First Generation Hardware

Overview

First Generation Cricut models include the Personal, Expression and Cake. The hardware is fairly straight forward with an FTDI chip providing USB communication and an Atmel Processor handling the rest of the work performed. The User Interface (UI) went from the very simple Personal which offered an LCD screen with a single line, to a 2 color Graphical LCD screen. The software options were Cricut Carts, Cricut Studio, and a couple of 3rd party applications that are not longer supporting the Cricut.

Models

• Cricut Personal
• Cricut Expression
• Cricut Cake

Hardware

The Cricut line of Personal Paper cutters are a nice easy to use CNC paper cutter. This functionality requires following step by step instructions to cut patterns and shapes out of paper. The instructions come either over USB via the FTDI chip or by inserting a cartridge and using the buttons and dials to select the pattern and size. The instructions are then converted to motor controls which move the cutting head in the X axis or rollers which position the Mat in the Y axis. The cutting depth could be considered as the Z axis, although the depth is limited to about 1/8". In this first version of the hardware the FTDI chip is only handling USB communication, which leaves the Atmel Microcontroller the task of decrypting the USB commands, and possibly the cartridge data interpreting the data as well as moving the mechanical assembly to the required positions.

Software

Cartridges

See also Cricut Carts. The Cartridges include a Microcontroller, and separate Flash memory to store the patterns. Other than communication it's not clear what the Microcontroller provides in this situation. It might use encryption protection for the data in the cartridge.

Revisions

• The Cricut Personal used a single line character display.
• The Cricut Expression used a Graphical LCD display.
• The Cricut Cake upgraded many of the original paper handling parts to food safe versions.