Not Just for Signs.

Our vinyl cutter is used for signs of all types for our customers. While that it the most common use for vinyl cutter, we also use it for cutting names and numbers for sports team uniforms, custom decoration of garments, applique cut outs for soroity and fraternity greek letters.

What Does a Vinyl Cutter Do?

A vinyl cutter is a fairly simple piece of equipment. Approximately the size of a dishwashing machine, a vinyl cutter consistent of a laser reader, a moving head, a fine cutting blade mounted in the moving head and rollers that pull various materials through the machine.

Creating Designs the Machine Can Read

Virtually any vector graphic can be converted and sent to the machine for cutting. Simple graphics are better than complex graphics for cutting and the machine only cuts one color at a time. So complex, multi color images are better done on other equipment.

The screen shot shows an example of an image being readied for cutting. Once a file is received from a customer, a production person reviews the file for compatibility and then imports the file into the cutting software.

The cutting software is where the magic happens. It converts all the lines of a drawing into cutting paths and depths for the machine to follow. The machine operator makes a variety of inputs based on the image and the material being cut.

The Cutting Begins

Once a file is sent to the cutter, the actual cutting process is very quick. Material moves back and forth through the machine rapidly as the cutting head moves side to side cutting the material. Often the cutting is completed in just a few seconds.

That's the easy part. Once the cutting is completed, the material is removed from the machine and transferred to a cutting table. Here is where the "fun" part starts...weeding. Weeding is done by hand and is the process of removing the excess material from the field that was cut. Once the weeding is completed you are left with just the letters or images that were cut.

The End Results

For signs, the cut and weeded material has a transfer paper applied to the top. This keeps all the letters and images in the correct location. Once this is complete, the cut material is ready to apply to its final location. This can be a vinyl, metal or wood sign. It can be easily installed on a vehicle or office window. Most any smooth clean surface is an opportunity to place this material.

 

Heat Transfer Material and Clothing

Once a file is sent to the cutter, the actual cutting process is very quick. Material moves back and forth through the machine rapidly as the cutting head moves side to side cutting the material. Often the cutting is completed in just a few seconds.