Manual US Cutter
Manual US Cutter
By mastering the use of this equipment and 4 Site Selection & Preparation
accompanying software, understanding which materials
to use for different projects, and learning a few basic 5 Stand Parts & Set Up
application techniques there’s not much you won’t be
able to do.
10 Blade Set Up
18 Connecting to a Computer
26 Troubleshooting
30 Hardware Bundles
425.481.3555 2 www.uscutter.com
Safety Precautions
sharp blades and caution should be taken to make sure that fingers do
environments.
classroom learning experience, but this vinyl cutter is not a toy and
425.481.3555 3 www.uscutter.com
Site Selection & Preparation
If you are setting up for the first time please take a moment to refer to the Packaging Guide to
take account of all the included components and accessories. For help with Stand Assembly,
please refer to included instructions.
Place your cutter near the PC that will be used to drive content to the vinyl cutter.
You will need to have access to both the front and rear of the machine for operation and
changing out of vinyl rolls. Find a space that has adequate access and where the roll can roll
freely on the rollers or on the table top.
Stability is key. Your MH cutter is a precision cutting device and the carriage head will move
quickly back and forth across the vinyl. If it vibrates due to an uneven or unstable surface,
it will result in issues with your cut. Whether placing the machine on a stand or table top,
choose a level and stable surface.
Fans located inside of the cutter can draw in outside dust from the area surrounding the
cutter. Excessive buildup of dust can cause either mechanical or electrical malfunctions.
Keeping the cutter as dust free as possible will help ensure trouble free operation. Try to find
an area for the cutter that will be free of any excessive dust and use the supplied cover when
not in use.
All cutters will produce a small amount of noise while operating. Please take this into
consideration when selecting a location for your cutting purposes.
A 110 outlet with a grounding plug is required for operation of the vinyl cutter/plotter and you
will want internet access for our PC in order to download software and drivers required for
operation. DO NOT attempt to use the cutter when it has not been properly grounded.
425.481.3555 4 www.uscutter.com
Stand Parts & Set Up
A Short Screw
B Bolt Cap
C Bolt
D Long Screw
F Screw Sleeve
I Center Crossbeam
J Right Column
K Left Column
L Roller
M Foot
B F
D
G I
J L
H K
425.481.3555 5 www.uscutter.com
1
J
B (x3) Bolt Cap
C (x3) Bolt B
H (x1) Right Roller Arm H
J (x1) Right Column
C
(outer side will have a curved edge and will have larger hole openings)
2
K
425.481.3555 6 www.uscutter.com
3
425.481.3555 7 www.uscutter.com
5
425.481.3555 8 www.uscutter.com
7 L
Completed Stand
L (x2) Roller
425.481.3555 9 www.uscutter.com
Blade Set Up
1 2 3 4
Unscrew the cap from Set Brass Ring on Remove the protective Insert the blade into
the Blade Carriage. Blade Carriage to the cover from a new blade. the top of the Blade
fully down position. Carriage.
5 6 7
Screw the cap back Adjust the carriage cap until the Adjust the Brass Ring until it
onto the Blade blade is protruding approximately fits snug against the Cap. This
Carriage. 1/64th of an inch. will help keep the cap in place
during operation.
425.481.3555 10 www.uscutter.com
Installing the Pen Carriage
1 2 3
Loosen the locking knob Place blade carriage Tighten the locking knob
on the carriage arm. into the carriage arm. on the carriage arm.
1 2 3
Unscrew the top cap Remove the top cap, the pen Slide the spring onto the pen
from the pen carriage. and the spring. Replace the from the top and insert it back
pen and/or spring as necessary. into the pen carriage.
425.481.3555 11 www.uscutter.com
Get To Know Your Cutter
FRONT VIEW
FEED ROLLERS
POSITIONING BUTTON
LEFT SIDE COVER
RIGHT SIDE COVER
PINCH ROLLERS Holds the media tightly to the feed roller below.
RIGHT SIDE COVER Contains the USB and serial cable ports for the cutter.
