Gerber enVision Owner's Manual

enVision Owner’s Guide
Copyright Notice
COPYRIGHT
1998 Gerber Scientific Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This document may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without written per m ission of the copyright owner.
This document is furnished to support Gerber Scientific Product’s
. 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 d ocument shall not constitute any right or license to do so.
PRINTED IN USA
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE, GERBER EDGE, EDGE, and GerberCal are registered trademarks of Gerb er Scientific Products, Inc. Gerber en Vision, GA, IP Plus, Gerber Vision, Gerber ImageCal , Gerber Imagecast, Gerber Holographix, Gerber PlastiGraphix, Gerber PlastiGraphix LexEdge, GerberMag, Gerber AutoMag, and GerberMask are trademarks of Gerber Scientific Products, Inc. 3M , Scotchcal, Scotchlite, Controlt ac, and Scotch are trademarks of 3M company. Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark and HPGL is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. Ulano is a regi st ered trademark Ulano Corp. Microso f t is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the US and other countries.
Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................1
In this manual................................................................................................................................... 1
Manual conventions..................................................................................................................... 2
Customer support ............................................................................................................................. 2
Getting Started...................................................................................................3
Unpacking and setting up the plotter................................................................................................ 3
Connecting the plotter to the computer............................................................................................ 4
Turning on the plotter....................................................................................................................... 5
Setting up the software..................................................................................................................... 5
Updating GA software ................................................................................................................. 6
Adding the enVision to GA.......................................................................................................... 6
Using the control panel and menus................................................................................................... 7
Loading material............................................................................................................................... 9
Installing tools................................................................................................................................ 12
Adjusting the knife blade exposure............................................................................................ 12
Installing a tool........................................................................................................................... 14
Changing the knife blades.......................................................................................................... 15
enVision Ove r v iew...........................................................................................17
The plotting process ....................................................................................................................... 18
Tool settings................................................................................................................................... 18
Material selection ........................................................................................................................... 18
Using the enVision with GA .......................................................................................................... 19
Using the enVision with the EDGE................................................................................................20
Plotting Jobs....................................................................................................21
Job status........................................................................................................................................ 21
Plotting a single job........................................................................................................................ 22
Plotting multiple jobs ..................................................................................................................... 23
Running multiple jobs automatically ......................................................................................... 25
Pausing and restarting a job............................................................................................................ 25
Canceling a job............................................................................................................................... 26
Automatically fitting a job on the plotter ....................................................................................... 26
Job clipped message................................................................................................................... 26
Missing tool message ..................................................................................................................... 27
Choosing Tool Settings ..................................................................................28
Fine tuning the enVision ................................................................................................................ 29
Adjusting the force......................................................................................................................... 30
Corners........................................................................................................................................... 32
Advanced enVision Functions........................................................................34
Repeats........................................................................................................................................... 34
Material pulldown .......................................................................................................................... 36
Pouncing......................................................................................................................................... 37
Pounce patterns.......................................................................................................................... 37
Turning Off Pouncing................................................................................................................ 39
Tool settings................................................................................................................................... 40
Overriding rules.............................................................................................................................. 41
Customizing tool settings............................................................................................................... 42
Viewing the current tool settings ...............................................................................................42
Setting tool force........................................................................................................................ 42
Setting corners............................................................................................................................ 44
Setting acceleration.................................................................................................................... 45
Setting speed.............................................................................................................................. 46
Factory default settings................................................................................................................... 47
Reloading factory defaults for all materials............................................................................... 47
Reloading factory defaults for all settings.................................................................................. 47
Communication settings................................................................................................................. 48
Changing the plotters communication settings ......................................................................... 48
Testing............................................................................................................................................ 50
Wagon wheel test plot................................................................................................................ 51
X08 cut test ................................................................................................................................ 53
Troubleshooting..............................................................................................56
Version number.............................................................................................................................. 56
Error messages ............................................................................................................................... 57
Common problems/solutions.......................................................................................................... 59
Maintenance.....................................................................................................60
Routine cleaning/replacement........................................................................................................ 60
Tool head ................................................................................................................................... 60
Sprockets and bails..................................................................................................................... 61
Y axis beam and tool assembly.................................................................................................. 62
Material support......................................................................................................................... 63
Cleaning/replacing the cutting strip ........................................................................................... 63
Fuse replacement............................................................................................................................ 64
AC fuse replacement.................................................................................................................. 64
DC fuse replacement.................................................................................................................. 65
HPGL Support..................................................................................................67
HPGL command set ....................................................................................................................... 67
HPGL test file................................................................................................................................. 68
Changing the HPGL units ..............................................................................................................69
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Gerber enVision plotter. The enVision is a state­of-the-art plotter designed for use with the GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE and other sign design systems using the HPGL command set.
