Gerber Plotter Comparison

[JulieS]

Hi! We're looking at getting a new sprocket-feed plotter (we've had an Envision 375 for 20 years). From research I've done, it looks like the two important advantages of the Envision vs. the cheaper models are SPEED and the ARMS that hold the vinyl down, keep it from jumping off the sprockets as easily. Anyone have advice? Thanks!

 

[signheremd]

... and they last 20 years or more... We keep one around because we still use a Gerber Edge, but otherwise we would not need a sprocket-feed plotter and would add another 30" Graphtec with pinch rollers. We currently have one ancient 30" and one newer 60" Graphtec plotter and they are awesome - both can cut 15" rolls of vinyl, scraps or any size up to maximum. But if specifically need a sprocket fed, you can't go wrong with a Gerber.

 

[James Burke]

In the world of dinosaur computer peripherals, Gerber would be considered the T-Rex...an apex predator, for sure.


JB

 

[Joe House]

Hi Julie, it would kind of depend on what you're planning on cutting the most. If you primarily do cast and calendered vinyl, the speed of the EV375 is a big plus. The settings that are controlled from the software are helpful as well. If you tend to cut more difficult materials like reflective or sandblast stencil, the speed advantage evaporates. Then, are you cutting so much vinyl that the speed is a factor? If your current EnVision is running for half a day or more, you probably need the speed. You could probably get a GS or Gx 15 and a 30 inch Graphtec for about the same price as your EnVision, if you need sprockets for Edge output, but still need other cutting done as well. BTW, the Graphtec plotter can cut Edge graphics, if that's an attractive option for you too.

Good Luck,

 

[JulieS]

Thanks, y'all! Are we the only ones, then, who have a problem keeping vinyl from going off-track with friction-fed plotters? I mean, I can cut 8 or 12 feet on our Graphtec without adjusting, but the Envision sprocket-fed will cut indefinitely long lengths as long as the vinyl edge punch is good. That's really the main reason we love it.

 

[jfiscus]

Another thing to consider is acquiring punched vinyl for sprocket-fed plotters. In today's market they are in the minority, so lower priorities on those materials. That leads to longer wait times and possibly materials being completely unavailable. We are currently waiting on multiple rolls of common color punched vinyl for 2+ weeks...

 

[Applied Graphics WY]

Hi Julie, it would kind of depend on what you're planning on cutting the most. If you primarily do cast and calendered vinyl, the speed of the EV375 is a big plus. The settings that are controlled from the software are helpful as well. If you tend to cut more difficult materials like reflective or sandblast stencil, the speed advantage evaporates. Then, are you cutting so much vinyl that the speed is a factor? If your current EnVision is running for half a day or more, you probably need the speed. You could probably get a GS or Gx 15 and a 30 inch Graphtec for about the same price as your EnVision, if you need sprockets for Edge output, but still need other cutting done as well. BTW, the Graphtec plotter can cut Edge graphics, if that's an attractive option for you too.

Good Luck,

Joe, you just made my day by saying graphtech will cut Edge Graphics. Thank You! My Gerber GS 15plus quit working suddenly last week (electrical issue of some sort). Which is why I posted earlier about plotter suggestions. Your statement just sealed the deal & now I’m definitely getting a graphtech. I can buy a 64” graphtech for the same amount it would cost for a 15” Gerber.
Is there anything special I need to know in order to get Graphtech to read Gerber registration marks? I have an Edge 2.
My Graphtech is still on the way but it will be great to have information for when it gets here.

 

[Jburns]

I have printed on Edge and used a graphtec plotter thru flexi. Unless I was missing something... the crop marks take up print width - was only able to print 9.5 inches or so wide.

 

[GMcCcormick]

Joe, you just made my day by saying graphtech will cut Edge Graphics. Thank You! My Gerber GS 15plus quit working suddenly last week (electrical issue of some sort). Which is why I posted earlier about plotter suggestions. Your statement just sealed the deal & now I’m definitely getting a graphtech. I can buy a 64” graphtech for the same amount it would cost for a 15” Gerber.
Is there anything special I need to know in order to get Graphtech to read Gerber registration marks? I have an Edge 2.
My Graphtech is still on the way but it will be great to have information for when it gets here.

Hi Joe-

If you happen to be in the market for an Envision 375 or know of anyone who may be - I have 2 of them that I will be putting up for sale next week. Let me know.

