Gerber EDGE 2 Owner's Manual
Owner’s Guide
COPYRIGHT
COPYRIGHT © 1999 Gerber Scientific Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This
document may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without written
permission of the copyright owner.
This document is furnished to support the GERBER EDGE 2. In consideration of the
furnishing of the information contained in this document, the party to whom it is given
assumes its custody and control and agrees to the following:
1. The information herein contained is given in confidence, and any part thereof shall
not be copied or reproduced without written consent of Gerber Scientific Products,
Inc.
2. This document or the contents herein under no circumstances shall be used in the
manufacture or reproduction of the article shown and the delivery of this document
shall not constitute any right or license to do so.
PRINTED IN USA
GERBER EDGE, EDGE, GSP, and GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE are registered trademarks and GA,
Gerber AutoMag, GerberMag, GerberColor, and Edge Ready are trademarks of Gerber Scientific
Products, Inc. 3M, Scotchcal, and Controltac are trademarks of 3M. Chemtronics and Ultrajet are
registered trademarks of Chemtronics, Inc. Iomega is a registered trademark and ZipPLUS is a
trademark of Iomega Corporation.
FCC NOTICE
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
1284-1994 Compliant cables must be used with this unit to ensure compliance with the
Class A FCC limits.
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian InterferenceCausing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la class A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le
matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................................................. 1
The GERBER EDGE 2...............................................................................................................1
In this manual............................................................................................................................ 1
Getting Help .............................................................................................................................. 2
Conventions used in this manual........................................................................................... 2
Safety .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Unpacking or repacking the EDGE 2..................................................................................... 3
Chapter 2: Connecting and Installing the EDGE 2................................................ 5
Connecting to a PC ................................................................................................................... 5
Installing the EDGE 2 into GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE ........................................................ 7
Chapter 3: Material Handling.................................................................................... 8
The material............................................................................................................................... 8
The foil........................................................................................................................................ 9
Using the tensioner assembly ................................................................................................. 9
Loading material into the EDGE 2 ....................................................................................... 10
Loading a foil cartridge.......................................................................................................... 12
Chapter 4: Operating the EDGE 2...........................................................................14
Overview of the printing process......................................................................................... 14
Designing jobs for the EDGE 2.............................................................................................. 15
Understanding the control panel.......................................................................................... 16
Printing a job ........................................................................................................................... 17
Pausing and restarting a job.................................................................................................. 18
Running out of foil during a job ........................................................................................... 18
Aborting a job.......................................................................................................................... 18
Cutting the printed job on a plotter...................................................................................... 19
Using the setup menu ............................................................................................................20
Matching a print created on an older EDGE....................................................................... 22
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting.....................................................................................23
Responding to error messages.............................................................................................. 23
Correcting typical problems.................................................................................................. 25
Startup problem ...................................................................................................................... 26
Chapter 6: Maintenance...........................................................................................27
Cleaning the printhead and dancer bar............................................................................... 27
Cleaning the sprockets, bail arms, and squeegees ............................................................. 27
Cleaning the platen................................................................................................................. 28
Replacing fuses........................................................................................................................ 28
Index................................................................................................................................31
Chapter 1:
Introduction
The GERBER EDGE 2
Congratulations on your purchase of the GERBER EDGE® 2. This
successor to the revolutionary GERBER EDGE features:
three times faster print speed of one inch per second at 300x300 dpi on
most materials
improved print quality in the form of a greater dynamic range of
colors and 300x600 dpi at approximately ½ inch per second print
speed
1
Additionally, all of the features and capabilities of the original printer
are still present:
thousands of colors
airbrush fades
halftones
small text
intricate graphics
repeats
enhanced fonts
Because a job can incorporate characters, shapes, scanned images, and
clip art, the EDGE 2 opens up a wide array of possibilities for your
customers and your business.
In this manual
This book is divided into the following chapters:
Introduction provides general information about the EDGE 2, how this
book is organized, and how to get help if you have problems with your
EDGE 2.
