Vinyl Cutting- Machine Tutorial

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Introduction Safety Precautions Getting Started 1. Using Silhouette Cameo 3 to Design and Cut Getting Started 2. Preparing the Blades and Adjusting the Rollers Getting Started 3. Using Silhouette Cameo 3 Dual Carriage References


Introduction


Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

Q1| Q1-2| Vinyl Cutter Silhouette Cameo 3 | Cutting Machine DESIGN SOFTWARES (OPEN SOURCE | LICENCES) : Silhouette Studio (https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software ) PLATFORMS: FAB FOUNDATION REFERENCES: Pending

MACHINE DESCRIPTION The Silhouette Cameo 3 is a fully integrated desktop cutting system. It is used to cut over 100 different materials including vinyl, paper, cardstock, fabric and other materials up to 12 inches x 12 inches (The dimensions of the cutting mat). Moreover, the Cameo 3 has a dual- carriage for multi-tool and it has a self-adjusting AutoBlade that can cut materials up to 2mm thick. Additionally, it is compatible with Print & Cut and PixScan technology. Therefore, it can be used to create printed pieces of art. The Silhouette Cameo 3 cutting machine comes with the Silhouette Studio software, power cable and USB cable, 12- Inch cutting mat, AutoBlade cutting blade and markers. The Cameo 3 has new feature to cut materials wirelessly through built in Bluetooth or using external Bluetooth adapter. For more details, check the following: https://45c5pz3jeuoy37ymbmpauzad-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cameo-3-user-manual.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6kqQ40F54c

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

The Silhouette Cameo 3 has versatile capabilities to print and cut over different materials of different features to design different DIY pieces. For instance, it can be used to design school projects, stamps, sketches, kinds crafts, accessories, invitations, stickers, stencils, 3D projects, cards, paper crafts, home decor, etched glass and many others.

INTRODUCTION TO: Silhouette Studio Software The Silhouette Studio has a free software available in different versions for Windows and MAC OS. The software is simple and has a user friendly interface. Moreover, it is compatible with receiving designs sent from PC, tablet or mobile phone through Bluetooth (when Bluetooth is enabled). For more details regarding enabling Bluetooth connection with the Silhouette Cameo 3, visit the lik: https://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2016/08/silhouette-cameo-3-bluetooth-set-up.html .

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Safety Precautions


Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

Before getting started with Cameo 3, there are some important safety instructions should be considered and followed to ensure the safety of the user, the machine and the part being cut.

Keep hands and objects away from moving parts when the Silhouette is plugged in and while its cutting.

The Silhouette blades are very sharp, keep hands clear.

Do not disassemble or repair the Silhouette parts as this might lead to an electrical shock due to leakage.

Pay special attention when plugging the Silhouette to the correct rated power supply.

When the Silhouette Cameo gets overheated, unplug the AC power adapter immediately to avoid electrical shocks or fire.

Do not allow dust or metals to be near the Silhouette plug as this could cause electrical shocks or fires due to current leakage.

The Silhouette Cameo should be placed in a clean workspace away from dust, humidity and water.

Do not store the Silhouette Cameo in a place exposed to sunlight, humidity or dust.

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Getting Started 1.

Using Silhouette Cameo 3 to Design and Cut.


Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

After plugging the vinyl cutter to the wall outlet, use the USB cable to connect the Silhouette Cameo 3 to a laptop where the Silhouette studio is installed. Then switch on the Silhouette vinyl cutter.

When Silhouette Cameo3 Studio is opened, the above screen appears showing the 12 x 12 inches cutting mat and will be used as a canvas for your design.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

To change the page dimensions (e.g. inches to mm), go to the “Page Settings� ribbon on the bottom right side of the screen. The settings will be useful to create longer designs or to use an extended cutting mat.

The Silhouette Cameo 3 can be used to design shapes, free drawing, text, and photos. As illustrated in the following pages. The most important point to consider when the design is ďŹ nished is to ensure that it is placed within the red margins to ensure that the parts are not being cut outside of the cutting area.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

Designing Text: the Silhouette Studio enables adding text and designing/ featuring it as well by editing its size, weight, spacing, justification and position of the text. Simply to add text, select “A” from the margin in the right side of the screen.

The font can be edited from the “Text Style Panel” in the right hand side margin. From this panel, size, font type, color and other features can be easily modified.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

Cutting Text: now after finishing with the text design, you can cut the text using the Silhouette Cameo 3 by referring to the “Trace Panel” in the right side margin.

The text to be cut is selected by choosing “Select Trace Area” to enable the selection. Then choose “Outline” to create cut at the outer border of the text. Final step is to choose the “Trace Style”, “Trace” is selected for simplicity.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

Adjusting the settings: before sending the design to Silhouette, the cut settings should be adjusted to ensure high quality cutting. Select “Cut Settings” from the drop down menu under the Silhouette tab. This will bring up the Cut Settings menu on the right hand side of the screen. In this menu the cutting style is selected and also the type of material which controls the sharpness of the blade that will be adjusted automatically based on the material type.

