how to calibrate your eclipse pro/xl/classic computerized

Prepared by Mark Eaton – The CMC Doctor

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How to calibrate your Eclipse PRO/XL/Classic

computerized Mat Cutter (CMC)

This document is prepared for owners of Eclipse® CMCs by The CMC Doctor. Eclipse is a registered trademark of Wizard International. The CMC Doctor is NOT affiliated with Wizard International in any way.

I. Enter the default/factory settings for your machine in the CREATE software a. Default (These setting are all set when the software is installed.)

i. Default Mat Size 1. Width = 11 2. Height = 14 3. Type = Single 4. Minimum Margin = 1

ii. Default Opening Size 1. Width = 5 2. Height = 7 3. Reveal = ¼” 4. Grid Size = 1


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iii. Colors

1. Layer 1 (OLIVE) a. Color = Custom b. Mode = RGB

i. (R)ed = 100 ii. (G)reen =98 iii. (B)lue = 50

2. Layer 2 (GREEN) a. Color = Custom b. Mode = RGB


3. Layer 3 (BLUE) a. Color = Custom b. Mode = RGB



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4. Layer 4 (RED)

a. Color = Custom b. Mode = RGB


5. Layer 5 (Black) a. Color = Custom b. Mode = RGB



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b. Files

i. Cut C:\Program Files (x86)\Eclipse ii. Corners C:\Program Files (x86)\Eclipse\Corners iii. ClipArt C:\Program Files (x86)\Eclipse\ClipArt iv. Fonts C:\Program Files (x86)\Eclipse\Fonts v. Mat Files C:\Program Files (x86)\Eclipse


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c. Machine

i. Model 1. Eclipse (Classic) 2. Eclipse Pro 3. Eclipse XL 4. Eclipse LT 5. MatWRITER

ii. Size 1. 32” x 40” (81cm x 101cm) 2. 40” x 32” (101cm x 81cm) 3. 40” x 60” (101cm x 152cm)

iii. Misc


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II. Enter the default/factory settings for your machine in the CUT software

a. Machine Settings (These setting are set during software installation.) i. Machine Tab

1. Verify/set machine type 2. Verify/set machine size 3. Verify/set tuning parameters

ii. Axis Tab 1. Verify/set gantry (X&Y-axis) parameters 2. Verify/set cutting head (Z-axis) parameters

iii. Motion Tab 1. Verify/set acceleration & deceleration parameters

iv. Password Tab 1. Verify/set password protection setting

b. “General” Settings i. Tools

1. Verify/set max/min speeds of each cutting tool 2. Calibrate the tool offset for each cutting tool


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ii. Centering

iii. Overcuts 1. Regular Bevel


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2. Reverse Bevel

iv. Oval Hook


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v. Hook

vi. V-Groove


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vii. Misc


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III. Visually Square the Gantry

a. Remove drive shaft cover i. Eclipse Classic/Early model PRO ii. Eclipse PRO/XL


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b. Loosen lower drive shaft coupling

c. Use a Square to align left edge of gantry arm to vertical mat clamp


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d. Tighten lower drive shaft coupling e. Replace the drive shaft cover


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IV. Visually Square the Cutting Head

a. With the cutting head open and without a blade installed, use the CUT software to reset the machine – click on Setup | Reset

b. Eyeball the foot housing to the body of the cutting head for square-ness.

c. Adjust the Hook setting until the foot housing is square.

i. In the CUT software click on Setup | Settings | Hook tab 1. Hook Adjustment = the amount that machine will adjust

after finding the physical home 2. Amount = the number that will be add to or subtracted

from the Hook Adjustment each time that you click either the Hook Out button or the Hook In button

3. Note = defines the number that represents 1° of adjustment

ii. Clicking the Hook Out button will rotate the cutting head clockwise iii. Clicking the Hook In button will rotate the cutting head counter-

clockwise iv. Clicking the OK button will save the new setting and Reset the

machine so that you can see the new position of the cutting head d. Repeat Steps a., b., and c. as needed.


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V. Set the blade depth a. Set blade depth adjuster switch to the 4-ply step/position b. Push the V-groove adjuster switch to the left (v-groove mode on) c. Load blade

i. Loosen brass thumb nut ii. Slide blade under blade clamp until heel of blade touches blade

depth adjuster switch iii. Make certain that blade is against the right edge of the blade slot iv. Tighten brass thumb screw

d. Extent the blade i. In the CUT software click on Setup | Blade Change ii. Follow the on-screen instructions

e. Adjust the blade depth i. With blade extended, hold a small scrap of 4-ply mat board with a

bevel against the mat foot with the bevel touching the under side of the blade

ii. Press the mat board against the mat foot until the head of the silver truss head Phillips Screw contacts the v-groove depth adjuster switch

iii. Adjust silver Truss head Phillips Screw so that the tip of the blade passes 90% of the way through the core of the mat. The tip SHOULD NOT pass through the mat board completely

