foreword
Computer
- Aug 11, 2007
- 1
Hi all,
I have a static problem, hope someone here can help.
I have a vinyl cutter (re: plotter) to do sign work, vinyl lettering.
When we purchased it (1 1/2 yrs ago) we've had problems from the get go with the machine cutting erratically. At the time, tech support told me it was either a lack of computer processing power and RAM memory or a static problem. At first I thought the machine was defective and thought tech support was giving me the run around to avoid dealing with warranty. So I gave up on the machine and it sat there for more than 8 months.
Recently, after purchasing a new PC, I decided to retry my plotter. New material (vinyl) was purchased to do a job. The whole thing was running perfect and I really believed the PC theory and tech support was right. For three days we cut and had no problems, until we got to the end of the roll and the remaining vinyl fell off the roller and onto the floor (carpet). As soon as that happened the plotter started it's erratic routine.
So now I know static is my problem.
For this job, it really wasn't a problem avoiding static since the cuts we did were never long enough to reach the floor (less than 40" at a time), but sometimes I need to cut from pieces which are longer than that and contact with the floor is unavoidable.
My question is:
How can I insulate to avoid static buildup,
and maybe, do I need to do something to somewhat dischage my plotter and PC since I suspect maybe they could be overcharged in one direction or another ( I don't know here, but the fact that my machine was sitting for a while could've with time just balanced itself out).
Thanks for reading and even more if you have a solution for me.
I have a static problem, hope someone here can help.
I have a vinyl cutter (re: plotter) to do sign work, vinyl lettering.
When we purchased it (1 1/2 yrs ago) we've had problems from the get go with the machine cutting erratically. At the time, tech support told me it was either a lack of computer processing power and RAM memory or a static problem. At first I thought the machine was defective and thought tech support was giving me the run around to avoid dealing with warranty. So I gave up on the machine and it sat there for more than 8 months.
Recently, after purchasing a new PC, I decided to retry my plotter. New material (vinyl) was purchased to do a job. The whole thing was running perfect and I really believed the PC theory and tech support was right. For three days we cut and had no problems, until we got to the end of the roll and the remaining vinyl fell off the roller and onto the floor (carpet). As soon as that happened the plotter started it's erratic routine.
So now I know static is my problem.
For this job, it really wasn't a problem avoiding static since the cuts we did were never long enough to reach the floor (less than 40" at a time), but sometimes I need to cut from pieces which are longer than that and contact with the floor is unavoidable.
My question is:
How can I insulate to avoid static buildup,
and maybe, do I need to do something to somewhat dischage my plotter and PC since I suspect maybe they could be overcharged in one direction or another ( I don't know here, but the fact that my machine was sitting for a while could've with time just balanced itself out).
Thanks for reading and even more if you have a solution for me.