Sunrise Electronic Technology Skycut Series C with SignMaster Manual
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Sunrise Electronic Technology Skycut Series C with SignMaster Manual

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Do NOT read this entire manual... unless you want to.
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At the start of Chapters 1 - 4 are short sections with references to find what you need plus some important
reminders. PLEASE read these short sections at the very least and refer back to them, when needed.
•
Chapters 1 and 2 are very important in terms of correctly setting up your Skycut to work with SignMaster
and learning the ins and outs of cutting.
•
Chapter 3 is for those owners wanting to perform print and cut applications.
•
Chapter 4 covers using the Skycut accessory tools.
•
Chapter 5 covers several SignMaster functions of interest: creating contour cuts and engraving fills
It's not practical to print this entire manual because:
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The live links to videos and web sites in the manual will not work.
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This manual will be updated from time to time.
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You cannot search on individual words.
Also:
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Note the green
videos will enhance your learning experience.
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© 2018 Sunrise Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Skycut Series C with SignMaster
November 19, 2018
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Summary of Contents for Sunrise Electronic Technology Skycut Series C with SignMaster

  • Page 1: Skycut With Signmaster

    You cannot search on individual words. Also: • Note the green icons which link to videos related to the section in which they are located. These videos will enhance your learning experience. ________________________________________________________________ © 2018 Sunrise Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents SKYCUT WITH SIGNMASTER ................1 1. INTRODUCTION AND SETTING UP ......................... 5 1.00 Q ......................5 UICK EFERENCE FOR HAPTER 1.01 S ............................... 5 UPPORT 1.02 S ..........................5 AFETY AND ARNINGS 1.03 W ..............................6 ARRANTY 1.04 U ..............................
  • Page 3 2.03.1 Cutting Force ............................53 2.03.2 Cutting Speed and Travel Speed ......................53 2.03.3 Blade Offset ............................54 2.03.4 Overcut ..............................55 2.03.5 Passes ..............................55 2.04 P ..............................56 RESETS 2.04.1 Saving a Preset for a Blade Type ....................... 56 2.04.2 Saving a Preset for a Material ......................
  • Page 4 5.01 A ..............115 DDING A ONTOUR INE TO AN MPORTED ASTER MAGE 5.01.1 Step-by-Step Tracing Process ......................115 5.01.2 Editing a Trace ..........................119 5.02 A .................... 121 DDING A ONTOUR UT TO A ECTOR MAGE 5.03 E ............................123 NGRAVING 5.03.1 Engraving File Module and Settings ....................

  • Page 5: Introduction And Setting Up

    1. Introduction and Setting Up 1.00 Quick Reference for This Chapter • How to download and set up SignMaster: Section 1.11 • How to set up communication between a computer and Skycut: Section 1.12 • How to use the control panel: Sections 1.10 and 1.14 •...

  • Page 6: Warranty

    • DO NOT touch or jam the plotter’s track while it is operating. If the cutter is damaged, it is the owner’s responsibility. • DO NOT shake the cutter while it is operating. • DO NOT cut any materials that have staples or other embellishments attached. •...

  • Page 7: Contents

    1.05 Contents • Besides the cutter, your box should also contain the following items: Description Image Quantity Power Supply Power Cable USB Cable 60° Blade(blue cap) 45° Blade(red cap) Blade Holder Test Pen and 1 Refill 1 set Cutting Mat...

  • Page 8: Parts Of The Skycut

    1.06 Parts of the Skycut Front Cutting Strip Alignment Arrow Pinch Wheel (lt. gray) Control Panel Right End Cap Left End Cap Power Button Ruler Blade Grit Shaft (dk. Blade Holder Seat Carriage gray and rough) (aka Jaw) • Alignment Arrows: indicate to the user the available positions for the pinch wheels •...

  • Page 9: Back

    Back Pinch wheel lever Pinch wheels 1.07 Accessories 1.07.1 Test Pen • The test pen should be used until you are comfortable with the operation of your Skycut and know, with certainty, where images will cut. The test pen should arrive pre-assembled. However, if you need to change out the insert, note how the test pen is assembled: Spring goes over the top of the pen insert and stops at a small...

  • Page 10: Blade Installation

    • Note that the red capped blade and blue capped blade have a cutback on the opposing side of the blade (right side, in the earlier photo). This reduces the blade offset value and allows for better detailed cutting of small shapes.

  • Page 11: Preparing And Caring For The Cutting Mat

    1.08 Preparing and Caring for the Cutting Mat 1.08.1 Tips on Using the Cutting Mat • Always use a mat to hold the material to be cut unless the material has its own protective backing. For example, vinyl and iron-on transfer both come with a layer that you do not cut. Thus, this backing layer serves as the carrier for cutting.

  • Page 12: Pinch Wheels

    • When necessary, the rubber wheels and the grit shafts may be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol or Un-Du. Apply the cleaner to a clean lint-free rag and rub the entire wheel and/or grit shaft until free of adhesive. 1.09 Pinch Wheels •...

