Key settings on your cutter help you get the most out of your film and avoid headaches.
By Juliet Kalmeta, Technical Support Specialist
The Roland GX24 has optical sensors to help detect what size film you’re working with, and if you learn how to work with the different settings on the cutter, you’ll be able to work with short cuts of vinyl and small pieces, too.
There is one sensor located on the front apron, one on the back apron (plastic bottom panels) and one in the carriage head. The front and back apron sensors measure the length of your yardage. The carriage head sensor measures the distance between the two pinch wheels, which is essentially, your workable width.
When you first load material into the GX24, you will see on the display screen say, ‘Select Sheet’ and you have the option to choose Edge, Piece, or Roll by pushing the up or down arrow key.
Edge:
Measures the distance between the pinch wheels and moves the blade to the far left edge of the material. This will accomplish a quick width measurement and will automatically put your blade in position for a test cut or to set the origin. The machine assumes you know how much yardage you have and that you will input that information into the Cut Studio program if your design exceeds the cutting area available.
Piece:
Measures the length and width of your material via all three sensors. This is especially helpful if you are working with a scrap piece of material, or a one-yard cut.
Roll:
Measures the distance between the pinch wheels and the blade will not move into any position once it has reached the far left. The machine assumes you know how much yardage you have and that you will input that information into the Cut Studio program if your design exceeds the cutting area available. You will need to use the up and down arrows to move the blade into position to perform a test cut or to set the origin.
Editor’s Note: If you’re really into flowcharts, Roland has a PDF available, which details all of the menu options on the GX-24.