Question Software For HP Latex 630W & Summa Cutter

[MattRichie]

Hello all,

I've been using OnyxGo to communicate with our company's HP Latex 630W and Summa S Class 3 cutter. I'm curious if there are any other options besides OnyxGo available on the market?

For some context on our current process:
Our current workflow for our internal sign/placard making is using Omega 6.5 to design the stickers, add the cut lines, then we convert it from PLT to EPS so OnyxGo can properly read the file (if it's just PLT, it can't read the cut data). After that it's just ripping the file, send the print job to the printer and finishing off with the cutter using the barcode feature.

I'm looking to move away from the omega software and using adobe illustrator in it's place as Omega 6.5 is not supported and is not user-friendly at all.

Any help or information is appreciated!!!

 

[White Haus]

To answer your first question, there are other RIP options on the market. Caldera is a common alternative to Onyx, but I can't say I have any experience with it. (Other members here do, however)

We run all our printers and cutters through Onyx Thrive, which is just a non-subscription version of OnyxGo. It does take some getting used to, especially coming from an-all Gerber workflow. Nice thing is, you don't have to worry about being limited to foils, and how the edge will actual output the data. (no more messing with choke/spread and overprints!) Downside is now you have all sorts of other new challenges like profiles, spot colors, cutlines etc.

We design all our files in either Coreldraw or Illustrator, then export to PDF and RIP/print/cut out of Onyx. From there we can print to our roll printers or flatbed, and cut on our Summa S class or F class flatbed.
Once you've got the workflow down, it works really well. It's also nice that you can drive just about any printer or cutter through Onyx software.

Personally I find Coreldraw and bit simpler and easier to use than Illustrator, but it's really just a preference thing.

Hope that helps!