Another machine on the market

[rugersmum]

OK Rosemary then you are recruited to write the software for our venture so I hope you are making notes on the functions we want

I want software that has builtin calculator for angles, circumfrence and trig, simple 3d to 2d conversion -

oooo will have to give this more thought

xxx

[dozyrosy]

Sorry Chrissie - I haven't a clue about writing graphics software , but I could do a nice database to keep all our requirements in!

Going down the route of maths type functions I agree with angles, and circumferences particularly for more complex shapes like hearts or ellipses (I use desktop calculator for circles), and I'd like something to lock size and position once I'd got things where I want them.

And thinking back to my cross stitch software, a function that could create automatic corners from a piece of border would be handy.

Rosemary

[Lucille]

I think we have gone a bit off track here from machines to the realms of software, which is a whole different ball game, but for what it's worth my software would be affordable and have free updates forever.

Inkscape can do everything I need in crafting, it's free and the updates come regularly also free and the people who write the program are easy to contact and always willing to listen to new ideas and fix bugs, it would be nice if everyone who has WB or CR however old could cut from it.

My machine needs are simple;

1. what the CR does now and the excellent support of GUK +
2. will cut right to the edge of a 12" x 12" sheet of Bazzill and a sheet of good quality A4 card, I'm not bothered about foam, chipboard etc as I wouldn't want to cut that often enough to be worth the extra expense of a machine that does.
3. paper feed like this new machine
4. no carrier sheets like this new machine
5. cheaper blades eg shafts in packs of 2 or more, then I don't feel I have to eek out every scrap of cutting it has in it before putting in a new one
6. colour doesn't bother me as much as machine quality, as long as it isn't some hideous shade of anything and moving parts made of plastic
7. my dream machine would have a sensor for card/ paper weight and automatically select the right settings to cut through first time with 1 pass

[Chris20]

Are you taking note of Lucille's dream cutting machine Graphtec, if you design a machine like that, I'll definitely buy one.

[Lucille]

That's 2 sold already

[Fuschia]

If Graphtec can make it really quiet as well, then that's 3 sold.

[Lucille]

If Graphtec can make it really quiet as well, then that's 3 sold.

Yes, I'll have some of that, a nice soft efficient sounding whir would be nice.

[ErikaP]

The ideal machine is a dream. We all have slightly different needs and wants.

Certainly the ability to cut heavier media would be good, but for me it's the cost of the consumables that is a downer with ROBO. Also the messing with file types and versions, making it difficult to share designs.

Apart from that Robo is my dream machine. It is very accurate, easy to use and not expensive.

Sort out the cost of consumables, make it able to cut heavier media and syncronise the file types. JOB DONE........

ErikaP

[Lucille]

syncronise the file types. JOB DONE........

ErikaP

That comes under the heading of software rather than machine, but I agree I'm sick of all the different software claiming to be the answer to everyones problems and all with their own obscure file format that no one else can open.

[Krewella]

Ok have had a think I would like a machine that does what the robo does but with addition of foiling...instead of hit and miss pens and the photo copy option I would like to make a design ...put card in and have it foiled.

[Lucille]

why not just buy a foiling machine?? or am I missing something, I am assuming you mean hot foiling, which needs a laser printer the machine would cost an arm and a leg

[Krewella]

ahhh yes but we can but dream

[lucylogic]

I'll go with your idea Lucille, sounds like my sort of machine also, so that is 4 sold lol

[ruthie]

Well - here is to more information - it hit the UK yesterday!

So - it can cut anything (other than metal!) that can fit under the blade (1mm clearance)

It uses SVG files which you import via the pro software

The pro software will be included with the machines - this is a change to original plans and many distributors are not aware of this and think its only an introductory offer.

There are sd cards for those who dont want to design. There are 19 SD cards currently

Those who do design can upload their work to a central point where people will be able to purchase. But of course, it uses SVG files and converts them in the software so we can all share SVG files anywhere! There will be some sort of testing of the files before they are available to check that they cut ok. I saw a video of a guy (not connected to the company I dont think - was at CHA) testing SVG files from his usb stick and they cut fine!

It has automatic pressure setting - set it for the middle level and it sorts it out! - if it is cutting all the way through you see a little blue light on the cutting head! If you want to be able to kiss cut vinyl then you can adjust the setting. Originally it was just going to have automatic pressure but they changed this for vinyl peeps.

It has a paper feeder and a roller as standard! You can also feed in and locate the blade manually.

It can cut scraps and also takes papers up to 12" - it seems like it almost cuts to the edge but not quite - must be because of the rollers???

It doesnt have a mat - the system uses rollers to feed the medium through - it then cuts with chads (tabs) - these are like the push out decoupage you can buy. The chads can be set to different spacing and different sizes - I have heard that you can turn them off altogether!

Blades last for 20-30 full A4 sheets - but this will depend on what you are cutting!

It can cut a brand of sugar paste - hmmmmmm giving the cricut cake a run for its money?

The cards have presets for how small the images can cut - this is because their peeps have tested all the images and have decided on the smallest that can actually cut out! It reduces in half inch increments - but I guess if you are designing your own stuff you make it the size you want!

Have not seen anything really intricute cut with it yet - guess that is where my worry is! Also the fact that we know nothing about the company and how long they will be around. It seems that their customer support has been very good so far (when dealing with Qs etc) but then they dont have many customers yet!

Am definitely interested in this but not sure whether I could justify replacing my wishblade for it (or actually buying it in addition to my wb!)

There are some videos up on youtube now - including a "out of the box" first impressions video by Tom Meeks. And the company website has some videos up.

Phew - gotta go and do some work now!

Please - if anyone gets one and can answer qs on it - join in!

Rx

[Lucille]

If anyone want to continue this very old discussion please read this before posting and keep within the rules of UKScrappers