  • Page 13: Control Panel

    Left pinch wheels is on far left side (not in use) Middle pinch wheel is under left-most arrow Right pinch wheel is under white arrow on right side. • Note that if your material is very wide, then it is fine to have the pinch wheels over the material. However, you may need to be extra careful when removing any cut shapes or waste material in those locations.

  • Page 14: Registering And Installing Signmaster

    Calibrate and use camera for print and cut applications: Chapter 3 Set up wireless connection to home or office network: Section 1.12.2 Set end-of-cut options: Section 2.06 Array setup, SignMastere, and options for display and cutter behavior: Settings for: LED, Units, Section 1.14.2 Language, Screensaver, Alarm: Section 1.14.2...

  • Page 15: Usb Connection

     Wireless Standalone – connecting wirelessly to your computer  U_Disk - Exporting PLT files from SignMaster onto a USB flash drive and then loading those files using the control panel on the Skycut. • Review the information in the following table to understand the differences between these options: Connection Options for the Skycut with SignMaster Pro Option Wireless to Network (Wi-Fi)
  • Page 16 • Select Direct USB Port. Then click on Detect. The following window will open: • Because you haven’t yet plugged in the USB cable or powered on the Skycut, click on Next: • Connect the USB cable to the right side of the cutter and into an available USB port on your computer. Power on the Skycut and wait about 20 seconds.

  • Page 17: Wi-Fi Connection

    Connection Name Click Done • Click on Done and proceed to Section 1.13. 1.12.2 Wi-Fi Connection • Note: Not all routers have the same signal strength. It’s usually best to connect the Skycut while it is in the same room with the router. Once connectivity is established, you can then experiment to see how far from the router the Skycut can be located.
  • Page 18 Select your network Click on Set Click on Apply (3) Click on Set and the following screen will open: Password will display here Switch to numbers Switch to punctuation Delete last character Toggle to switch between uppercase and lowercase letters Click OK when done (4) To enter the password, use the following tips if you are unfamiliar with this type of screen: ...
  • Page 19 Default IP Address Click on “+” or “-“ buttons to assigned to Skycut change IP Address, if needed (6) Next check the IP Address that will be assigned to the Skycut. The Skycut will automatically pick up the first three sets of digits from your router but will continue to display them as shown above. You only need to decide if the last set, which should be defaulting to “200”, can be used.
  • Page 20 Select Windows Should read Port SKYCUT C16 Select Port Click on Configure • Click on Configure and the following window opens: Enter IP Address from earlier setup Click on Test • Change the IP Address to the one you set up on the Skycut control panel. Click on Test. A Port OK message should pop up.

  • Page 21: Wireless Stand-Alone

    IP Address should now be here Click on Done • Click on Done and proceed to Section 1.13. 1.12.3 Wireless Stand-Alone • It’s usually best to connect the Skycut while it is next to the wireless computer. Once connectivity is established, you can then experiment to see how far from the computer the Skycut can be located.
  • Page 22 Select Windows Should read Port SKYCUT C16 Select Port Click on Configure Check to see if this is already set • In the prior screenshot, the IP Address is already set to the correct Stand-Alone IP Address: 192.168.16.254. If this matches what you see, skip the next two steps. Otherwise, click on Configure and the following window opens: Enter the following IP Address...

  • Page 23: Usb Flash Drive

    B. The Skycut has previously been connected to a network • On the Skycut’s control panel, select Set and then select Wifi. The Wifi screen will appear: Click on Wifi Press and hold Default • To reset the Skycut so that it will be found as an available network, press and hold the Default button for 3 seconds.
  • Page 24 • Click on the Cut Options tab: Pen drawing: leave unchecked; Cutting: Check and enter settings Select Pen Tool for initial testing Change your settings to the ones shown here Click on Done • For initial testing of your Skycut, it is highly recommended that the test pen be used until you know, with certainty, where shapes will draw.
  • Page 25 Note where design will cut relative to where the blade holder is positioned This figure assumes blade holder is positioned in the lower right corner of the material Click on Cut Now • Click on Cut Now and a confirmation window opens where you have one more chance to note the Force and Speed at which the material will be cut.
  • Page 26 Press Open File Set up repeats, refer to Section 1.14.1 (1) Double tap on USB DISK and a screen will open showing any folders and PLT files on the flash drive. Double tap a folder to open it, as needed. Drag the scroll bar on the right to see more files: Double tap here Drag here to scroll (2) Once you have located the PLT file you want to cut, double tap the name.