The plotter is available in two models − the enVision 750, which is 30" (762 mm) wide for cutting large format jobs, and the enVision 375, wh ich is 15 " (38 1
mm) wide for cutting GERBER EDGE printed jobs. Both enVision plotters deliver outstanding material handling performance for all
15-inch (381 mm) and 30-inch (762 mm) wide format punched vinyl films supplied by Gerber. They achieve speeds and accelerations equal to friction plotters while maintaining the dead-on accuracy of sprocket plotters. They offer dependability, ease of use, minimal maintenance requiremen ts, and setup flexibility.
1
In this manual
Note: The information in this ma nu al applies to both enVision plotter models. Differences between the plotters are noted in the descriptions and procedures as required.
This manual contains the following sections:
Introduction Getting Started
and menus, load material, and install tools.
enVision Overview
introduces the concepts of tool settings, discusses using the enVision with the GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE (GA) Plot32 program, and presents the differences when cutting GERBER EDGE (EDGE) jobs.
Plotting Jobs
single and multiple jobs.
Choosing Tool Settings
tool settings to maximize cutting your jobs.
presents basic information about this manual.
tells you how to connect the enVision, use the control panel
describes the plotter features, the plotting process,
presents the procedures for using the enVision keypad for plotting
shows how to use either the plotter or the GA to choose
2 enVision Owner’s Guide
Advanced enVision Functions
cutting.
Troubleshooting Maintenance HPGL Support
support the enVision plotters.
Manual conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
Note: A note contains important information which could affect successful completion of a task.
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.
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describes available functions beyond routine job
provides a list of error messages and possible solutions.
describes routine cleaning and replacement procedures.
presents information about using the HPGL command set to
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Customer support
If you require assistance installing or operating your enVision plotter, contact your distributor or Gerber Field Service at:
800-828-5406 (in the USA) 860-645-2448 (fax)
The Gerber web site address is www.gspinc.com.
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Getting Started
Before sending a job to the plotter, you need to perform these preliminary steps:
Unpacking and setting up the plotter
Connecting the plotter to the computer
Turning on the plotter
Setting up the software
Using the control panel and menus
Loading material
Installing tools
Unpacking and setting up the plotter
3
For the enVision 750
, follow the unpacking instructions included with the
plotter to unpack it, assemble the stand, and mount the plotter on the stand.
For the enVision 375
, follow the unpacking instructions included with the
plotter to unpack it.
In either case, save the unpacking/packing instructions and the packaging materials in case you need to ship the plotter in the future.
CAUTION: Always repack the plotter using the original packaging materials. Failure to repack the enVision plotter with the original packaging materials may result in damage to the unit during shipping. Gerber is not liable for shipping damage due to improperly packed units. If you do not have the proper packaging materials, contact Gerber Field Service to obtain the materials.
4 enVision Owners Guide
Connecting the plotter to the computer
The enVision is equipped with a null modem serial interface cable and power cord.
1. Connect the 25-pin connector end of the serial interface cable to the connector on the plotter and tighten the screws.
