CE or FC

[wes70]

We are looking at purchasing a dedicated cutter. Need better accuracy than what our Roland VG can produce. Narrowed in down to either the Graphtec CE7000-130 or the FC9000-140. We don't do huge production runs of decals, etc. There's about a $3500 difference in price. According to specs there isn't much of a difference except for speed and force. Anyone have experience with both machines for a real life comparison?

 

[d fleming]

Have a very old fc 100. It still finds registration (arm) and cuts fine on runs less than 5'. I have rarely ever needed to go larger than in one swat that but have done so with acceptable results.

 

[Solventinkjet]

I'd go CE series. You're right about the specs. The FC simply does better with sand blast and thicker materials and is more of a production machine.

 

[signheremd]

Accuracy of cut is 79 inches on the CE and 50 feet on the FC. I have never run a CE, both our newer and the old are FCs and even the old one is still accurate.

 

[wes70]

Accuracy of cut is 79 inches on the CE and 50 feet on the FC. I have never run a CE, both our newer and the old are FCs and even the old one is still accurate.

Hmm...the specs say 5m of accuracy for the CE. I guess it all depends on adding more registration marks.

 

[ChaseO]

I have an older CE (6000) and an FC9000. If using registration marks or cutting stuff from a printer, I'd go FC, but if only cutting vinyl, save some money and go CE. It is a lighter duty machine, but has been impressive for regular vinyl cutting.

 

[rjssigns]

Get the big boy. Never heard anyone complain they bought the best available piece of equipment.

 

[signheremd]

Hmm...the specs say 5m of accuracy for the CE. I guess it all depends on adding more registration marks.

On Graphtec's site,
CE7000-130: Maximum cutting area is 50"x164'; Cutting area of guaranteed accuracy (when using the basket) is 50"x79"

FC9000-140: Maximum cutting area is 54"x164'; Guaranteed Precision Cutting Area is 53"x32' or 35.2"x50'

 

[Joseph44708]

I'm running five Graftec fc8600's and one fc9000,
These machines are bullet proof.