  • Page 27: Test Draw Shapes

    (3) If you wish to cut repeats of the file, select Array Set and a screen will open where you can then select the number of rows and columns of repeats, along with the spacing between the repeats. Refer to Section 1.14.1.
  • Page 28 Feed the mat this direction into the Skycut Align the paper along one of the grid lines on the cutting mat. • Before installing the test pen, make sure the pen will write by scribbling on scrap paper. Note that you will probably need to remove a tiny bit of wax on the end of the pen nib.
  • Page 29 The middle button can be toggled so that the movement is much slower. Use these arrows to move the mat in and out and move the head left and right  Click on the buttons or the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the head left or right and the mat in and out.
  • Page 30 • If you wish to resize the arrow, either drag one of the square handles around the selected arrow or, in the settings above the Drawing Area, change the Width or Height, as desired: Width and Height • At this point, if you plan to export this file to a USB flash drive, rather than cut directly to the Skycut from SignMaster, please go to Section 1.12.4 for instructions.
  • Page 31 • Click on the small icon to left of Passes and the Blade Settings Library opens: Click down arrow • To switch to the test pen, click the down arrow to the right of Description and select Pen Tool: Pen Tool now appears here Select Pen Tool A test pen image appears...
  • Page 32 Click down arrow Select Pen Mode (Tool 0) • The Force and Speed settings have now changed to settings appropriate for testing. Note that more about these settings will be covered in Chapter 2. Pen Mode is now selected Preset settings for drawing •...
  • Page 33 Feed the mat this direction into the Skycut The arrow is drawn at the origin and points to the right. • To draw again, return to the cut window and choose a different origin. Practice moving the origin to different locations.

  • Page 34: Default Settings To Consider

    • If you want the arrow to draw where you have it located on the Drawing Area, versus at the origin, then you need to mark the option called Absolute (position) in the same Send to be Cut window: Location of arrow in Drawing Area Arrow will now draw in this location...

  • Page 35: Advanced Settings

    1.14.1 Advanced Settings • The optional settings in the Advanced Settings screen are: Set up rows & columns of repeats Display (X,Y) location of cutting head Separate Cut Speed from Up Turn on if you want cutting head Speed to move to the far right when cutter is powered on Option to change directions on up/down keys...
  • Page 36 Relative Location Absolute Location As arrow keys are tapped, all locations Press here to reset will update Relative Location Speed control for arrows buttons is located here when Show Point is on. Press to toggle to slow speed when needed: ...

  • Page 37: General Settings

    Pressing an UP arrow will move Pressing an UP arrow will move the the material forward material towards the back of the cutter Pressing a DOWN arrow will move material towards the back Pressing a DOWN arrow will move of the cutter material forward •...
  • Page 38 • LED set allows you to change the color of the light inside the Skycut. The default is white but you can change it by dragging the scroll bars on the LED set screen. For example, if you wanted a blue light, you could drag red and green all the way to the left.

  • Page 39: Sys Information

    • Language allows you to choose from seven languages throughout the control panel display screens: 1.14.3 Sys Information • The Sys Information screen displays information about the Skycut and only has three setting changes available: Model ID’s and version numbers Press and hold to open Software Screen BAUD setting based on...

  • Page 40: Maintenance

    Software options BAUD setting based on software selected Alternative cutting algorithm: read second bullet below  To use a different software program to cut to the Skycut, press inside the appropriate circle. The Baud Rate indicator will automatically change if needed. ...
  • Page 41  Post-It Notes: (1) for setting blade/tool tip height above a material (2) for draw and cut applications  Old Fluffy Bath Towel: (1) to dry a washed mat (2) to apply an invisible layer of lint onto an overly- sticky mat ...

  • Page 42: Cutting

    2. Cutting 2.00 Quick Reference for this Chapter • How to properly mount the blade holder: Section 2.01.3 • How to control which shapes get cut: Section 2.02.1 • How to control where shapes get cut: Section 2.02.2 • Understanding Blade Offset and Overcut: Section 2.03.3 and Section 2.03.4 •...

  • Page 43: Record Your Successes

    2.01.2 Record Your Successes • As you have successful cuts, take note of the settings you just used, such as Force, Speed, blade type, number of passes, brand of material, etc. There is a blank form in Section 2.10 that you can print and use to record your results.

  • Page 44: Adjust The Speed, Force, And Number Of Passes Based On The Material And Shapes

    For very thick materials, such as balsa or craft foam, use 10 Post-It notes. Otherwise the blade holder ends up mounted too high in the jaw and that can compromise the force, as well. The table at the end of this chapter includes a column for blade height based on the number of Post-It note sheets used by the testers.

  • Page 45: Choices Before Cutting

    2.02 Choices Before Cutting • There are a number of factors under your control for cutting:  What shapes to send to the cutter: Section 2.02.1  Where the shapes will be cut from the material: Section 2.02.2  What tool(s) will be used for cutting (or drawing, scoring, engraving, etc.): Section 2.02.3 ...
  • Page 46 It’s also noted here that only red shapes are selected Mark the box Only the red by Red shapes appear in Preview Click on OK Along the same lines, you can select all objects of type and only have those shapes sent to cut. To do this, go to Edit>Select by>Object Type (or use the shortcut key “O”) and the following window will open where you can, for example, mark Circle and Star.
  • Page 47 Click this blue Click the Objects tab arrow All of the shapes appear in a list Select a shape, such as the arrow. On the Object tab, it can then be set not to cut: Click this icon to Arrow will not cut turn off cutting Arrow is selected...
  • Page 48  Option 3: Cutting can be controlled by color from within the Send to be Cut window. Click on the Separate by Color option and a drop-down menu will appear: Mark the Separate by Color option Drop-down menu of colors used in the project In the Preview window, shapes with the current color from the menu appear.

