The Digital Media Lab has a variety of cutting tools available for trimming photos and photo mats, and for cutting booklets of paper and even glass.
¶ Shop Access
A membership or day pass is required before using the Digital Media Lab.
¶ Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• Sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times.
• Long hair, jewelry, and loose clothing must be tied back.
For more information on shop safety visit "Safety" on the Digital Media home page.
¶ Rotatrim Tools - 24'' and 36''
- Position the cutting head to the right hand side of the trimmer before inserting material.
- Insert your material to the left hand side of the trimmer, placing the work under the clear clampstrip (to ensure a square cut). Butt your work up to the side and position the cursor to the desired measurement.
- Slide the cutting head smoothly from right to left through your work, replacing the cutting head to the right hand side before removing your work to ensure a clean cut edge.
¶ Mat Cutters
Photo mats are boards with a hole in the center that create a border around a picture or piece of art in a frame. They keep the picture separated from the glass/acrylic in the frame, which helps preservie the picture.
Mats are typically cut at 90° on the outside and 45° on the inside.
The mat cutters are kept in storage along the walls of the Digital Media lab.
- Select the one you want and set it up on the central table
- Follow the instructions on the box or as written on the tool itself.
¶ Guillotine Paper Cutters
¶ HFS Heavy Duty
Can cut up to 400 sheets or 1.5" thickness.
Can accomodate paper that is up to 12'' wide.
- Adjust fence
- Adjust pressure foot using knob to hold papers in place
- Hold safety lever
- Pull down on cutting arm
¶ Generic
Can cut up to 10 sheets (estimated).
- Release safety to lift cutting arm
- Align sheets with where you want the cut
- Firmly hold the sheets with one hand
Keep your fingers out from under the blade and cutting area!
- Pull down on cutting arm.
¶ Craft Knives and Cutting Mats
Craft knives and cutting mats are available on the central table in the Digital Media lab. Always use a cutting mat under any project you are cutting. Always cut away from yourself. Always consider if there is another, safer tool that can do the same job.
A sharp blade is a safer blade! You use less force on the knife and therefore have greater control over the blade.
¶ Machine Maintenance
All machine maintenance pages are only accessible to Staff. All machine maintenance is only to be done by Staff.
- [Sample Link to Machine Maintenance SOP](sample link)
¶ Troubleshooting
- [Sample Link to Troubleshooting SOP](sample link)
¶ References
%% LINK MACHINE MANUAL\S PDF\S (MANDATORY)
%% LINK SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES (OPTIONAL)
¶ Video Walkthroughs
Embed videos directly into the Wiki, do not link.
¶ Resupply Form
Click here to report any consumables needing to be replenished within the [Shop Name!]