Measuring the Blade Depth: CMC Z1

We will measure the blade depth to determine what the default blade depth should be for your standard matboard. Because the CMC model Z1 completely controls the blade depth within the software, it does not have a blade depth knob.

Open FrameShop/MatDesigner and design a 2x2 opening mat. Go to the Cut Preview and cut the mat using your standard matboard.

Look at the mat. Did the blade cut all the way through the matboard? Or did it cut all the way into the backing mat?

If an adjustment needs to be made, click on the Blade Depth Button on the Cut Preview.

The Blade Depth Screen will open.

If the blade depth is too deep, decrease the blade depth value on the blade depth screen under Opening. Do another test cut. Keep making adjustments until satisfied.

If the blade depth is too shallow, increase the blade depth value on the blade depth screen under Opening. Do another test cut. Do another test cut. Keep making adjustments until satisfied.

Once satisfied with the blade depth, click on the Opening field on the Blade Depth Screen and click on the “Set as Default” button to make the current blade depth value the default blade depth setting. In the Label field, enter a title such as “recommended for paper mat depth”.

When you go to the Cut Preview, you have the option of using the default blade depth to cut the current mat, or you can click on the Blade Depth Button to select a different blade depth for each layer.

Have the desired layer selected.

Click on the Blade Depth Button.

On the Blade Depth Screen, enter the new blade depth value number under Opening. The Label field allows you to make notes about the matboard used at this particular blade depth setting.

Select “Apply New Depth to All Layers” if you wish the same blade depth to be applied to all layers of the current mat.

Click OK.

The new blade depth number is listed next to the current layer.

The blade depth number is also displayed at the top of the screen for the current layer.

NOTE: If you return to the Editor then back to the Cut Preview, the default blade depth setting will be reloaded for all layers.

When you cut the mat, if the newly selected blade depth is different than the last blade depth used, you will be prompted for the blade cartridge and that the blade depth will be changed.

Note: Your actual screen may look different but contains the same message.

You can change the blade depth in the software on the fly by clicking the minus or plus buttons to change the blade depth value then click continue.

Open FrameShop/MatDesigner and design a 2x2 V-Groove. Go to the Cut Preview and cut the mat using your standard matboard.

Look at the mat. Did the blade cut far enough into the matboard to form the V-Groove? Or did it cut too deep into the backing mat?

If an adjustment needs to be made, click on the Blade Depth Button on the Cut Preview.

The Blade Depth Screen will open.

If the blade depth is too deep, decrease the blade depth value and do another test cut. Keep making adjustments until satisfied.

If the blade depth is too shallow, increase the blade depth value and do another test cut. Keep making adjustments until satisfied.

Once satisfied with the V-Groove blade depth, open the Blade Depth Screen and click on the V-Groove field. Change the number to match the knob. In the Label field, enter a title such as “recommended for V-Grooves on paper mat”.

Click on the “Set as Default” button to make the current blade depth the default V-Groove blade depth setting. In the Label field, enter a title such as “recommended for V-Grooves on paper mat”.

When cutting a V-Groove, you will be prompted that it will change the blade depth to the V-Groove depth. Click Continue to cut the V-Groove.

After the V-Groove has finished cutting, you will be prompted that it will return the blade depth to the opening blade depth setting to cut the openings. Click Continue.