Have you noticed that your plotter is not cutting as well as it used to? Are you having trouble weeding your vinyl? It may be time for new plotter blades.
Choosing the right plotter blades can be complicated, but it does not have to be. Find out how and where to get high-quality replacements for your plotter blades.
Choosing the Right Blades for Your Plotter
Choosing the right blades for your plotter ensures you get the best cutting results. You will need to consider factors, including the brand of plotter you have and the type of material you will be cutting. Then you can choose the right kind of blade and blade angle.
Plotter Brand
In general, plotter blades are not interchangeable between brands. For example, Roland cutters use Roland blades, Graphtec cutters use Graphtec blades, etc.
The lack of compatibility between brands is because the design of each machine is not exactly the same. The plotter blade needs to have a snug fit in the blade holder, and the blade holder needs to be snug in the tool carriage.
What Will You Be Cutting?
To decide which blade angle is best, consider what type of material you will be cutting. The most common angles are 30º, 45º, and 60º.
A 30º blade works well for a vinyl film that is only 1 to 2 mm thick. A 45º blade cuts film with a thickness between 2 and 6 mm. A 60º blade is ideal for a film thicker than 6 mm. You will also need a 60º blade to cut more complicated materials, like retro-reflective film.
The 60º blade has the sharpest angle and the most cutting surface, which lets it cut through thicker materials. If you use a blade with an angle that’s too low for what you are trying to cut, you will get poor results. However, using a 60º blade for everything wastes it. You will have to replace it more often because you are not using all of the cutting surface.
If you frequently change between films that are between 2 mm and 4 mm, a 45º blade can be the right choice for daily use.
Carbide Plotter Blades
Carbide blades give you a high-quality cutting performance and finish with durable and long-lasting blades. You can cut faster and change directions more quickly.
Carbide is very hard, resistant to wear, and tough, as well as can withstand high temperatures. These qualities make it a popular choice for cutting tools, holding the global market’s largest share.
The type of carbide you are going to find in your cutting tools is cemented tungsten carbide. Cemented tungsten carbide is a composite material that includes tungsten carbide and 5-25% cobalt.
Types of Carbide Plotter Blades
When you are looking for high-quality replacement carbide plotter blades, there are a variety of options. It would be best if you were sure that your replacement blades are compatible with the brand of plotter you have.
However, you do not have to pay a premium to get the manufacturer’s blades. You can find high-quality third-party carbide blades that are compatible with your plotter.
Sure-Cut Plotter Blades
Sure-Cut carbide plotter blades are made in the USA. A variety of styles are available to fit different types of plotters. For example, the Sure-Cut SC-3200 is a substitute for the Graphtec CB-15U blade. The SC-1300 replaces the Roland PRC 145-0 blade.
In addition to Roland plotters, it’s compatible with various other plotters, including the Anagraph-EMS, CSR Ecom-2, Endura Cut, and GCC Smart Cutter Plotter.
Econo-Cut Plotter Blades
For an even more economical solution, Econo-Cut carbide plotter blades give you compatibility with various plotter brands at a lower price than Sure-Cut blades.
For example, the Econo-Cut EC-1000 works with the Gerber III, IV, S/750 Sprint Series, and Lettersmith. It is also compatible with the Anagraph Excel 1/1m and Compugraphicarty plotters. The EC-3800 is a substitute for the Mutoh 300937 blade. In addition to the Mutoh XP-Series, these blades work with Gerber Emboss Track and Odyssey and the P-Cut 630 Creation.
Sure-Cut and Econo-Cut plotter blades come in convenient 5-packs. Most styles are available with a 30º, 60º, or 90º angle.
Installation and Maintenance of Your Plotter Blades
Once you have chosen your carbide replacement blades, you want to ensure they give you the best possible performance. Installing and maintaining your blades correctly will provide you with consistent, high-quality cuts.
Offset Value
When you change your plotter blade, be sure you are still using the right offset value. The cutting point of a blade is behind its center point. The offset value tells the plotter how far behind the center point the cutting surface is. A package of blades will typically indicate their offset value.
Blade Depth
Once the blade is in the holder, you have to adjust how far the blade sticks out manually. The blade should extend the same distance as the vinyl thickness you will be cutting. This process means you will probably need to expose more blade to cut thicker materials.
It can sometimes be challenging to see how far the blade is protruding. You can hold the tool in your hand and draw a circle on the vinyl. If you can pull the circle up, the blade is out far enough.
Blade Pressure
You will also need to adjust the blade pressure. The ideal pressure will vary depending on the cutter and the age and angle of the blade. Start with the default settings that the cutter manufacturer recommends. You can then make adjustments if necessary.
The pressure should be enough that the blade cuts through the film and adhesive but not the liner. The cutter software usually has a test cut option. You can verify if the pressure is correct.
Blade Speed
The ideal speed will vary depending on the plotter model and the age and angle of the blade. Again, start with the default setting. If the blade skips or if you see edges lifting, reduce the speed.
Maintenance
To maintain your plotter blade in the best working condition, keep it clean. Vinyl debris inside the blade holder can prevent the blade from rotating correctly, which reduces your cutting quality.
You can also prolong the life of your blades by not cutting too deeply. Paper dulls the blade quickly. Cutting too far into the paper liners makes the blade wear faster.
Finding the Right Supplier for Your Carbide Plotter Blades
Finding the right blade supplier is almost as important as choosing the right blade. Simple Solutions International offers a full range of Sure-Cut and Econo-Cut carbide plotter blades. Our quality products are available at discounted prices for your business.
Check out our selection of high-quality replacement plotter blades. Let us know if you have any questions or need more information. We look forward to helping give your sign cutting business a competitive edge.
Simple Solutions International offers a full selection of plotter blades and plotter pens, as well as a variety of useful tools for use in plotting and sign making, such as plotter adapters, masking film, spray mask, and other sign making tools and accessories.