Etching With My Curio Will Not Work

I don't know if it is a fault with My Curio or Silhouette software but I can't get my Curio to Etch properly. I am using a file I used successfully in December 2016. Finding the 'Etching Settings' was my first big problem when opening the file the settings were not there. Eventually sorted that and sent it to my Curio to etch. The first part with the scrolls at the top fine, but then my Curio was shuddering. Stopped it and found it was etching the design in the wrong place.

Copied my outlines to a new file and set everything up again. Turned the plate around and started on the other side. This was even worse as it shuddered more and the scrolls were wrong and in the wrong position. I am using the Graphtec Etching Tool, not the Silhouette one.

I have uninstalled Studio 4 and debating whether to reinstall or install the last version of Studio 3.

Photo of metal plate. Screen Snipe of design and another of settings.

Maybe Brian can help Margaret

My machine starts to shudder when there is paper holding the unit back from advancing. Usually caused by some of the sticky matt not holding down the cut part that has advanced- when the machine trys to reverse to make the next cut, then the first cut gets caught up under metal cross bars.
If you are not using a sticky carrier sheet, then perhaps when the first line cuts through, the material gets caught while trying to advance. I never thought about it much when cutting vinyl, but then that is so thin it just bends instead of making the machine shudder.
I hope you let us know how you get on with it.

£4

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Originally Posted by DJG

Maybe Brian can help Margaret

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I am hoping he will Doreen. I have installed a previous version of V3. If I have time tonight I will try paper and a pen to see if that works. I am also going to tape down the holding clips on the platform as I find they do work loose as my Curio is working

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Originally Posted by pkcase

My machine starts to shudder when there is paper holding the unit back from advancing. Usually caused by some of the sticky matt not holding down the cut part that has advanced- when the machine trys to reverse to make the next cut, then the first cut gets caught up under metal cross bars.
If you are not using a sticky carrier sheet, then perhaps when the first line cuts through, the material gets caught while trying to advance. I never thought about it much when cutting vinyl, but then that is so thin it just bends instead of making the machine shudder.
I hope you let us know how you get on with it.

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Petrina thanks but it's not that. My metal sheet is firmly stuck to the sticky mat and I am etching not cutting. I checked nothing has fallen behind my Curio. Also checked the feet are firm, the front and back steady bars are out and I even borrowed a spirit level from my hubby to make sure it is level even though it is in the same place it was the last time I used it.

As the Silhouette metal sheets were £11.99 for three I am very reluctant to ruin another sheet etching again at almost £4 each.

Fingers crossed for you Margaret

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Originally Posted by DJG

Fingers crossed for you Margaret

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Doreen first try with a Sharpie pen it started off ok and then it missed the image in the middle for some reason just putting dots at various section of the design. Second try and it started drawing in a different order than the first time and when it started to miss I paused and pushed the pen down into the holder. It then worked but I could hear the felt pen squeaking as it was drawing so not sure if it was down a little too far.

It does sound like it's pushed in too far if it's squeaking Margaret

It looks like the machine stalled during the etching job, I would guess it was because the force setting is a bit high. I normally use a force setting of 15-18 when doing etching with the graphtec etching tool.

Next time you try etching use a force setting of 18 and speed 8 and see if that works better for you.

Thank you so much Brian. :thanks:

I had forgotten that the Graphtec Etching Tool had different settings than the Silhouette one. I have now found the packaging for the Premium Etching Tool and the recommendations are Speed 5 and thickness 11. Just hope I did not damage the tool using the Silhouette Studio settings as it says it may on the packaging.

I'd be surprised if you have damaged the tip, they are pretty robust so it should be ok.

Brian I have no idea what is wrong as when I started again it ruined the metal sheet. I did a test piece on the sheet to check all the settings and it looked fine. I used another sheet and watched it for a while. I was then called away and when I came back my Curio had ejected the platform and the etching was a mess. It is very similar to what it did when I used a pen, missing the middle but then it did not eject the platform did finish the rest. The second time I used a pen all the pattern was there.

I only had the outlines in when I used the pen. It was the same file and I just added the etched pattern when I went to etch today. The settings were similar to yours in an old post, cross hatch, spacing 0.02 angle 45.00. The cut settings for the Premium Etching Tool was speed 5, thickness 12.

You're not having much luck are you Margaret

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Originally Posted by DJG

You're not having much luck are you Margaret

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No I am not Doreen. :( :( Feeling really upset it will not do it. I wanted it done to take away with me tomorrow for a good friends birthday. I did finish her card in time.

My Fuji camera is playing up too today. I can't get the SD card back in after putting it in the computer to transfer photos. A while ago the yellow plastic clip holding the battery in place broke, although once closed the battery stays and connects to the terminals. Just waiting for the 3rd thing to go wrong now.

Oh what a shame, I really hope you can finish your friends gift in time Margaret

not been on for a long time, but when I saw your plaque Margaret, I just have to say what a lovely idea for a gift, and no wonder you are disappointed :(
Grace
(it's good to be back)

Nice to see you back Grace

Thanks Shirley x

I don't know if anything has changed in the new software, but i have found i have had to lower my force or thickness to 10-12 with the premium tool lately!

Sorry I haven't replied earlier, I was away last week. I'd try lowering the thickness/force setting to 10 as Lisa suggested, you can even go lower, even a force of 7 should work.

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Originally Posted by CraftFairy

I don't know if anything has changed in the new software, but i have found i have had to lower my force or thickness to 10-12 with the premium tool lately!

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Thanks Lisa.

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Originally Posted by BrianP

Sorry I haven't replied earlier, I was away last week. I'd try lowering the thickness/force setting to 10 as Lisa suggested, you can even go lower, even a force of 7 should work.

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Thanks Brian, I was away too, we only came back Sunday.

I just wish there was someway of testing before I ruin another metal plate. I just do not understand why it starts off well then it all goes wrong with the etching pattern in the wrong place and missed out completely. Also why the platform was ejected while I was out of the room.

I have found the original design (without the scrolls), a file from The Silhouette Store and will start from scratch. Not sure whether to use Version 3 of Studio or Version 4. It was loading the file into V4 which lost me the etching settings completely. I have installed V3 and checked my other etching files and they have all the settings still showing.

I did finally manage to successfully etch before we went away beginning of the month and gave my friend a pink framed one. I had to revert back to Studio V.4.1.20 as I had a print and cut card to make for my daughter's birthday. V4 I find is better for tracing.

After having problems getting all my own Studio files installed again I contacted US chat on line. April helped me get most of my files back and I mentioned my etching problem. Seems in V.4 it needs all 6 of the platforms to work properly.

Attached are photos of one of the two pink sheets I etched and two photos of the black one. Sorry photos not that good as my trusty Fuji camera refuses to let me insert an SD card and my slightly older Nikon is not much good.

Glad you eventually got it sorted Margaret, they look lovely

Thank you Doreen. Gave a pink one away. I need to decide which one to keep and which to give to my eldest son & DIL. They have a caravan too but as they both work do not get away as much as we do.

They’re fab Margaret, glad you got it sorted.

They all look great. glad it was sorted'. you have a lot of patience and determination.

Thank you Grace and Carolina. I gave the extra pink one to my daughter-in-law last week and kept the black one for our caravan as hubby preferred it.