[Oa] Craft Robo Pro Review

[julieflanagan1 at juno.com]

While the Craft Robo Pro cutter has some great potential for those who need to do production work, I would like to make some suggestions for those considering purchasing it. At one time I considered selling this machine, because I thought it had great potential. However, it does have some challenges as well. A few of those challenges have been overcome since I tested one. But you should do some research before investing in this machine. 1. There is not a lot of support available for Craft Robo Pro users. I highly recommend that you communicate with someone who has the Craft Robo Pro and cuts to it from Illustrator or the software you intend to use with it. The software that ships with it leaves MUCH to be desired from a designer's perspective. Its native GSD files are not compatible with any other GSD files, and converting the files to other formats is a pain. Some have wanted the optical reader feature that this machine offers, but that only works with the Robomaster software that comes with it. Funtime cuts to the CRPro, but you cannot access the optical reader from that software, or any other besides Robomaster. If you are not doing print and cut projects, then this won't be of concern to you. 2. The CRPro cuts wider than 12" - I believe up to 15" wide - but when I tested it, they were shipping a mat that only allowed you to cut up to 11" wide. You would need to purchase wider mats for it to do wider project. Check with the vendor to see what the maximum cutting width is. Sometimes machines are measured and marketed by the outside dimensions rather than the actual cutting dimensions. 3. Graphtec does not ship the machine with very good blades. Look for replacement blades made of steel carbide. More expensive blades last a LOT longer. 4. Make sure that your vendor will provide all the technical support you will need with the software you are using. Also, check a couple of user's groups to find out how satisfied users are with their machines, and what their challenges are.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CRPro/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/designing_with_illustrator/ There are some CR Pro users in these groups who may respond to a post for information about how the CR Pro works with this software:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/funtimesoftware/?yguid=335073539http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MTC_Tuts/?yguid=335073539 5. Cutting pressure. The earlier versions of the CR Pro only cut with 300 grams of pressure. Newer versions boast of 500 grams of cutting pressure. I recommend that you try to get one with the greater cutting pressure that will make cutting thicker or denser papers and other media. 

Julie, craftymusician at comcast.net  Flanagan Educational Services
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MTC_Tuts/
Purchase MTC:    http://tinyurl.com/JF-MTC2  
www.scrap-savvy.com     http://tinyurl.com/SCAL-Purchase 
 
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