2. Connect the other end of the serial cable (9-pin connector) to a the computer COM port.
3. Connect the receptacle end of the power cord to the plotter.
For the enVision 750 only
4. stand using the cable clips as shown below.
, secure both cables to the side of the plotter
Turning on the plotter
When you turn on power, the plotter performs a check and initialization sequence. The three closely-spaced material alignment pins move to the up position, the tool head taps the right stop, then moves about 2" (5.08 cm) to the left. When these steps are completed, the Main Menu appears.
1. Close the bail arms.
2. Close and latch the tool clamp as shown below.
3. Close the plotter cover.
4. Plug in the plotter power cord.
Getting Started 5
5. Turn on the power switch located on the front left side of the plotter. The Main Menu appears.
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Setting up the software
After connecting the plotter to the GA or other sign design system computer, you need to make the plotter available to the computer through your software setup program. If you are not using GA as your sign design system, refer to your software documentation to add the enVision to your system. If you are a GA user, adding the enVision to your computer is a two-step process:
updating your GA software to add and support the enVision plotter
adding the enVision to the GA list of available plotting and printing devices
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6 enVision Owners Guide
Updating GA software
The enVision plotter is shipped with four 3.5-inch disks. One set of three disks is service pack 3, which is used to update GA version 6.2 so that you can add the enVision plotter and allow it to be fully supported and controlled by GA. The single disk is a driver disk which allows you to add the enVision to your list of available plotters if your GA is version 6.0 or earlier. The following loading rules apply:
If you have GA version then load and the result is
6.21 nothing the GA plot program supports and controls the plotter
6.2 the service pack disks
6.0 or earlier the driver disk you can add the
Loading the disks is the same for either the service pack disks or the patch disk:
1. Close all GA programs. It is also a good idea to close any Windows programs that are running.
2. Put disk 1 of the service pack or the driver disk in the 3.5-inch drive (usually the a: drive).
3. In Windows 95, click on Start, Run, type Windows 3.x, click on Run in the Program Manager File menu, type
a:\setup
4. Follow the onscreen prompts while the setup p rogram loads the files.
, then press Enter.
Adding the enVision to GA
After you load the disks, the next step is to add the enVision to the list of available plotters in the plot program. This addition is performed in the GSP Setup program.
(GA 6.2 service pack 3)
a:\setup
the GA plot program supports and controls the plotter
enVision to the list of available plotters
, then click on OK. In
1. Open the GSP Setup program.
2. Click on Setup, then click on Plotter/Router. The Add or Delete Plotter/Router(s) dialog box appears.
3. From the Devices box, click on enVision 750 or 375 to highlight it. If more
N
than one plotter is connected to your system, highlight the enVision, then click Preferences to set the enVision as the default plotter.
4. Click on the port to which the plotter is connected (COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4) in the Ports box.
5. Click on Add. The enVision appears in the Ready for Plotting list box.
6. Click on Continue and exit GSP Setup.
Using the control panel and menus
The plotter's control panel contains 10 keys that perform functions such as positioning the tool head, starting and pausing jobs, and changing settings. The display on the control panel changes to provide information about the status of the plotter and offer menu choices.
Note: For an outline of the menu structure, please refer to the reference card at the back of this manual.
The control panel consists of:
message display
control keys (ENTER and CANCEL)
menu selection keys (F1, F2, F3, F4)
slew keys
Getting Started 7
ote: Function keys are associated with text in the message display.
8 enVision Owners Guide
The message display shows menus, instructions, system and job status, and messages. Each menu has a title (for example, MAIN MENU). You step through menus by pressing function keys.
The F1, F2, F3, and F4 function keys select other menus and change parameter values or settings. Their function is based on the text in the screen associated with each function key.
Slew keys move the tool head and/or the material. The left or right slew keys move the tool head left or right. The up or down slew keys move the material forward or backward. Slewing speed starts slowly. It increases when you continue to hold down the slew key for a few seconds. Quickly pressing and releasing a slew key will move the plotter in increments of 0.001".
