The Graphtech FC8000 is a rather new machine.  It sports one of the most contemporary designs on the market. It has a 3 inch wide LCD control Panel that is very simple to understand. The dual configuration function allows two different users to save their own configurations on the same machine. It is even capable to be hooked up to an ethernet connection.  It comes with extra push rollers, each of which has three different tension settings. Like other models such as the Roland GX-24, it has a registration mark detection system. The FC8000 cuts at a high speed and has powerful cutting pressure. This maximizes the quality of the final product of whatever it is that you are using your vinyl cutter for.

The FC8000 is also a very efficient machine. It will certainly aid in increasing your productivity while keeping all of your cuts precise. The machine comes with a stand making it convenient to find a place for you cutter in any workshop.

While it may be a little excessive for someone who cuts as a hobby, the Graphtech FC8000 is an outstanding choice for anyone out there who uses their vinyl cutter for business. The investment will prove to be worthwhile in the end

The Silhouette is perfect for the average hobbyist. It is portable, and you can even use it without your computer!  Simply design your layout in the included Robo Master Software and save onto an SD memory card, like the ones found in a digital camera, which then fits securely in the side of the Silhouette.  Take it to a friend's house and leave the computer at home.  Once the card is inserted, you can scroll through the data right on the unit's LCD screen and cut away!

With features typically found on machines that cost much more, the Silhouette is a great cutter for first-timers, but engineered to satisfy professionals. Perfect for scrapbooking, stickers, decals, t-shirt transfers, postcards and more! It also comes with the software needed to design what you're going to cut. Silhouette Studio is compatible with PCs (Windows XP/Vista/7) and Macintosh (OSX 10.5.8 and higher). Silhouette Studio software allows the creation of original designs using various shape and drawing tools. It can also import clipart and bitmap files to aid the creative process. Silhouette Studio is perfect for vinyl signs, print and cut stickers and decals from desktop printers, scrapbooking, card applications and various apparel decoration applications. Silhouette Studio also has a direct link to the Silhouette online design library with thousands of original vector artwork for download. This might be a little package, but it packs a big punch in quality and use. Get yours today for $250.

Specifications:

The new Roland vinyl cutter cost me almost four times the price of the other models I owned at a whopping $1500. However, upon using my new cutter, the increase in price instantly became apparent. It’s been working perfectly for half a year(already about twice as long as either of the past cutters). Aside from the increased reliability, my Roland truly cuts more precisely. This cuts down on wasted materials and time, while giving you a higher quality finished product. In my book, this has justified the steep price.

The GX-24 model works well with almost any material size. However, it has very odd restrictions on where exactly you load the material. Another complicated feature is that you must do a full set up for each cut. Within a few weeks of use though, I became pretty well accustomed to the changes in operation. There are other features that the Roland GX-24 has that I have not even used yet. For example, it comes equipped with an optical registration mark detection system. This seems like a very nifty feature. I hope to familiarize myself with this system, should my work call for it.

Overall, the Roland GX-24 is a great choice when it comes to purchasing a vinyl cutter. It is an extremely sturdy unit that will most likely last you a very long time. It will undoubtedly perform to your standards. In the end, the expensive price is worth it.

The Craft ROBO Pro is perfect for all kinds of media cutting applications including vinyl graphics, heat transfer t-shirt vinyl, transfer sheets, rhinestone templates, contour cut stickers, labels, wrappers, gift tags, scrap-booking, architectural modeling, pattern cutting for paint masking and etching, and many others. This is an essential tool for any hobby, business, or craft.

Another reason that makes The Craft ROBO Pro cutter stand out from other cutters this size is it features an Automatic Registration Mark Sensor (ARMS). This sensor enables the cutter to detect marks on printed images for precise contour cutting around the design. Combine the Craft ROBO Pro with your desktop printer to make large format (up to A3) or multiple apparel graphics, stickers, decals, contour die-cuts, 3D models and more.

Right now, get the Vinyl starter kit for free when you purchase the Graphtec Craft Robo Pro. Get the supplies you'll need! FREE!

