JINGWEIXIAN TECHNOLOGY 2AVGRV48 Skycut-V with Signmaster
Introduction and Setting Up
1.00 Quick Reference for This Chapter
• How to download and set up SignMaster: Section 1.11
• How to set up communication between a computer and Skycut: Section 1.12
• How to use the control panel: Sections 1.10 and 1.14
• How to adjust the blade holder: Section 1.07.5
• Where to position the pinch wheels: Section 1.09
• The cutting mat is too sticky (or not sticky enough): Section 1.08
• How to use the USB Flash Drive feature: Section 1.12.4
Important Notes:
• Please read Section 1.02 regarding safe operation of the Skycut.
• Report any damage or missing contents to your dealer promptly.
• Retain the original box and packing materials in case you ever need to ship your Skycut.
1.01 Support
• Thank you for choosing a Skycut digital die cutter. Before using a blade in your new cutter, we urge you to
read Chapters 1 and 2 and watch the videos linked in these chapters.
• If you run into difficulties with the operation of your Skycut, turn off the power and look for a solution in this
manual. Note that Appendix A is a Troubleshooting section. If you continue to have technical questions or
issues, please contact your dealer as soon as possible.
• If anything is missing from your order or you have mechanical issues with your Skycut, please contact your
dealer as soon as possible. You can also contact Skycut directly using this email address:
skycut@skycut.cn.
• For additional information and support with the Skycut, please check out the following:
Skycut web site: https://www.skycutcutter.com/
Skycut Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/skycutcuttingplotter/
Skycut Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Skycut
Skycut YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrPn5hFLbiRNDgccY8iXwoA
• For SignMaster support, please go to http://signmaster.software/support/
1.02 Safety and Warnings
Please be aware of the following safety guidelines when working with the Skycut:
• Pinch Points: Keep hands, long hair, loose clothing, jewelry, etc. away from the moving parts.
• Risk to Children and Pets: Please supervise children around the cutter when it is in use.
• Movement and Touching: Do not move the Skycut or touch any circuitry while it is plugged in.
• DO NOT touch or jam the plotter’s track while it is operating. If the cutter is damaged, it is the owner’s responsibility.
• DO NOT shake the cutter while it is operating.
• DO NOT cut any materials that have staples or other embellishments attached.
• DO NOT touch the cutter with a magnet. It is safe, however, to cut magnetic materials, such as those used on refrigerators and car exteriors.
• DO NOT allow any liquids to spill into the cutter.
• DO NOT allow small items to fall into the cutter.
• Place the Skycut on a sturdy and stable table, desk, or trolley. The optional Skycut stand can also be used.
• Always turn off the Skycut when not in use. Leaving the cutter turned on for extended periods of time can possibly damage the machine.
• Always turn off the Skycut before unplugging or removing the power cable from the wall outlet or power strip.
• Unplug the Skycut from a wall outlet or power strip during an electrical storm or when the cutter will not be used for an extended period of time.
• Transporting: When transporting the cutter, move the pinch wheel lever into the upward position. Remove the blade from the blade holder and cover the tip with the plastic cap.
1.03 Warranty
• IMPORTANT! If your Skycut is damaged during shipment or appears to be defective, your dealer should be
notified as soon as possible.
• For additional information regarding your warranty, please refer to your Skycut dealer.
• It is recommended that you retain the original box with packing materials in case you ever need to ship your
Skycut.
1.04 Unpacking
• Verify that you have received all contents. There is a checklist in Section 1.05. Please notify your Skycut
supplier immediately if anything is missing.
• Remove all packaging before turning on the Skycut. Currently, the cutter ships with two end cap foam
protectors, zip ties on either side of the blade carriage, and tape on either end of the cutting strip. Be very
careful when removing the zip ties – it’s best to cut those ties from behind the machine versus in front.
Gently remove the tape at the ends of the cutting strip by rolling the tape away. Do not pull straight up.
• Because the cutting mat must be folded over to fit into the box, it may have become slightly rounded during
shipping. Gently and only partially roll the mat in the opposite direction to remove the roundness and place
on a flat table to make sure the mat now lies horizontally to the surface. Refer to Section 1.08 for additional
instructions on preparing the mat for use.