Slew diagonally by simultaneously pressing the two slew keys adjacent to the arrow that points in the direction you want to slew.
The ENTER key accepts and records settings when in a settings menu, or returns to the MAIN MENU when in a submenu.
When a job is running, the CANCEL key stops all motion of the plotter and terminates any job that is in the plotter, clearing it f r om the plotter memory. When modifying a setting (such as corners, speed, or pull down, for example), pressing CANCEL after changing values will not save the changes nor will it cancel the job. However, in the next menu that appears, pressing CANCEL does cancel the job at that time.
Loading material
The enVision uses the same punched vinyl film, papers, and masks as all Gerber plotters. Always insist on Gerber-authorized m aterials for highest quality.
Note: The illustrations for loading material depict the enVision 750 plotter. Loading material in the enVision 375 is the same except for the first three steps (putting the material on a vinyl ro ll shaft and installing the shaft on the plotter stand). For the enVision 375, put the roll of material on the roll holder, then position the holder approximately 10" (25.4 cm) behind the plotter.
CAUTION: Do not load the material with a tool installed in the tool clamp. Loading material into the plotter with the tool installed can result in damage to the blade or the material.
Getting Started 9
For the enVision 750 only,
1. of material by inserting the end plug into the cardboard tube.
For the enVision 750 only,
2. plug.
place a material end plug in each end of the roll
Material end plug
Vinyl roll shaft
insert the vinyl roll shaft tube through each end
10 enVision Owners Guide
For the enVision 750 only,
3. inserting the vinyl roll shaft tube in to the slots of the stand as shown below.
4. Press F4, HOME. The three closely-spaced material alignment pins rotate to the up position and the tool head reorients itself. These three pins match the three closely-spaced holes in the material for perfect alignment.
position the roll of material on the stand by
Getting Started 11
5. Open the bails and the front material guide tube by simultaneo usly pulling the bail handles forward and down away from the front of the plotter.
Bail
Front material guide tube
Bail handle
6. Open the rear material guide tube by lifting it up. (See the illustration below.)
7. Pull the material up toward the plotter, feeding the material from back to front as shown in the illustration below, ensuring that the material is underneath the front and rear material guide tubes.
Rear material
guide tube
Material alignment pins
Front material guide tube
8. Match the three closely-spaced holes in the material with the three material alignment pins on the sliding sprocket at the left end of th e plotter. This sprocket may be shifted slightly left or right to accommodate small differences in the material width.
12 enVision Owners Guide
9. On the right end of the plotter, place the three closely-spaced holes on the alignment pins of the fixed sprocket.
10. Close the rear material guide tube, then adjust (slide) th e left bail so that it lines up with the sliding sprocket on the left side. Close the bails, which also closes the front material guide tube, making sure that the left bail is seated over the pins of the left sprocket.
Rear material
guide tube
Installing tools
The knife, pen, and optional pounce tools are all installed into the tool head the same way. Before installing the knife for the first time, or af ter changing the blade, adjust the blade exposure, then load the knife. This paragraph provides information on:
Adjusting the knife blade exposure
Installing a tool
Changing the knife blade
Note: The GERBER EDGE eyepiece, used to align the knife with the cutter registration mark printed on the material, is also installed in the tool head the same way as the tools. For more information on using the plotter with the EDGE, refer to the paragraph "Using the enVision with the EDGE.”
Adjusting the knife blade exposure
Cut quality is directly related to the correct blade exposure for the material being cut.
The knife tool holder has hash marks around its circumference. Rotating the adjustment cap one hash mark, extends or retracts the blade 0.001" (1 mil) (0.0254 mm). When the blade is pointed towards the ceilin g, rotating the adjustment cap clockwise increases the blade exposure. Turning the cap counter clockwise decreases the blade exposure.
Getting Started 13
Adjusting the blade exposure to the proper amount is a trial and error process. You adjust the blade exposure visually, then perform a hand-held test cut on the material you will be cutting. Evaluate the results, adjust the blade in or out, and perform another hand-held test cut. Keep repeating this procedure until the depth of cut permits easy weeding without cutting the material backing.
