2020. 2. 11. 21:13ㆍ카테고리 없음
Observations on the Gigantagram vinyl cutter and banner printer from Lazer Images and comparison with true wide format inkjet printers. Gigantagram vinyl cutter and banner printer with solvent inks vs Western Graphtec JX Series plotter-printer.
Sign shops face lots of tough decisions in this digital millennium: abandon vinyl cutters and go to full color wide format inkjet printers? Or find a halfway solution, namely the Varitronics XL3000 Poster Printer from Brady or the Gigantagram Instant Vinyl & Banner printer from Lazer Images which can print with multiple colors. The Gigantagram poster and banner printer is a clever concept. The uncoated vinyl is much much cheaper than the coated media required for inkjet printers. The printer prints at an acceptable speed. You can print in several colors on the same vinyl, a tough assignment for an old-fashioned vinyl cutter.
The pleasant people at the Lazer Images booth at both PMA and Graphics of the Americas trade shows (February 2001) indicated that thousands and thousands of people bought their systems. However let's look at the wider world of sign making. For Ma and Pa neighborhood sign shops, this or a vinyl cutter of Variatronics poster printer are okay. But your competition is already gaining clients with a full-featured true large format inkjet printer. So before you plunk down x-thousand dollars, carefully consider the alternatives. As far as I can ascertain the Gigantagram vinyl banner system can only paint solid predefined colors, namely the precise colors of the magic markers.
I do not see any means of mix and match colors. In other words, you can't mix one color on top of another (yes, you can paint over perhaps, but the result would be unpredictable). Thus this system cannot actually print a photograph of anything, because that would require dots, as in a printing press or dithering software as a true wide format printer. Thus when you see photographs that have Gigantagram lettering, that is simply a Gigantagram print on top of a photograph that is preprinted by screen press or true large format inkjet printer.
So just be sure you don't have a hope you can print actual signs, posters, or banners with real pictures. No, you can't, indeed I am not even sure the Gigantagram can accept TIF (TIFF) images from Adobe Photograph, which is the digital imaging software used by 99% of the digital imaging professionals in the world and the #1 software for generating photographs for true wide format digital printing on an actual wide format printer. Digital imaging has not been very kind to outmoded technologies of the 1980's.
Pen plotters have already been overtaken by inkjet printers in the CAD market. Vinyl cutters are still being sold by, and many other companies but we have seen other sign shops where the vinyl cutters are being pushed into the back room as, Hewlett-Packards, and ColorSpans are being moved into the main room. The Gigantagram probably has a faithful following. Thus we look forward to learning more about the capabilities of this unique printing system. Perhaps we can find out features that make it worthwhile even in the modern digital. Later this year we will consider adding non-digital traditional sign making equipment to find out what features of these older sign making vinyl cutters and poster printers still are worthwhile for specific jobs even in the digital era.
Although the inkjet printer is rather versatile, it can't yet do everything, and some kinds of simple lettering may indeed be more cost effective with a Gigantagram. So far we have seen the Gigantagram only at trade shows, so will need to get some firsthand practical experience with it.
Since it's evidently been made since 1988, the printer should be relatively well made by now. Inkjet printers advance their technology every 16 months.
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Why worry about production cost if your clients are willing to pay extra for the superior quality of a true inkjet print. In other words, update your mindset from the days gone. It's a digital world out there. Besides, you can get a Western or 2100 which can do inkjet printing as well as cutting, so you can have the best of both worlds (we do not recommend the clumsy NovaCut nor the Graphtec version JX 1060 or JX 1130). But we have inspected the newer Western Graphtec JX 2150 and 2100 models. They are excellent printers for a sign shop who still needs some vinyl cutting as well as full quality inkjet printer capability. In Summary: Gigantagram Vinyl and Banner printer or Western Graphtec cutter-plotter?
Yes, Gigantagram solvent ink on vinyl will hold up outdoors, but what about the health hazards of solvent inks? Solvent inks are banned in Europe, even at tradeshows, without full exhaust system (which costs more than the printer). Encad had a solvent ink printer under development the year 2000. Encad stopped development due to the new laws, especially since California is also now getting tougher on solvent inks. So that new Encad printer never appeared. The Roland SolventJet has failed in the market because its Epson printheads can't hold up to the chemical reactions of the aggressive solvent inks. Nowadays plenty of media works with the Graphtec SignJet Pro which is water-resistant.
But the main reason to select an inkjet printer over a pen plotter is to enter the real world. If you are stuck with a pen plotter or vinyl cutter that is all you can do. Nothing more. If this is all you ever intend to do, then yes, the Gigantagram is what you should consider.
But if you aspire to grow and get more clients, go for a real digital printer. The Graphtec is much much faster than the Roland. Just be sure not to get the earlier Encad model.
