[Oa] Fwd: Re: Desktop cutter

[Hannah]

hello Julie/all

This certainly was an interesting e-mail, thanx! I would like a machine
that can work with a mac. I Googled around after eading the information
below and I think the Craft Robo Pro can meet my needs. I would like to
use the plotter for origami architecture cards and for foam (4-5 mm) for a
3D sculpture. Do you have any experience with a laser cutter? Untill now I
cut everything by hand, but for projects with foam its a lot of work.

greetz, Hannah

http://hannahbiemold.exto.nl

> I think this extremely informative post was supposed to go to the list.
>
> --
> Andrew Crawford
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: 	Re: [Oa] Desktop cutter
> Date: 	Tue, 8 Mar 2011 19:39:01 GMT
> From: 	julieflanagan1
>
> I have a number of cutters that I use for my papercutting projects:
> Pazzles Pro (AKA DGI Omega 40), Pazzles Inspiration, Gazelle, Craft
> Robo, Cricut Expression, and eCraft. I have owned or worked with most of
> the other cutters marketed for home crafters.
>
> What you want to cut would determine the best cutter choice for you.
> Your design software choice is extremely important, as not all cutters
> work with all software or computer operating systems. If you are
> designing in Illustrator or CorelDraw already, and are comfortable using
> these, then you would want a cutter that is compatible with these
> software packages. However, if you are not designing in one of these
> high end programs, I think you will find the learning curve quite high.
> You might want to select a software package that is easier to learn to
> use to start with if you have never used a vector design software
> before.If you are running a Mac, you will want to select software that
> will run on a Mac (unless you are running Windows parallel on your MAC.
>
> Cost may also be a determining factor. If you are into production, and
> need speed, and ability to run 24/7, you would want a machine that would
> hold up for production, not overheat, or bog down with highly detailed
> designs. But if you are just creating cutting files for personal
> crafting purposes, you might prefer not to spend lots of money for a
> cutter.
>
> Size may be an issue for some. Do you want a machine that is portable,
> or one that requires major permanent desktop space?
>
> What file formats do you want to use? Will you want to cut files made by
> others, or to you want to cut only files you made? Do you want to share
> your cutting files with others? What formats will they require?
>
> Customer Service and training are also important factors in your cutter
> choice.
>
> These are so many factors involved in any person's choice of a cutter.
>
> My cutter of choice for most of my intricate projects is the Gazelle,
> because
> 1. It is portable (only 5" longer than the Craft Robo), and yet cuts
> 12.125" wide.
> 2. The price is very affordable for a cutter with it size and capabilities
> 3. It cuts with 500 grams of force, the same as the Pazzles Pro,
> 4. I can cut to it from Funtime Gazelle (excellent basic to advanced
> design software shipped with the machine), Illustrator, CorelDraw, Make
> The Cut (easy to learn and use, with lots of free training and support).
> 5. Cuts about 4 times faster than the Craft Robo with great accuracy.
>
> For those wanting a production machine for speed and accuracy, you might
> want to consider the DGI Omega 40 or Craft Robo Pro because they use a
> servo motor rather than a stepper motor. The disadvantage of the less
> expensive machines with stepper motors is that they cut one step at a
> time. If there is a mis-step for any reason, the remainder of the design
> will be cut inaccurately. A cutter equipped with a servo motor cuts
> according to specific coordinates of the design. One missed point does
> not affect the remainder of the cut, because the cut proceeds to the
> next point in the design rather than counting the number of steps
> between the points.
>
> I did not like the KNK machines because the pressure handles did not
> secure the feeding of the mat. Designs would be skewed when cut.
> I understand that the Cougar Black Cat, available in a number of sizes,
> depending on your production needs, has fixed many of the major flaws
> experienced by KNK users. Cougar also boasts of up to 950 grams of
> cutting pressure, allowing it to cut through thicker media. It uses a
> stepper motor, though. If the blade snags for any reason during the cut,
> causing a mis-cut, the remainder of the cutting will be inaccurate. The
> Black Cat does cut very fast. One note on speed, the faster the cut, the
> less accurate it will be.
>
> If you have further questions about any of these machines, I would be
> happy to answer them.
>
> Julie Flanagan, Flanagan Educational Services
>
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