To set the blade exposure
1. Hold the tool holder with the blade toward the ceiling. Turn the adjustm ent cap clockwise (to extend) or counter clockwise (to retract) so that the blade extends beyond the end of the tool holder approximately the thickness of
two sheets of paper. (Note: This is the correct setting for Scotchcal 220
material. Other materials may re quire more or less exposure.)
CAUTION: When performing the next step, do not press too hard on the material. Too much pressure can damage the blade.
2. Place a piece of the material you will be cutting on a flat surface and, pressing gently, scribe a circle with the tool by hand.
3. Weed the circle. If it weeds properly without cutting into the backing, the blade exposure is correctly set for that material.
4. If the material has not been cut all the way through, turn th e adjustment cap clockwise one or two hash marks to expose more blade. Go back to Step 2. Repeat the procedure until the scribed circle weeds properly without cu tting the backing material.
5. If the backing material has been cut, turn the adjustment cap counter clockwise to decrease the blade exposure. Go back to Step 2. Repeat the procedure until the backing material is no longer cut and the scribed circle weeds properly without cutting the backing material.
14 enVision Owners Guide
Installing a tool
After you adjust or verify the knife blade exposure:
1. Move the tool head to the middle of the plotter by pressing a slew key.
2. Open the tool clamp by turning the latch fastener counterclockwise and gently pulling the clamp open.
3. Place the swivel knife tool into the tool head, making sure that the swivel knife tool collar fits into the groove in the tool head.
Tool clamp
Latch fastener
4. Close the clamp and secure it by turning the latch fastener clockwise.
Changing the knife blades
Blades are available in 30°, 45°, and 60° angles. The 30° and 60° blades are designed for cutting thin and thick materials r espectively; the 45° blade is designed for most materials.
The knife blade will dull slightly after cutting thousands of characters. Blade wear is normal and always a gradual change. Adjusting tool settings, as described in the next section, can extend blade life.
Getting Started 15
Because they are ground to a controlled length, the blades cannot be resharpened. A sudden decline in cutting quality indicates that the knife blade is chipped. Replace and discard any chipped blade.
WARNING: Handle blades carefully. Carbide blades are brittle so they can easily chip and they are extremely sharp.
To change the blade
1. Hold the tool so the blade points toward the ceiling.
2. Remove the adjustment cap by turning it counterclockwise until is comes completely off.
3. Remove the old blade by pulling it straight out with a pair of tweezers.
16 enVision Owners Guide
4. Put in the new blade using tweezers. Press the tip lightly with the flat of your fingernail to ensure that it is all the way in.
5. Put the cap back on carefully and turn it clockwise.
Adjust the blade further as needed by following the directions in the previous paragraph, Adjusting the knife blade exposure.
enVision Overview
Both Gerber enVision plotters have many features that make them easy and convenient to use:
The enVision 750 draws, cuts, and pounces designs up to 27.25 inches (692.15mm) high. Using the GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE system Panel feature, the enVision can cut text or graphics in strips up to 96 feet long (29 meters) and 27.25 inches (692.15mm) high. The enVision 375 draws, cuts, and pounces designs up to 13.25 inches (336.55 mm) high and can also cut EDGE print jobs.
Jobs can be controlled entirely from GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE Version
6.2. Selecting a specific material causes appropriate tool settings for that material to be sent automatically to the enVision.
Pounce instructions can also be sent from GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE 6.2.
Tool settings and other parameters can also be set right at the plotter.
The enVision calculates the job extremities when it receives a job. If the job will not fit on the Y axis or the starting position must be adjusted, it displays an appropriate message.
17
Easy material loading with X axis homing which bring s th e three m ater ial alignment pins on the sprockets up to top center for the quickest, easiest loading possible.
Repeats (up to 9999 copies) of the last job plotted (up to 200 kb) can be run from the enVision.
