CNC Knife Cutting for Signage and Graphics
Whether at home, in the office or on an airplane, we are surrounded by products that have likely come from a CNC knife cutter. This specialized equipment allows for precise, high-quality cuts on a wide range of materials.
Discover the advantages of this specialized technology! From its technical structures to how it operates, you will learn everything about this machine that makes it so advantageous. Versatility
Digital cutting machines are used to cut different types of materials into desired shapes and designs. The blade in a digital cutter is controlled by software programming that directs its movements to create intricate shapes and patterns. These systems are able to process much larger sizes than manually operated cutters and can produce complex geometric forms that would be impossible to produce by hand. Dekcel
These machines can also be outfitted with a variety of tools to enable them to cut various materials, such as a drag knife or an oscillating blade.Oscillating knife machines are ideal for processing flexible materials such as packaging foam, gator foam, and corrugated plastic, while maintaining small details and curves. The process uses a powerful motor that oscillates the cutting blade to slice the material, providing precise delivery accuracy with an almost zero percent chance of scrapping. These units are also capable of cutting materials that can be difficult to cut by other methods, such as carbon fiber prepress material and leather.
Depending on the size of the digital cutter, it can be equipped with multiple cutting heads to provide flexibility for businesses in various industries. A business that offers a wide range of products and services may choose to use the machine with a vision system that can cut pre-printed graphics accurately and consistently. Other features that may be included in a digital cutter are an automatic tool changer and an AC servo motor, which can increase productivity by reducing cycle times.
In addition to the versatility of a digital cutter, it is important for businesses to ensure they have a high-quality knife that can keep up with the demands of their production processes. The right type of knife can help improve efficiency and quality by increasing the speed at which the machine cuts and decreasing scrap rates. The right knife will also be able to handle a wide range of materials, including vinyl and foam, while maintaining accuracy and precision.
To ensure that the digital cutter is ready to take on any job, it’s essential for businesses to purchase high-quality knives from a reliable manufacturer. MECANUMERIC offers a selection of different knives that can be used on its digital cutting machines, including flat cylindrical blades from 11 to 103 mm and pointed cylindrical blades from 5 to 35 mm. Precision
While laser, plasma and water jet technologies have greatly developed the field of machining in terms of speed, precision and productivity, knife cutting, an older technique, has retained its specificity and attractiveness. With its ultra-fine cuts (including in high thicknesses), knife cutting is perfectly adapted to complex work on flexible or semi-rigid materials in sheets and 2D. It can be used on a wide range of composite materials, foams, rubber or plastics, but also textile, leather, glass fabric, cardboard or wood and its derivatives.
Digital flatbed cutters with a CNC knife cutting head allow shops to create more intricate designs and bring more creative visions to life quickly and cost-effectively. They can cut a variety of rigid and soft materials, including corrugated boards PVC sheets, carton board, paper boxes and plastic products with incredible precision, stability and efficiency.
A knife cutter’s versatility makes it a preferred choice for many businesses in the grand-format printing industry, especially those that produce point-of-sale displays and signage. Unlike the traditional method of cutting these materials by hand, the precision and accuracy of a knife cutter is unmatched in the market. It’s no wonder that more and more shops are investing in one of these machines to keep up with the fast pace of technological advances on the print side and ensure they can deliver what their customers demand.
The advantages of using a digital knife cutting machine include the ability to achieve perfect, clean, consistent cuts every time and reduce waste caused by trimming. The precise and stable cutting of these materials also means that the finished product will be free of defects, which is a big benefit for retailers and manufacturers.
According to Russell Boudria, director of marketing at Multicam, it is important for businesses considering whether to buy a knife cutting or routing machine to consider the types of materials they plan to cut. If they’ll be mostly working with sheet, dense, and hard materials, they should look for a digital finishing system that offers knife cutting capabilities, Boudria says. But if they’ll be working with more flexible, roll-to-roll, and soft materials, they should invest in a CNC router with an oscillating knife cutting system like the ECO CAM EOT-3. Efficiency
When businesses invest in a digital knife cutting machine, they can expect increased productivity and quality. The machine can cut a variety of materials and allows the operator to use a range of different tools, including tangential, oscillating, or drag knives. This versatility can allow businesses to meet the demands of their clients, making it a key asset for success.
To get the most out of your CNC, be sure to follow best practices for cutting. Start by making sure that you are using the correct toolpaths for your material and cutting order. Also, make sure that you are using a caliper to measure your material thickness if you are going to be doing scoring or etching. Lastly, delete any dimensions or drawings that are not needed from the final file. This can save you a lot of time during the actual cutting process!
Another key factor is the proper setup of the machine. It is recommended to use a high-quality vacuum table that can hold your material securely. Having the right settings will help ensure that your cuts are clean and precise. A good vacuum system can also prevent any buckling or warping of your material while you are cutting.
Choosing the right knife for your job can also be crucial for efficiency. For example, a tangential blade will give you the best results for a smooth and precise finish on thicker materials like vinyl or foam core. It can also be used to cut a wider range of angles and shapes without losing accuracy.
Oscillating blades are great for more delicate cuts that require finer detail and curves. They can also be used for a variety of materials and offer a lower risk of scrapping due to their smooth, even slices. This makes it an excellent choice for point-of-purchase displays and ADA signage.
In addition to a high-quality vacuum table and a reliable router, a good digital knife cutting machine should feature an AC servo motor for fast, accurate cuts. It should also have a tool-length sensor for consistent cut depth and an automatic tool changer for increased productivity. These features can ensure that your CNC digital knife cutter is up and running at full capacity in no time. Reliability
A CNC digital knife cutting machine is a versatile tool that allows operators to create intricate designs using CAD software and then execute them flawlessly. Its powerful system of automation makes it easy to process large quantities of material, reducing labor costs and saving time in production.
Its versatility also extends to the type of materials that can be cut, which include foam, PVC, acrylic and KT boards. It can also be used for routing, creasing and scoring. It can even cut soft, delicate materials like vinyls and rubbers without damaging the material or causing any distortions.
The machine is also highly accurate, allowing for a precise cut with no wasted material or splintering. Its digital control system ensures consistent results and eliminates human error, ensuring quality results for every job that is run on the machine. Its automatic tool change system allows for quick transitions between different tools and reduces downtime and increases productivity.
While the digital knife cutting machine is a valuable asset for sign makers, it can be challenging to get the most out of it. It is important to follow best practices, including preparing the design file correctly and using accurate measurements when cutting materials. It is also important to set the proper feed and plunge rate for the machine’s specific needs and to use the correct blades.
Creating clean closed shapes in a design will help make sure the cutting path follows the edges of the material properly. Using PEdit, Fillet and Overkill in AutoCAD to make clean, closed shapes is a great way to do this. Also, using the “Zero” feature in the machinist panel to make sure Z is set to zero when starting a project will help with accuracy and efficiency.
Lastly, it is important to have the correct thickness for your materials when setting up the machine in the machinist panel and when creating the g-code. Having the right thickness will help avoid broken blades and increase the speed of the cuts while maintaining a high level of precision. Generally, 2.5 inches/sec is the recommended cut speed for most CNC Knife work.