Flatbed Cutters | Signs101.com

We added a Summa F to our shop just over a year ago. There is definitely a learning curve, and some quirks to work around, but we've been mostly happy with the purchase.

Efficiencies gained:
-Through-cutting decals eliminates lots of manual labor (No more kiss-cutting, weeding, and hand-trimming)
-Through-cutting coroplast/sintra signs is super fast and accurate, and again eliminates most manual labor/margin of error
-Routing ACM signs - It allows us to mount full sheets and then cut them all out into individual signs, adding holes, shape cuts etc. We used to pre-cut blanks on sheet cutter, print graphics w/ crop marks, trim into singles, mount each sign individually, trim vinyl on edges, then round corners. **this takes some fine-tuning so router bit doesn't chew up the laminate. Still nailing that one down
-Routing sintra signs - leaves a much cleaner edge and you can notch/v-groove them for bending/forming

I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting, but those are the first that come to mind.

Any other specific questions, just ask!

We added a Summa F to our shop just over a year ago. There is definitely a learning curve, and some quirks to work around, but we've been mostly happy with the purchase.

Efficiencies gained:
-Through-cutting decals eliminates lots of manual labor (No more kiss-cutting, weeding, and hand-trimming)
-Through-cutting coroplast/sintra signs is super fast and accurate, and again eliminates most manual labor/margin of error
-Routing ACM signs - It allows us to mount full sheets and then cut them all out into individual signs, adding holes, shape cuts etc. We used to pre-cut blanks on sheet cutter, print graphics w/ crop marks, trim into singles, mount each sign individually, trim vinyl on edges, then round corners. **this takes some fine-tuning so router bit doesn't chew up the laminate. Still nailing that one down
-Routing sintra signs - leaves a much cleaner edge and you can notch/v-groove them for bending/forming

I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting, but those are the first that come to mind.

Any other specific questions, just ask!

For your laminate problem, try using a down cut bit instead of an up cut bit.

As for OP, adding a flatbed cutter adds too much value to put it simply. The money spent will quickly be washed away with money saved in time of cutting everything. Personally I use a Colex Sharpcut and really enjoy it, just another machine to look into. If you do go with Colex be sure to upgrade to the 5hp router, worth every penny.

We added a Summa F to our shop just over a year ago. There is definitely a learning curve, and some quirks to work around, but we've been mostly happy with the purchase.

Efficiencies gained:
-Through-cutting decals eliminates lots of manual labor (No more kiss-cutting, weeding, and hand-trimming)
-Through-cutting coroplast/sintra signs is super fast and accurate, and again eliminates most manual labor/margin of error
-Routing ACM signs - It allows us to mount full sheets and then cut them all out into individual signs, adding holes, shape cuts etc. We used to pre-cut blanks on sheet cutter, print graphics w/ crop marks, trim into singles, mount each sign individually, trim vinyl on edges, then round corners. **this takes some fine-tuning so router bit doesn't chew up the laminate. Still nailing that one down
-Routing sintra signs - leaves a much cleaner edge and you can notch/v-groove them for bending/forming

I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting, but those are the first that come to mind.

Any other specific questions, just ask!

Thanks for your reply. Those are great points, and actually the things we're most focused on.

In particular we would save a lot of time routing ACM signs if we could nail down that mounting then trimming process.

Are there any things you can't do that you wish you could? Ie: routing acrylics or other substrates or individually cut letters? And how does your operator find the software? I've heard some mixed reviews on Multicams and other products that are just based on poor user interface etc.

For your laminate problem, try using a down cut bit instead of an up cut bit.

As for OP, adding a flatbed cutter adds too much value to put it simply. The money spent will quickly be washed away with money saved in time of cutting everything. Personally I use a Colex Sharpcut and really enjoy it, just another machine to look into. If you do go with Colex be sure to upgrade to the 5hp router, worth every penny.

How do you like the usability of the Sharpcut? Does your operator have an easy time using the software?

How do you like the usability of the Sharpcut? Does your operator have an easy time using the software?

Usability is very straight forward. Super easy to use. I have never used a different CNC machine, but I can honestly say I don't think I would ever go to a different brand.

Like I said everything is super easy and straight forward. The only thing we had a difficulty figuring out was to create what we call break away tabs; they're those few tabs that stay on and cut almost all the way through in select places so that you don't need to tape the small pieces down. But we got it figured out after looking through the manual.

Another good thing about it is that everything except the frame is made right in New Jersey so there is never a wait for a shipment from China or Japan.

And above all their customer service is beyond amazing, a lot of times I can get right through to a tech that can talk you through right away on the . Usually don't even need to wait more than 2 hours if all the techs are busy. And have never had to wait more than a business day for someone to call me back, only had to wait once for a call back the next day, but that was only because it was end of day and I was going home.

I would highly suggest Colex, I know when we were setting up for a demo we were in contact with Maureen. I would for definitely suggest going for a demo there!

This a great conversation. We too are looking at the Summa and Colex. Other machines are out of our budget right now. I've watched the demos for both machines. The quick take-aways I have so far... Summa is more geared toward cut vinyl but can handle light duty rigid work. The Colex is more heavy duty and geared toward rigids and does that work very well. I've only received a Colex estimate from our Ricoh rep. The price I've received is 30% higher than the Summa.

what router configuration were you looking at that the price came out that high?

Thanks for your reply. Those are great points, and actually the things we're most focused on.

In particular we would save a lot of time routing ACM signs if we could nail down that mounting then trimming process.

Are there any things you can't do that you wish you could? Ie: routing acrylics or other substrates or individually cut letters? And how does your operator find the software? I've heard some mixed reviews on Multicams and other products that are just based on poor user interface etc.

It mostly does everything we need it to do, and the things I can't do are mainly due to user error (me) and not dedicating enough time to test out bits & settings etc.

I've gotten somewhat acceptable edges on 1/4" clear acrylic but nothing I was overly impressed with. I'm still convinced I can get it to cut better but just haven't had the time.

The software is ok but I feel like there are a lot of steps required from loading a file and actually starting to cut. Again, more time invested would yield better results.

We got ours just over a year ago and still have lots to learn. For the price point it's a good piece of equipment and the value is there, but if you're looking for high volume and efficiency it sounds like Zund rules that area.