  • Page 49: Controlling Where Shapes Will Cut

    2.02.2 Controlling Where Shapes Will Cut • This was briefly covered in Section 1.13 where the Rotate and the Absolute (position) options were introduced.  Default: Moves the shapes to align with the origin you have set based on the blade tip. ...

  • Page 50: Selecting The Tool To Be Used For Cutting

    Project is too wide to cut left-to-right The red lines and dimensions also indicate the project cannot be cut  Marking the option for Rotate will then rotate the design and allow the project to cut: Rotated project will now fit within the width of the machine The black lines and dimensions indicate the project can now be cut...

  • Page 51: Determining The Cut Settings

    Click here Tool menu • Selecting one of the options, such as 45 degree blade will display an image of the blade, the Blade Offset and Overcut assigned as a Preset: Color of cap on a Skycut 45 degree blade Presets for Blade Offset and Overcut •...
  • Page 52 Mark Assign Tools by Color A color is selected A Preset is selected or settings can be entered by clicking on Edit  More details for using this feature are covered in Sections 4.01.1 and 4.02.2. • Vinyl Spooler>Cut Options ...

  • Page 53: Cut Settings

    • The table at the end of this chapter contains recommended settings for your initial test cut. If you cannot find your material in the table, use the flow chart in Section 2.09 while test cutting your material to determine optimum settings.

  • Page 54: Blade Offset

     The settings from 1 through 4 are the slow speeds and should be used when cutting dense difficult materials, such as chipboard, craft plastic, styrene, and balsa.  The settings from 5 through 8 are medium speeds and should be used for easy-to-cut materials, such as cardstock, vinyl, iron-on transfer, and rhinestone template material.

  • Page 55: Overcut

    Normal Test: Width: ~9” (354 mm) Height: ~3.5” (89 mm) Quick Test: Width: ~4.5” (114 mm) Height: ~1” (25 mm)  Install the blade you wish to calibrate into the blade holder and mount the blade holder in the Skycut. Enter appropriate settings in SignMaster or on the Skycut control panel.

  • Page 56: Presets

    Change Passes here • In general, when increasing Passes, the Cutting Force setting can be decreased. For example, you may find a cardstock that requires a Cutting Force of 55 to cut in a single pass will only need a Cutting Force of 45 if cutting in two passes.

  • Page 57: Saving A Preset For A Material

    Click on + Enter a new name • Click on OK and then select which blade type you are using for this new preset Enter the new Blade Offset and Overcut values. Then click Update: 1. Select type of blade 3.
  • Page 58 Click on + Enter a new name • Click on OK and then complete the rest of the window with the settings for that material: New Preset name Select Blade Preset Make all necessary changes to settings Click on Apply •...
  • Page 59 Select new preset here Settings are updated based on Preset selected • If you need to delete a preset, return to Vinyl Spooler>Cut Options>Edit Presets window, select the preset from the Preset Mode window click on the “-“ icon to the right: Click on “-“...
  • Page 60 Select an Select unused box Rename  Press one of the unused preset boxes, e.g. name5, and it will turn blue indicating it is highlighted. Select Rename.  A window opens where you can enter the name for the new Preset. The characters are entered in the same manner as the Password entry window in Section 1.12.2.

  • Page 61: Setting The Origin Before Cutting

    New Preset name Press Save  To verify the preset or to select a different preset, press Preset. The Preset window opens where you can see all of the Presets, along with the settings for those presets. In that window you can also select a different preset.

  • Page 62: Setting An Origin Using The Camera

    Press here to toggle origin setting speed • In general, you set the origin near the lower right corner of the material, as you did during your initial test drawing in Section 1.13. 2.05.1 Setting an Origin Using the Camera •...
  • Page 63 (6) Press OK. In the new photo, the blue dashed + should be close to the origin target. Press X3 to zoom (7) Use the arrow buttons to move the red + as close as possible to the center of the origin target: (8) Press OK.

  • Page 64: Other Cut Setting Functions

    (9) Press the Home icon to return to the Main Screen. The head should move so that the blade holder is now located over the origin target and you can proceed with the cutting process. 2.06 Other Cut Setting Functions •...

  • Page 65: Mirror

     The settings below the option are activated when choosing either to end or to left. You can enter a specific distance for the blade holder to advance. This is useful when cutting repeats of the same project because it allows for the origin to be set automatically for the next repeated cut. 2.06.2 Mirror •...
  • Page 66 Click Settings tab Change offset here  Auto Speed-Weed: Marking this option places a single weed box around the entire project with an additional horizontal weed line through the middle: After applying Auto Speed-Weed – blue weed Before applying Auto Speed-Weed box plus horizonal weed cut in the middle ...

