FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SILHOUETTE CAMEO
What comes with the Cameo 4?
- Silhouette Cameo® 4 cutting machine
- Power cord
- USB cord
- AutoBlade for Cameo 4
- 12-inch-by-12-inch cutting mat
- Tool adapter set (4 adapters to use with tools from
previous Silhouette models)
Other tools and accessories are sold separately.
What colors will be offered?
Right now, the Cameo 4 is available in Classic White, Midnight Black and Blush Pink.
How is the Cameo 4 different from previous Cameo models?
The Cameo 4 is different from previous Cameo models in that it can cut different types of materials with its increased force and new tool options (sold separately). The Rotary Blade for Cameo 4 and the 3mm Kraft Blade for Cameo 4 can cut fabric material without a backing, felt, leather, wool, and similar materials. The Cameo 4 can also utilize the Punch Tool for Cameo 4, which makes weeding vinyl and heat transfer faster and easier. In addition, the Cameo 4 is the first of its kind to offer True Matless Cutting, which means it can cut paper materials without a cutting mat using a special perforated cut mode.
How fast is the Cameo 4?
The Cameo 4 processes jobs at a speed of up to 30 cm per second—3 times faster than previous Silhouette models.
What materials can the Cameo 4 cut?
The Cameo 4 can cut the following materials (which may require the use of specialty tools): cardstock, vinyl, heat transfer, specialty materials (such as sticker paper, tattoo paper, shrink plastic, and vellum), cotton fabrics, leather, felt, wool, acetate, craft foam, leather, and more!
What are the Cameo 4’s force capabilities?
The Cameo 4’s primary tool chamber has a standard force setting of up to 210 gf, allowing you to cut basic material types. The secondary chamber provides increased force of up to 5 kgf
used with select special tools for material types that require either special care or more force to be cut.
How can I unlock the increased force of the Cameo 4?
The Cameo 4 has two tool chambers. Chamber 1 is a solenoid chamber that allows the Cameo 4 to perform the cutting and sketching jobs you’ve seen with previous Cameo models. Chamber 2 has a motorized chamber that allows you to use specialized tools (the Rotary Blade for Cameo 4, the 3mm Kraft Blade for Cameo 4, and the Punch Tool for Cameo 4), which may require higher force levels to cut. To unlock the increased force of the machine, use Chamber 2 in conjunction with the specialized Cameo 4 tools (sold separately).
What tools are available for the Cameo 4?
- AutoBlade for Cameo 4 — An updated AutoBlade to be used specifically with the Cameo 4.
- Rotary Blade for Cameo 4 — This blade allows you to cut fabric materials without a stabilizer backing.
- 3mm Kraft Blade for Cameo 4 — This allows you to cut materials like acetate, craft foam, and leather.
- Punch Tool — This tool creates weeding points in vinyl or heat transfer to make weeding faster and easier.
- Pen Holder for Cameo 4 — This allows you to add a pen in Chamber 1 that allows your machine to draw and sketch.
What’s new with the AutoBlade for Cameo 4?
Very similar to the previous AutoBlade, the AutoBlade for Cameo 4 automatically adjusts the blade depth according to the settings in Silhouette Studio®. But this new AutoBlade has a single tap reset, meaning it can complete a blade-depth adjustment in fewer turns. Once the Cameo 4 adjusts the blade, the machine continues to perform its cut job.
Are these new tools compatible with older models?
No. The size of the tools for the Cameor 4 are bigger than the size of the previous tools, so Cameo 4 tools will not fit within the chamber of any previous Silhouette model. The Cameo 4 tools are compatible with the Cameo 4 only.
Can I still use older tools with the Cameo 4?
Yes. The Cameo 4 comes with a Tool Adapter Set. There are 4 adapters you can use with the older tools. Use the black adapter with the Standard (Ratchet) Blade and the Fabric Blade, the gray adapter with the Premium Blade and the Deep-Cut Blade, the white adapter with the 2mm Kraft Blade, and the blue adapter with the Silhouette Sketch Pens.
Please note that the blue adapter is compatible only with the updated Sketch Pens (that is, the Sketch Pens with the black body, NOT the white body).
How does the new crosscutter work?
To use the crosscutter, make sure your design feeds through the back of the machine at the end of your cut. Release the locks on either side at the top of the crosscutter cartridge and lower the crosscutter track. Slide the crosscutter across the track to cut your material. When you’re finished, make sure the crosscutter is on either side of the track, lift the track back into place, and fasten both of the locks.
How does the Auto Tool Detection system work?
On the back of the Cameo 4 tools and adapters, you’ll see a little metal strip. That strip lines up with a hidden reader in both the Cameo 4 tool chambers. When the Cameo 4 is turned on and connected to your computer, Silhouette Studio® reads the metal strip and automatically populates the inserted tool and its default action in the Send panel.
How does the built-in Roll Feeder work?
The built-in roll feeder can be found at the bottom of the machine. To open the roll feeder, gently slide the tray out completely. With the tray all the way out, flip up the 3 pieces that are folded down. You’ll open a back piece and two side pieces. Slide the right-hand piece horizontally to adjust the roll feeder to the width of your material.
This built-in roll feeder will allow you to use 9-inch and 12-inch rolled materials, such as vinyl and heat transfer material. It can accommodate up to a 3-inch diameter core.
Place your rolled material in the roll feeder. Take the end piece of your material and feed it through the slot in your roll feeder and into your machine using the Load button on the touch panel.
When you’re finished using the roll feeder, remove the roll of material, fold the pieces down, and slide the tray back into place.
What forms of cutting does the Cameo 4 offer?
The Cameo 4 can perform the following styles of cutting: cutting with a mat, matless cutting for materials with a backing, and True Matless Cutting for paper and cardstock materials.
How does True Matless Cutting work?
The Cameo 4 is the first and only Silhouette machine that can perform True Matless Cutting. This means that it can take paper and cardstock materials and cut them without a cutting mat using a special perforated cut mode. Once you unload the material from the Cameo 4, you can remove the cutout(s) entirely.
Can previous Silhouette models do True Matless Cutting?
No. Unlike the Cameo 4, previous Silhouette models don’t have a proper channel that allows the blade to cut without damaging the material or the machine.
Will I need to update the machine’s firmware when I get it?
In order for your machine to perform at its peak, we recommend updating the firmware when Silhouette Studio® prompts you to do so. To update the firmware, make sure you are connected to the internet, have a latest version of Silhouette Studio® open, have the machine plugged in to a wall outlet and connected to your computer, and turn your Cameo 4 on. When you open the Send panel of Silhouette Studio®, the software will prompt you to update the firmware of the machine when there are available updates.
Is the Cameo 4 PixScanTM compatible?
Yes, as with previous Silhouette models, the Cameo 4 is compatible with PixScanTM. To use that feature, all you need is a compatible Cameo PixScanTM cutting mat.
OUR MOST VERSATILE CUTTING MACHINE
The revolution in wireless desktop cutting starts now. Cut or sketch to create custom projects for home, business school, or hobby. You can even complete who tasks in one pass with the Cameo´s dual carriage.