Measuring the Blade Depth: All Current CMC Models Except the Z1

We will measure the Blade Depth to determine what the Default Blade Depth should be for your standard matboard.

Open FrameShop/MatDesigner and design a 2x2 opening mat.

Go to the Cut Preview Screen and cut the mat on 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.

Look carefully at your CMC model’s Blade Dial and the associated Blade Depth numbers.

• Turning the Blade Depth Dial to lower numbers makes a shallower cut,

• Turning the Blade Depth Dial to higher numbers makes a deeper cut.

If the Blade Depth is too deep, decrease the Blade Depth Dial and enter the current number on the Blade Depth screen under Opening.

Turning the Blade Depth to lower numbers makes a shallower cut.

Keep making adjustments until satisfied with the Blade Depth.

If the Blade Depth is too shallow, increase the Blade Depth Dial and enter the current number on the Blade Depth screen under the Blade Depth Dial .

Turning the Blade Depth to higher numbers also makes a deeper cut.

Do another test cut.

Keep making adjustments until satisfied with the Blade Depth.

Once satisfied with the Blade Depth, open the Blade Depth Screen and click on the Opening field.

Change the Blade Depth number to match the Blade Depth Dial. In the Label field, enter a title such as “recommended for paper mat depth”.

Click on the “Set as Default” button to make the current Blade Depth the default Blade Depth setting.

Each mark on the Blade Depth Dial is .005 of an inch.

For example, if you are cutting 4-ply on the Blade Depth setting of 10 and that mat is .064” thick and you get a matboard that is .082” thick, you would need to increase the Blade Depth Dial setting by 4 to 14 (which would be .084”... close enough).

Remember to make the same change in the Blade Depth Screen.

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 Dial 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 go 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 to change the Blade Depth Dial to the correct Blade Depth.

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

Change the Blade Depth Dial on the Head to the correct setting and click Continue.

We will measure the V-Groove Blade Depth to determine what the default V-Groove Blade Depth should be for your standard matboard.

Open FrameShop/MatDesigner and design a 2x2 V-Groove.

Go to the Cut Preview and cut the mat on 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.

Look carefully at your CMC model’s Blade Depth Dial and the associated Blade Depth numbers.

• Turning the Blade Depth Dial to lower numbers makes a shallower cut.

• Turning Blade Depth Dial to higher numbers makes a deeper cut.

If the Blade Depth is too deep for the V-Groove, decrease the Blade Depth Dial and enter the current number on the Blade Depth Screen under V-Groove.

Turning the Blade Depth to lower numbers makes a shallower cut.

Do another test cut.

Keep making adjustments until satisfied.

If the Blade Depth is too shallow for the V-Groove, increase the Blade Depth Dial and enter the current number on the Blade Depth Screen under V-Groove.

Turning the Blade Depth Dial to higher numbers makes a deeper cut.

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 Blade Depth Dial. 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.

When cutting a V-Groove, you will be prompted to change the Blade Depth Dial to the V-Groove depth.

Change the Blade Depth Dial and click OK.

After the V-Groove has finished cutting, you will be prompted to return the Blade Depth Dial to the Blade Depth setting for Openings in order to cut the openings.

Change the Blade Depth Dial and click OK.