what brand cmc

Computerised Mount Cutters, Computers, other gadgetry.
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JamesC
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Re: what brand cmc

Post by JamesC »

Just self-installed a Valiani Supreme i-s. Impressed with it so far and had it running and cutting mats with no training in a couple of hours (couple of teething isues getting the PC talking to the machine and a leaky compressor connection (on a non-Valiani part)). My framer is a better engineer and computer man than any framing engineer I've used though, and had it all sorted in no time.

My dreams came true and I got this barely used with 3 heads, a lightly used Morso EH and a Jun-air twinpot compressor for £7k and was able to pay cash so I own it fully and can relax a bit. It was a bit of a rich mans toy before it came to me I think. Just took 11 hours of driving to get it here and 6 men to get it in the van! (its heavy and big and few great places to lift it). 4 men for the morso.

As an experienced PC user I have to say the software seems to be very easy and absolutely no worries after one quick read of the manual I reckon I'll only need to go back a few times to check the odd item. I had a couple of hours demo with Merlin on the more basic Mat-pro before I got this though which helped - a great bloke recommended to all for his true expertise and helpful nature.

The only other thing is I think it needs a bit of calibrating as not getting perfect mount corners on all shapes yet but this will all be in due course I am sure. It may be I just need to alter the speeds or blades as I get to know the machine.
markw

Re: what brand cmc

Post by markw »

Sounds like you have a bargain - but you would be wise to spend some money having the machine calibrated by someone who knows what they are doing - unless you don't feel that time = money.

Calibration is a fairly time consuming business unless you know what tables need adjusting - if the head height is right - pressure correct - head speed ok - etc etc. The big problem is checking all the basics before you alter the offsets (do you have settings password). Change parameters for one type of cut only to find you now have problems with something else - V groove for example - oval start point another. Calibrated correctly you will have a reliable machine that will do almost anything you throw at it - partially or incorrectly calibrated and you will always find your having to tweak settings to get a particular cut right. You may well be lucky and find that the calibration is ok and hasnt been affected by the move.

Good luck
Dermot

Re: what brand cmc

Post by Dermot »

James …..you got a steal in the CMC you got, lucky you.

I paid as part of my Valiani purchase for installation and training, it was the best money I ever spent.

I was also blessed that it was John (Merlin) who released some of his very valuable time from his business to Simons to travel to Ireland to train me.

For the small amount of money I spent on installation and training and the on going support I'm getting from John it has been one of the best investment of money I have made in my picture framing business to date.
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JamesC
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Re: what brand cmc

Post by JamesC »

Thanks guys - confirming what I was suspecting.

I do think it may well need the settings changing because I didn't get the PC pre-installed only the disks - unless the machine remembers it's own settings independently of the PC which it may be sophisticated enough to do. I would have Merlin here in a flash if he lived nearer but decided it was maybe best to see what could be done first (he's a good 6-7 hour drive away I imagine).

I'm going to PM Merlin and see what he thinks. I had to adjust the blue reverse blade about 1.5mm before it cut right through the board. Which didn't seem right. Then again on the third attempt a white shoe fell off the head so maybe it was loose - it screwed back in.

So far it's maybe not as plain sailing as if I had it installed and got new but I've not found that I've been had yet and don't expect to because I bought it from a reputable enough business. I've got a bit of saving to go at before it would turn into a bad buy! They said it had been serviced three months ago (but I know service can be a loose term e.g. full checkover or one bit replaced).

I should maybe also mention because I forgot last time it's a 2008 jumbo model - in case anybody needs jumbo work doing in N Yorks area and is using this thread to find one.
markw

Re: what brand cmc

Post by markw »

Gosh! - you don't know much about how they work do you? The settings for the machine - ie the calibration is all held within the software - The software drives the machine and makes it do all the sophisticated stuff - I would be very careful using it without calibration as you could crash the head into the clamps if the offsets aren't set.

I imagine that John Cooper would have advised you to have the machine set up for you - It was good advice.
markw

Re: what brand cmc

Post by markw »

Training is worth paying for as well - you might think you know it all being familiar with software and all that - But training is a short cut through all the stuff that you will discover you dont know.
markw

Re: what brand cmc

Post by markw »

Quick question James - exactly how did you adjust the blue head by 1.5mm ???
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Merlin
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Re: what brand cmc

Post by Merlin »

WARNING FOR VALIANI CMC USERS

Unless you know what you are doing and have a good reason why you think you need to do it

DO NOT adjust any of the of the 'grub' screw settings on the Interchangeable heads.
All the heads are calibrated at final Quality Control checks in the Factory.
John GCF
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JamesC
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Re: what brand cmc

Post by JamesC »

markw

I am fully aware that the software drives it - what else would????!!!!!. It's just if the supreme had it's own hard drive it could possibly remember the settings like a lot of more advanced hardware would in this day and age. There's a fairly big box of electronics attached to it. So I'm probably just thinking one step ahead in terms of possibilities. My business grew 50% already this year so maybe I can't research everything to the nth degree, especially when the manual is quite scant and I have urgent printing and design work to do too. I have many different balls to juggle.

I believe me and Merlin just got our wires crossed a little because I phoned him and got the distinct impression, perhaps mistakenly, that if the machine had been up and running and set-up before (like it was for the first owner). Maybe he thought I got the PC with it.

We also adjusted the blade because we came off the back of using a speed mat which we tweaked a lot to get fine tuned and was very similar to the Valiani in design - easy mistake when the mat was not cutting through at proper settings. I know not to let the blade get stuck on anything and obviously am next to the red stop button at all times. My framer is very experienced in furniture manufacture and machinery, and has fixed machines here in 5 minutes that engineers have overlooked or given up on while being paid 8 times the money! So we don't always believe everything we are told or need people to hold our hands - obviously in this case a proper calibration is on the cards as it is quite specialist. Obviously this forum is used by a lot of sellers/suppliers not just framers and posts can be biased either way. I write from a framers viewpoint trying to minimise cost in harder times and share experiences for the benefit of others - even if I have to admit the odd small mistake or unavoidably upset the sellers (or other framers with different approaches).

We can see that the heads "homes" in the bottom left position so the head is very unlikely to go further left or down from there surely. Nobody died and I'm willing to take the calculated risk of a few trial runs in the spirit of adventure.
Trinity
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Re: what brand cmc

Post by Trinity »

I'm using a Wizard 5000, in fact it was the first one sold in the country. It'll do 100% what I do but 75% of where I want to be. I am getting sweet b a by way of interest from the bank and cannot wait for Spring Fair when I can see all the top machines in action in one place.
Do not be afraid of strangers, for thereby many have entertained angels unawares.
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David
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Re: what brand cmc

Post by David »

I've just bought a Gunnar F1 Hybrid. It came with training and I'm glad I didn't have to set it up, much quicker with someone who knows the proceedure. Can't wait to get designing.
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