 

[Joe House]

Yes, since the reg marks sit outside the graphics, you do loose some width. It's been some time since I've done that. To set it up, Click on the Print Options (123 Icon), then click on the Targets button and select Graphtec Type 2:

 

[Ziklag]

... and they last 20 years or more... We keep one around because we still use a Gerber Edge, but otherwise we would not need a sprocket-feed plotter and would add another 30" Graphtec with pinch rollers. We currently have one ancient 30" and one newer 60" Graphtec plotter and they are awesome - both can cut 15" rolls of vinyl, scraps or any size up to maximum. But if specifically need a sprocket fed, you can't go wrong with a Gerber.

Hello Joe, how are these machines cutting say, 1/4" to 1/2" medium Helvetica. Also, say when cutting 10"-14" letters for a long 10' to 15' banner will it track accurately while I leave the shop for lunch? Lastly, will the cutter operate outside of Gerber's proprietary Omni software? I have a friend say it does according to another fellow who's running the cutter with SignTools 4. Supposedly it has the driver? I'm thinking if there's any pros and cons considering using the cutter outside of Gerber's software mainly cutting.
Thank you

 

[Ziklag]

Another thing to consider is acquiring punched vinyl for sprocket-fed plotters. In today's market they are in the minority, so lower priorities on those materials. That leads to longer wait times and possibly materials being completely unavailable. We are currently waiting on multiple rolls of common color punched vinyl for 2+ weeks.

 

[Ziklag]

Hello jfiscus, how much longer would you think sprocket fed vinyl be available. What you're saying makes a ton of sense as to products that are becoming low priority. The concept of sprocket-feeding though I need to admit the concept was ingenious resolving the skewing on friction cutters. Gerber may have prematurely, respectively, having the production of sprocket vinyl to being the only option for all cutter manufactures to buy the patented sprocket functioning plotter concept. Unfortunately, it didn't go that way though I think it would have been an improvement on the tracking aspect on cutters today. Noticed - there is not another brand of cutters that have sprocket?

 

[Ziklag]

Hello jfiscus, how much longer would you think sprocket fed vinyl be available. What you're saying makes a ton of sense as to products that are becoming low priority. The concept of sprocket-feeding though I need to admit the concept was ingenious resolving the skewing on friction cutters. Gerber may have prematurely, respectively, having the production of sprocket vinyl to being the only option for all cutter manufactures to buy the patented sprocket functioning plotter concept. Unfortunately, it didn't go that way though I think it would have been an improvement on the tracking aspect on cutters today. Noticed - there is not another brand of cutters that have sprocket? Friction than is the norm economically and effeccient enough on high speed cutters and jobs are getting done minus the sprocket concept.

 

[signheremd]

Hello Joe, how are these machines cutting say, 1/4" to 1/2" medium Helvetica. Also, say when cutting 10"-14" letters for a long 10' to 15' banner will it track accurately while I leave the shop for lunch? Lastly, will the cutter operate outside of Gerber's proprietary Omni software? I have a friend say it does according to another fellow who's running the cutter with SignTools 4. Supposedly it has the driver? I'm thinking if there's any pros and cons considering using the cutter outside of Gerber's software mainly cutting.
Thank you

If the blade is good and you adjust weight correctly, 1/4 and 1/2" letters in cast vinyl are good. We use Flexi for these and not Omni so can't say anything about connecting to Omni

 

[Joe House]

Hello Joe, how are these machines cutting say, 1/4" to 1/2" medium Helvetica. Also, say when cutting 10"-14" letters for a long 10' to 15' banner will it track accurately while I leave the shop for lunch? Lastly, will the cutter operate outside of Gerber's proprietary Omni software? I have a friend say it does according to another fellow who's running the cutter with SignTools 4. Supposedly it has the driver? I'm thinking if there's any pros and cons considering using the cutter outside of Gerber's software mainly cutting.
Thank you

My experience with both Graphtec and Gerber plotters is that they can do both operations well if they're in good shape and adjusted properly. Gerber's Omega software isn't necessary. I think it's the easiest to use when you're printing on an Edge and cutting with either plotter. But if you're used to Flexi, that's a great option as well. As for drivers, Gerber plotters are RS232 devices, so you'd need an adapter to run them. The driver would be for your adapter - I use a Keyspan USB to Serial adapter and it has worked well. Then you need to understand the RS232 settings and make sure they are set up to match the plotter's settings.
I've not tried any generic software driving Gerber or Graphtec plotters though. That would take some trial and error.
Good Luck!

 

[DChorbowski]

Does anyone else make a sprocket fed plotter these days? I would love to get one just to print out raceway mounting hole patterns.

 

[Barry Jenicek]

Hi Julie,

I have a Gerber 4b for sale.