Yes it can, with the manually-adjusted 3mm Kraft blade.
Many curious crafters have been asking about the new Silhouette machine’s material capabilities, specifically, can the Cameo 4 cut wood?
Great news, the Cameo 4 can indeed cut wood, thanks to the new 3mm Kraft blade.
What is the new Kraft Blade? It’s a new tool exclusively for the Cameo 4 that is made for cutting thicker, denser material like balsa wood, chip board or even felt or faux leather.
The Cameo 4 has a new, high power motor that operates carriage #2. This motor is capable of generating a cutting force of up to 5,000 grams. The new machine also has a 3 mm material clearance to allow thicker materials under the blade.
Ironically, the higher powered motor is not the key to cutting thicker, denser materials. The key to cutting wood is
- making several passes over the material.
- adjusting the blade depth to cut a little deeper each pass
- don’t apply too much force
Cutting with the 3 mm Kraft blade will require some trial and error. Remember, just be patient when you start. The new Kraft blade will also work best when making basic cuts, not small, intricate slices.
The Kraft blade adjusts manually, so you will have to set the dial at the bottom of the blade. The three rows of numbers at the bottom of the blade show the blade depth in 0.1mm increments (from 0.1mm to 3.0 mm).
The best practice for using the Kraft blade is to start with the blade depth set at an intermediate depth. Manually set the cutting force and cutting speed to match. Start by setting a medium cut force and slow cut speed in the Silhouette Studio design software. Increase the blade depth on successive passes. Be prepared to repeat the cut and make manual blade adjustments six or eight times.
Silhouette recommends using a high tack mat when cutting wood with the Cameo 4. Be careful when making your final cut to turn the blade depth back so you don’t slice the mat.
How does the Silhouette Cameo 4 compare to the Cricut Maker for cutting thick materials? Read our comparison to find out.
image source: “Cutting EVA Foam and the Silhouette Cameo 4” by Ana T. Velasco via youtube.com