Gerber HS15 Plus Owner's Manual
HS15
plus
USER MANUAL
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
COPYRIGHT
1995 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.
plus
This document is furnished to support the
HS15
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
Knife Mode Switching, Corner Correcting Technology, IP Plus, GerberMask, and HS15
Gerber Scientific Products, Inc. GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE and GerberCal are registered trad emark of Gerber
Scientific Products, Inc. 3-in-1 is a registered trademark of Boyle-Midway, Inc. HPGL is a registered
trademark of Hewlett Packard. 3M, Scotchcal, and Scotchlite are trademarks of 3M.
plus
are trademarks of
FCC NOTICE
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 risk.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise
emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of
the Canadian Department of Communications.
Le present appareil numerique n'emet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant
les limites applicables aux appareils numeriques de la classe B prescrites dans
les Reglements sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le Ministere des
Communications du Canada.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................ 1
Support Information.................................................................................3
Package Contents ..................................................................................... 4
INSTALLATION............................................................................................................................. 7
Assembling the Plotter............................................................................. 7
Connecting the Plotter.............................................................................. 8
Communication Parameters......................................................................8
Power Cords............................................................................................. 9
Power-up Sequence..................................................................................9
Adding the HS15
Add Plotters............................................................................................ 11
Delete Plotters........................................................................................ 12
Assign Default Plotter............................................................................ 12
MATERIALS AND TOOLS.......................................................................................................... 13
Material Products ................................................................................... 13
Loading Material.................................................................................... 13
Idler Roller....................................................................................... 14
Helpful Hints.................................................................................... 16
Tool Force Dial ...................................................................................... 17
Settings............................................................................................. 17
Adjustments..................................................................................... 18
Tool Holders........................................................................................... 18
Pen Holder and Pens............................................................................... 19
Pen Replacement.............................................................................. 20
Pounce Wheel Holder............................................................................. 22
Aligned Holes.................................................................................. 22
Off-Center Holes.............................................................................. 22
Plotter Speed.................................................................................... 22
Pounce Wheel Holder Installation................................................... 22
Pounce Wheel Replacement ............................................................ 23
Knife Holder and Blades........................................................................ 24
Blade Wear ...................................................................................... 24
Blade Damage.................................................................................. 24
Knife Holder Installation................................................................. 24
Blade Replacement.......................................................................... 27
plus
Plotter................................................................... 10
OPERATION ................................................................................................................................. 29
Travel Limits.......................................................................................... 29
Power Up................................................................................................ 29
Front Panel ............................................................................................. 30
Slew Keys............................................................................................... 31
Slow slew key.................................................................................. 31
Swivel Knife key.............................................................................. 32
Init Knife key................................................................................... 33
Run Single key................................................................................. 34
Controlled stop................................................................................. 34
Single plot exercise.......................................................................... 35
Run Cont key ................................................................................... 35
Controlled stop................................................................................. 36
Continuous plot exercise.................................................................. 36
Reset key.......................................................................................... 37
SPECIAL DIAGNOSTICS ............................................................................................................ 39
Diagnostic Options................................................................................. 39
Wagon Wheel Test Plot................................................................... 40
Square/Circle Test Plot.................................................................... 41
X08 Cut Test.................................................................................... 42
ERROR CONDITIONS ................................................................................................................. 43
Error Signals........................................................................................... 43
Determining Error Numbers............................................................ 44
Error Codes...................................................................................... 45
MAINTENANCE........................................................................................................................... 47
Cleaning/Lubrication.............................................................................. 47
Tool Holders/Carriage Spindle........................................................ 47
Carriage/Ball Bushing...................................................................... 47
Sprockets and Bail Arms ................................................................. 48
Fuse Replacement................................................................................... 49
PLOTTER ADJUSTMENTS......................................................................................................... 51
Troubleshooting Guide........................................................................... 52
Replacing Boards ................................................................................... 53
Plotter Adjustments................................................................................ 55
Z Axis (Tool Height) Adjustment.................................................... 55
Theta Axis (Tool Rotation) Adjustment.......................................... 56
X Axis Backlash Adjustment........................................................... 58
Y Axis Backlash Adjustment........................................................... 58
APPENDIX.................................................................................................................................... 59
HS15
plus
Plotter Parts List ..................................................................... 63
INTRODUCTION
The HS15
the
Performance
plus
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
is a state-of-the-art 15-inch plotter designed for use with
® system.
