Plotter for 3M fclear film

What cutter do you guys recommend for cutting clear bras?

3M recommends these plotters for ppf

Graphtek 42" 100 AKZ w/basket and static guard
FC7000 -130 54" w/basket
FC7000-160 64" w/basket
http://www.graphtecusa.com/products.php?vi...mp;series_id=33

The 42" is the most common plotter out there for ppf. It is a bread and butter, great reliable machine. It will handle all but ppf except many of the full hoods. I have had a Graphtek since 93 or 94. Works fine.

In my opinion there seems to be a trend toward full hoods occasionally at least. If you are going to do full hood installs often you need more than 48" film. 3M only sells 48" rolls (their largest presently). I think they will have to come out with a wider roll this year. XPEL came out with 54". We stock 3M's 48" and also Ventures 58". So I would recommend at least the 54". If you are strict 3M, I would probably go with that. Most hoods will be taken care of with that. I have to think 3M will step up to that this year. If not, film is available. Ventures 58" will do all hoods however, and is nice film to work with and is priced right. But that would take the 64".

You can shop for best price and service on these. You can also email me and I will also quote you on them. We are a 3M distributor. You can see our 1st post on todays paint protection forum. Quality Auto Trim (www.ppfsupport.com)

Hope this is a help and a step in the right direction for you.

Mike Dalton
Quality Auto Trim Distributing

Looks good. does it come with its own pfp software of can I use anyone elses?

The Graphtek comes just by itself. But as I posted a couple of days ago on the Paint Protection Forum being a 3M Distributor I can now offer free pattern software from Venture. The normal 1 time charge by Venture is being waived through Dec 15. With that software you can modify patterns. By free, you are given a code that enables you to cut the same sq ft of film that you purchase of either 3M or Ventureshield for free, in an on'going way. It just so happens that we (Quality Auto Trim, www.ppfsupport.com) sell both. It has made 3M /Venture a powerful option I think, and enables the user to save quite a bit with the free patterns as well. You also are not married to these patterns if you don't like them. Just don't use them and get other ones.

You can use anyone's software with the plotter. You can mix things also.

Email or call me if I can be of any help or if you would like more details.

Mike

i have an older 40" roland cm-400. i've cut every PPF i've ever tried with it. that thing will cut anything. any film, vinyl, or PPF.

Buy from the manufacturer or distributor of the plotter you want, try Signwarehouse I got the craziest deal from them on a Roland plotter . Roland is pretty heavy duty and has a long history of quality, second would be a Graphtec. You could do well with a 30''-40'' machine, if you need a full hood, do it bulk or order the hood pattern from someone who could send you the kit like VentureShield, anything bigger is a waste of money unless you'll use it for more than ppf. The software you can get from any manufacturer, search around, you'll find a few mentioned in the forums. Venture only charges a one time fee and all patterns are free, they're pretty fast at making a pattern you need or modifying one for you. The only drawback is Invisible Patterns is used mainly for high end cars, you'll need something else like computer cut for everday car patterns, or something else out there, these are the two I use so I can't speak for the other software for ppf patterns

thanks for all the valuable info guys!

Check out Film Designs too.

www.filmvinyldesigns.com they have a great tint and ppf design software with a full library of patterns. works great on a Roland.