Help!! Wizard 8000 and 8 ply mats!!

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Karen

Karen

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
May 14, 2006
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182
Loc
North Carolina
Business
Karen's Custom Frames, LLC
I have to call Wizard tomorrow to see if they can help me figure out why all of a sudden my Wizard 8000 won't cut 8 ply mats. It's always cut them just fine before. They don't open until noon my time tomorrow so any tricks that anyone knows would be very helpful. It doesn't make a difference whether it's Artique, Crescent or Bainbridge.

I put the mat in and the first plunge is great and the first cut is great but when it goes to make the first turn it tears the corners and breaks the tip of the blade off. Doesn't matter what depth it's set at. 21 has always worked for my machine, but I have tried to up the blade depth and decrease the blade depth and still it tears the corners and breaks the blade. It's almost as if the head doesn't lift up high enough to make the corner. I'm not having any problems with the 4 ply's.

I don't do alot of 8 ply mats but when I did they always came out beautiful. Today I had to order a 8 ply mat cut by LJ to my dimensions to be put on the delivery truck. I've used up so many 8 ply's just trying to get this one mat. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Thanks for replying Jeff. Yes I am and it still isn't making a difference. I even check the air pressure and it's set exactly where it needs to be. Last 8 ply mat I cut was about 1 month ago and it did great.
 
Hopefully someone better at trouble shooting will reply. Many with the best answers are in Vegas now.
 
Presumably you are using just a single slip sheet with the 8ply.

Sounds as though head is not fully retracting before next plunge, but 8ply and one slip sheet should be about the same as two slip sheets and 4ply, and it seems to be clearing the 4 ply no problem ... very strange.

As a stop gap, try cutting 8 ply using two passes. Set blade depth at say 18 first pass, then increase to 24 or so for second pass. If you try this be sure to burnish the corner cuts before making the second pass otherwise the blade can catch on the slightly raised cut.
 
turn "everything" off!~

including the driver pak

then reboot and try it.

Got back from Vegas early GREAT show & Education................................
 
Thanks for the replies everyone!! I appreciate the suggestions and the reminders of things that should be done. Always good to see if I had forgotten to do a step or something, we can all get into a routine and forget the easiest step. Unfortunately, I have done it all correctly including I shutting the entire system down, including releasing the air pressure and then start it all back up. I do have a single slip sheet under the 8 ply. Still having the problems. Going to try doing it in two passes when I get to the store today and see if that will help. Thanks again!!!
 
Sounds like the knife plunge piston is not relieving its air pressure completely before the head pivots, or the foot is not retracting properly. It could be the relief valve in the head, or the air valves at the top of the gantry.
Best to wait for tech support.
I've had the same problem and it was a slow drop in air pressure at the head due to a faulty air valve (the one at the top of the gantry). I've also had the relief valve in the head go bad, but that was preceded by audible air escaping (hissssss) and a fairly loud POP when the O ring failed.
Hope you have the extended warranty.

Doing all the regular maintenance might help. Tension the belts, check the head for any side to side movement and reset the wheels if needed.

Edit: If the air pressure is the issue, cutting the mat in stages won't help. If you decide to give it a try, leave the settings on the computer for your full depth and adjust the depth of cut on the head only.
 
Karen said:
I have to call Wizard tomorrow to see if they can help me figure out why all of a sudden my Wizard 8000 won't cut 8 ply mats. It's always cut them just fine before. They don't open until noon my time tomorrow so any tricks that anyone knows would be very helpful. It doesn't make a difference whether it's Artique, Crescent or Bainbridge.

I put the mat in and the first plunge is great and the first cut is great but when it goes to make the first turn it tears the corners and breaks the tip of the blade off. Doesn't matter what depth it's set at. 21 has always worked for my machine, but I have tried to up the blade depth and decrease the blade depth and still it tears the corners and breaks the blade. It's almost as if the head doesn't lift up high enough to make the corner. I'm not having any problems with the 4 ply's.

I don't do alot of 8 ply mats but when I did they always came out beautiful. Today I had to order a 8 ply mat cut by LJ to my dimensions to be put on the delivery truck. I've used up so many 8 ply's just trying to get this one mat. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Karen,

There is a very small hex head screw on the foot block just above the blade slot. Make sure this is tight and flush with the housing. If this comes too loose, the blade can loose depth, cause swoops and possibly even stop cutting!
 
Foor block sticky

Karen said:
I have to call Wizard tomorrow to see if they can help me figure out why all of a sudden my Wizard 8000 won't cut 8 ply mats. It's always cut them just fine before. They don't open until noon my time tomorrow so any tricks that anyone knows would be very helpful. It doesn't make a difference whether it's Artique, Crescent or Bainbridge.

I put the mat in and the first plunge is great and the first cut is great but when it goes to make the first turn it tears the corners and breaks the tip of the blade off. Doesn't matter what depth it's set at. 21 has always worked for my machine, but I have tried to up the blade depth and decrease the blade depth and still it tears the corners and breaks the blade. It's almost as if the head doesn't lift up high enough to make the corner. I'm not having any problems with the 4 ply's.

I don't do alot of 8 ply mats but when I did they always came out beautiful. Today I had to order a 8 ply mat cut by LJ to my dimensions to be put on the delivery truck. I've used up so many 8 ply's just trying to get this one mat. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Karen, sounds like the footblock is sticking and not retracting fast enough before turning. The slider mechanism can get a build up of paper dust Etc inside which can cause the retraction problem, so just blow out the footblock and then lubricate it with Silicon spray. You then need to push the blade slider in and out until it feels free and easy, then do some test cuts it should clear.
Cheers.
 
by now you should have called wizard tech support?
 
This may be completely unrelated to your situation, but it couldn't hurt to try:
Just about any behavior problem I have ever had with the Wizard has been alleviated by unplugging and then reconnecting the large black cable at both the driver pack and machine ends, to reseat the connections of all the pins.
:cool: Rick

P.S. Sorry I missed seeing you at WCAF, Gumby. I left my note with your cel number sitting on my computer desk at home. :icon19:
 
Okay here's the scoop. Wizard was great with calling me before I had a chance to call them!!! Their customer support is sooooo amazing!! They think it might be the head or the air valves. I bought the 8000 in October of 2005this is the first issue with it ever so I think I have had a great machine all this time, and it's still a great one despite it's issue!! I didn't know that they offered an extended warranty so never purchased one, ouch....but they have offered me the oppurtunity to purchase one now for a year. Trying to decide if I want to go that route or possible upgrade to the 9000. Wizard is going to call me soon to let me know how that works and then I'll make a decision. So I'm crunching numbers and weighing my options right now. Thank you everyone for your suggestions you've all been so helpful!!! :)
 
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