Silhouette CNC 101 - Nova LabsSilhouette 101 So, what is it? The Silhouette is a CNC (computer...
Transcript of Silhouette CNC 101 - Nova LabsSilhouette 101 So, what is it? The Silhouette is a CNC (computer...
Silhouette CNC 101INTRODUCTION TO SILHOUETTE CAMEO
Silhouette 101
Overview
•Nova Labs
• Intro and Capabilities
•Anatomy
•Blades
•Media
•Safety
•Operation
•Hands-on
Silhouette 101
About Nova Labs
What is Nova Labs?
• A non-profit Makerspace
What is a Makerspace? (per Wikipedia)
• A Makerspace is a physical location supporting a collaborative environment and community.
• A maker's facility usually provides access to community tools and people with a wealth of knowledge
• Given access to these resources, community members are able to learn and complete projects which would otherwise be out of their capability
Silhouette 101
About Nova Labs (cont.)
How is the space funded?
• Through classes like this, membership dues and donations
How do I become a member?
• Take Green Orientation (aka GO available under NOVA Makers on Meetup.com)
• Find a subject that interests you
• First Step - Find a Sponsor!
Silhouette 101
So, what is it?
The Silhouette is a CNC (computer numerical control) cutting and drawing tool. Like a printer but instead of laying ink, it uses a small blade or pen to cut and draw. The Silhouette may be used to produce crafts that can give, depending on your need:
• a handmade feel• a clean professional look
Silhouette 101
Capabilities
What can the Silhouette do?
• Cuts
• Drawing
• Rhinestones
• Appliqués
• Paper Crafts
• Glass Etching
Silhouette 101
Made at Nova Labs!
Silhouette 101
Parts• Base• Mats➢ Standard➢ PixScanTM
Blades• Standard• Fabric• Deep
Tools• Scraper• Spatula• Pick• Burnisher
Anatomy
Silhouette 101
Blades✱
Type and Usage• Standard (Black)
Most jobs (adjust blade to proper depth)• Fabric (Blue)
Cutting fabrics • Deep (Silver) - NEVER use the Deep Cutting blade on the
CAMEO®!
✱ It is important to use
the correct blade for the job.
Silhouette 101
Vocabulary
Weeding: ━ Removing unwanted material after the cut has been made
Burnishing:━ Rubbing the surface of the media with a blunt, smooth tool
(such as the Burnisher) to solidly adhere media to mat or transfer paper
Media:━ Material that is cut or drawn on
Silhouette 101
Media
Types• Acceptable media types for use in the CAMEO® include:
➢ Vinyl➢ Cardstock➢ Paper➢ Some fabrics
Brands to use• Any brand of media may be used in the CAMEO®• If you are concerned with finding the right cut depth, Silhouette
brand media has pre-set selections
Silhouette 101
Safety
Blades• While relatively safe, the blades do protrude from their cartridge• Do not put anything under the blade that you do not intend to
cut• Do not overextend the blade - use test cuts before extending the
blade’s length!Don’t Feed the Machine
• Remember: the CAMEO® does have moving parts• Keep loose items (ties, lanyards, hair, etc.) away from the
machineProblem with the Mat? DO NOT PULL IT!
• The CAMEO® is not like a printer - forcibly removing the mat may damage the machine!
• Follow correct protocols to remove mat if you have a problem
Silhouette 101
Operation – Pitfalls
Blocked mat: ━ Ensure there is enough room behind the CAMEO® to
accommodate the entire cutting mat
Media too thick:━ Use the guidelines for proper media choice (maximum 0.8mm
thickness)
Will not cut/cuts poorly:━ Blades will need to be replaced every six months
Skewed mat: ━ Fed in at an angle
Silhouette 101
Operation – Before You Start
Fill Out the Log!• You can find the log on top of the Silhouette machines• Logging usage of the Silhouette machines is CRITICAL!