425.481.3555 12 www.uscutter.com
RIGHT SIDE VIEW
LOCKING KNOB
425.481.3555 13 www.uscutter.com
Control Panel
MAIN SCREEN
The main screen of the cutter allows you to set the main settings of the cutter including the cutting speed and cutting
force options. It also allows you to cut a test pattern or check the amount of force that is currently set.
Resets by stopping the cutter, and setting the origin of the carriage arm to its
RESET BUTTON right most position.
Will cut a small test shape so that the current force and speed settings of
the cutter can be tested. You can use this to determine the proper cutting
TEST BUTTON speed and force settings needed for different materials without wasting large
amounts of material from cutting full designs.
Used to test z-axis functionality (by dropping the blade down if the carriage
ORIGIN BUTTON is functioning properly) or to set a new origin point when the machine is in its
offline mode.
Adjusts the cutting force. A cutting force of 100g is a good general starting
place to work from when trying to determine the force needed for a specific
material. All cuttable materials will differ in the amount of force needed so
F+ / F- BUTTONS proper testing should always be made to determine the amount of force to
use. The amount of force used should be enough to fully penetrate the material
to be cut while not enough to cut through the backing material.
425.481.3555 14 www.uscutter.com
OFFLINE/PAUSE SCREEN
Offline mode is used to reposition the cutting material and blade so that a new starting position can be set
for the next design. Offline mode can also be accessed while the cutter is in operation and will pause the
current cutting process. Although changes can be made to the material and blade positions if Offline/Pause mode is
accessed during cutting, making changes to either setting is not normally recommended.
Resets by stopping the cutter, and setting the origin of the carriage arm to
RESET BUTTON its right most position.
Ignores any changes that have been made to the material or blade positions
and exits Offline/Pause mode, returning the cutter to the main screen.
OFFLINE/PAUSE BUTTON Resumes any cutting that was taking place when Offline/Pause mode was
entered.
Accepts any changes that have been made to the material or blade
positions and exits Offline/Pause mode returning the cutter to the main
TEST BUTTON screen. Resumes any cutting that was taking place when Offline/Pause
mode was entered from the new blade/material positions.
Accepts any changes that have been made to the material or blade
positions and exits Offline/Pause mode returning the cutter to the main
ORIGIN BUTTON screen. Resumes any cutting that was taking place when Offline/Pause
mode was entered from the new blade/material positions.
Repositions the blade by moving the carriage arm. After movements are
F+ / F- BUTTONS made you can confirm the changes by pressing the TEST or ORIGIN buttons
or cancel by pressing the OFFLINE/PAUSE button.
425.481.3555 15 www.uscutter.com
SETUP SCREEN
The Setup screen allows you to adjust some of the more technical settings of the cutter.
For most users, these settings should not be changed.
Resets by stopping the cutter, and setting the origin of the carriage arm
RESET BUTTON to its right most position.
SETUP BUTTON Exits Setup mode and returns to the main screen.
425.481.3555 16 www.uscutter.com
Cut & Place Vinyl Like A Pro
425.481.3555
MEDIA
425.481.3555 17 www.uscutter.com
Connecting The Cutter To A Computer
Your MH Vinyl Cutter comes bundled with VinylMaster Cut software, an easy to use software with the tools to
help you take your projects from concept to a ready to cut computer image file.
You can download and install the VinylMaster Cut software at www.uscutter.com/download, and you will need
the key code (sometimes referred to as a PSN) packaged with this cutter to activate the software.
Training for VinylMaster is all done via short videos accessed through the software.
425.481.3555 18 www.uscutter.com
Preparing For Cutting
If you are going to cut from a scrap or single sheet instead of a roll, then skip the
next step on placing a vinyl roll. All other steps will be the same.
425.481.3555 19 www.uscutter.com
3
4
Adjust the pinch rollers so there is one roller located on each side of the
vinyl (and, on models with 3 or more rollers, one roller near the center).
Avoid lowering a pinch roller to the gap between the two feed rollers.
425.481.3555 20 www.uscutter.com
5
425.481.3555 21 www.uscutter.com
If you would like to change the position of where the cut will be made:
Adjust the vinyl to where you want to make your cut to start by
2 using the Up and Down arrow keys on the control panel.
Now, adjust the blade to where you want your cut to start by using
3 the Left and Right arrow keys.