The FDC Sign Vinyl Starter Kit includes a:

*
15" x 10 yd. roll of Black or White FDC 4200 Series 5-year vinyl
*
8" x 50 yd. roll of R-Tape Application tape
*
4" Squeegee
*
6" Squeegee
*
12" Squeegee
*
Pointed weeding tweezers
*
Lil' Chizler graphics remover
*
4 oz. bottle of Action Tac application fluid
*
FDC Graphic Films Product & Color Selector catalog

So, what's different? The biggest difference is that they feature USB 2.0. Instead of a serial->USB chip built in to the cutter, they are now native USB. This is advantageous for a couple of reasons: Less drivers, Less complicated drivers.

In addition it features: More accurate stepper motors, Larger LCD Screen, standard included feed basket.

ProCut CR1300FB Details

-  Brand: ProCut
-  Model: CR1300FB
-  Max Paper Width: 51” (1300mm)
-  Max Cutting Width: 47” (1195mm)
-  Max Cutting Speed 400 mm/s
-  Motherboard: 32-bit ARM7 CPU
-  Driver: High-Speed Stepping Motor, Micro-Step Driver
-  Cutting Force: 0-800 Grams
-  Mechanism Precision : 0.05mm
-  Repeatability: <+-0.01mm
-  Command Set: DMPL, HPGL
-  Interface: USB 2.0
-  Three Pinch Rollers
-  Power Requirements: 110V AC

ProCut CR730FB Details

-  Brand: ProCut
-  Model: CR730FB
-  Max Paper Width: 28.7” (730mm)
-  Max Cutting Width: 24.6” (625mm)
-  Max Cutting Speed 400 mm/s
-  Motherboard: 32-bit ARM7 CPU
-  Driver: High-Speed Stepping Motor, Micro-Step Driver
-  Cutting Force: 0-800 Grams
-  Mechanism Precision : 0.05mm
-  Repeatability: <+-0.01mm
-  Command Set: DMPL, HPGL
-  Interface: USB 2.0
-  Three Pinch Rollers
-  Power Requirements: 110V AC

You can buy both of these cutters @ http://www.cutterpros.com

Inkscape - Free Vector Graphic Drawing Progam

SignCut X2 - Vinyl Cutting / Sign Making Program ($12/Month)

Also please note, Many people say you cannot use these vinyl cutters on a Mac, this is just simply untrue. I have had even better results on my mac than on my pc!

If X11 is open, close it, install the update. Inkscape should run. If it doesnt, try a fresh uninstall reinstall.

1) Turn your cutter off, and plug it into a free USB port on your computer. The new hardware wizard should appear, or if you've already done this, it should go "Bing Bong"

2) On the cutter, hit the online screen. You should see X000 Y000. Keep hitting "Mode" until you see the setting for "Baud." The value should read 09600. If it does not, use the arrow keys to make that so. Then, hit mode until you see X000 Y000 again. Then hit Online.

3) Make a note of the Com port and set the flow control. To do this: Go to Start, and then Run. In the box enter:

devmgmt.msc

Then, hit OK.

4) Hit the plus sign next to "Ports COM And LPT"

5) You should see "USB Serial Adapter", Right click on this and go to "Properties"

6) From there, select "Port Settings". Set the flow control to "Hardware"

7) Hit "Advanced", Make a note of the Com Port, and if possible change it to something 1-4 if they're not in use.

8. Hit apply and OK to leave those menus. Close device manager.

9) Open Flexi, use the "T" on the left hand side to type a couple of letters.

10) Go to File, then hit "Cut/Plot"

11) This opens the Cut Plot screen. In the top left you should see CR630 @ com x or CR-1200 @ com x. The x needs to match up with the com port we noted earlier. If it does not:

12)Hit the properties button under the CR1200 @ Com x drop down box. Select the right hand most tab. It has a picture of something that looks like a microphone.

13) At the top, change the com port to match yours. Hit OK

14) At the bottom, make sure "Flow Control" says "none"

15) Hit "Send" on the cut plot screen. Your cutter should come to life.