1
The HS15
plus
is designed to precisely register graphics up to 50 yards
long using carbide blades for crisp, sharp cuts.
plus
The HS15
features Gerber's exclusive Knife Mode Switching
technology, which offers you a choice of two cutting modes selected
from the plotter keypad:
Tangential Knife Mode
keeps the blade aligned with the direction
of plotting motion for cutting thick materials (such as sandblast
resist) and for pouncing patterns.
Swivel Knife Mode
cuts faster than tangential knife mode for rapid
cutting of all but the most demanding materials, such as sandblast.
Gerber's exclusive Corner Correcting Technology ensures sharp,
easy-to-weed corners in swivel knife mode.
plus
Able to handle complex jobs, the HS15
on a straight line (X or Y axis). When used with the
ADVANTAGE
, the HS15
plus
uses the Plot Spooler feature to queue and
cuts at 20 inches per second
GRAPHIX
transmit jobs while the operator continues to design at the system.
2 HS15
plus
Convenience
HS15
plus
has many features that make it easy and convenient to use:
Accepts any standard Gerber materials in 15-inch wide rolls.
Draws, cuts, and pounces up to 13.0 inches high. Using the
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
system Panel feature, the HS15
plus
can cut
text or graphics in strips up to 96 feet long.
Adjustable tool force for uniform cutting with the turn of a dial.
Servo motors for quiet, fast performance.
On-board 4K buffer in addition to
Quick installation.
Simple user panel requires minimum training.
About This Manual
This manual explains the installation and operation of the HS15
plotter. It assumes you are familiar with the
system. It tells you how to assemble, install, operate, and maintain your
plus
HS15
as follows:
The “Introduction” provides information about the HS15
list of contents of the shipping crates.
“Installation” contains instructions for plotter assembly and
connection to the
“Materials and Tools” gives information about material and
loading the vinyl, and discusses procedures on using and
replacing the pen, knives, and pounce wheel.
“Operation” provides information about plotter operation and slew
key functions.
“Special Diagnostics” presents examples and instructions for
diagnostic tests.
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
buffers.
plus
plus
and a
.
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
Note: A note contains important information that could affect successful
completion of a task.
WARNING: A warning statement contains information that, if not
observed, could result in personal injury.
Introduction 3
“Error Conditions” lists common error conditions and corrective
procedures.
“Maintenance” provides cleaning, lubricating, and fuse replacement
instructions.
“Plotter Adjustments” includes a troubleshooting guide as well as
symptoms of plotter adjustment problems.
CAUTION: A caution statement contains information that, if
not observed, could result in damage to the equipment.
Support Information
Gerber pioneered plotter technology with quality engineering designs
that consider operator convenience. Performance of the HS15
is assured by:
24 hours of finished product testing before shipment, in addition to
testing during the manufacturing process.
Customer support through Gerber Field Service Department.
Step-by-step user's manual.
If you require assistance installing or operating your HS15
contact your distributor or Gerber Field Service at 800-828-5406 (in the
USA), or fax at 203-645-2448.
plus
plotter,
plus
plotter
4 HS15
plus
Package Contents
This section lists the contents of the HS15
unpack the HS15
plus
plotter, inspect all items for damage that may have
plus
shipping carton. As you
occurred during shipping. Report any damage to your distributor at once.
Save all packaging materials in case it becomes necessary to transport
the plotter at a future date.
plus
The HS15
HS15
Roll holder and tensioner
Small components consisting of:
is securely packaged with the following contents:
plus
plotter
1 10-yard roll vinyl
1 Plotter power cord
1 10-foot RS-232 cable
1 Tool rack
2 fuses
1 Vinyl letter squeegee
1 HS15
plus
User Manual
1 Warranty card
1 Service contract
1 Swivel knife holder with blade
1 Tool kit
Tool Kit Contents
Below is a list of the contents of the tool kit. The photograph may not
contain all the parts listed.