1. Turn screw clockwise (CW) to shorten/reduce the blade depth

2. Turn screw counter-clockwise (CCW) to extend/lengthen the blade


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f. Retract the blade (on-screen instructions) g. Move the v-groove adjuster switch to the right (v-groove mode off) h. Using Setup | Blade Change to extend the blade i. Check the blade depth for cutting 4-ply mat board

i. With blade extended, hold a small scrap of 4-ply mat board with a bevel against the mat foot with the bevel touching the under side of the blade


iii. The tip of the blade should pass completely through the mat board, if it does not repeat Step E above

j. Retract the blade (on-screen instructions) k. Remove the blade l. Move the blade depth adjuster switch to the right (8-ply) m. Load the blade (Step C above) n. Extend the blade (Step D above) o. Check the blade depth for cutting 8-ply mat board

i. With blade extended, hold a small scrap of 8-ply mat board with a bevel against the mat foot with the bevel touching the under side of the blade


iii. The tip of the blade should pass completely through the mat board, if it does not repeat Step E and Step F above

p. Retract the blade (on-screen instructions) VI. Test the machine with the cutting head open.

a. Using Eclipse Create design a 16x16 single layer mat with a 1x1 opening located in the center of the mat.

b. With the cutting head open and without a blade installed, run a test cut. c. When the machine makes the moves to simulate cutting make certain

that the cutting head will move out into the cutting area away from the clamps.

VII. Calibrate the opening size (cutting from the back – regular bevel) a. With a blade loaded for 4-ply mat, cut the 16x16 mat with a 1x1 opening b. Measure the opening from side to side and top to bottom c. If the side to side and top to bottom measurements are not equal adjust

the belt tension d. If the side to side distance does not measure correctly use the Tool

Offset Calculator to adjust the opening size i. In the CUT software click on Setup | Settings | Tools Tab ii. The Tool Offset Calculator is located in the bottom 1/3 of the

Tools Tab 1. Enter the “Programmed Width” 2. Enter the “Cut Width” (what you measured) 3. Press the “Calculate” button


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iii. Increase the opening size by ½” in height and width iv. Cut and measure the new opening size

e. Repeat Step D until opening size measures correctly VIII. Calibrate Centering

a. The opening size must measure correct before centering b. Immediately after cutting a opening measure the left and bottom margins c. If the margins do not measure correctly use the Centering Tool to correct

the error i. In the CUT software click on Setup | Settings | Centering Tab ii. The Centering Calculator is located in the bottom 2/3rds of the

Centering Tab 1. Enter the actual measurement of the left margin 2. Enter the actual measurement of the bottom margin 3. Click on the “Calculate Centering” button 4. Click on the OK button to save the new settings and reset

the machine


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iii. Load a new mat, or increase the opening size so that the new opening will not cut across the existing opening

1. If either margin is incorrect by more than 1 to 2 inches, use a new mat for the next test

2. If either margin is incorrect by less than a inch, simply make the next opening 1 to 2 inches large and use the same mat

iv. Cut and re-measure the left and right margins d. Repeat Step C until the left and bottom margins measure correctly

IX. Calibrate Reverse Bevel opening size (cutting from the back) a. Cut a test opening (Reverse Bevel from the back of the mat) b. Adjust the mat board thickness to change the opening size

i. In the CUT software click Setup | Set Board Thickness

ii. Factory default = 0.05 1. Typical 4-ply value = 0.055-0.075 (0.064)


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2. Typical 6-ply value = 0.080-0.100 (0.090) 3. Typical 8-ply value = 0.110-0.140 (0.110)

iii. Increase value to increase the opening size iv. Decrease value to decrease opening size

c. Repeat Steps a. and b. as needed X. Calibrate Regular Bevel Over/Under cuts

a. Cut a test opening b. Label the components of the cut on the back of the mat c. Factors that effect the Regular Bevel Exit over/under cut

i. Depth Screw (Truss Head Phillips Screw) 1. Turning this screw CCW will lengthen blade and cause an

over cut 2. Turning this screw CCW will shorten the blade and cause

an under cut 3. Proper blade depth was set in Step IV above – DO NOT

TOUCH this screw after Step IV ii. Over/under cut setting in the CUT software

1. Setup | Settings | Overcut Tab 2. Factory Default for 4-ply = 0.15

a. Increasing this number will cause an over cut b. Decreasing this number will cause an under cut c. Do not set at zero

d. Factors that effect the Regular Bevel Entry over/under cut i. Depth Screw (Truss Head Phillips Screw)

1. Turning this screw CCW will lengthen blade and cause an over cut

2. Turning this screw CCW will shorten the blade and cause an under cut

3. Proper blade depth was set in Step IV above – DO NOT TOUCH this screw after Step IV

ii. Air Pressure 1. Clamp pressure gage (left gage) should be set at 80 psi 2. Head pressure gage (right gage) should be set at 40 psi

iii. Flow Control Valve (Cutting Head) 1. Turn flow control CW until closed 2. Turn flow control CCW 1-1/2 to 2 turns

iv. Blade sharpness 1. As a blade becomes dull it will under cut 2. Is the over/under cut is calibrated with a dull blade then a

sharp blade will create an over cut v. Type of Mat Board (profile)

