutter errors (flashing power light) and no cut. | It should be possible to enable the serial port as a printer and print direct to it, but I found this produced cutter errors (flashing power light) and no cut. | ||
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==Tips== | ==Tips== | ||
* Sometimes the cutter refuses to print or respond to any buttons. This hasn't happened since I opened a door in the bottom of the printer and poked an EPROM there, so may be due to some poor internal connection. | * Sometimes the cutter refuses to print or respond to any buttons. This hasn't happened since I opened a door in the bottom of the printer and poked an EPROM there, so may be due to some poor internal connection. | ||
* On the right side of the cutter is a switch for cut strength, which controls how much force is used by the blade. I don't know why you wouldn't want to keep this on maximum. | |||
* The cutter will cut thin paper OK, but there's a risk of tearing. | |||
* If your cut fucks up you can hit "pause", remove the vinyl, and then press "pause" again. AFAIK there's no harm in letting it run without any vinyl loaded. | |||
====Serial cable==== | ====Serial cable==== | ||
The serial cable (blue, with a 25WD at one end and a 9WD at the other) is connected as follows : | The serial cable (blue, with a 25WD at one end and a 9WD at the other) is connected as follows : | ||
