VCUQ FabLab Vinyl Cutter Certification

Introduction

The Vinyl cutter is a useful tool for presentation, it is used for cutting vinyl decals and lettering, that can be temporarily adhered to exhibition surfaces. Vinyl cutters can also be used for creating stencils. These stencils can be applied to objects or surfaces to assist with spray painting, sanding and other processes

If used properly, the Vinyl cutter is safe and easy to use. Take this quick certification and make a booking! Make sure you read everything because you need to correctly answer all of the quiz questions to get certified. The certification will last for your entire tenure at VCUQ.

If you need to refresh your memory on any of the details in this lesson, you can refer back to this page at any time.

Vinyl Cutter Safety, Bookings, and Expectations

Safety

As long as you follow the instructions, use common sense, and keep your hands clear of the vinyl cutter while it is turned on, the vinyl cutter is perfectly safe to use.

Vinyl cutter bookings

A booking is required for all vinyl cutter use.
Bookings can be made in the system up to 2 weeks in advance with at least 12 hours notice.
Same day bookings can only be made in the Fab Lab office. Once you have received approval (and a special Code), you can make a booking on the Fab Lab computers before beginning your job.

Fab Lab Expectations The Fab Lab Staff and Lab Monitors are available to assist you with:

Loading and unloading of material
Assisting you with the Mimaki tool bar and settings

It is up to you (with the assistance of your instructor) to do the following:

Layout your design in an illustrator file
‘Image trace’ to convert drawings or photographs to vectors for use on the vinyl cutter
Monitor your project as the vinyl cutter is operating
Weeding and applying application tape
Removing your materials from the cutter, returning borrowed tools, and tidying your area in the Fab Lab

Vinyl Cutter Misuse

Misuse of the laser cutter will result in a 1 week suspension from booking. After 3 suspensions, you will be barred for the remainder of semester and required to re-take this certification. Examples of Vinyl cutter misuse include:

Leaving the Fab Lab while the vinyl cutter is running.
Using materials that are not Fab Lab approved
Leaving a mess in the FabLab after use.
Missing or arriving more than 15 minutes late to more than 2 appointments.
Using the vinyl cutter without a booking, or when not certified to use the vinyl cutter

If you have any concerns with any aspects of this, please talk to Fab Lab Staff or student Lab monitors.

Quiz: From the options below, check all of the statements that are TRUE based on what is stated above:
All Use of the Vinyl cutter requires a booking.
If you are not certified you can have a friend make a booking for you.
If you leave the Vinyl cutter during a booking you will be suspended from the equipment the following week.
Fab Lab Staff and Lab monitors can assist you with loading the material and the setup/settings of your file
Fab Lab Staff and Fab Lab monitors can watch the Vinyl cutter for you
Only Fab Lab Approved Materials can be used on the Vinyl cutter

Name

Computer Login (eID)

External Resources

This Certification expects a basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, and the operation of your Personal Laptop. For further instruction, talk to your instructor and check out the following links:
Lynda illustrator essentials

Applying Vinyl

There are several approaches to applying vinyl. Application tape, blue tape and squeegees are available from the fablab. Check out the wall written youtube channel for videos explaining the process
https://www.youtube.com/user/wallwritten

Selecting Materials

The Fab Lab provided a basic range of colors for the vinyl cutter that can be purchased. Application tape is available and free of charge. If you wish to purchase additional vinyl, which is unavailable in the Fab Lab, you may purchase it at Sign Trade.