The model that is considerably better is the model we have inspected at two tradeshows, Graphtec JX 1060 and 1130. Neither are on the Internet; actually there is more on these printers on the FLAAR website than on the Internet., ask for the FLAAR report on 'Which Wide Format Solvent Ink Printer is good for Sign Shops.' Comparative reviews, pros and cons of each technology. In case you need to print on atypical substances, consider asking for 'Inkjet Printers for Thick and Rigid Materials.' This is a public service of our university; there is no cost. While you are at it, you can also ask for the 'FLAAR report on wide format inkjet printers for signs, posters, banners' (specify whether for indoor signs with normal inks or outdoor signs in the rain and sun with solvent inks on vinyl).
If you are unsure which, then just tell us what you intend to print, whether this is your first (or second) printer, and what kind of help you need. You can also ask for the report on 'Media and Inks for Sign Printing with Large Format Inkjet.'
If this will be your first printer, then we have a special report that holds your hand and leads you through all the basic questions that will assist a first-time buyer of a large format printer. This explains what RIP software is, why this is useful, and includes tips, warnings, information, and help for a wide range of matters for a newbie. Here you will really appreciate that FLAAR is based at a university; Professor Hellmuth has plenty of experience writing in a manner that explains what you need, and why. No, we can't save you from printer problems that we don't know about, and yes, even the worst printer has some redeeming usefulness. Thus you need to make the final decision yourself. But at least we can provide plenty of helpful tips and warn you about the more subtle kinds of bait-and-switch advertising.
We have seen printers advertised as 'photo realistic' when in fact a photographer would be embarrassed to see his or her images on that printer. The slowest printer of all is flagrantly advertised with hype claiming it is the absolute fastest. Our tests also demonstrate that the output is so pathetic that you would throw the prints in the trash. You would also lose your clients if you attempted to charge them for such awful output.
On the subject of unusable output, if you wish to learn which inkjet printers won 'worst in show' category, ask for the FLAAR evaluations of large format printers at trade shows: DRUPA, Seybold, Photokina, PhotoEast+SGIA, The Big Picture SHOW, and others. Most recently updated November 31, 2001.
Hello All, I just picked up a Graphtec jx1060. I know the printing system is not worth attempting to revive, as this machine sat for a very long time with/without ink. Based on other posts I found about this machine it seems this machine cuts and cuts and cuts but as a printer it printed mehh at best. So I would like to use it as a cutter only. Mostly for small graphics 12inx12in in size. So far I think I am doing good, cause I only have $10 invested. (Yes, ten dollars at auction.
With stand and a bunch of partial rolls of various vinyl) I got it home and without the blade in it I powered it up and it POSTed fine. It seems to be working. I say 'seems' because it is missing the right pinch roller (just the wheel part). So I cannot run a real test til I get another roller. With some assist from me on the right side the cutter did load a scrap piece of vinyl and seemed to be ready to go. From searching the forum I know that is is similar to other branded cutters made during the same time that this dino was made.
(Novacut etc.) However I cannot find the info I need about the pinch roller and drivers. As best as I can measure with a HF caliper, my pinch roller has an axle size of 3.96mm, a width of 10.56mm, and a roller diameter of 15.06mm Is this the same for all Graphtecs? Ie FC CE models. I've seen these listed between $23-$33 but they don't give any specs of the roller's size. I did find on ebay generic pinch roller listed as 4mm x 11mm x 16mm for $10 and I am wondering if this will work. Seems that the worst would be a bit more down pressure because of the extra 1mm in roller diameter.
Physically, it seems that there is enough clearance for the 16mm roller. And of course I'd replace both rollers. Given the age of this machine I don't think the cost of factory parts are warranted as something else will most likely die before I wear out a new set of rollers. ($10 roller will double my investment ) Also I cannot find the driver or software specific to the jx1060. Its no longer on the graphtec web.
Will the more current drivers and software for the FC & CE models have the basic functions to work with my machine? If anybody still has this machine I'd appreciate some guidance on the roller size and driver/software to drive this dino. Anybody still running one?
I have Corel x5 but also have versions 8 thru 12 if I need to go retro to work with this machine. If anybody can send me (or point me to) the driver software it would be great! Bruce Corel 8 thru x5 Versalaser 660 60watt laser Gravograph M30g rotary engraver #2 pencil and a hammer. Thanks for the link Tim, but I was already there and neither the software drivers or the specifications for the pinch rollers are available at the site. The lack of finding anything at the Graphtec site about the jx1060 is what led me to come here to ask. If one goes to the Discontinued/Legacy Cutter Plotters download section for drivers, there aren't any JX series drivers listed. So this did not help with finding the driver.
I don't know if I need it, but I did see the download for Cut Master 2. However the download page has a circular link reference that doesn't actually take you to a download page to get the software. Do I need this software too?
