Comparing Craft Robo And Craft Robo II

By Jill Costello, 25th January 2007. Copyright The Scrap Witch. No part of this article may be reproduced or otherwise used without prior written permission.

Graphtec have recently released a newer version of the Craft Robo, dubbed the Craft Robo II. There are a number of differences between the new models and the original ones. These include:

• Increased cutting force (approximately 50% more).
• The machine is 15% lighter. This is a side effect of some previously metal parts being replaced with plastic parts (to conform with recycling legislation in the UK).
• Improved software including an autotrace function.
• The Illustrator plugin becoming available for Mac users.
• Improved blade assembly design. Cutting force can be selected by altering an angle setting. The need for stand-off rings (or "o-rings") has been eliminated.

The table below provides a quick visual comparsion:

Should I Sell My Old Craft Robo And Buy A Craft Robo II?

Short answer - No! Whilst the Craft Robo II does have slightly more cutting force, many owners are reporting that they need to cut some designs twice on heavy materials to gain a clean cut (just like the older models). It seems reasonable to assume that the cutting force previously achieved with the addition of 1 or 2 stand-off rings is now achieved instead with the modified blade assembly.

Enhanced Software Functionality

The major benefit of the newer models appears to be the enhanced software shipping with it. This software now features an autotrace function which allows you to import and trace objects with a just a fews clicks of your mouse. Previously, owners had to rely on third party software for this type of functionality. The good news is that the new software will also work with the original models. It can be downloaded free from Graphtec's UK site (you'll need to register with the site and login first).

Conclusion

The Craft Robo II features improvements in design and software. Despite this, owners of the original Craft Robo models need not feel that they are missing out. There doesn't appear to be anything the newer models can do that the original ones can't. In addition, the autotrace functionality provided in the new software is available to both new and original model owners alike.

Other Resources:

• About The Craft Robo
• Setting Up The Craft Robo
• Setting Up A Robo Master File
• Making Craft Robo Stand-Off Rings
• Comparing Craft Robo & Craft Robo II
• Personal Die Cutting Machines
• Cricut Vs Craft Robo
• Xyron Vs Cricut
• Digital Scrapbooking Page Size
• Printing Digital Photos
• Galerie Photo Paper Review
• Ink Saving Tips

 

 

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