Connecting the EDGE 2 to your computer describes the physical
connections that have to be made between the EDGE 2 and the computer
that is driving it.
CHAPTER 1
2
Introduction
Installing the EDGE 2 into your software gives the procedures for
installing the EDGE 2 into Gerber’s GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE®
software.
Material handling describes how to put a roll of vinyl onto the tensioner
assembly, load the vinyl into the EDGE 2, and position it correctly. It also
describes the procedure for loading and unloading a foil cartridge.
Operating the EDGE 2 describes the controls on the EDGE 2 keypad,
how to print a job from GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE, and how to print old
GA™ files that were created for the original EDGE or in a version of GA
prior to 4.3.
Troubleshooting provides guidelines for responding to error messages
that appear on the EDGE 2 display and how to correct typical printing
problems.
Maintenance describes basic cleaning procedures that must be
performed to provide the best print quality and keep the EDGE 2 in
operating condition.
Getting Help
If you require assistance, please contact your Gerber distributor or
contact the Gerber Field Service Department at:
800-828-5406 (USA and Canada)
860-643-1515 (International)
860-645-2448 (fax)
e-mail: gsptech@gspinc.com
www.gspinc.com
Conventions used in this manual
The following conventions are used in this manual:
Note: A note contains important information which could affect successful
completion of a task.
A tip is a hint to help you do something more efficiently or quickly.
CAUTION: A caution statement contains information which, if not
observed, could result in damage to the equipment.
WARNING: A warning statement contains information which, if not
observed, could result in personal injury.
This typestyle portrays messages that appear on either the EDGE 2’s LCD
message display or your computer’s monitor.
Safety
WARNING: Unplug the power cord before performing any
maintenance. Voltage is present inside the system even after the power
switch is turned off. All voltage is removed only when the power cord
is unplugged.
CAUTION: Static electricity may damage electronic components.
Ground yourself by touching any bare metal inside the EDGE chassis
prior to handling electronic components.
Unpacking or repacking the EDGE 2
3
The EDGE 2 is shipped from the factory in reusable packaging materials.
Save these packaging materials for future use in case you need to ship
the EDGE 2. Provided separately with the EDGE 2 is the bulletin
Unpacking and Repacking to Prevent Damage. Please refer to this bulletin
for complete instructions on either unpacking your EDGE 2 or repacking
it for shipment.
CAUTION: Failure to repackage the printer with the specified
packaging materials may result in damage to the unit during shipping.
Always repack the printer as described in the bulletin Unpacking and
Repacking to Prevent Damage. Gerber is not liable for shipping
damage due to improperly packed units. If you do not have the proper
packaging materials, call the Gerber Field Service Department at 800828-5406.
Contents of the shipping boxes
The GERBER EDGE 2 is shipped in two boxes: an EDGE 2 box and a
system components box.
The EDGE 2 box contains cushioning material and an inner box. The
GERBER EDGE 2 thermal printer is packaged in the inner box along with
the following:
An EDGE 2 power cable
CHAPTER 1
4
Introduction
An EDGE 2 printer cable
Thermal printhead cleaning kit
An EDGE 2 accessory package consisting of:
Two 10 amp fuses
GERBER EDGE 2 Owner's Guide
Getting Started with the EDGE 2
Lint-free cloth
Cutter registration mark eyepiece (bombsight)
Two power cable clips
Shipping bracket wrench
Chapter 2:
Connecting and Installing the EDGE 2
Your computer system must meet certain requirements for the EDGE 2
to work correctly with it. Instructions for accomplishing steps 1 and 3
below are contained in the Getting Started with the EDGE 2 bulletin.
1 If you or your distributor has not already ensured that your system
has an ECP-capable printer port, use the GAProbe program to do so
now. (See Getting Started with the EDGE 2.)
2 If your system does not have an ECP-capable printer port, you must
acquire one and install it according to the instructions before
proceeding.
5
3 The Sentinel System driver must be set up according to the
instructions in Getting Started with the EDGE 2.