  • Page 67: Weld Text

    After applying Speed-Weed Text Only – Before applying Speed-Weed Text Only text object has additional weed box plus horizontal cut through the middle 2.06.4 Weld Text • For script fonts, the Weld Text option will remove overlap between letters so that a word will cut as one object.

  • Page 68: Scale Calibration

    • Do you have the pinch wheel lever raised (so that the pinch wheels are down)? • Have you set the blade length based on the thickness of the material you are cutting? • Do you have the blade holder firmly mounted in the blade holder seat and the blade tip at the correct height above the material? •...
  • Page 69  Go to the Vinyl Spooler window and select the Calibration tab.  Click on the Cutter Scale icon: 1. Select the Calibration tab 2. Click on the Cutter Scale icon  A new window opens where you can enter the dimensions of a square or rectangle to draw with the test pen.
  • Page 70  On the Skycut, load a sheet of paper and insert the test pen. Move the test pen to the lower right corner of the paper. Make sure you have proper settings for drawing and click on Cut Test to have the shape drawn.

  • Page 71: Scale Calibration Using Inches For Measurement

     After entering each number, the scaling percentage is automatically calculated: Calculated Scale values Click on Update  Click on Update and a prompt window will ask if you want to Apply Scale Adjustment. Click on Yes and you’ll be back in the Vinyl Spooler window. To verify the scaling, again click on Cutter Scale and repeat the same steps.
  • Page 72 Enter Width and Length to use for test shape Click here to start the drawing  Load a sheet of paper and insert the test pen. Move the test pen to the lower right corner of the paper. Make sure you have proper settings for drawing and click on Cut Test to have the shape drawn. ...
  • Page 73  Convert the measurements to decimals and enter these values into the same Width and Length fields. After entering each number, the scaling percentage is automatically calculated: Enter actual Width Calculated Scale Click on Update and Length values  Click on Update and a prompt window will ask if you want to Apply Scale Adjustment. Click on Yes and you’ll be back in the Vinyl Spooler window.

  • Page 74: Test Cutting Flow Chart For The Skycut

    2.09 Test Cutting Flow Chart for the Skycut • Select a small test shape. You can use the built-in test on the Skycut. However, a shape w ith an internal path, such as a ring, works better as it allows you to more easily check to see if the blade is cutting into the backing sheet or cutting mat. •...

  • Page 75: Settings Form For Cutting Materials

    2.10 Settings Form for Cutting Materials Material Brand or Blade Material Type Blade Force Speed Other Comments Source Offset Passes *Number of Post-It notes used to set blade tip distance above material.

  • Page 76: Suggested Cut Settings For Various Materials On Skycut

    2.11 Suggested Cut Settings for Various Materials on Skycut IMPORTANT: These settings should be used for the initial test cut. Adjustments may be necessary based on the condition of the blade, variations in the material, humidity, condition of the cutting mat, blade tip height*, etc. ALSO IMPORTANT: Do not use a Blade Ht.* greater than 15 Post-Its with a blue capped blade.
  • Page 77 Blade Material Type Material Brand/Source Blade Passes Force Speed Other Comments Ht.* Chipboard 0.022" (0.5 mm) (5) 250 Brayer well and tape edges Chipboard Cereal box 0.018" (0.4 mm) (5) 250 Brayer well and tape edges Chipboard 0.03" (0.76mm) (5) 250 Brayer well and tape edges Chipboard 0.015"...
  • Page 78 Blade Material Type Material Brand/Source Blade Passes Force Speed Other Comments Ht.* Printable Magnet Sheets Magnet (8) 400 (.25mm) Printable Magnet Sheets-15 Magnet (8) 400 Alt: 2 passes at Force = 50 mil (0.4mm) Mylar 5 mil (0.12mm) (8) 400 Mylar 10 mil (0.25mm) (5) 250...
  • Page 79 Blade Material Type Material Brand/Source Blade Passes Force Speed Other Comments Ht.* Vinyl - Heat Transfer Easy Weed - white, navy (6) 300 Cut on mat Vinyl - Heat Transfer GlitterFlex Ultra - Black (8) 400 Cut on mat Expressions Vinyl 51 Series - Vinyl - Permanent (8) 400 Cut on mat...

  • Page 80: Print And Cut (Contour Cut)

    3. Print And Cut (Contour Cut) 3.00 Quick Reference for Chapter 3 • How to calibrate the camera: Section 3.03.2 • How to set up a contour cut: Section 3.04 • How to adjust the camera calibration: Section 3.06.1 • How to add more registration marks: Section 3.08 •...

