Cutting Plotter - Craft Robo and others

July 2, 2009 11:07 AM

It looks like the Craft Robo is a really cool little cutting plotter. I would like to know if the bigger plotters can do the same with card stock or thin materials as well as the Craft robo. Is it perhaps impractical to use a big plotter for small projects, or is it worthwhile to spend a bit more on a big one that can make large signs as well as small cards? Also, if you have suggestions on good software (inkscape?) - (I have Mac and PC) Thanks!!!
posted by bright77blue to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

For software, I have heard that people use Corel Draw quite a bit to generate paths for paper and vinyl cutters.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:01 PM on July 2, 2009

What larger plotter are you considering? Summa offers plugins for both Corel Draw and Adobe Illustrator.

I have first hand experience with Summa and they are a top-drawer company.
posted by bz at 12:07 PM on July 2, 2009

Adafruit, which laser-etched my laptop, uses Corel Draw on a PC. From what I remember, the plotter is basically run by a printer driver, which controls the movement, power, etc.

They also use a larger plotter capable of burning 17" MacBook Pros, that can also burn a business-card sized ... business card. They are an Open Source business, so checking them out may help a lot!
posted by GJSchaller at 12:08 PM on July 2, 2009

Also, there's the Craft Robo Pro which is bigger and a little more robust (uses servos instead of steppers) than the entry level version.
posted by bz at 12:22 PM on July 2, 2009

I'd disagree that the Craft Robo is a really cool little cutting plotter actually.

I bought one about 18 months ago, and have never really bonded with it. Yes, in theory it's really nifty (you can cut whatever you can print from your computer) but in reality it's a real drag having to line everything up, make sure the depth of the blade is *just so*, and it causes loads of wasted card stock. Maybe I haven't really made enough effort to get to grips with everything mine can do. YMMV.
posted by car01 at 1:32 PM on July 2, 2009

The little Craft Robo with steppers sort of vibrates its knives across the stock so alignment problems are not surprising. The servos should be a lot smoother. When you step up to a real cutter such as those by Summa then rock solid registration is a fundamental requirement and expected. The more serious plotters are used to cut often incredibly expensive stock and as little waste as possible is mandatory.
posted by bz at 1:45 PM on July 2, 2009