Four new Silhouette machines have been announced by Silhouette America along with a list of Silhouette Studio software and app updates..and I've got EVERYTHING you want to know about the long awaited Silhouette CAMEO 5!
Along with the CAMEO 5, the 15" Silhouette CAMEO Plus, Curio 2, and Silhouette Portrait 4 have all been unveiled at the Silhouette Summit in Hawaii. You can get your first look at all of the new Silhouette machines for 2023 here.
Silhouette kept a tight lid on this release and unlike any other launch in the last 8 years I've shared on Silhouette School, I did not receive a machine to test, try out, or form an opinion on ahead of the launch....so right now I can't tell you anything more than the "on paper" details and what I've witnessed at the Silhouette Summit.
Read on for all the Silhouette CAMEO 5 features, release dates and price details along with a features list and information on what comes in the box...and sign up for my alerts on these new machines as we head into a busy few months of new Silhouette machine releases!
Before I get to the new 2023 Silhouette CAMEO 5 machine features it's important to understand three new technologies that Silhouette has developed simultaneously with the new cutting machines - all of which take advantage of these new features or have the option to.
Silhouette New Architecture (SNA) - This is basically Silhouette's take on re-design and re-engineering the new generation of cutting machines and it allows for quieter operation, faster speeds, more precision.
Electrostatic "ES" Technology - This patented technology uses an Electrostatic base that is powered by the cutting machine itself to generate static electricity to hold delicate materials like paper in place while cutting. This avoids the need to use a sticky mat that can cause curling or tearing on delicate materials. It does not replace a traditional cutting mat totally, but is an additional option.
I will have much more on using ES with the CAMEO 5 and CAMEO 5 Plus soon.
Intelligent Path Technology (IPT) - This is an optional setting in the Silhouette Studio software that will have the software optimize the cutting sequence for cutting paths in an effort to get the best quality and precise cut. It essentially makes sure the material is being held firmly in place by counter pressure at all times. It's a difficult concept to explain without a demonstration which I will greatly expand on in another blog post or video. In theory the concept seems good, however I can see a few downsides including what I suspect could be greatly increased cutting times.
All of these new technologies ONLY apply to the new Silhouette CAMEO 5, CAMEO 5 Plus, Curio 2, and Portrait 4. They do not and will not be backwards compatible with any of the prior generations including CAMEO 4.
Silhouette CAMEO 5 and 15" CAMEO 5 Plus
The dual carriage Silhouette CAMEO 5 will come in four colors: black, white, pink, and cararra and will feature several updates and a slight re-design.
For both CAMEO 5 models, carriage 1 on the left remains the same, but carriage 2, still the speciality carriage, has changed to include a power supply for three new power tools: Silhouette Heat Pen, Embossing Tool, Pen Holder.
The addition of the Tool 2 Pen Holder means the ability to sketch and cut or sketch with multiple colors is back - a feature much loved in the CAMEO 3 and missing from the CAMEO 4.
You can use CAMEO 4 tools in the CAMEO 5 machines as well. The CAMEO 5 power tools will NOT work in the CAMEO 4 or prior model machines.
The Silhouette CAMEO 5 machines both include a roll feeder, but it's no longer built in. I can't tell you if it's any more stable than the CAMEO 4 roll feeder which I've said is pretty rickety from the beginning.
The CAMEO 5 gear system and chassis have changed (as part of the SNA) and this has greatly contributed to the noise reduction, increased force, and increased speed capabilities.
How Fast is the CAMEO 5? And How Loud Is the CAMEO 5?
At max speeds, the CAMEO 5 can cut at 400 mm/s compared to the CAMEO 4 which has a cutting speed of 300 mm/s. That's a 133% speed increase compared to the previous model. It also has an increased force of 143% compared to the CAMEO 4.
If you're wondering how loud is the CAMEO 5...the answer is ("on paper") a lot quieter than any other Silhouette machine. The decibel range is 26.11 to 62.7 db. That's quieter than the Cricut Maker, the Brother SDX125 and the CAMEO 4 which has a minimum dB around 75 or 80 dB. (More on the sound level of the CAMEO 5 soon.)
Silhouette CAMEO 5 Features
Here's a list of other CAMEO 5 and CAMEO 5 Plus Features:
- Dual Carriage with Carriage 2's New Power Tool Capabilities
- Detachable Roll Feeder
- Redesigned Body - Smaller Footprint than CAMEO 4
- Emergency Stop
- Electrostatic Mat Compatible
- Increased Cutting Precision with IPT Technology
- 133% Faster when compared to C4
- 143% Higher Force
- Redesigned Pinch Rollers
- Ability to Cut Materials 4.25"-12" Without a Mat
- Automated Tool 1 Cross Cutter
- Repeat Job Touch Button
- Low Noise
- Bluetooth and USB Compatible (USB Not Included)
Silhouette CAMEO 5 Price
The Silhouette CAMEO 5 price will start at $329. The price of the CAMEO 5 Plus will start at $429.
Silhouette CAMEO 5 Release Date
As of now the Silhouette CAMEO 5 release date is not an actual set day...but more of a moving target.
While it's expected to start shipping in Fall 2023, there's no firm date and as of now no resellers, suppliers or distributors have the new Silhouette CAMEOs ready to ship. If you'd like to get an alert when there is stock or when pre-orders open with a ship date, you can sign up for my alerts here.
The black 12" CAMEO 5 will be available first.
It's also worth pointing out the Silhouette CAMEO 4 and Silhouette CAMEO 4 Plus will be discontinued. They will remain available until stock runs out, but production on those machines will be ending. The 24" Silhouette CAMEO 4 Pro will remain available.
What's Included in the Box with the CAMEO 5 and CAMEO 5 Plus
In the box with the Silhouette CAMEO 5 and Silhouette CAMEO 5 Plus you'll get a 12" x 12" or 15" x 15" cutting mat respectively, a power cord, auto blade, and auto blade adjustment tool.
A USB cord and the tool adapters are not included with the CAMEO 5 or 15" Silhouette CAMEO 5 Plus.
If you're looking for more information on the CAMEO 5 along with the new Curio 2 and Portrait 4, check out my first look!!
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What's the cutting depth on the Cameo 5? I want to cut 2 layers of marine vinyl that have embroidery. (Snap tabs).
ReplyDeleteIf carriage one is the same, will the ratchet blade still work in its adapter? The auto blade has never worked for me.
ReplyDeleteYes it will..but I would suggest you try the 1mm manual blade instead of the ratchet blade. It works better and you don't need an adapter.
DeleteWill they continue manufacturing replacement blades and mats for the Cameo 4? I've only had my 4 for a little over a year and there is no way I can justify the cost of the 5 at this point. :(
ReplyDeleteYes - b/c all of the blades and mats still work for the CAMEO 4 and the CAMEO 5
DeleteWhat is an Electro static mat? Does it replace the 'sticky' mat? I'm still using the original Cameo and thinking of upgrading, finally!
ReplyDeleteNo it does not replace it. It's an optional add on....it uses static to hold thin materials in place as opposed to an adhesive
DeleteI am so excited. Got my portrait 4 the other day and ordered the cameo 5 just now! Ahhhhhhhh thanks for keeping us up to date!
ReplyDeleteI love the new Cameo 5. I am perplexed. I updated the firmware, and the print and cut is a mess. I cannot fit the sketch pens that came with it into the blade holder.?????
ReplyDeleteDoes this electrostatic platform work also with Cameo 4? The ES mat seems to be fed into the plotter exactly as the adhesive one.
ReplyDelete