  • Page 81: What Is Apnc Calibration

    A custom shape is cut around the printed image. 3.02 What is a PNC Calibration? • In order to get precise PNC results, you must calibrate the camera. This is nothing more than letting the Skycut know how far away the camera lens is located relative to the tip of the blade. Because the camera is manually installed inside the blade carriage, the distance from the camera’s center to the tip of the blade will vary from one Skycut to the next.
  • Page 82 This is where photo will be displayed Two different screens based on Align versus Adjust Magnify photo by 300% Retake photo Align is normal mode Change brightness of LED light Adjust is calibrate mode Update blue dashed + alignment (6) Press Adjust to switch to calibrate mode and a new Start button will appear in the lower right corner of the Camera Screen: Press Adjust button…...
  • Page 83 Photo of drawn test shape Blue dashed + Red + (8) Tap your finger near the middle of the drawn test shape. This will move the red + to that location. Then press OK. A new photo will be taken: Red + is now much closer to the middle of the test shape...

  • Page 84: Performing Apnc In Sign Master

    red + is now centered in the test shape Press the arrow buttons to move red + (11) Press OK and a new photo will be taken. The blue dashed should now be more closely aligned with the center of the test shape: Note new location blue dashed + (12) If necessary, repeat Steps 10 and 11 until the...

  • Page 85: Step-By-Step Simple Pnc Project

     Perform a test cut so that you know the best cut settings to use for the printed material. This test cut can often be performed on the printout itself if there is room in the waste area of the project. ...
  • Page 86 (5) First, verify that Automatic ARMS is selected which means the camera will automatically scan the registration marks. Registration marks will appear around the image. Next, to verify “what will print” versus “what will cut”, click on the other tabs below the preview: Cut-only preview Print-only preview (6) The following options are available for printing:...
  • Page 87  The shape is moved to the center: After applying Center Before applying Center (8) Depending on the print option selected in Step (6), the print button below the Preview will vary. Assuming you selected Print Direct, you’ll see the option to Print. Click on it or click on the button in the same location and then complete any popup window options as needed.
  • Page 88 (10) Load the mat and/or printout so that it is straight, relative to the cutter. The alignment doesn’t need to be absolutely perfect but close enough that it will allow for a faster and, of course, successful detection by the camera.

  • Page 89: Preparing Designs For Pnc Applications

    (13) Click on Next and the Skycut’s camera will now move over each registration mark and take a photo and make an adjustment. Once it has read all four marks plus the first one a second time, it will proceed to cut out the printed shapes.

  • Page 90: Tweaking The Calibration Values

    3.06.1 Tweaking the Calibration Values • If you find your print and cut results are slightly off in the same direction with each cut, you can adjust the values being used versus attempting to recalibrate from scratch. • To do this, go back to an easy-to-cut material like copy paper and use a shape that has both horizontal and vertical lines.

  • Page 91: Inaccurate Tracings

    Click on these buttons until Δx and Δy match the needed adjustments • Once the values are set, press the Home button to return to the Main Screen. Test again to verify the cut line is better aligned with the printed shape. 3.06.2 Inaccurate Tracings •...

  • Page 92: Adding Repeats In Print And Cut Applications

    3.07 Adding Repeats in Print and Cut Applications (1) Create a design with the desired contour cut in place. In this tutorial, the same file is used as the one in Section 3.04.2, however the design has been resized to ~ 4.5” in height. (2) Click on the Contour Cutting icon and select Contour Cut Wizard: (3) To add repeats, click on the Tiled Copies option and the Quantity settings will appear below that:...
  • Page 93 Select Print Direct 4 copies selected Red margins and dimensions indicate project will not print with this number of copies (5) In this case, only two shapes will fit, so the Quantity is updated and the red margins and dimensions are now black: Quantity reduced to 2 Black margins and dimensions indicate...

  • Page 94: Registration Mark Settings

    3.08 Registration Mark Settings • Continuing with the same project from the prior section, to access the registration mark options, click on the Mark Options tab in the Contour Cutting Wizard window and note the following: Select Mark Options tab Space marks based on Add more marks distance...
  • Page 95 Change from 1 to 2 A new set of marks are added  IMPORTANT: Make sure any intermediate registration marks are clearly outside the boundaries of the cut shapes or those shapes will be ignored: These two shapes in the middle will not be cut Intermediate registration marks cut through the middle row...

  • Page 96: Pnc From Usb Flash Drive

    Mark Position = 0.557 in Mark Position = 0.307 in Mark Position = 0.057 in • You can see the movement of the marks towards the image as the Mark Position is decreased. Because of the shape of the ox, this shouldn’t be an issue with the location of the registration marks relative to the printed image.
  • Page 97 Select Connection tab Select U_Disk Click on Done • Back in the Contour Cutting Wizard window, proceed as before by clicking on Cut and the same Preview window opens and again indicates the design should be facing downwards: Printout should be facing this way Set blade holder over lower right reg mark Click on Next •...
  • Page 98 Select the appropriate drive Click on Save Name the file • On the Skycut’s control panel, set the Force and Speed, if you elected not to have them activated in the Vinyl Spooler window in Step 11 in Section 3.04.2. •...