• Use the enclosed test pen as you experiment and become familiar with operating the Skycut. Place scrap
paper on the mat and simply draw shapes rather than cut them. This will prevent possible damage to the
blade, mat, and cutting strip as you learn where shapes will cut and the basic operating procedures.
1.05 Contents
• Besides the cutter, your box should also contain the following items:
1.06 Parts of the Skycut
Front
• Alignment Markers: indicate to the user the available positions for the pinch wheels
• Blade Carriage: moves the Blade Holder Seats left and right
• Blade Holder Seats or Jaws (2 on D models): hold the blade holder, test pen, and other accessories
• Control Panel: used to change settings, set up Wi-Fi, calibrate camera, cut PLT files, and more
• Cutting Strip: protects a blade when cutting backed materials without using a cutting mat
• Front Table (optional): keeps cutting mat supported horizontally
• Grit Shafts (5 on 24” model): allow the pinch wheels to grip the mat or material so they can be moved in and out of the cutter during cutting
• Pinch Wheels (4 on 24” model): grip the mat or material so that the grit shafts beneath will feed the mat or material in and out during cutting
• Ruler: for measuring and aligning rolled materials
Right Side
• USB Flash Drive Port: used to load PLT files via control panel for cutting
• USB Port: option to connect computer to Skycut with included USB cable
• Reset Button: used to reset Skycut’s cutting buffer (does not reset calibrations)
Left Side
• Power Port: plug power cable into this port
• On/Off Switch: power cutter on or off
Back
• Pinch Wheels (4 on 24” model): grip the mat or material so that the grit shafts beneath will feed the mat or material in and out during cutting
• Pinch Wheel Lever: raises and lowers the pinch wheels
• Back Table (optional): keeps cutting mat supported horizontally
Remove these two screws from right-side end cap
Note: Newer models no longer have a single lever. Each pinch wheel has its own lever to raise and lower.
1.07 Accessories
• Go to Chapter 4 for details on using the engraving and scoring tools.
1.07.1 Assembling the Skycut Stand (optional)
• If you purchased the optional stand, please refer to this for detailed instructions on assembling the stand and mounting the cutter onto it.
1.07.2 Tables (optional)
• The following instructions are for the original table design. If the tables you purchase have brackets that are not part of the table, please watch this video:
• While the two tables attach onto the cutter and do not require any support, you may prefer to not use them, especially if you are only cutting rolled materials. However, if you are using the cutting mat, the support they provide will keep the mat horizontal, thus reducing the chance of the mat drooping and causing materials to separate from the adhesive on the mat.
• The screws required for attaching are already installed in the Skycut. They will be removed and then, after aligning the holes in the table, replaced to securely attach the table.
• It’s much easier to install if you have a second person available to hold the tables in place while the screws are being inserted. It is also helpful to have a flashlight shining on the inside of the tables to better see the holes for alignment.
• The two tables are identical. Start with either the front or the back of the cutter.
• There are a number of screws mounted on the inside of the end caps. The ones to be removed are the second and third from the bottom. They are also the only two with washers:
• Align the holes in the sides of the table with the holes in the end caps. Note in the following photos how the flat part of the table is on the outside:
• Insert the screws previously removed through the aligned holes and screw back into place. Then repeat on the other side of the cutter.
Cutting
2.00 Quick Reference for this Chapter
• How to properly mount the blade holder: Section 2.01.3
• How to control which shapes get cut: Section 2.02.1
• How to control where shapes get cut: Section 2.02.2
• Understanding Blade Offset and Overcut: Section 2.03.3 and Section 2.03.4
• How to set a very precise origin: Section 2.05.1
• How to add weeding lines to a cut: Section 2.06.3
• Checklist before cutting: Section 2.07
• How to get shapes to cut to precise dimensions: Section 2.08
• How to know which settings to adjust to solve cutting issues: Section 2.09
The Most Common New Owner Mistakes:
• Too much blade is exposed on the blade holder (material is lifting up and/or tearing) – refer back to Section 1.07.5
• The blade holder or test pen haven’t been properly mounted – refer to Section 2.01.3
• The pinch wheels are not properly positioned (material or mat is sliding around or bunching up during the cut) – refer back to Section 1.09
• Failing to do a test cut (recommended cut settings are not working) – refer to Section 2.01.5 and 2.09
• Not practicing enough with the test pen and paper (shapes are not cutting in the correct locations) – refer to Section 2.02.2
2.01 What You Need to Understand About Cutting
IMPORTANT: Please read all of 2.01!!!
