I'm getting random lines and/or erratic behavior?

There are a number of potential reasons why a vinyl cutter will cut random lines, behave erratically or just stop cutting in the middle of a cut, with these outlined as follows:

Port Selection (effects all cutters)
Try to avoid using a Windows Port for Serial COM cutters as there are several settings that will permit the cutter to work, but can cause communication problems during cutting. Most vinyl cutters will work with Direct COM (Serial and USB cables) or Direct USB when using Future Corporation Software so select one of these options where applicable, see the Quick Guide for instructions.

Emulation and Plotter Language (effects all cutters)
The cutter may use, or have been manually set to a different emulation (plotter language) which can cause significant cutting issues and is easy to change in the Vinyl Spooler.

First make sure the cutter is switched on, has vinyl loaded and ready to cut a test file.

You can open the Vinyl Spooler from the File (menu) > Cut/Plot > Vinyl Spooler.

In the Vinyl Spooler, click on the: 

• Cutter (menu) > Configure Cutter (or press F2).
• In the Device Settings window that comes up, click on Commands > Device Language.
• You will now see a drop down selector inline with Device Language.
• In this selector you will a number of plotter languages. Most cutters use HPGL or DMPL or a variation of these.

Refer to the cutter's manual or LCD menu for the emulation your cutter uses.

• You can select a different emulation and click Accept and attempt a test cut file from the Repeat folder on the left side in the Vinyl Spooler.

Note: using trial-by-error will usually find the correct emulation.

Flow Control (effects USB and Serial COM cutters using Direct COM)
The cutter may use, or have been manually set to a different Flow Control (handshake) which can cause significant cutting issues and is easy to change in the Vinyl Spooler.

The Flow Control settings can be found under the Connection tab of the Vinyl Spooler. First make sure the cutter is switched on, has vinyl loaded and ready to cut a test file.

You can open the Vinyl Spooler from the File (menu) > Cut/Plot > Vinyl Spooler.

In the Vinyl Spooler, click on the Connection tab. To see Flow Control you must have the Port Type in Connection Method set to Direct COM. In the bottom section under Settings you will see Flow Control.

You can select each option and attempt a test cut file from the Repeat folder on the left side in the Vinyl Spooler until you find the correct setting for your cutter.