425.481.3555 22 www.uscutter.com
Now press the Origin button to tell the cutter that this is the
4 location where you would like the cut to begin.
When choosing a starting location for your design, remember that the process
will start in the bottom right area of the design. Please leave enough room to
the left of and behind the starting location to finish your cut.
If you would like to make other adjustments to the pressure, speed, or other
settings you can do so now. If you are setting up for your first cut with the
machine then the default values should be a good starting point.
If you make any adjustments to your cutter, make sure that you return to the
main screen before you attempt to cut.
425.481.3555 23 www.uscutter.com
Making Your First Test Cut
BLADE
BLADE
BLADE
BLADE
that the length of
For thin and regular sized the blade shown 60 60
media, use a 45o blade.
is not longer than
MEDIA MEDIA
MEDIA CARRIER MEDIA
BLADE
CARRIER
BLADE
CARRIER CARRIER
the media is thick.
For thicker materials, such as
60 Siser StripFlock, Siser Glitter, and
MEDIA
CARRIER
MEDIA
CARRIER
Hexis CutFlex 600 Reflective,
a 60o blade is needed. MEDIA
CARRIER
MEDIA
CARRIER
1 2
MEDIA
CARRIER
LOAD MATERIAL
425.481.3555 24 www.uscutter.com
CUT SPEED
This setting determines how fast the design is
cut out and is usually measured in centimeters
per second.
3 4
FORCE/PRESSURE
This setting determines how hard the blade comes down onto the material.
outer square INCREASE
won’t weed FORCE
425.481.3555 25 www.uscutter.com
Troubleshooting
PROBLEM SOLUTION
The cutter performs erratically Some computers do not work well when connected via the USB port of the
during cuts, stops cutting cutters. If you are having problems while cutting and are using the USB cable
to connect from your cutter to computer, you may wish to try the serial cable
before the cut is finished, or connection to avoid further problems. If a serial cable connection is not available
cuts lines that do not appear in on your computer, you can try a third party USB to serial connector or a PCI card
the design. serial adapter for your computer.
The Blade may be dulled or damaged. Replace with a new blade and try again.
Make sure that the blade can turn freely (by attempting to turn it with your
fingers while the release button of the Blade Carriage is pressed).
Cuts are jagged or inconsistent. Adjust the blade depth of the Blade Carriage (page 10) and Force setting on the
cutter (page 14) until you are getting solid, uniform cuts. Start with a blade depth
of around 1/64th of an inch and a pressure setting of 100g and try an increased
pressure setting before attempting to increase the blade depth.
Slashes are made across the If the blade is protruding too far from the Blade Carriage then it can score and
vinyl from the blade movement cut material during normal operations. If this is occurring, the blade needs to be
during cutting. adjusted so that it is protruding a minimal distance from the carriage.
Sometimes, during shipping or movement of the machine, the right pinch roller
Vinyl not feeding straight and will become stuck on a screw located on the back of the machine. If this occurs
the right most Pinch Roller will and is affecting your cutting, press forcefully against the pinch roller until it
not move. becomes dislodged from its position. If needed, remove the screw to reposition
the pinch roller in the desired position.
425.481.3555 26 www.uscutter.com
ISSUE ISSUE
Cut has dashes or looks perforated. Cut line tapers and not cutting
towards the end.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
CAUSE CAUSE
Damaged cutting strip (groove in Dull blade or blade holder isn’t
strip) or too much blade is exposed secured properly in slot.
(friction build up).
SOLUTION SOLUTION
Replace the cutting strip or Replace blade, check the
decrease the blade depth. blade force, and secure the
blade holder.
ISSUE ISSUE
Blade is skipping turns and corners. Corners are not cutting correctly.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
ROUNDED CORNERS CORNERS WITH FLAGS
CAUSE CAUSE
Part of the blade is dragging on its Offset setting is incorrect.
side during turns.
