Anyone used a Keencut Steeltrak to cut or trim Chromaluxe panels?

[dgberg]

Just bought a Steeltrak and no one seems to have ever cut or trimmed Chromaluxe panels with one.
It is supposed to cut up to 1 mm aluminum.
The Chromaluxe is .76 mm. Not why I purchased one but it is the first substrate I am going to try when it arrives.
Worry about the coating chipping off, we will see.
It will cut 3 and 4 mm Dibond,1/4' acrylic, glass, coroplast, sintra and gatorboard all dustless.

[Richard.Wills]

Not tried Chromaluxe on it, but there is a slight roll to the cut edge, which on a gloss material would leap out at you.
The Aluminium cutting head is supposed to be good for 1.6mm 1050 grade - bought that with our Steeltrak, tried it a couple of times, and have ordered cut aluminium in for the last 8 or so years. Fine for rough cuts, but wouldn't use for mounted work on aluminium.

[dgberg]

Thanks Richard

I just read somewhere yesterday that a newly designed cutter for aluminum is available that will not roll the edge.
I have a call in to Foster but have not heard back. My cutter is expected Wed. I will make some cuts and report back. A rolled edge is not good on any material, front or back.

[dgberg]

Richard,
Have you ever had to tighten up the head to keep it from free falling to the bottom?
 I cannot find any adjustment to snug this up.
If I raise my head and let it go it falls to the bottom of the carriage.

[Richard.Wills]

Sounds like you are missing the connection to the counterweight - the cutting head should glide and hold in any position.

I suspect that the cable to the counterweight may be caught at the pulley, at the top of the centre column, with the counterbalance near the top. Be careful of the cable, if the cutting head is near the top, then when the cable is released, the weight will plummet, and the cable go hunting for fingers.

[dgberg]

Thanks Richard,

Talked to tech support yesterday, little to no help.
He said if it doesn't work to buy the whole new weight and assembly??

Just checked it out from the top. The weight is attached and goes up and down smoothly. Almost like there is not enough weight on the weight end to hold the head up.

[dgberg]

I cannot believe how simple the fix was. Two calls to tech support and no one knew what they were talking about.
Nothing was broke on the machine but something was amiss.
I took the 3 pound optional rotary cutter head off the main carriage and that was it.
Works exactly how it is supposed to.
 Put that heavy dibond cutter back on and the head slides right to the bottom now that the counter balance is unequal.
Tech support was absolutely worthless. "Just order all new parts that is the only way to fix it"
Cut my first batch of 3/8" gatorboard squares for metal print standouts and boy is this thing slick.
Not a speck of dust compared to cutting with my tablesaw.

[Panagiotis]

I cannot believe how simple the fix was. Two calls to tech support and no one knew what they were talking about.
Nothing was broke on the machine but something was amiss.
I took the 3 pound optional rotary cutter head off the main carriage and that was it.
Works exactly how it is supposed to.
 Put that heavy dibond cutter back on and the head slides right to the bottom now that the counter balance is unequal.
Tech support was absolutely worthless. "Just order all new parts that is the only way to fix it"
Cut my first batch of 3/8" gatorboard squares for metal print standouts and boy is this thing slick.
Not a speck of dust compared to cutting with my tablesaw.

Thanks for the update. I am interested in the cutter also. How about the dibond and the aluminum...

[dgberg]

Chromaluxe panels, no good. It just destroys the edge and the coating.
It cuts the dibond with a minimal rolling of the edge on the backside. Ok but not perfect.
I have heard rumors that they have designed a new dual roller cutter that will not roll the edge.
Another call next week to Foster.

[Panagiotis]

Chromaluxe panels, no good. It just destroys the edge and the coating.
It cuts the dibond with a minimal rolling of the edge on the backside. Ok but not perfect.
I have heard rumors that they have designed a new dual roller cutter that will not roll the edge.
Another call next week to Foster.

Thank you. Useful information.

[Richard.Wills]

I'm slightly confused about the counter balance - our machine is perfectly weighted with the cutting wheels - either the composite material, or the aluminium head (or with the V-groove attachment). Admittedly it's about ten years old, and a UK model (not aware of any difference). Might be worth getting in contact with Keencut in the UK - sounds as though Foster aren't overly interested - they have always been incredibly responsive.

Very interested to hear about the potential for a reduced roll composite cutter - works OK for many jobs as it is, but flat cuts would allow mounting of super gloss prints.

[dgberg]

Will report back.
It is certainly possible that the top and bottom wear plates that drag in the tube are worn down and it just took enough weight off when removing the cutter to make it work properly. I agree that it should be balanced with or without that cutter.

[Richard.Wills]

On a side note, I just tried trimming down some Canson Museum board - 2.4mm using the rotary cutter - so much easier than any sharp edge I've tried, including the steeltrak. The rolled edges work a treat!

[dgberg]

You mean like a Rototrim? Just put a new blade on my 36" Rotatrim and it cuts like a hot knife through butter.

I found a temporary fix for my Steeltrack head falling down.
I ran the head all the way to the top which brought the weight to the bottom. Then wire tied a steel weight to the machine weigh inside the channel.
Works perfect now with that extra weight attached. Did not spend a dime but still a little miffed that the response from tech support was absolutely worthless.