  • Page 99: Pnc From Flash Drive - Using Array Mark For Repeats

    File name should appear here Press Start Cut • Click on Start Cut and the marks will be scanned by the camera and the shapes cut out. 3.09.2 PNC from Flash Drive – Using Array Mark for Repeats • The Skycut has the ability to set up an array of repeats for PNC applications. The advantage to using the Skycut’s control panel for this process is that the Array Mark function permits the scanning of additional registration marks as repeats are cut.
  • Page 100 1. Four marks in green set are scanned first and first three shapes cut. 2. Four marks in orange set scanned, next three shapes cut. 3. Four marks in purple set scanned, next three shapes cut. etc. • 1 Mark: Scan first four marks on first set only. Then scan one mark only on each remaining repeat 1.
  • Page 101 • The purpose of having intermediate scans is to correct for any slippage that occurs due to friction or excessively fast cutting speed. • Use 4 Mark in situations where the repeats are quite large, thus there’s a larger distance between the repeats and slippage is more likely to occur.

  • Page 102: Accessory Tools

    4. Accessory Tools 4.00 Quick Reference for Chapter 4 • Settings for test pen, embosser, engraver: Section 4.05 • How to draw with the test pen and cut around the drawing: Section 4.01.1 • How to score and cut a fold-up project: Section 4.02.2 •...
  • Page 103 Mark this option Colors used in project • The layers will be processed in the order shown. However, because it makes more sense to draw first and cut second, the blue layer will be moved down. This is done by selecting the blue layer and clicking on the down arrow below: Select blue layer...
  • Page 104 3. Enter all settings to be applied for this cut 1. Select blue layer 4. Click on Apply 2. Click on Edit  IMPORTANT: Note that this window does not allow you to save the settings as a new Preset. Thus, if you will be cutting this material often, you might prefer to set up a preset for it using the instructions in Section 2.04.2.
  • Page 105 This prompt window opens 2. After loading test pen, click on OK 1. Click on Cut Now • Load the test pen into the Skycut, click on OK, and the design will begin drawing. The second prompt window will immediately open: •...

  • Page 106: Embossing And Scoring

    4.02 Embossing and Scoring 4.02.1 General Info on Embossing • The Skycut embossing tool has two different sized embossing heads. The smaller one is recommended when scoring cardstock for fold-up projects, such as pop-up cards, gift bags, and small boxes. Either head can be used for embossing shapes.
  • Page 107 Cut lines are on one layer Score lines are on another layer • Because Absolute (position) will be needed to make sure the score lines and the cut lines end up aligned properly, you may want to move your project to the lower right corner of the Drawing Area, close to the origin you’ll use on the material: •...

  • Page 108: Embossing Paper Or Cardstock

    • Note that if you will be performing score and cut projects regularly, setting up a Preset for your material will make the selection of the settings much faster. Refer to Section 2.04.1. • Load the material into the Skycut and load the embosser with the small end downwards into the Skycut. Move the embosser to an appropriate origin.

  • Page 109: Scratch Engraving

    4.03 Scratch Engraving • The Skycut engraving tool can be used to engrave vellum, foils, acrylic, and most metals, including trophy labels, dog tags, and jewelry charms. • On softer metals, you may not want the engraving tip too far above the metal as it can leave pock marks when it drops to start engraving.
  • Page 110 Imported scan Tracing from Create Contour Cut window • IMPORTANT: Carefully measure the actual tag and compare it to the dimensions of the contour. Adjust the size of the contour if needed. • Create the design. In this case both text and a vector shape of a bone are added: •...
  • Page 111 Check Absolute (position) Verify Assign Tools by Design is in same location Color is not checked as on the Page • Click on the Cutter Control tab and enter the settings for engraving: Uncheck Blade Offset Change to settings for engraving •...
  • Page 112 Align the tag with the grid lines on the mat The origin will be set at this intersection • Load the mat into the Skycut and be very precise in alignment by using the ruler to make sure the mat is perfectly straight: Align the mat with the ruler •...

  • Page 113: Settings Form For Accessory Tools

    4.04 Settings Form for Accessory Tools Speed Application/Material Tool Force Surface Other Comments (Cut/Up) Passes © 2009- 2018 Sandy McCauley, All Rights Reserved...

  • Page 114: Suggested Settings For Various Accessories 1

    4.05 Suggested Settings for Various Accessories Make sure Blade Offset and Overcut are set to 0; test with a small shape first; mirror shapes for embossing. Tool Height = number of Post-It notes used to set blade tip distance above the material: Refer to Section 2.01.3.