1. All 4-ply mats are not created equal a. Set blade depth switch to 4-ply b. Set V-groove switch to the right (off) c. Set blade reaction time (see Step vii below) d. Save a generic profile for 4-ply mats

2. Crescent Mooreman suede and linen mats are 6-ply boards a. Set blade depth switch to 8-ply


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b. Move V-groove switch to left (on) c. Set blade reaction time (see Step vii below) d. Save a unique profile for 6-ply mats

3. Crescent 6-ply and Bainbridge BTM mats are 7-ply boards a. Set blade depth switch to 8-ply b. Move V-groove switch to left (on) c. Set blade reaction time (see Step vii below) d. Save a unique profile for 7-ply mats

4. All 8-ply mats are not created equal a. Set blade depth switch to 8-ply b. Set V-groove switch to the right (off) c. Set blade reaction time (see Step vii below) d. Save a unique profile for each 8-ply SKU number

vi. Over/under cut setting in the CUT software 1. Setup | Settings | Overcut Tab 2. Factory Default for 4-ply = 0.09

a. Increasing this number will cause an over cut b. Decreasing this number will cause an under cut c. Do not set at zero

vii. Blade Reaction Time – Down 1. 4-ply mats are not created equal

a. White core paper mats are the norm – approx down time = 350

b. Rag mat cores are softer (not as dense) than paper cores (SRM) – approx down time = 340

c. Color cores are harder (denser) than paper cores (SRM) – approx down time = 370

d. Marble face papers are denser than colored papers – approx down time = 360

2. 6-ply mats – approx down time = 400 3. 8-ply mats – approx down time = 500

e. Proper order for calibrating over/under cuts i. Calibrate Exit over/under cut first ii. Calibrate Entry over/under cut so that the length of over cut on

the back of the mat is equal to the length of Exit over cut on the back of the mat (approx 1/8”)

iii. Adjust the Blade Reaction Time (Down) to eliminate any over/under cut on the front of the mat

XI. Calibrate Regular Bevel Right-Turn (exterior) Over/Under cuts a. Cut a test opening (Regular Bevel from the Back) b. Adjust Exit over/under cut

i. Factory default = 0.15 1. Typical 4-ply value = 0.15 2. Typical 6-ply value = 0.18 3. Typical 8-ply value = 0.21

ii. Increasing the value will create an over cut iii. Decreasing the value will create an under cut

c. Adjust Entry over/under cut


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i. Factory default = 0.09 1. Typical 4-ply value = 0.09 2. Typical 6-ply value = 0.12 3. Typical 8-ply value = 0.18


d. Repeat Steps a., b., and c. as needed XII. Calibrate Regular Bevel Left-Turn (interior) Over/Under cuts

a. Cut a test opening (Aztec Corner, Regular Bevel from the Back) b. Adjust Exit over/under cut

i. Factory default = 1. Typical 4-ply value = 2. Typical 6-ply value = 3. Typical 8-ply value =


c. Adjust Entry over/under cut i. Factory default =

1. Typical 4-ply value = 2. Typical 6-ply value = 3. Typical 8-ply value =


d. Repeat Steps a., b., and c. as needed XIII. Calibrate Reverse Bevel Right-Turn (exterior) Over/Under cuts

a. Cut a test opening (Reverse Bevel from the back of the mat) b. Adjust the Exit over/under cut



c. Adjust the Entry over/under cut i. Factory default =



d. Repeat Steps A, B, and C as needed XIV. Calibrate Reverse Bevel Left-Turn (interior) Over/Under cuts

a. Cut a test opening (Reverse Bevel from the back of the mat) b. Adjust the Exit over/under cut



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c. Adjust the Entry over/under cut i. Factory default =



d. Repeat Steps a., b., and c. as needed XV. Calibrate V-groove width

a. Cut a test opening (closed v-groove) b. Adjust width of v-groove for greatest appeal

i. Too wide and the v-groove will be torn at the bottom of the cut ii. Too narrow and you will see thick and thin sides iii. Factory default = 0.08

XVI. Calibrate V-groove Over/Under cuts a. Cut a test opening (closed v-groove) b. Adjust V-groove over cuts (four over/under cuts at each corner)

i. Right Turn over/under cuts (illustrated in White) 1. Exit (Forward), factory default = 0.06 2. Entry (Reverse), factor default = -0.02

ii. Left Turn over/under cuts (illustrated in Gray) 1. Exit (Forward), factory default = 0.6 2. Entry (Reverse), factory default = -0.02

iii. Increasing the values will create an over cut iv. Decreasing the values will create an under cut

c. Repeat Steps a. and b. as needed XVII. Calibrate acute angle Over/Under cuts

a. Cut a 5-pointed star clipart b. Change Over Cut Adjustment factor

i. In the CUT software click on Setup | Settings | Misc Tab ii. Factory default = 0.8


iii. Increasing the value will create an over cut iv. Decreasing the value will create an under cut

c. Repeat Steps a. and b. as needed

how to calibrate your eclipse pro/xl/classic computerized

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