[donnaredd]

I am using Roland PC-60 and FlexiSign Pro 6.5v3. After much trial and error I have finally gotten my laptop to recognize the parallel to USB connection. I have downloaded Roland driver and the software shows Roland. I import a purchased download of a rhinestone design (EPS) into Flexi and parse the postscript. I send it to the Production Manager thru Flexi and it processes from 0 to 100% using COM3 port......but the cutter never cuts!!!! I have checked mode in command prompt-it shows:
Status for device COM3:
Baud - 115200
Parity - None
Data Bits - 8
Stop Bits - 1
Timeout - OFF
XON/XOFF - OFF
CTS handshaking - OFF
DSR handshaking - OFF
DSR sensitivity - OFF
DTR circuit - ON
RTS circuit - OFF
Flexi has cut these designs on my brother's Roland CAMM 30" following this procedure - has to be setting errors - please help - I want to throw it out the window! I have a lot invested in downloads I can't cut or use.
Donna Redd

 

[donnaredd]

Come on guys - you are the gurus here. I have 117 views and no replys seriously does anyone not have an idea I can try, I'm so desparate to make my cutter work! Thanks!

Donna

 

[Corel Whisperer]

Try changing the baud rate to 9600. Also I don't know if the PC60 is strong enough to cut the template material.
Have you tried sending just a simple shape?

DUH!!!! I just re-read your post. You say you are using a Parallel to USB but it is set to COM3, that's a serial port, it should be looking at LPT something...

 

[donnaredd]

I posted a reply yesterday - but it is not here - why?

 

[Corel Whisperer]

I posted a reply yesterday - but it is not here - why?

Try again this one showed up!

 

[donnaredd]

That's the way it goes - I poured a lot of info in the one that didn't!

OK I am totally confused now - my fault - here's my question: parallel should go with LPT ports, serial should with COM ports, and USB has to have separate driver. That said - I have a parallel to USB - what type port should I use in this case? Also laptops don't show ports listed in the device manager (at least mine don't) - should the cutter be added like adding a printer or should it be pulled from a software designation? The only thing I know for sure is that with the settings I have noted above in the previous post - IT DOESN'T WORK!! Thanks for helping out.....

 

[Corel Whisperer]

when you have it connected is the dirver information reading USB, COM or LPT? I don't have my cutter connected (CM300) right now so I can't check to see what it says. I do know you should not be seeing anything about COM...
I don't have Flexi so I don't know how it would work from there...do you have any other programs...Corel maybe...if so I could give you some steps to follow to see if you can get it to work.

 

[Texas Slick]

If you're running Windows 7 it will not recognize the PC60, they have no drivers for it. I know I have one and mine runs on the serial port

 

[Corel Whisperer]

OP, Are you using Windows 7?

 

[donnaredd]

No - I've already crossed that bridge - the Roland PC-60 only works with XP or lower. That is the reason I have to use my laptop for the XP operating system.

I do not have Corel. I did have a trial version of AI but is has expried now. I have a new version of WINPCSign Pro 2012 that I received on Saturday. Beyond that the software is limited to Flexi or Inkscape.

You ask if the driver information is showing what port - that's my whole problem? I've seen conflicting things...I'm not supposed to see COM but as I have tried each one, it's the only one that does not give me the "write port error". That's reason I thought it was right, not knowing it was the wrong one....

I think I've confused the computer now too. I have everything reading USB port and the cutter is selected. WINPCSign Pro 2012 will try to cut the design - printer/cutter shows up in bottom tray for a minute and then disappears but does not cut. However, when I pull up the CMD - MODE it still shows as COM3 and I don't know how to change it....

Does any of this make sense to anyone?

 

[GraphixGuys]

Your issue might be with the usb to parallel. I never have had any luck with those things. If you are using the usb out of the laptop to the parallel to the cutter then you need to have the USB selection chosen in flexi. I dont have flexi at my house so I will not be able to help on that end till tommorrow. I also have never used the USB for anything in FLexi. I have my Cutter on COM3 i believe and I have my printer networked using an IP address. I might be able to help more tommorrow morning when flexi is in front of me.

 

[donnaredd]

That's not the first time I've heard that the parallel to USB is not recommended - but I'm not sure how to tell if that is the problem or not. What other options should I try? I do have the Serial to usb cable but it is a 9pin to usb and I still need an adapter from the 15pin to the 9pin. Can I use the IP address, if so how would I go about that?

If your cutter is on COM3 what type connection are you using?

 

[GraphixGuys]

That's not the first time I've heard that the parallel to USB is not recommended - but I'm not sure how to tell if that is the problem or not. What other options should I try? I do have the Serial to usb cable but it is a 9pin to usb and I still need an adapter from the 15pin to the 9pin. Can I use the IP address, if so how would I go about that?

If your cutter is on COM3 what type connection are you using?

I took a look at our cutter and we are using a usb to serial then a 9 pin to 15 pin connection. Here is the settings we are using in flexi

COM3
Settings
Bits per second - 9600
Data bits - 8
Parity - None
Stop bits - 1
Flow Control - Hardware
Hard wires - DTS checked RTS checked and CTS checked

We also have to use a specific USB on the computer for it to work. If we move the USB to another port it won't work.

 

[donnaredd]

Ah ha - ok that sounds like a plan I can work with. I ordered an adapter today for the serial connection and will try that. However, I didn't think about changing the USB around. I have been just using whatever was available. I will also give that a look tonight. Thanks for your help. I just had the Roland tech send me a message to find an old computer to use....lol. I'm determined to make this thing cut and sounds like I'm getting closer all the time. Thanks again - I'll let you know how it turns out!

 

[donnaredd]

OK hooked up the serial adapter and the serial to usb cable. Now I need the capable usb driver for the serial to usb connection. Any advice? I have so many fix it options on the laptop now, I'm confused.

Donna

 

[GraphixGuys]

OK hooked up the serial adapter and the serial to usb cable. Now I need the capable usb driver for the serial to usb connection. Any advice? I have so many fix it options on the laptop now, I'm confused.

Donna

Your USB to Seial Cable should have came with a cd with a driver. If you do not have one you might be able to find it on the internet. They need a special driver to translate that serial to usb.

 

[donnaredd]

Cable did not come with CD - did try to download a driver from another site, but when my operating system starts it finds new hardware. When I tell it where to look for the driver, it comes back that there is no information about my hardware there.

Can it be run through the COM port or the USB? Since I can't get the USB to cooperate I thought I'd try the COM port.

Donna

 

[GraphixGuys]

Cable did not come with CD - did try to download a driver from another site, but when my operating system starts it finds new hardware. When I tell it where to look for the driver, it comes back that there is no information about my hardware there.

Can it be run through the COM port or the USB? Since I can't get the USB to cooperate I thought I'd try the COM port.

Donna

USB and Serial cables basically speak a different language. So you need specific software to translate the language. If this is giving you so many problems you might try other cable methods?
You should try using just a USB cable to plug directly into the cutter and use the USB Selection into flexi to see If you get a cut. You can get USB cable extenders if you need to go a longer distance