Troubleshoot Material Not Adhering to xTool Electrostatic Mat
Issue description
- If your material fails to adhere flatly to your xTool Electrostatic Mat or has noticeable bulging, follow this systematic guide to resolve the issue.
Possible causes
- Material Compatibility: The material (e.g., fabric) is not suitable for electrostatic adsorption.
- Curled Edges: Material edges are warped or lifted.
- Debris: Foreign particles between the mat and material.
- Mat Bulging: Temporary deformation due to storage conditions.
Troubleshooting flowchart
This flowchart provides a visual overview of the troubleshooting process.
Material Not Adhering?
→ Check for Warping → Tape Down if Needed
→ Still Not Adhering? → Check for Debris → Clean Electrostatic Film
→ Still Not Adhering? → Check for Mat Bulging → Allow Mat Rest at Room Temperature
→ Still Not Adhering? → Verify Material Compatibility
Troubleshooting
STEP1: Secure curled edges with stickers
Tools Needed: Stickers (Included in Your xTool Electrostatic Mat Package)
- Lay the processing material flat on the mat.
- If the material has curled edges, gently flatten them by hand.
- If edges curl and cannot be smoothed manually:
- Apply tape to secure the curled edges to the mat.
- Avoid overlapping tape onto cutting/engraving areas.
- If the issue persists, proceed to STEP2.
STEP2: Clean the electrostatic film
Safety First: Power off your M1 Ultra and disconnect the mat.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: DO NOT apply alcohol directly to the white surface of the film. Always use a cloth.
- Remove the material from the mat.
- Inspect the mat surface for debris (dust, residue, etc.).
- Clean the white electrostatic film with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
- Allow the film to dry completely before reinstalling the mat and testing adhesion.
- If resolved: Resume work. Troubleshooting is complete.
- If unresolved, proceed to STEP3.
STEP3: Allow the mat to rest
- Power off and disconnect the Electrostatic Mat.
- Remove the material and check for any noticeable bulging on the mat’s surface.
- If bulging is present:
- Let the mat rest at room temperature (20–25°C / 68–77°F) for 10 minutes.
- This will allow it to return to its normal state; the functionality of your mat remains uncompromised despite the bulges.
- If bulging is present:
- Retest adhesion after the mat flattens.
- If resolved: Resume work. Troubleshooting is complete.
- If unresolved, proceed to STEP4.
💡 NOTE: Why does my xTool Electrostatic Mat appear to have bulges or bumps?
- Cold Storage: Bulges typically occur when the mat is stored in cold temperatures, below 5°C (41°F).
- Thermal Expansion and Contraction: Low temperatures cause thermal expansion and contraction. However, the adhesive layer limits contraction, leading to internal stress buildup and bulging.
STEP4: Verify material compatibility
- Verify whether your material is compatible with electrostatic adsorption.
- Incompatible: Fabric, most leathers, paper heavier than 300gsm.
- Compatible:
- Paper (less than 300gsm):
- Cardstock
- Kraft paper
- Textured paper
- Stickers
- Heat-fusible ink paper
- Printing paper
- Photo paper
- Vinyl:
- Heat transfer vinyl
- Sticky vinyl
- Printable vinyl
- Acrylic with Protective Paper
- Paper (less than 300gsm):
Note: Papers and vinyl with curves or curled edges (such as vinyl rolls) cannot be fully secured. It is recommended to use the included stickers to enhance adhesion.
- If incompatible:
- Switch to a material suitable for electrostatic adsorption.
- If compatible and issues persist:
- If the issue persists after completing all troubleshooting steps, contact xTool Customer Service at support@xtool.com for further assistance.
- Provide a detailed description of the troubleshooting steps you have completed.
