The following blog post communicates an attempt to problem solve the cutting of 7mil mylar using the zing Orbit 24". A small section of the main image (birch tree) was used to achieve a clean consistent cut before embarking on the larger stencil image.
A large 28''x30'' carrier mat was prepared using repositionable adhesive. I should have washed it with soapy water before recoating it. I am therefore not sure if the mat was coated correctly. The surface of the mat was almost wet tacky when used. As I used the mat the glue was congealing into dirty lumps that resembled dirty adhesive left behind after peeling of a label. You can see this sticking to the mylar. Perhaps I used too much glue. The mylar was firmly stuck to the carrier mat however.
I experimented by placing the small trial samples on different areas of the mat to test for consistency.
I sat the 24'' orbit on a long table. Using large A1 drawing boards I created a flat surface at each end. This was at the hight of the cutting plain. At this time I don't have cutting plates. The cutting plates appear to sit lower that the cutting plane. I wonder why this is? They are also not that wide. I am really not sure how these are designed to support the carrier sheet.
STEP 1-3
Step 1- Advised settings for 7mil mylar, red blade, 1 cut, speed 15, 65 pressure, 15 post-it notes and up speed 11. Started with this setting but the cutter only scored the mylar.
Step 2- Increased blade 1/4 stop.
Step 3- Continued to increase blade 1/4 stop.
STEPS 4-6
Step 4- Increased pressure to 80. Why is there a double line showing on the image. I also noticed this on the SVG?
I wonder what this double line is? I turned of the fill and stroke and it was still there. I managed to get rid of it by clicking on the last layer on the layers panel. This stopped the cutter cutting out the border of the stencil.
Step 5- Increased pressure to 90 and turned the blade another 1/4 turn clockwise to extend more blade length. Started multi cutting x2.
Step 6- Increase blade another 1/4 turn.
STEPS 7-9
Step 7- Increase blade another 1/4 turn and reduce speed to 11. Starting to worry about blade protruding too much.Not cutting into the mat. This was unusual.
Step 8- Tried same cut agin only in a smaller size. Oh dear not working. Why is this. Surely it should be able to cut any size.
Step 9-Tried same setting again only on a bigger size. This worked reasonably well so thought I would try and 15'' x 15'' section.
STEPS 10-12
Step 10- Disaster. An uneven cut was produced.
Step 11- Increased post-it notes to 17. Increased up speed to 15. Disaster again
Step 12- The cutter is now cutting the multicut x2 in different places. Another line issue. I also increased pressure to 100 and added another 1/4 turn of the blade.
It is now time to scream out loud. LOL.