Roland ZEC-U5032 User manual

1
Cutter Blade
Reference Guide
October 20, 2017
Table of Content
Summary _________________________________________________________________ 1
Cutter Blade Design _________________________________________________________ 1
Blade Extension - CutContour _________________________________________________ 2
Blade Extension - PerfCutContour______________________________________________ 2
Blade Settings _____________________________________________________________ 3
Troubleshooting ___________________________________________________________ 3
Blade SKUs ________________________________________________________________ 4
Summary
This document teaches the basics of cutter blade knowledge and offers suggestions for troubleshooting cutting issues.
Cutter Blade Design
Below is a summary of the cutter blade design.
•0.5 ±0.05 Offset: Distance from the center of the blade to the edge of the blade. The offset determines the
blade’s turning radius and how it compensates for distance while turning corners. Offset is specified by the
blade manufacturer.
•55° Angle: The angle is specified in the measurement of degrees. The blade below is a 55-degree blade.
•Ø1.0 Circumference: Lists the circumference of the blade tip.

2
Cutter Blade Reference Guide
Blade Extension - CutContour
Below offers a brief overview of optimal blade extension.
•Blade extension is adjusted by twisting the blade holder’s cap.
•Blade extension should be minimized for substrates. The blade is often extended too far.
•A good strategy to start with is to extend the blade the length of half the thickness of a credit card. Then send a
cut test to determine if more down force is required and/or if more blade extension is required.
Blade Extension - PerfCutContour
Below offers a brief overview of optimal blade extension for perforated cutting.
•No Groove in Platen
oThe blade is extended the same length as CutContour cutting for Roland devices that do not have a
designated groove for perforated cutting. The reason is the blade makes contact with the blade
protection strip and overextending the blade can severely damage the cutter protection strip.
oThis strategy applies to Roland printer/cutters and the CAMM-1 Pro GS-24 and GX-24 models.
•Groove in Platen
oThe blade is extended further for devices with a dedicated groove in the platen for perforated cutting.
oA good strategy to determine how far to extend the blade is to take the material you are going to
perfcut and fold it over on itself. Then drag the blade holder over the material. The ideal blade
extension length is achieved when the first layer of material is cleanly cut (including through the liner)
and the second layer is barely scored. If both layers are cut then the blade is extended too far. If the
first layer is not cleanly cut then the blade extension length is too little.
oThis strategy applies to the CAMM-1 GR cutter series.

3
Cutter Blade Reference Guide
Blade Settings
Below lists the optimal blade settings by application. These are general guidelines only and it is always recommended
to send a cut test before sending any jobs.
Material
Cutting Force
Cutting Speed
Cardboard
250 - 400 gf
≦20cm/s
Flock
80 - 160 gf
≦20 cm/s
Floor Laminate
100 - 350 gf
≦30 cm/s
Heat Transfer
30 - 100 gf
≦30 cm/s
Magnetic
150 - 600 gf
≦10 cm/s
PerfCut
100 - 300 gf
≦30 cm/s
Reflective
100 - 350 gf
≦20 cm/s
Sandblast
100 - 500gf
≦20cm/s
Twill
80 - 250 gf
≦30 cm/s
Vinyl ≤ 3 mil
30 - 100 gf
≦30 cm/s
Vinyl ≥ 3mil
100 - 300 gf
≦30 cm/s
Window Tint
80 - 120 gf
≦25 cm/s
Troubleshooting
Below summarizes common cutting issues and possible solutions.
Incomplete Cuts
•Problem: Vinyl is not cut all the way through
•Possible Solutions:
oThe blade is dull or chipped.
oImproper blade extension.
oThe pressure is not high enough.
Stitch Cut or Dash Cut
•Problem: Cut lines appear as dashes
•Possible Solutions:
oThe cutter protection strip is damaged and needs to be replaced.
oThe blade is dull or chipped.
oThe speed is set too low.
oThe blade holder needs to be replaced.
Circles Don’t Close
•Problem: Vectors do not connect according to artwork on screen
•Possible Solutions:
oReplace font with Sans Serif fonts. Serif fonts have sharp angled corners and the blade can’t turn fast
enough to close the corners.
oPoints need to be rounded. (E.g. vector graphics that have small angles like serif fonts. e.g. -flame tips)
oIncorrect blade offset.
Small Letters and Shapes Lift Up During Cutting
•Problem: Adhesive gets stuck together while cutting
•Possible Solutions:
oUse vinyl with a different adhesive because some adhesives don’t adhere to the liner well enough for
small detail. Removable/low tack adhesives are most common problem.

4
Cutter Blade Reference Guide
oIncrease blade extension because adhesive may be too thick and is not being cut all the way through.
oReplace blade with a sharper blade to ensure it can cut through the adhesive.
oUse a blade with a higher angle. Low angle blades may not cut through adhesive effectively.
oIncrease pen pressure because the liner could be soft and is absorbing the adhesive causing it to gel
together.
Curved Corners
•Problem: Corners don’t look right.
•Possible Solutions:
oThe offset is not correct.
Image A demonstrates optimal offset.
Image B demonstrates not enough offset (curved corners).
Image C demonstrates too much offset (flaps on corners).
Blade SKUs
Below lists the blades available from Roland and which applications the blade is best suited for. Please note, the list of
applications is a general guideline only.
Cemented Carbide Premium Blades
•ZEC-U5032* 45°/.25 Offset Premium Blade, 2 ea. - Standard Materials
•ZEC-U5025 45°/.25 Offset Premium Blade, 5 ea. - Standard Materials
•ZEC-U1005 45°/.25 Offset Premium Blade, 5 ea. - All Purpose
•ZEC-U3050 60°/.50 Offset Premium Blade, 5 ea. – Sandblast
•ZEC-U3100 60°/1.00 Offset Premium Blade, 5 ea. - Thick Materials
Tungsten Carbide Standard Blades
•USA-C125-5 25°/.125 Offset Blade, 5 ea. - Thin Materials
•USA-C145-X 45°/.25 Offset Blade, 1 ea. - All Purpose
•USA-C160-X 60°/.10 Offset Blade, 3 ea. - Thick Materials
Specialty Blades
•USA-RWEAR-5 54°/.50 Offset, 5 ea. - Apparel Blade (Twill)
•ZEC-U5010 55°/.5 Offset Blade, 2 ea. - Window Tint
*Each new Roland printer/cutter and plotter ships with one ZEC-U5032 blade.

2

SKUAngleCardboardFlockFloor
Laminate
Heat
TransferMagneticPerfCutReflectiveSandblastTwillVinyl≤ 3mil
Vinyl≥
3mil
Window
Tint
USA‐C125‐545°       ●
ZEC‐U100545°●  ●●
USA‐C145‐X45°●  ●
ZEC‐U502545°●  ●●
ZEC‐U503245°●  ●●
USA‐RWEAR‐554°●     ●
ZEC‐U501055°       ●
ZEC‐U305060°●●●  ●●● ●● ●
ZEC‐U310060°●●  ●●● ● 
USA‐C160‐X60°●●●  ●●● ●● ●