Once all that is done, the process is the same as if you were cutting press-cut vinyl text. By using a series of drop down menus, you set up the depth of material you are using and the depth of cut required, working through selecting the correct cutter and speed. Using icons, it is straight forward to select the type of cut needed.

plt file or similar vector type file opened up into the Artpath software. The process takes a little mastering but it is pretty logical, taking a previously set up. The software takes files created to cut vinyl lettering, for example, and adds the tool paths needed to cut the same letters in rigid materials, or engrave that same file into something brass plaque.

The standard software used to drive our sabre is Gerber’s Artpath, which links seamlessly to the Omega software. The controller and pump for the vacuum bed are positioned under and to the rear of the machine. The Sabre is shipped with an aluminium bed to which we bonded a suitable material-in our case 10mm PVCu foam-which is then machined to give a level surface and holes to allow the vacuum bed to do its job. The spindle on our machine is a 7hp Perske model and the movement of this is controlled using Teflon coated lead screws, located under the machine safely away from the cutting surface and are therefore relatively easy to maintain. EPS, DXF, AI, or HPGL files can be imported into ARTPath in order to program the various toolpaths for the routerĪlso needed is access to compressed air for the mist coolant attachment, which is an essential option to consider when cutting metals, and a chip extraction device, a foot attachment which surrounds the cutter and removes dust and chippings created whilst cutting. The Sabre 404 is driven by Artpath software.

Gerber artpath software