GraphTec FC9000 tracking

[WrapSolutions]

I've tried a couple techniques of my own and I know that Graptec recommends loading using their flange system. However, for our companies purposes this really doesn't make sense because the jobs are not run back to back and each file is separated/trimmed (properly) prior to moving to the cutter. With some of the longer runs say 80" - 220" we've had a problem with tracking/skewing. We are generally only running a heavier reflective 54" wide film (3M 370mC-10R or Oralite 5650 RA) with a 1.3mil gloss overlaminate. Does any have any suggestions to prevent this issue without using the flange system?

 

[DChorbowski]

How many pinch rollers are do you have and what tensions are each of them set at?
They recommend having all rollers set at only medium. or, If strong, then the outer ones can be set to strong, and the middle medium, but not all on strong.
Im not sure if the pinch rollers can be calibrated like on the 8000-8600 series. There is a process where you use a pull scale to adjust the tension with the spring system to make the rollers have the same pressure. We added a 5th roller to our 9000 and i dont remember the tech doing any adjusting so it may not relate for this machine but its always been in the back of my mind everytime we have a run that skews.

Are you cutting sheets rather than rolls? If cutting from sheets i line up my leading edge to one of the parallel edges on the plotter to ensure its loaded straight.

 

[jharler]

I never had any luck running large panels on our FC9000s. I found about 36 inches to be the sweet spot. Any larger than that and the panels become unwieldy and likely to hit the floor, along with cuts becoming less accurate. We have a flatbed cutter now for large jobs. You may want to outsource these jobs.

 

[DChorbowski]

Also something to check out would be your grit rollers and plattens. They need to be clean and free from bits of vinyl, vinyl adhesive and debris.

 

[Pauly]

If you're doing print and cut. Use segment cutting every 500mm.

Keep jobs as short as possibly. We use to do 3000mm for panels.

Ive accidentally printed something 15m long with 500mm segments and it cut with no issues. But if something goes wrong you need to start all over again