Template Plotter Options

[cmcc]

I am currently in the market looking for different template plotter solutions, but do not appear to find many options in our industry. Seems like the only direct option is the Allen Datagraph which I have an older version of currently. When the computer and machine are running all is fine. However, anytime something goes a little wrong it becomes a huge debacle to get it up and running again. Have issues currently and Allen Datagraph never seems like much help. Are there any other machines that someone has tried and had success with.

[Alex V.]

I have a suma plotter. I like it but I harly ever use it.

[Dan @ LPI]

May be able to help you out with your issue. Email me your contact information at dpeter@laserproductsus.com and I can have one of our guys reach out to you with some options!

[olesmokin]

does the summa plotter break up the files automatically for ease of printing?

[gssfabrication]

does the summa plotter break up the files automatically for ease of printing?
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Parts nesting and breakout is done by the CAD program. Plotter/Cutter just does what the CAD program tells it to cut.

AllenCAD can be a little frustrating to breakout. At least our older version doesn't nest parts on top of one another to utilize the 30" width of the roll. It does a decent job of breaking things out though. You can manually do it in CAD but gotta remember to put notches in to align all your parts together after cutting larger counters.

We had issues with the Allan Datagraph over USB; once I switched it to the network it all the screwups are on the machine that is sending the file to the plotter. The newer version of the drivers from Allen Datagraph has fixed some of the little issues.

We still can only "cut" one at a time but it may be the old Windows 7 system we have running it on along with our old HP plotter that doesn't talk to any of them new fangled Operating Systems!

The guys from Laser Products know these things probably better than Allen Datagraph!

Good luck.

Rick Graff

[Drew T]

Allen Datagraph Systems Is about the only real Option for this industry. I have been told that graph tech is making a tiling software that will be similar to the Allendata software. I’ve had guys in the past go to websites like signwarehouse.com & buy a cheaper plotter but it’s a lot of work in the software to get it to Plot correctly.