➢ Nova Labs can replace consumables (blades, mats, etc.) when appropriate based on usage
➢ The log is also used to report problems (in addition to standard Nova Labs procedures)
➢ Log the date, time used, machine used, your name, and any issues
Silhouette 101
Operation – Techniques
Adjusting Blade Depth• Place the blade into the adjustment socket so the arrow on the socket
lines up with the red line on the blade• Turn the blade to the desired number
Preparing Mat• Be sure that you select the correct mat from the
“Design - Page Setup” window in Silhouette Studio® before beginning your project
• Select the dimensions of your media from the same window• To prepare the mat for loading:
1. Remove non-stick protective liner on mat2. Position media to correspond with the display in Silhouette
Studio® 3. Use burnisher to firmly adhere media to the mat
Access the “Design - Page Setup” window by clicking these buttons:
Silhouette 101
Operation – Techniques
Loading Mat• When loading a cutting mat into the Silhouette:
1. Align the mat with the blue alignment mark at the left2. Press mat (do not force) against white rollers3. Select “Load Cut Mat” from the digital display on the Silhouette
Making a Test Cut• To check your blade depth and settings:
1. Load the cutting mat with desired media2. Select the Send button and click on the Test Cut
button at the bottom of the Silhouette Studio screen 3. Once the test cut is complete, press “Unload” on the digital display4. To retest, reload the mat and move the blade by pressing the
arrows icon in the lower right of the digital display5. Change the blade position with the arrows that appear6. Repeat steps 2-3
Silhouette 101
Operation – Techniques
Canceling Job and Unloading/Ejecting Mat• If there is a problem with your cutting job:
1. NEVER PULL OUT THE MAT!2. On the digital display of the Silhouette, press the “Pause” option3. Next, press the “Cancel Job” option4. Press “Yes” to confirm5. Once job has canceled, press “Unload” to unload mat
• If you only need to unload the mat, press the “Unload” option when your job is complete
• NEVER PULL OUT THE MAT TO UNLOAD IT! Always use the “Unload” option on the digital display
Adding Weed Lines• Only needed on larger projects• See http://tinyurl.com/hzuhem5 for instructions
Silhouette 101
Operation – Technique Weeding
Traditional Weeding:━ Pull excess media off of mat using various tools such
as tweezers, picks, or scrapers
Reverse Weeding:━ Uses transfer paper before weeding━ This technique often employed when small pieces must
remain━ Particularly useful when doing rhinestones
Silhouette 101
Software Versions and Differences
Silhouette Studio® Basic Edition (Free)• Supported files : .png, .jpeg, .bmp, .gif, .tiff, .dxf, .wmf
Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition ($50)• Adds rulers and Guides• Additional support for : .gsd/.gst, .svg, .pdf• Convert shapes to rhinestone or sketch patterns• Transfer properties between shapes• Adjustable pivot point for rotating shapes• Nesting Tool
Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition Plus ($75)• Adds embroidery file types (PES, DST, EXP, JEF, and XXX)• Unlocks Advanced Rhinestone features
Silhouette 101
Software Versions and Differences
Silhouette Studio® Business Edition ($100)• Multi-cutter support• Ai/EPS/CDR file type support• Automated Weed Line feature• Design View vs. Media Layout View• Media Layout Settings• Media Layout Nesting Preview• Tiling feature• Matrix Copy feature
To see a comparison chart of the different Silhouette Studio® editions, go to: https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio-features-comparison-chart
Silhouette 101
References and Resources
Software and User Manuals• Silhouette Studio® software:
➢ https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software#silhouette-studio
➢ Select most current version for your computer OS• Software User Manual -
www.silhcdn.com/m/d/software-guides/ss-en.pdf• Software shortcuts guide -
http://cdn.silhouetteamerica.com/m/d/silhouette-studio-shortcuts.pdf
• CAMEO® User Guide -
https://www.silhcdn.com/m/d/user-guides/cameo-en.pdf
Design Ideas• www.pinterest.com/explore/silhouette-cameo-free/ • www.silhouetteamerica.com/what-can-you-make
Silhouette 101
References and Resources
Premade Designs• www.silhouettedesignstore.com/ • www.bydawnnicole.com/category/silhouette-cameo-projects/free-sil
houette-cut-files
Media Sites and Stores• www.heattransfervinyl4u.com/siser_easyweed • Michaels• Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts
Tutorial Sites• www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/ • www.thepinningmama.com/silhouette-101-simple-step-by-
step-tutorials-to-make-learning-your-silhouette-cameo-easy/
• www.thepinningmama.com/13-must-know-tips-for-silhouette-beginners/
Silhouette 101
Project – Vinyl Nova Labs Logo
Steps to Producing:
1. Place Vinyl on Mat2. Align and insert Mat3. Make and check test cut4. Load file5. Start Cut6. Weed7. Use Transfer Paper then apply or Cover with wax paper8. Cleanup Machine Area