2.01.1 You Have To Make Mistakes
• To be a successful owner of a Skycut, you need to keep in mind a few factors:
The key to becoming successful at cutting is to do a lot of it.
You’re going to make mistakes. This is normal and part of the process of mastering a cutter.
Read all of Sections 2.01 and 2.02.
Perform test cuts before cutting large projects. It prevents wasted material and preserves your valuable time.
2.01.2 Record Your Successes
• As you have successful cuts, take note of the settings you just used, such as Force, Speed, blade type, number of passes, brand of material, etc. There is a blank form in Section 2.10 that you can print and use to record your results. There are also suggested settings for common materials at the end of this chapter. Use these as starting guides but remember that your results may vary based on the many factors which can affect cutting.
2.01.3 Installing the Blade Holder, Test Pen, or Accessory Tools
• The gold blade holder has a rim around the outside that will, when cutting most materials, rest on the blade holder seat. Thus, when inserting the blade holder, loosen the front screw until the blade holder can drop down so that the rim is below the top part of the clamp:
Print and Cut Contour Cut
3.00 Quick Reference for Chapter 3
• How to calibrate the camera: Section 3.03 (V model), Section 4.01 (D model)
• How to set up a contour cut: Section 3.04
• How to add more registration marks: Section 3.08.1
• Troubleshooting inaccurate print and cut results: Section 3.06
• How to set up repeats: Section 3.07
• How to do a PNC from a USB flash drive file: Section 3.09
• How to include a scoring layer in a print and cut project: Section 4.03.2
3.01 What Is a Print and Cut (PNC)?
• The print and cut process (also called PNC and contour cutting) involves printing an image from SignMaster to any printer you own and then, with the aid of the Skycut’s camera, have the image or images cut out with perfect precision. Below are three typical kinds of print and cut applications but there can be other kinds.
Cuts along the actual borders of the printed image(s):
Cuts outside of the borders but follows the shape(s) of the printed image(s):
Cuts follow a different shape from that of the printed image(s):
3.02 What is a PNC Calibration?
• In order to get precise PNC results, you must calibrate the camera. This is nothing more than letting the Skycut know how far away the camera lens is located relative to the tip of the blade. Because the camera is manually installed inside the blade carriage, the distance from the camera’s center to the tip of the blade will vary from one Skycut to the next.
• This calibration only needs to be done one time. If you have travelled with your Skycut or it’s been bumped fairly hard, you might want to run a test to make sure your calibration hasn’t changed. It’s also recommended that you check your calibration after any firmware updates are installed.
• The process, which is conducted through the control panel involves:
(1) Having the Skycut draw a test shape. At that point the camera takes a photo and displays it on the control panel, along with a red + and a large blue dashed +.
(2) Aligning the red + with the center of the test shape display several times until the blue dashed + is centered with the test shape.
3.03 Camera Calibration Procedure for Skycut V
IMPORTANT: Please use the following procedure for the Skycut V model. If you own a Skycut D, then calibrate the camera using the procedure presented in Section 4.01 as it will calibrate the camera for both the left and right heads on the cutter at the same time. Then you can return to this chapter for more instructions on contour cutting applications which apply to both Skycut models.
• You need the following items for this calibration:
Sheet of paper
Test pen that came with your Skycut V
(1) Insert the test pen into the Skycut. Place the sheet of paper into the Skycut. You can use the cutting mat to hold the paper or insert the paper directly.
(2) Move the test pen over the sheet of paper. IMPORTANT: For all camera applications, make sure the starting origin is at least 3 inches from the right end cap so that the camera has room to move to the right to take a photo.
