Setting speed and force

Two numbers decide whether the job cuts cleanly or ruins the material. Start low on force and high on speed, then work backwards — one variable at a time.

The ranges

Speed is shown as 5–1800, force as 5–800. Values outside a range are clamped, and the dialog reports the value that was actually applied. If you typed 2000 for force and the reply says 800, that is the clamp, not a bug.

Where to start

Vinyl / film — moderate force, high speed. The knife should cut the film and barely mark the liner.
Paper and card — higher force, lower speed. Card rewards patience far more than pressure.
Thick or coated material — low speed first; only raise force once speed is settled.

Tuning, one variable at a time

Set force so the blade just cuts through. Check by lifting a corner, not by looking at the top surface.
Raise speed in steps until the cut starts to tear or the corners round off. Then step back one level.
Write the pair down. Repeatable numbers are worth more than a perfect first try.

Too much force is worseExcess force wears the blade, cuts into the liner or the bed, and on thin film produces ragged edges that look like a speed problem. When in doubt, lower the force.

Cutting and creasing differ

If the job has both, set them separately — tool 0 for cutting, tool 1 for creasing. Sharing one force value is the usual reason a crease is too deep while the outline is not through.

Reusing settings

Values are saved when the job is sent, so the next job of the same material can start from the last known good pair. Keep a note per material — it beats guessing every morning.