You can suspend a job, move the material for easy viewing, and resume the job without affecting the material or job.
Allows for plotter firmware upgrade by downloading new firmware into the plotter from the PC.
18 enVision Owners Guide
The plotting process
The enVision plotter uses a knife installed in the tool he ad to cut shapes in the material (usually vinyl). After the job is cut, you remove the excess material (called weeding the job) from the design. Cutting accuracy and weeding ease depend on matching the tool settings to the material being cut. Tool settings are:
force
corners
speed
acceleration
Tool setting tips are described in the following paragraphs.
Tool settings
The four tool settings − force, corners, speed, and acceleration − must be matched to the material being cut. In the back of this manual is a card with recommended tool settings for various materials. These tool settings are starting­point guidelines. Quality cutting is dependent on the job being cut. For example, if a job has many long, straight lines, you can cut at increased speed and acceleration. If a job has many corners and curves, you may want to use less speed and acceleration. In general, the best possible cut quality is achiev e d by using the minimum tool force that provides easy weeding.
Also note that occasional adjustments need to b e made to too l settings based on blade wear. Changing settings up or down do not mean that there is a problem with the plotter. For example, blade wear may require changing the settings to maintain optimum cutting quality. Other factors, such as temperature or humidity changes or cutting small text, may also require changing the tool settings.
Material selection
The plotter firmware contains a table of materials (called rule sets) with corresponding tool settings for cutting Gerber materials. When you select the material you plan to cut in the plotter Settings Menu, you automatically set the factory default tool settings for that material. A rule sets guide chart is provided on reference cards in the back of this manual.
Note: There are additional rule sets built into and available in the GA plot program as described in the following paragraph.
For more information on setting and chang ing th e rule set v a lues, refer to the section "Choosing Tool Settings" on page 28.
Using the enVision with GA
The enVision can be completely controlled from the GA version 6.2 (and higher) plot program by using controls in the Plotter Settings dialog box.
Use of this dialog box is explained in the GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE Reference Volume 1 manual. Several comments specific to using the dialog box with the enVision are explained here.
enVision Overview 19
When an enVision plotter is selected, the color and material (also called the vinyl family) is displayed.
The GA 6.2 plot program has a rule set − as described in the previous paragraph − as part of the program. This rule set is more comprehensive
than the rule set built into the plotter. The Plotter Setting s slid e bars display the default settings for the material, and the settings can be changed using the slide bars.
Note: The plot program in GA version 6.0 and earlier does not contain a rule set. When using these versions, settings may be adjusted at the enVision control pad.
When the Use Settings check box is turned on, the rule set for the displayed material is transmitted to the plotter and overrid e s any r ule set turned on in the plotter. If the Use Setting check box is turned off, the rule set in the enVision is used to plot the job.
20 enVision Owners Guide
Note: There is also a rule set menu selection item in the enVision (Operational Setup menu, System, Rules, Select Rule Usage menu). If this menu item is set to When Received, the GA overrides the rule set in the plotter. If this menu item is set to Never, the enVision plotter ignores the rule set sent from the GA and uses its own rule set for the material.
The Plotter Prompts check box is used when cutting EDGE jobs. for a description of this feature, refer to the next paragraph.
Using the enVision with the EDGE
The enVision 375 is capable of cutting EDGE printed jobs as described in the GERBER EDGE Owner's Guide. The following additional capabilities are provided when cutting with the enVision plotter:
When the Plotter Prompts check box is turned off in the Plotter Settings dialog box, the job starts when you press Start Job (F1 on the enVision control panel). If the check box is turned on, the control panel displays the job name, vinyl color, and vinyl family. At this time, you use the EDGE eyepiece to register the knife with the registration target. After you complete registration, when you press F4 the job starts.
When you send a job to the EDGE for printing from the plot program in GA version 6.2 or higher, turn on the Center Target check box. This prints the target in the center of the Y axis and makes it easier to install the eyep iece in the tool head.
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