Difference between revisions of "Silhouette Cameo"

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(added link to user manual)
(added blade adjustment and material feeding sections)
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It works fine with the [https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-silhouette this plugin] on top of [https://inkscape.org/en/ Inkscape].
 
It works fine with the [https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-silhouette this plugin] on top of [https://inkscape.org/en/ Inkscape].
 
I have been using it for a project, so I'll populate this page when I have the time.
 
I have been using it for a project, so I'll populate this page when I have the time.
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== Using ==
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=== Adjust Blade Depth ===
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Blades for Silhouette's cutting machines come in cylindrical cartridges.
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The blade sticks out the bottom of the cartridge and pivots freely.
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It is important that the blade protrude the correct depth.
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Too shallow, and it will not cut through the material.
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(This can be used deliberately to score material for folding.)
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Too deep, and it will scour the rubber pad under the print head, and prematurely dull the blade.
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Bloominglabs has 2 kinds of blade cartridges for the silhouette cameo.
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The [http://bloominglabs.org/images/6/65/Silhouette_cameo_manual.pdf manual] describes the adjustment process for the official, plastic blade cartridge.
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It also has recommended depth settings for different materials.
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The unofficial blade cartridge, made from aluminum, is adjusted by turning the knob on the top. It may be necessary to manually drag the blade across your material in order to determine whether it is adjusted properly.
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The cartridge drops in to the "print head" of the machine and locks in place by twisting the blue plastic knob clockwise.
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=== Load Material ===
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For cutting materials that don't already have adhesive backing, it is recommended to use an adhesive cutting mat.
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(You may be able to get away without using a cutting mat, see examples [https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-silhouette/wiki#can-you-do-this-without-a-cutting-mat here].)
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Cutting mats can be purchased on [https://smile.amazon.com/s/&field-keywords=adhesive%20cutting%20mat amazon] or at major craft stores.
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Align your material in the top-left corner of the adhesive cutting mat.
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Materials that already have adhesive backing, like [https://smile.amazon.com/s/&field-keywords=adhesive%20vinyl%20sheets vinyl sheets], can be fed into the cutter directly.
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If your sheet is less than twelve inches wide, the manual has instructions on adjusting the rollers for narrower sheets.
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Check that the blue knob on the right side of the cutter is pointing upward.
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On the cutting machine, select the menu item "load cutting mat", and feed your cutting mat or work piece in.
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==

Revision as of 17:54, 15 July 2017

We have one of these sitting in the laser room. It works fine with the this plugin on top of Inkscape. I have been using it for a project, so I'll populate this page when I have the time.

Contents

Using

Adjust Blade Depth

Blades for Silhouette's cutting machines come in cylindrical cartridges. The blade sticks out the bottom of the cartridge and pivots freely. It is important that the blade protrude the correct depth. Too shallow, and it will not cut through the material. (This can be used deliberately to score material for folding.) Too deep, and it will scour the rubber pad under the print head, and prematurely dull the blade.

Bloominglabs has 2 kinds of blade cartridges for the silhouette cameo. The manual describes the adjustment process for the official, plastic blade cartridge. It also has recommended depth settings for different materials.

The unofficial blade cartridge, made from aluminum, is adjusted by turning the knob on the top. It may be necessary to manually drag the blade across your material in order to determine whether it is adjusted properly.

The cartridge drops in to the "print head" of the machine and locks in place by twisting the blue plastic knob clockwise.

Load Material

For cutting materials that don't already have adhesive backing, it is recommended to use an adhesive cutting mat. (You may be able to get away without using a cutting mat, see examples here.) Cutting mats can be purchased on amazon or at major craft stores. Align your material in the top-left corner of the adhesive cutting mat.

Materials that already have adhesive backing, like vinyl sheets, can be fed into the cutter directly.

If your sheet is less than twelve inches wide, the manual has instructions on adjusting the rollers for narrower sheets.

Check that the blue knob on the right side of the cutter is pointing upward. On the cutting machine, select the menu item "load cutting mat", and feed your cutting mat or work piece in.


Links

User manual: File:Silhouette cameo manual.pdf

An archived copy of the product page: [1]

A PDF of the technical specifications: [2]

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