I caught part of an infomercial for the Cricut[Sup]tm[/Sup] which is a self contained cutter*. One of the stated advantages is that one does not need a computer.
While I though it would be neater to have a similar device that was computer controlled. I know there are industrial and possibly prosumer level machines that exist. I’m wondering if there are any consumer (under $1000, preferably under $500) devices. I’m not seriously looking to buy one, I am just curious. (Note that I’m more interesting in cutting thick cardstock than vinyl)
The closest I found was the Craft ROBO (Craftrobostore.com) though even the pro model (~$1k) can cut only .25mm where the Cricut says .7mm)
Maybe it’s just me but I would have a hard time buying anything from a company that describes their product with typos…
Type MC270
Mainboard 32-bit ARM Drier PWM, micro-step driver
Maximum paper Feed width 270mm
Maximum cutting width 205mm
Maximum cutting speed 120mm/s
Maximum cutting length 1000mm
Maximum cutting thickness 0.5mm Cuttong force 0-225g
Mechanics precision 0.05mm
Repeatable precision 0.01mm Blde type Carbide blade
Plot pen All types Diameter 11.4mm plotter pen Protocl Compatible HP/GL
Interface USB2.0
Power source External power supply DC24V/1A±10% Operationg environment Temperature:+5~45,relative temperature 30%~70%
External size 400mm x 150mm x 150mm
ETA: I forgot to mention the reason that I’m posting. IMO, not being compatible with a computer is a negative. I’ve been waiting for a computer-based cutter since the Cricut came out and haven’t found one to my liking or in my price range yet.
I will be buying my wife a Computer controlled cutter in the very near future.
She has looked at all the available options. There is a (3rd party, invalidate your warranty ) USB interface for the CriCut. Without this, you will pay lots for the cartridges to get different fonts and designs.
The CraftROBO is popular, but she has chosen the 13" Cougar (from BlackCat Cutters). It provides a good mix of flexibility and cutting power, and is big enough to cut full sheets for her Photo scrapbooks. I think I can get some use from it as well.
I got my wife the CraftRobo last year. It is very difficult to use and she gave up after trying several tutorials. I considered getting her Klik-n-Kut Element, but it costs twice what the CraftRobo cost and I’m not convinced that she would use it now that she’s had such a bad experience with a cutter. My research suggests that nobody makes a good consumer-level cutter yet. My father used to have a professional cutter that was easy to use and could cut anything, but it cost several thousand dollars. I haven’t seen anything under $1,000 that looks even half as capable as what he had.
With a $99 third party application, you can control the Cricut w/ a USB connection on a Windows machine. I got this setup for my wife, and with that functionality is more cost-effective than the CraftRobo’s.