Help with print then cut calibration (Please?)

General
1

Hey LoKlik community,

I recently got an iCraft and I’ve been having so much trouble getting it to cut correctly. I just want to cut a grid of rectangles with rounded corners.

I did calibration using the old sheet and the new sheet that seemed to be available in the last few days. Single calibration, or multiple iterations of calibrations, it doesn’t matter. The cuts are still off. I’ve tried different paper, from card stock (matte and glossy) to vinyl sticker paper to normal paper.

Info:

  • Loklik Studio 2.6.10 (MacOS)
  • Device Firmware on v07 (seems to be the latest)
  • Blue model of the iCraft

I’ve done the calibration MANY times. I took a ruler and measured the printed out calibration sheet’s registration marks and compared it to my design’s registration marks on paper. They match exactly. I also measured the distance in IdeaStudio. From what I can tell, the registration marks are fine. They are dark, sharp and in the correct location. I print everything at 100% scale on A4.

Here’s a very simple test I did:

  1. Did calibration on matte paper (to avoid reflection issues from glossy surfaces)
  2. In IdeaStudio, I created a new Canvas and added a simple rectangle shape
  3. I then go to print and cut it
  4. I print out the design from IdeaStudio on a new sheet of the same matte paper at 100% scale
  5. I stick the paper on the mat. It’s stuck evenly and doesn’t lift. The mat and paper are both flat.
  6. After cutting, it is off by X and Y, very noticable

image
image1022×1210 29.6 KB

Some findings:

  1. If I place the shape in different areas of the page, the cut is off by slightly different amounts
  2. I suspect the issue is to do with lighting and shadows being cast, causing the sensor to read incorrectly
  3. The machine refuses to read registration marks when the top lid is closed
  4. When I close the lid, I hear a loud tap-tap-tap sound before it attempts reading the registration marks. I’m not sure if this is normal, but it doesn’t happen with the lid open.
  5. It only seems to read the registration marks if there is some form of ambient light available in the room. If the room is very dim or dark, it doesn’t work
  6. I do see the blue light sensor shining on the paper

I’ve read that others have had success using dark rooms and closed lids. I assume this is due to the blue LED sensor having less light interference. But for me it’s the opposite. It simply won’t read marks without “helping” light. I also saw that some units just have a weak or faulty sensor light. Could this be possible?

Thank you for reading and I would greatly appreciate any insight.

5 Likes
2

So unfortunately a lot of people have had very bad print then cut results going to firmware v7. Did yours cut fine with v6?
The light trick is mainly for the older machine LOKLik crafter as it had a weaker sensor than the icraft does.

I haven’t tried updating to version 7. But I guess I’ll update and give it ago to see if I can help the influx of people having problems.

2 Likes
3

I’ve only ever tried v7. When I got the machine about two weeks ago I immediately followed instructions and updated the firmware before I started using it.

I’m not sure if it’s only the firmware, though. The machine should be able to read the registration marks in dim light or with the lid closed, right?

4

So, in a well-lit room, does your machine read your registration marks ok? Or does it not read them at all no matter what you do?

How many times have you run the print then cut calibration?

I tagged you in this post to show you how I calibrated my machine along with some tips that I found helped with my calibration.

5

It does read the registration marks in a well-lit room, but only if the top lid of the iCraft is open. It seems to rely on the light of the room to be able to read the marks, not on the built-in sensor and light of the machine.

Overall, probably about 50 times. I’ve tried different methods:

  • Reset calibration > One calibration and leave it
  • Reset calibation > Three rounds of calibrations
  • Reset calibration > Calibrate until the values are all between 2 and -2

Nothing seemed to really work, the cut is always off.

I’ll have a look, thanks.

1 Like
6

OK, If you have done that many and it hasn’t improved at all the machine might be faulty. I would suggest getting some evidence, videos and print then cut calibration sheets along with print then cut tests and send it to customer support.