(3) Select Speed/Force and set SPEED to ~ 8 and FORCE to ~ 30. Click on Test to verify that a square is clearly drawn. If it is too faint, increase FORCE as needed and repeat.
(4) Move the pen an inch or two away from the test so that there is room for the calibration shape to be drawn.
(5) On the Main Screen, press Set and then Camera:
(6) Press Adjust to switch to calibrate mode. Press and hold the OK button for several seconds until it and the arrows around it turn red (if the buttons do not turn red, please refer to Appendix B1):
(7) Press Start. The test shape, which is a grid of 6 lines, will be drawn on the paper and the camera will move over the test shape, take a photo, and display the photo on the control panel. If you cannot see the test shape clearly, press the LED button once so that it reads LED 50% and press the Get PIC button. You should see three items in the photo: the test shape that was drawn with the pen, a red +, and the blue dashed +:
(8) Tap your finger near the middle of the drawn test shape. This will move the red + to that location:
(9) Press OK. A new photo will be taken and one of two things will happen:
Situation 1: The red + is so close to the center that the Skycut will now take over and find the true center on its own. You will see the red + and the blue dashed + aligned in the center and the arrows (only) will return to their blue color. Refer to the left side of the next screenshot.
Situation 2: The red + and the blue dashed + are still not aligned and the arrows around the OK button are still red. Refer to the right side of the next screenshot. You will need to tap the center again and press OK. Continue, if needed, until the center is identified.
(10) Once the alignment is in place and the arrows have turned blue, press the Home button and then press Stop on the Main Screen to save the calibration and conclude the process:
Accessory Tools and Dual Head Calibration
4.00 Quick Reference for Chapter 4
IMPORTANT: Note that some of the tutorials in this chapter will be for the Skycut V model while others will be for the Skycut D model. The following list indicates which section should be used for one or the other.
• How to calibrate the camera on a Skycut D model: Section 4.01
• How to draw with the test pen and cut around the drawing: Section 4.02.1 (D model) / Section 4.02.2 (V model)
• How to score and cut a fold-up, print and cut (contour cut) project: Section 4.03.2
• How to emboss cardstock: Section 4.03.3
• How to engrave a metal tag: Section 4.04.1
4.01 Dual Head Camera Calibration
• In Section 3.03, the camera calibration was presented for the Skycut V. The following procedure shows how to calibrate the camera for the Skycut D so that both the left and the right heads are calibrated at the same time. This then allows you to do accurate draw-and-cut, score-and-cut, engrave-and-cut, and other combined tool applications.
• You need the following items for this calibration:
Sheet of paper
The 2 test pens that came with your Skycut D
(1) On the control panel’s Main Screen, make sure the Use Double Head option is selected. If you do not see any of these options, click on Set>Advanced settings>System mode and select double. Then, back on the Main Screen, the options should now be available:
(2) Insert a sheet of paper into the Skycut, either on the cutting mat or directly inserted. Load a test pen into both the left and right-side blade holder seats, making sure the pen nib is a tiny bit above the paper, as you did in Section 1.13. You can also use a stack of 35 Post It notes as presented in Section 2.01.3.
(3) Select the Speed/Force function and make sure both sides are set to a suitable Force for drawing: ~ 30 – 40.
(4) Make sure both pens are over the paper. IMPORTANT: For all camera applications, make sure the starting origin is at least 3 inches from the right end cap so that the camera has room to move to the right to take a photo.
(5) On the Main Screen, select Set>Camera to open the camera calibration screen:
(6) Press Adjust to switch to calibrate mode. Press and hold the OK button for several seconds until it and the arrows around it turn red (if the buttons do not turn red, please refer to Appendix B2):
(7) Press Start. The test shape, which is a grid of 6 lines, will be drawn first on the right side of the paper by the right-side pen. Then the same test shape will be drawn by the left-side pen about 4 inches to the left of the first test shape.