Preparing the Silhouette for cutting: the first thing to check from the design panel is to select the cutting mat with the right size.

The first thing to consider is the design size in the Studio and to ensure that it does not cut outside the cutting area. Get the cutting mat ready to stick the material over.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

The mat is then inserted under the roller bar with edges aligned with the blue marked points .

Once you have selected the appropriate settings for the cut and loaded the cutting mat, click on the “Send” to Silhouette in the top right corner of the Studio window.

The auto adjustable blade will do some calibration for few seconds to measure the thickness of the material before cutting. Then cutting starts right away.

After cutting, the machine displays a message to indicate that the cutting is finished. Release the mat by clicking on “Unload”.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

The mat is unloaded and the sticker is ready.

Remove the vinyl from the mat and using scissor or spatula to cut the portion with the design.

Transparent Transfer Tape

Now the hook is used to remove the vinyl covering the text/ designed sticker and to remove the .

Now use a small piece of the transfer tape to cover the text and start burnishing using the scraper.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

After making sure that the transfer tape is completely stuck to the text, kindly peel off tape and stick the text over any desired surface using the scraper again for burnishing.

Designing a Sticker: the Silhouette Studio enables adding ready picture and then cutting it to generate a sticker. The ďŹ rst step is to select the picture you like and then drag it and drop it in the Silhouette Studio.

Finally the transfer tape sheet is gently removed and the sticker is ready to use!

Cutting a Sticker: to cut a sticker, follow the same steps carried to cut a text.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

After finishing the design and adjusting the cutting style, the sticker is ready to cut. Again the material is sticked over the cutting mat and the mat is loaded to the Silhouette and the design is sent the same way.

Designing a Shape: similarly, the Silhouette Studio can be also used to design shapes by simply adding them from the left margin of the page. Also, polygons and arcs can be designed from the same panel.

After cutting, release the mat by clicking on “Unload”. Then use the hook to remove the sticker covering the text and use the transfer tape to help you place your text neatly over any desired surface.

Free Drawing: the Silhouette Studio allows free drawing using the “Draw Freehand” and “Draw Smooth Freehand” tools within the left margin menu. In case the drawing should be modified, you can always use the eraser tool.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

Silhouette Cameo 3 can be used to design different things varying between formal labels to decor and hand craft. Showing above some sample projects done using the vinyl cutter.

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Getting Started 2. Preparing the Blades and Adjusting the Rollers.


Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

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Preparing the Blades:

The AutoBlade is the main blade used for cutting. As per its name suggests, it automatically adjusts its speed and material thickness in accordance to the parameters speciďŹ ed within the Silhouette Studio software. When the AutoBlade is placed in the left tool holder of the dual carriage, it will do some calibration before cutting to adjust the blade sharpness automatically. However, the AutoBlade can be adjusted manually in case the material used is unique and unlisted in the materials list. In this case, the AutoBlade depth can be adjusted using the blade adjustment tool until the red indicator line is moved to the desired blade settings.

TIP: it is very important to select the material used with Silhouette from the studio to use the machine at the proper settings to do the job. In case the material used is not listed, either adjust the available material settings or create and save a new material and add in the speciďŹ c cut conditions. This will save time and effort to remember the perfect settings for cutting a speciďŹ c material. The crosscutting blade, is used after the design is cut on a backed material without using the cutting mat. The retached blade must be manually adjusted to recommend to the recommended blade depth in Silhouette Studio. Basically, the built in ratchet to twist the blade to the correct depth as shown below.

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Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

After adjusting the cut settings and the blade depth, it is very important to clamp the blade over the carriage in the right way.

Pushed Down

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Locked in Place

Adjusting the Rollers:

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Getting Started 3. Using Silhouette Cameo 3 Dual Carriage.


Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

One of the main special features of the Cameo 3 is the dual carriage which enables the use of two tools at once, allowing you to draw and cut simultaneously. The carriage is loaded and unloaded by squeezing and pulling on the tool holders and ensuring that the tool is locked firmly into position. As mentioned in the previous section, the cutting tools to be attached to the carriage can be selected in the “Cut Settings” menu within the Silhouette Studio.

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References


Tasnim Hussain | FAB Engineer 06| 11| 2018

Silhouette Cameo 3 Studio Software: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_edPOxHYnr4 Cutting Vinyl https://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2014/01/cutting-vinyl-with-silhouette-101.html Cutting Mat https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/how-to/?slug=cutting-mat Using the Print and Cut Feature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO-1572JUlU Using the Silhouette Library and Store: https://www.silhouettedesignstore.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a55oN7T2bZI https://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2017/01/import-downloaded-graphic-designs-silhouette-studio.html

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