And of course there is no information about the JX series machines on the site let alone the pinch roller specific for the JX1060. Nor is there any technical information about the pinch rollers specification on the FC or CE series that would give me a clue as to if the rollers are the same or not. Anybody with a jx1060 (or equivalent) that can confirm if the rollers are still the same as the new FC / CE? And a download for the software driver? And do I need the Cut Master 2 software also? Well, I guess by the weak response from owners, Woolly and I have the last two remaining jx1060 cutters. Any way, I wanted to post my results just in case it can help someone.
The Documentation: There is nothing to be found for the Graphtec JX1060. However I did find a PDF document at the Kodak website for a ENCAD Novacut 24 that is 99% relevant to the JX1060. Thanked God for it. It allowed me to setup and test the cutter without a bunch of guessing at the cutter's cryptic control panel. The Document is here: The Hardware: The 16mm rollers I got on ebay work just fine. The axle hole was a bit larger (i think.009 over) but given downward pressure it should be OK and there was plenty of clearance for the extra 1mm over sized outside diameter. Given the machines age I'm sure something else will fail before these rollers do.
To replace the one missing pinch roller's axle I cut the shank off an appropriate sized drill bit. A little time with a dremel cutting wheel and it was ready to roll. The generic CB09 blade holder from ebay was a perfect fit. The Software/Drivers: Uuggg! This was the frustrating part. However I did get an install of the CE-5000 software to finally work.
Part of the problem was that all the new driver installation software didn't have the Parallel Port option listed any more. I was installing this on an XP computer.
I downloaded and installed so many variations so I'm not sure what exactly finally worked but I think it was this; I installed an older version of the CE-5000 software first. I think is was for Windows95/98. And during the install chose 'FILE' as the output port.
After the install I then manually went into the properties for the device and changed it from 'FILE' to 'LPT1'. I was then able to update the drivers with the latest version listed for the CE-5000 for Windows XP and all was well. Drivers I used are here. I did some test cuts including some 18pt text and it cut perfect! What a beautiful machine. Now that I know this thing is working I will get some quality blades and I'm sure I'll have lots of cut time left in this machine. I think it was put to pasture because the printing system is what failed.
It looked like it was dismantled and put in the backroom years ago. So the actual run time on the cutter is relatively low given its age. Here's the source for the parts. I am not endorsing.
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I'm just providing my source and positive experience. I have no idea who they are.
But I did order and the parts arrived from China in about 14 days delivery. Both sellers had thousands of positive feedback at the time I purchased. Pinch rollers-2 rollers $19 delivered (ebay seller cnlisaliu 99.8% Pos. Blade Holder w/3 blades $25 delivered- (ebay seller win-win-mechatronic 100% Pos. Way cheaper than Graphtec and somewhat cheaper than 3rd parties in the USA.
So my adventure has a positive outcome! $10 for the JX1060 machine $19 for 2 pinch rollers $25 for blade holder and 3 blades. Being able to now cut vinyl. Thanks again to Woolly and CiberSupply-TT for their input! I guess i'm a little late on this post but I wanted to tell you I have the driver on a Flexi 5 CD if you ever need it. I bought my graphtec and this software 12 years ago and have used it daily ever since. It has never had any problems.
I have never used the print, one of the ribbons where the cartridge snaps in has a burnt spot on it and I was told even back then it wasn't worth fixin. It has been a great cutter and has got to have a million miles on it! I never could find a user guide for it, so I was glad to see you found the NovaCut instruction were the same. I learned some stuff already from that. Just read this, I have used a jx1060 for the past 12 years, as a printer well I think you was being kind to it, in todays standards it wouldn't have a look in and at it's best was nothing but trouble.
We had it from new and used to run it on a server originally, I have the user instruction manual for it but to be perfectly honest theres nothing you wouldn't already know in them. We drained off the ink I removed the ink tanks and the pipes and about 8 years ago maybe more and have used it as a cutter ever since, the blade holder and the pinch rollers seem to be the same as the ones on our older CE1000-60 and our much newer CE5000-120. As for drivers after we got rid of the server I used a driver I downloaded from the graphtec site but since using it as a cutter on Flexi-sign7 which doesn't list it in it's hybrid machines I found that I could use it by listing it as a FC3100-60 in the cutter section and it has cut everyday ever since and has really put out a lot of work, the only drawback with using it in flexi as a FC3100-60 is I can only use roll2 and the advance after cut doesn't work otherwise no problems at all. It is reliable and a workhorse and apart for blades the only other thing I have fitted to ours is a couple of cutting mats. I am green with envy you are so lucky I wish I could pick one up for $10 or a bit more lol. Enjoy it you got an absolute bargain and it must have paid for itself 20 times over in the first week. All posts and other information available at Signs 101 should be viewed as the opinion only of the poster.
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