Gerber’s Tempo 600 Vinyl Cutter

Sometimes, in a tradeshow’s sea of pretty, digitally printed images, we forget the root of modern signmaking. It happened to us again, this year, at SGIA ’08. We were swept up by all the classy printers, huge flatbeds and electronic signboards – until we discovered a needle in the haystack: Gerber’s new, TEMPO™ 600, friction-fed, cutting plotter. Read on to discover why it’s good news for the signmaking world.

You can buy a Gerber Tempo 600, with OMEGA™ CS software for as little as $1,995. With it – and a computer, of course – you can add to your present vinyl-cutting stable, open up a subsidiary division or even birth a new signshop.

We’re not going to throw sand on the crazy, new signshop idea, because that’s what we did some 19 years ago. We paid $2,000 for a tabletop, 15-in., sprocket-fed, vinyl cutter and built a thriving business around it.

The Tempo concept

Enough reminiscing. Let’s fast-forward to what Gerber’s Tempo can do for today’s market. Few things are worse than patching non-related items together, to make a system that works. So, let’s examine Gerber’s Tempo bundle, to understand its benefits.

Right off, we’ll commend the 28-in. media width because this size allows you to produce graphics, or cut letters, for precut, 18 x 24-in., or 24-in.-sign panels. The cut size, expandable by tiling, also works well for banners.

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You can tile (panel) to produce even larger signage, meaning, in theory, the Tempo’s finished sign size is limitless. Still, for a single user, 24- to 28-in. media handles easily when transferring lettering to any medium, including vehicles.

Also, the Tempo, which is very accurate, cuts crisp lines and curves. All signmakers know a vinyl cutter never remains stationary, so a wheeled stand is a must. The Tempo ships with a heavy-duty, metal stand.

Gerber Omega CS

Gerber’s flagship Omega CS (cut solution) software accompanies the package. Gerber’s Tempo 600 is a turnkey solution; it supports print/cut targeting, so you can print cutout signs, decals or labels on a digital printer and carry them to the Tempo, and, with the Tempo’s Advanced Registration Marking System (ARMS), cut out the printed image. The control panel provides easy access to various functions.

Also, the Tempo acts with other Graphtec, type 2 target (automatic contour) RIPs. Further, it supports standard USB connections and a serial connection. As USB is a de facto standard, most computers will easily connect as a plug-and-play, using Gerber’s supplied driver.

Reassuringly, Tempo is based on Graphtec’s CE-series engineering class technology, which says a buyer will enjoy years of reliable service. To sweeten the pot, the cutter comes with a two-year factory parts and labor warranty.

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Installation

The installation is easy. Remove the cutter from the box and assemble the heavy-duty stand. Next, install the driver (it’s compatible with Windows XP® and Windows Vista®) into your computer via the supplied CD. Answer a series of questions, including your connection type (most likely USB), and allow the “wizard” to install it. After that, install the Omega software. A few steps get the software operational, including recognizing the Tempo vinyl cutter.

Other data

The Tempo’s friction-feed system lithely moves media via microgrit rollers; the maximum cutting width is 23.7 in.; the recommended cutting length is 16.4 ft. (the assured accuracy rating is 23 in. x 16.4 ft.), and the maximum cutting speed is 24 in./sec. The Tempo uses servo motors; it cuts material up to 10 mils thick. The maximum cutting force (31 levels) is 0.2 to 2.9N. The mechanical resolution is .0002 in., and the repeatable precision is 0.0039 in. or less, per 78.7 in. (using recommended conditions). The swivel-knife, blade holder also accepts fiber-tip pens. The cutter’s dimensions, with the stand, are 33.5 x 23.0 x 39.5 in., and the total weight is 55 lbs.

Included in the box are a 10-ft. AC power cord; a media support bracket that supports a 50-yd. roll; a 6-ft. USB 2.0 cable; software installation CDs; a blade and blade holder; one fiber-tip pen (black); a media cut-off knife; and a floor stand, which you must assemble.

Specifically designed for signmakers, the Gerber Omega CS software includes a Line and Curve feature for text and graphics. Further, the desktop abounds with such tools as Text-on-a-Line, Shadow Detail, Distortion, Outline, Rotate, Size, Panel Size and more. Omega CS also includes numerous signmaking fonts, plus the company’s new, 100 Bonus GerberSoft Fonts, which load through the Gerber font manager.

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Normally, to get a well-made, vinyl-cutting platform, you’d spend a good deal of money or sacrifice quality. Not here. The Gerber Tempo gets you into vinyl cutting quickly, without giving up quality or accuracy. If you already have a computer with a USB port, you can add the Tempo for less than $2,000. Gerber has thought of everything: a 24-in. cutter, signmaking software and fonts. What more could you ask?

Gerber Scientific Products, 83 Gerber Road West, South Windsor, CT 06074, (860) 644-1551, www.gspinc.com

Company Profile: Gerber Scientific Products was founded in 1980 as a subsidiary to Gerber Scientific Inc. Today, it is highly regarded in the development and manufacturing of computerized signmaking and specialty-graphics systems, software, materials and accessories.

Contact: Jason Smith, product marketing specialist, (860) 648-8060, jason.smith@gspinc.com

System requirements: The Omega software requirements are Windows Vista (32), Windows XP Pro (32 and 64) and Windows 2000 Pro Server, with the latest service pack, along with 512MB RAM minimum (1GB recommended). You’ll also need 2GB of free disk space (20+ recommended) and two USB ports for the required security key and plotter connection.