Vinyl cutter

Introduction

Titan 3 ARMS Contour Cutting Vinyl Cutter - 28”
General Info
Make	US Cutter
Model	Titan 3 ARMS Contour Cutting Vinyl Cutter - 28”
Serial	Unknown
Specs	n/a
Manual
Asylum Info
Location	Digifab Shop
Rubric	n/a
Training	Tool classes
Testing	Tool testing
Restrictions	green

A vinyl cutter is a computer-controlled machine that uses a small blade to cut shapes, lettering, and designs from materials such as adhesive vinyl and heat-transfer vinyl.

Vinyl cutters work with vector graphics, rather than raster graphics:

• Raster images are made of individual pixels. Photos and most images downloaded from the internet are raster images. Common formats include JPG, PNG, and GIF. When enlarged, raster images can become blurry or pixelated.
• Vector graphics are made of mathematically defined lines, curves, and shapes called paths. They can be resized without losing quality. Common vector formats include SVG, AI, EPS, and some PDF files.

Components / Process

1. Design using preferred CAD environment. / Heat Transfer Mirroring
2. Import design file to VinylMaster Cut (+File Prep if not VinylMaster)
3. Prepare Machine (Load material (backing if needed), test pressure/speed)
4. Weeding unwanted parts
5. Transfer using transfer tape or special Heat transfer tape.

Software

Compatible Design Software / File Format

Because a vinyl cutter follows vector paths to determine where to cut, designs must be prepared as vector-based files before being imported into VinylMaster Cut.

Common software that can create or work with vector graphics includes:

• Adobe Illustrator
• Inkscape
• Rhino
• AutoCAD and other CAD software (available in Digital Design Lab)
• VinylMaster (with limited design functionality)

Common vector file formats include SVG, EPS, AI, DXF, and some PDF files.

Design Constraints

This vinyl cutter has a maximum material width of 28 inches. Due to the machine’s structure, approximately 4 inches on the left side are unusable, leaving a maximum cutting/design width of 24 inches. Please limit materials to 28 inches wide and designs to 24 inches wide. There is no practical limit on design length, as the machine can feed material continuously from a roll.

Designing for Heat Transfer Vinyl

When using Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV), remember to mirror (flip) your design before cutting. Since HTV is cut from the back of the material and then flipped onto the final surface during application, the design must be mirrored so that it appears correctly after transfer.

VinylMaster Cut V5

VinylMaster’s native workspace has a limited selection of fonts. If your design requires a specific font or style, create the design in your preferred design software, export it in the appropriate vector format, and then import it into VinylMaster. This helps preserve the intended appearance and prevents unexpected formatting or font errors.

Post Processing

Weeding

Weeding is

Advanced

Types of Vinyl

Go to USCutter > Vinyl > Select vinyl rolls under 28”

Usage	Vinyl	Transfer Method	Blade
Digital Printed Graphics	Oracal 3951, 3651 HP Gloss & Matte	Main Tape GFX-341	45° Blade
Glass Application	Oracal 8300, 8500, 8510, 8800	Main Tape GXF-775 R-Tape AT65	45° Blade
Heat Press (Fabric)	EasyWeed for standard fabrics EasyWeed Extra for nylons/water resistant fabrics	N/A	30° Blade (general) 60° Blade (glitter/flock)
Outdoor Signage	Oracal 651, GreenStar Intermediate (calendered) short term Oracal 751, 951 (cast) — long term	GreenStar Layflat Classic Main Tape GXF-775	45° Blade (general); 60° Blade (reflective)
Indoor Wall Vinyl	Oracal 631 GreenStar Wall Vinyl	Main Tape GXP750 Oratape HT55	45° Blade
Stencils and Masks	Anchor BlastLite Oramask	R-Tape 4076RLA	60° Blade

Carrier Sheets

Some materials, particularly those without a backing or liner, may need additional support during cutting. A carrier sheet has a lightly adhesive surface that holds the material securely in place as it moves through the vinyl cutter.

Go to Carrier Sheets

Blade Switch/Replacement

Over time, the vinyl cutter blade may become dull or damaged, resulting in incomplete or inconsistent cuts. When this occurs, the blade should be replaced with a Titan 3 compatible blade.

Before replacing the blade, check that poor cutting is not caused by incorrect blade depth, pressure, or speed settings.

Go to Titan 3 Compatible Blades