The NC Knife is a Roland CM-24 Sign Maker. We normally use it to cut copper, however.
Here in the lab we use several pieces of software to operate the NC Knife. For making Sign-like items, containing text and graphics, we use Signmate Express. For PCB boards we use PCB Design and Make or Protel 99 SE.
Since I have no clue how to use Protel, this tutorial will cover SignMate Express and PCB Design and Make, both of which are linked to from the desktop of the NC Knife Computer. Please note that this is not a tutorial for the use of either program, but rather the use of the NC Knife itself and the driver interfaces to it.
The NC Knife has several internal settings that can be changed using the interface on the right side of it. In general, you use the dial to select the main option you want, then hit "Menu/Param" to go into it. From there you again use the dial, or press enter for some things.
Here is a quick list of the settings that the average user may want to adjust.
Setup
Setup is used for when you want to load material into the machine. First you should load the material by pushing the lever behind the control panel back to release pressure on existing material, then align the material as you need to. Take note that the two rollers are moveable, but must remain in the white colored sections. If they are not fully within the white sections the machine will fail to load the material. Once you have finished lining the material up, pull the lever back towards you to put pressure on the material.
When you have aligned the material and activated the setup option, you can choose between roll and sheet. Please do not set sheet mode when using a roll, or vice versa, as the machine itself does different checks depending on what you select. Either way, it will tell you the width, usually in Centimeters.
Force
Force dictates the force applied by the knife. You may have to change this depending on your material and cuts.
Speed
Speed is how fast the knife actually cuts. Usually, however, setting this doesn't do much as both SignMate and PCB Design and Make know how to change the speed. Again, you may have to change this depending on your material and cuts, although you might not be able to change it on the NC Knife itself to get it to take effect.
Offset
Offset determines how far off of the defined lines the knife cuts. The lines are defined by areas in each program. This is another setting that the computer can override, although there is usually no need to change it.
Weight
Weight is usually set to heavy, although if you are cutting a lighter material you may want to change it.
To cut with SignMate Express you first need something to cut. I just used simple text, as seen in this screenshot. once you have that, you need to use the Cut/Plot button on the toolbar, next to the standard printer button, or the Cut/Plot menu item on the File menu. If asked where you want to cut, select Local Machine. If it is not already started, the Production Manager will open, and you will be presented with a dialog similar to this.
Looking at the screen, you should notice that your file was rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, or PI/2 Radeans counterclockwise, depending on your preference. The production manager shows you how your file will be cut, and as such, you may want to rotate it with the rotate button on the left of the dialog. Each press of the button, which looks like a person on their side, rotates the selection 90 degrees(PI/2 Radeans) counterclockwise.
Before you hit send, you may want to hit the properties button at the upper left corner of the dialog. In the resulting dialog you can set many options, including an override for the Knife offset. One the "Cut" tab there is a "Cutter Driver Options" button that allows you to change things like speed. Once you are done setting things in the dialog you can hit send, and the NC Knife should start cutting.
Again, to cut with PCB Design and Make you first need something to cut. I made a path, as seen in this screenshot, but you probably want to make something more useful. Once you have what you want to cut, go to the File menu and select "Make PCB". A new dialog box will open up, allowing you to cut the solder side or the component side of the board. Depending on your choice your cut may be mirrored.
PCB Design and Make also has a way to set cutter options, from this dialog you simply press the "Pen/Tools" button. From there you can set things like the speed of the cut. Once done there, you can send to the NC Knife.
Please note: By default, your file is cut rotated, so the lower left corner of your file is in the lower right corner of the material. Checking the "Rotated" box before sending the file normally has the file print such that the top of your file is at the bottom of the material.
That pretty much does it. Hope you got something out of this.
-Thomas Berezansky