SOLUTION SOLUTION
Clean the inside of the blade holder by Change the offset setting.
coating the blade with WD40 and moving
it in and out of the blade holder. Clean off
any debris that comes out. Replacement
blade holder may be needed. RAISE OFFSET LOWER OFFSET
425.481.3555 27 www.uscutter.com
Care and Maintenance
• The blades packaged with your MH cutter will dull with time and usage. In general, the
blades with the sharpest points like the 60 degree blade will dull fastest in much the same
way that a very sharp pencil point will wear down quickly. To keep your cuts clean and to
avoid wasting media and vinyl, it is recommended you replace blades after 6 months of use
or whenever cutting becomes jagged or inconsistent.
• Cutting Strips will also require periodic replacement: The cutting strip is the protective strip
that is found right below the carriage arm that prevents damage to the cutting blade. Over
time it will develop small cuts and abrasions – and it may happen quickly if you are creating
decals or other projects where the blade will cut through the liner of the media.
• Blade holders will gather small bits of material in them: Over time, this accumulated debris
can prevent the blade from moving smoothly over the cut media. Occasionally removing the
blade holder cap and cleaning out the debris will help prolong the life of the bladeholder, but
they do wear out with time.
Replacement blades, blade holders and cutting strips for MH Cutters can be found at: http://
www.uscutter.com/Cutter-Blades-Bladeholders
• During periods when the cutter is not in use, please unplug the cutter from the power source.
• Covering the cutter with a plastic sheet or other lint free cloth or water resistant material to
prevent accumulation of dust is also recommended.
425.481.3555 28 www.uscutter.com
Warranty Statement
USCutter will repair or replace parts and equipment found to be defective in materials or workmanship during
the warranty period subject to the following:
• On Cutter equipment, USCutter will supply new or rebuilt parts to replace parts that are found to be defective within the warranty period
instead of replacing the equipment outright. USCutter will ship these parts via with no cost to the customer as long as the shipment is within
the United States. Full telephone based support will be given by USCutter representatives to aid the customer in the replacement of any parts
sent.
• If USCutter, at its sole discretion, determines that the equipment is not able to be repaired, then an RMA number will be assigned and the
customer authorized to return the equipment for replacement.
• The standard MH Vinyl Cutter series warranty is 90 days from day the product is received. In the event of a purchase of an extended warranty
after date of initial equipment sale, extended warranty begins day after last day of initial warranty. Extended warranties must be purchased
during the time initial warranty is in effect.
• Any equipment older than 30 days may be replaced with a certified refurbished unit at our discretion.
• Included software with this cutter, if any, will be covered by a separate warranty included with software.
• USCutter reserves the right to discontinue the sale of “Extended 1 Year Warranty” as part of original purchase or purchase during warranty
period at any time and for any reason.
• If you are having issues with a product or service purchased from the company, please contact the support department at
USCuttersupport.com.
• All returns must be authorized by an USCutter representative before the product shipped. The USCutter representative will issue a Return
Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number that must be put on the outside of the returned item packaging. US Cutter will not be responsible
for any item sent back without an RMA in place and it may be returned to customer only if they will be responsible for any shipping costs.
• Any item being returned to USCutter (excluding items over 70 lbs which require freight shipping) are eligible for a flat rate ground shipping
label at the market rate. Items determined to be defective within first 30 days or improperly shipped will receive this label free of charge. The
customer may choose their own shipping method as long as tracking information is communicated to and acknowledged by USCutter.
• Items should be returned in their original packaging. Items returned in other than the original packaging may be assessed additional restocking
fees of up to 50% and USCutter will not be responsible for any damage of returned items that is a result of improper shipping methods.
• Items returned for a refund may be subject to restocking fees. Once a refund is processed it will usually be returned to the originating account
within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the customer’s bank.
425.481.3555 29 www.uscutter.com
Hardware Bundles
Note about pricing: Pricing on these pages reflects what is currently on our website and is subject to change without
notice. Visit www.uscutter.com or call 1-425-481-3555 for up-to-date pricing on these featured products.
425.481.3555 30 www.uscutter.com
SAME DAY SHIPPING
Order by 4:30PM EST
425.481.3555 31 www.uscutter.com
WE RECOMMEND USAGE OF THE FOLLOWING VINYL
WITH YOUR NEW MH CUTTER:
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without
the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical
reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests,
write to USCutter, 7945 NE 65th St., Suite 200, Redmond, WA 98052