(8) The camera will move over the right-side test shape, take a photo, and display the photo on the control panel. If you cannot see the test shape clearly, press the LED button once so that it reads LED 50% and press the Get PIC button. You should see three items in the photo: the test shape that was drawn with the right-side pen, a red +, and the blue dashed +:
(9) Tap your finger near the middle of the drawn test shape on the screen. This will move the red + close to that location:
(10) Press OK. A new photo will be taken and one of two things will happen:
Situation 1: The red + is so close to the center that the Skycut will now take over and find the true center on its own. You will see the red + and the blue dashed + aligned in the center and the arrows (only) will return to their blue color. Additionally, the camera will now move over to the left side test shape and take a photo.
Situation 2: The red + and the blue dashed + are still not aligned and the arrows around the OK button are still red. You will need to tap the center again and press OK. Continue, as needed, until the center is identified and the camera moves to the left side test shape and takes a photo.
(11) Once Situation 1 is achieved and the camera has taken a photo on the left side, tap the center of the test shape on the screen and press OK. The camera will take over and locate the center on its own. The arrows (only) will turn blue:
(12) Once the blue arrows appear, press the Home button and then press Stop on the Main Screen to save the calibration and conclude the process:
SignMaster Functions of Interest
5.00 Quick Reference for Chapter 5
• How to add a contour cut: Section 5.01
• How to node edit a contour: Section 5.01.2
• How to add a contour cut to a vector image: Section 5.02
• How to fill a design with engraving lines: Section 5.03
5.01 Adding a Contour Cut Line to an Imported Raster Image
• Graphics such as JPG, PNG, and BMP files are often used for print and cut (contour cut) applications.
Because these types of files are raster images (versus vector images), the images must be traced. This is done through a process called vectorization.
5.01.1 Step-by-Step Tracing Process
• The following steps are a sample tutorial using the Create Contour Cut feature in SignMaster:
(1) For this project, go to this link. After extracting, you will find several images that can be used as easy samples for tracing.
(2) To import a graphic file, go to File>Import>File and select the graphic to be traced. Left click anywhere in the Drawing Area to place the image:
(3) With the graphic selected, click on the Contour Cutting icon and select Create Cut Contour. A popup window will open and you will respond Yes:
(4) The Image Contour Tracer window displays the various settings available for adding a cut line to the graphic:
(5) Without making any changes, click on the Trace button to get a preliminary trace which will indicate which settings, if any, need adjustment. The blue line indicates what will cut based on the default settings shown:
(6) To see the trace line a little more clearly, adjust the Opacity setting at the top. If the “fit” isn’t tight enough, decrease the Smoothing setting. After making changes, click Retrace to return to the original tracing window and then click on Trace again:
(7) After making any changes, click on Retrace at the bottom of the screen. On the other hand, if you are happy with the trace results, click on Apply:
(8) If you selected Retrace, a Composite view of the results will appear where blue indicates the part that will be cut out and red indicates the waste material. You can go back to seeing the prior view by clicking on the Original tab at the bottom. Click on Trace to apply the new settings.
(9) After clicking on Apply, a new group of settings appear, giving you additional options such as:
Whether the cut line is continuous or perforated
Whether the cut line fits the image tightly, or is offset a distance or inset a distance
Whether internal cut paths should be removed
The cornering shape of the contour cut (rounded, beveled, mitered, etc.)
Choose a Corner Style, as desired. For the Outline % or Outline Units (size), note the following:
o Set to 0 if the cut line should align with the edges of the printed image
o Set to a positive number for a contour cut around the outside of the printed image
o Set to a negative number (normally very small) to cut slightly inside the printed image
(10) Click on Accept after making any changes and you will be returned to the Drawing Area. If you click on the Objects tab on the Page Thumbnail Viewer, you will now see both the original image and the contour cut line:
• To print and cut this type of design, refer back to Sections 3.03 and 3.04.
Documents / Resources
 |
JINGWEIXIAN TECHNOLOGY 2AVGRV48 Skycut-V with Signmaster [pdf] Instruction Manual V48, 2AVGR-V48, 2AVGRV48, 2AVGRV48 Skycut-V with Signmaster, -V with Signmaster |