  • Page 115: Signmaster Functions Of Interest

    5. SignMaster Functions of Interest 5.00 Quick Reference for Chapter 5 • How to add a contour cut: Section 5.01 • How to node edit a contour: Section 5.01.2 • How to add a contour cut to a vector image: Section 5.02 •...
  • Page 116 Click here to trace at current settings (5) Without making any changes, click on the Trace button to get a preliminary trace which will indicate which settings, if any, need adjustment. The blue line indicates what will cut based on the default settings shown: Carefully check blue cut line: •...
  • Page 117 (7) After making any changes, click on Retrace at the bottom of the screen. On the other hand, if you are happy with the trace results, click on Apply: Click on Apply if satisfied with existing trace Click on Retrace to adjust to new settings (8) If you selected Retrace, a Composite view of the results will appear where blue indicates the part that will be cut out and red indicates the waste material.
  • Page 118 Contour type options: use this settings Contour shape options Original image options Click on Accept when done  Choose a Corner Style, as desired. For the Outline % or Outline Units (size), note the following: Set to 0 if the cut line should align with the edges of the printed image Set to a positive number for a contour cut around the outside of the printed image Set to a negative number (normally very small) to cut slightly inside the printed image (10) Click on Accept after making any changes and you will be returned to the Drawing Area.

  • Page 119: Editing A Trace

    5.01.2 Editing a Trace • Occasionally you may find a need to edit the tracing/contour cut created. This section presents two examples. • Contour cut doesn’t fit the original graphic in certain spots  In the following example, the Cartoon Owl image will be used: ...
  • Page 120 versus Keep Holes Area below eyes is traced but so No inner paths at all Keep Holes not checked are the inner parts of the eyes checked  The first option, Keep Holes, needs to be selected so that the area beneath the eyes is traced. After accepting the trace, click on the Objects tab on the Page Thumbnail Viewer and hide the original graphic.

  • Page 121: Adding A Contour Cut To A Vector Image

    5.02 Adding a Contour Cut to a Vector Image • As mentioned in Section 3.05.2, vector images also require a contour before being used in print and cut applications. This section will present the method to be used and several of the settings that will typically be adjusted.
  • Page 122 Corner Style: Usually select either Round or Sharp depending on the nature of the original vector and your desired contour Outline (%) or Outline (Units): Enter either a percentage or the actual size for the outline. In the prior screeshot, leaving the Outline at 0 results in the contour being the same as the original outside vector line.

  • Page 123: Engraving Fill

    • Also note that there is a Keep Holes option in the Create Cut-Contour window which controls whether or not the contour is a solid outside cut or contains internal cuts following the shape of the vector: A single blue line will ...
  • Page 124  In the top left corner are zooming tools. The View Mode icon can be toggled to add the original selected shape to the Preview window, if desired: Original shape appears  Toolpath: There are four options in this menu: None: no fill pattern is created S-Sweep: a line fill pattern in which the tool stays down while filling the entire shape: 1.
  • Page 125 Vertical Diagonal - Down  Cut Perimeter: turn on this option if you want the original shape to be engraved as well: Cut Perimeter: Cut Perimeter: not checked checked Perimeter of shape is Perimeter of shape is light, indicating it will dark, indicating it will NOT be engraved also be engraved...

  • Page 126: Inside Fills Versus Outside Fills

    5.03.2 Inside Fills Versus Outside Fills • In certain situations, you might want to reverse the parts of a design that are filled. To do this, add any outside shape to the design, such as a rectangle, an oval, a heart, etc. The engraving fill automatically fills the space between this new outside shape and the original design.

  • Page 127: Appendix A Troubleshooting Faq's

    Appendix A Troubleshooting FAQ’s A1 Communication Issues I cannot get the Skycut to power on. • Make sure the power cable is securely plugged into the adaptor. • Make sure the adaptor light is a steady blue light and it is plugged securely into the Skycut. •...

  • Page 128: A2 Operating Issues

    I had to cancel a cut. Now my Skycut is no longer responding when I click on Cut Now. • Try restartiing the Skycut and SignMaster. ____________________ A2 Operating Issues The control panel isn’t responding very well. • Press control panel icons with your finger and not your fingernail. You can also use a black rubber stylus.

  • Page 129: A3 Cutting/Drawing Issues

    • Make sure you have calibrated the Skycut’s camera. The procedure is covered in Section 3.03. • On the control panel, go to Set>Camera and press Set. Make sure the Auto PNC option is marked. • If using the cutting mat, make sure the printout is aligned fairly straight on the cutting mat and the mat is fairly straight in the cutter.
  • Page 130 • For perfect corners when using a pen, go to the Send to be Cut window and select Pen Mode so that Blade Offset is set to 0. You do not need an offset for pens (or other tools like embossers and engravers).
  • Page 131 • A number of things can cause tearing so work through this check list:  Too much blade is exposed. If you see cut lines in your mat or the backing sheet, shorten the blade exposure. You should only be cutting through the material itself. ...
  • Page 132 • This is called “drift” and can sometimes be corrected by slowing the speed and making sure the cuts aren’t so deep that the blade is causing some drag to occur. • An alternative solution is to add intermediate registration marks. Refer to Sections 3.08 and 3.09.2. ____________________...

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