Cutting an Extra Dense Layer with the 90° Cartridge: VPO: CMC 9000, Z Series and the 8000 Plus
Use the Extra Dense Material checkbox on the Cut Speeds screen to prompt for the VPO Head Air Pressure Adjustment to cut Extra Dense Material; use the 90° Cut Speed slidebar to set the Cut Speed for the 90° Cartridge.
Below are instructions for adjusting the Variable Pressure Optimization (VPO) feature on the cutting Head which regulates the air pressure when cutting Extra Dense material on supported CMC models.
Setting up to Cut an Extra Dense Layer with the 90° Cartridge
This setting is only for the 90° Cartridge and will not take affect if another cartridge is selected.
This setting will allow the 90° Cartridge to cut at a slower pace.
The Head Air Regulator is located on the left side of the Head, and controls the Head Air Pressure as it is cutting.
The Air Pressure is applied when the Head is cutting.
The minimum Air Pressure should be 30 psi, otherwise the blade may not cut through the matboard.
The maximum Air Pressure should be around 80 psi to avoid crushing the matboard.
Note: Increasing the Air Pressure will increase the Blade Depth.
Select the desired layer on the Cut Preview.
Click the Cut Speeds Button to open the Cut Speeds Screen.
Click the checkbox for Dense.
Click the checkbox for Extra Dense Material.
Adjust the slidebar to the percentage of cutting speed.
For instance, 50% is 50% of the standard cutting speed.
Click OK.
The Cut Preview displays the Dense layer with pound sign and indicates that this layer is Extra Dense.
If necessary, click the Blade Depth Button and change the Blade Depth to the appropriate setting for this matboard.
Click Cut to cut the mat and Align the Head if requested.
A prompt to adjust the Head Pressure to the High Setting displays.
Pull out the Air Regulator Pressure Knob by pulling it to the left.
Turn the Air Regulator Pressure Knob clockwise until the marker on the gauge is at the High Setting.
For Head Air Regulators that go up to 60 psi, set it to 60 psi.
For Head Air Regulators that go up past 80 psi, set it to 80 psi. The maximum Air Pressure should be less than or equal to 80 psi to avoid crushing the matboard.
Make sure the gauge does not go above 80 psi.
Push the Air Regulator Pressure Knob back in by pushing it to the right.
Click OK to cut the mat with this setting.
No Speed Reduction
This is a feature of the VPO Head; not all CMC models have this feature.
Optionally, select No Automatic Speed Reduction for Depth of 16 and Above if you do not want the CMC to reduce speed when cutting thicker material.
Unselect No Automatic Speed Reduction for Depth of 16 and Above to let the CMC automatically reduce speed when cutting thicker material.
NOTE: Depending upon the thickness and density of the matboard, you may get better cuts by slowing down the cuts.