4 You must be using GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE version 6.21 with
Service Pack 2 or later.
Connecting to a PC
Follow these guidelines when connecting the EDGE 2 to the computer:
Use the GSP®-approved printer cable provided with the EDGE 2.
The printer cable connectors and their receptacles are asymmetrical.
Before you push the connector into its receptacle, be sure they are
oriented correctly.
Connect the printer cable to the computer LPT port that has ECP
capability. Do not connect the EDGE 2 through the GRAPHIX
ADVANTAGE security block.
Do not connect any other printer, device, or switch box to the printer
port you select. The EDGE 2 may not print or the print quality may be
unacceptable.
CHAPTER 2
6
Connecting and Installing the EDGE 2
The power switch and power cord receptacle are located on the right
side of the EDGE 2 as shown below. The parallel printer connector is
located on the back.
Fuse carrier plate
On/Off switch
Power cord
To connect the EDGE 2 to the computer
1 Align and plug the printer cable connector that has thumbscrews into
the ECP computer port. Tighten the thumbscrews so the connector is
firmly seated.
2 Align and plug the printer cable connector without thumbscrews into
the receptacle on the back of the EDGE 2. Snap the wire bail locks up
into their seats on the connector so they hold it firmly in place.
3 Plug the receptacle end of the power cord into the power cord plug on
the right side of the EDGE 2. Connect it to an electrical outlet.
4 Turn on the computer. Turn on the EDGE 2 by pressing the rocker
switch next to the power cord receptacle.
Installing the EDGE 2 into GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
The GSP Setup program installs the EDGE 2, or makes it known to
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE that the EDGE 2 has been physically
connected to your computer.
To install the EDGE 2
1 Open GSP Setup.
2 Click on the Setup
menu.
3 Click on Vinyl Printer.
The Add or Delete
Vinyl Printer(s) dialog
box appears.
4 In the Vinyl Printers
list box, click on
GERBER EDGE 2.
7
5 In the Ports box, click the option button for the correct port.
6 Click on Add. The EDGE 2 is added to the Installed Vinyl Printers list.
7 In the Installed Vinyl Printers list box, click on GERBER EDGE 2, then
click on Preference. The Set Preference dialog box opens.
8 Click on OK. The EDGE 2 is shown as the default vinyl printer.
9 Click on Continue. The EDGE 2 is now the default printer.
8
Chapter 3:
Material Handling
The material
Gerber has created a material designation called Edge Ready™. Edge
Ready materials are processed, prepared, and qualified by the material
manufacturer for optimum image quality when printing with the EDGE
2. Edge Ready materials are the only materials recommended for use
with the EDGE 2. They are identified by an Edge Ready sticker inside the
roll and on the outside of the box.
To remove any surface dust or dirt, gently wipe the material with a
clean, dry, lint-free cloth before printing and between foil colors.
Tip: An easy way to clean the material before printing is to slew as much as you
are going to use through the EDGE 2 and back again. The vinyl squeegee will
leave a line of accumulated dust and dirt on the material where the slewing
stopped. Wipe it off with a dry, lint-free cloth.
When not using the material, store it in the plastic wrap it originally
came in. Following this advice should keep print quality high and
material loss low.
For the best color-to-color and print-to-cut registration, “normalize” the
material by unrolling the amount you are going to use onto a clean, dry
surface approximately 15 minutes before you print on it. This is
particularly important when using heavy materials such as GerberMag™
and Gerber AutoMag™ or in hot, humid weather when using thin
material such as 3M™ Scotchcal™ 225 premium, Scotchcal 230
translucent, Controltac™ 280, or other vinyls in the 2-3 mil range.
It is very important to designate the material you plan to print on when
you set up the job for output in GAPlot32. Each job has specific print
settings assigned according to the material to be printed on. Failure to
designate the correct material when you are setting up the output, or
substituting a different material at the print stage will result in
incorrect print settings for the material actually being used.
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