1 Pen holder with pen
1 Tangential knife holder with blade
1 Pounce wheel holder
3 Tool lift washers (on tool holders)
1 Allen wrench
1 Pair tweezers
1 Spare red pen
1 Spare blue pen
1 Envelope containing 2 spare lift washers
3 Spare cone-shaped tool caps
1 Capsule containing:
Introduction 5
2 Spare knife blades
1 Spare pounce wheel
1 Pen height gage
INSTALLATION
7
Unpack the plotter boxes and inventory the contents before you begin to
assemble the plotter. Follow these instructions to install the HS15
plotter to the
plus
HS15
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
with software other than the
please contact your software vendor for an HS15
and installation instructions specific to your software.
Assembling the Plotter
1. Carefully remove the HS15
place it near the
feet long, so the plotter need not be located immediately beside the
console; however, it should be close enough so there will be no
strain on the cable after installation.
2. Remove the two screws for mounting the tool holder from the rear
of the plotter cover. Mount the tool rack at the rear of the plotter.
.
If you intend to operate the
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
plus
from its packaging materials and
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
plus
,
plus
plotter driver
system. The cable is 10
3. Place the material roll holder on the tension arm base and place the
material tension arm next to the HS15
plus
.
8 HS15
plus
Connecting the Plotter
CAUTION: Turn off power and unplug the power cord at both
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
the
1. Insert the 9-pin connector at the end of the RS-232 cable into the 9-
pin RS-232 connector on the back of your
This connector is normally labeled
2. Carefully align all pins. Use the connector thumb screws to secure
the cable to the
3. Insert the 25-pin connector at the end of the RS-232 cable into the
25-pin RS-232 connector on the back of the plotter.
4. Carefully align all pins. Use the connector thumb screws to secure
the cable to the plotter.
and the plotter.
Plotter
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
COM Port 2.
or
.
Note: If a plotter is already installed in the
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
plotter.
Communication Parameters
If you are connecting the HS15
ADVANTAGE
, the plotter uses these RS-232 communication parameters:
Communication Parameters
9600 Baud
No Parity
8 Data Bits
1 Stop Bit
Xon/Xoff Flow Control
, use the
plus
port on the
TABLET
PLOTTER
port to install a second
to a system other than the
GRAPHIX
The plotter has a 25DB female connector with these pin assignments:
All other pins are not connected.
Power Cords
Installation 9
Pin Signal
2Tx
3Rx
4RTS
5CTS
7Sig Gnd
1. Insert the female connector of the HS15
the socket on the rear panel of the plotter.
2. Connect the power cords for both the
system and the HS15
plugged into a standard, grounded electrical outlet (115V +/- 10%
AC, 60 Hz or 230V AC, 50 Hz).
3. Turn power on at the system and the plotter.
CAUTION: When power is on, never try to manually move the
carriage, move the plotter drum, rotate the tool, or force the tool
up or down. Attempting to manually move the HS15
axis of movement while the power is on may damage the
machine.
Power-up Sequence
When the HS15
1. The light labeled
lights over
then off.
plus
plotter power cord into
plus
to a multiple outlet strip. The strip should be
plus
is turned on, the following sequence occurs:
POWER
RUN CONT, RUN SINGLE
comes on. A short beep sounds, and the
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
SWIVEL KNIFE
, and
plus
in any
blink on,
10 HS15
plus
2. As the HS15
CONT
additional beeps sound.
3. When the self-check tests are completed, the lights blink and the
beep sounds three times.
4. The plotter goes off-line in tangential knife mode. Only the power
light remains on. This is the initial setting at power-up.
Note: Rapid, continuous beeping and flashing lights may signal a
self-check error. See the “Error Conditions” section for more
information.
Adding the HS15
Use the GSP Setup program in the
plus
HS15
Reference
1. Double-click on the GSP Setup icon to open GSP Setup.
2. Click on Setup. The Setup drop-down menu appears.
plus
performs self-check tests, the lights over the
RUN SINGLE
,
plus
Plotter
plotter to your system. Refer to your
SWIVEL KNIFE
, and
keys flash twice, and two
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
for more information on setting up your system.
RUN
to add the
3. Click on Plotter. The Add or Delete Plotter(s) Dialog Box appears.
4. Scroll through the list and click on
HS15
in the Plotters list box to
plus
highlight it.
5. Choose the port in the Ports box that you connected the plotter to.
Installation 11
6. Click on Add. The added plotter appears in the Ready for Plotting
list box. Your system is now set up to use the HS15
Note: The Default Plotter note in the lower right corner of the
plus
plotter.
dialog box tells you the name of the plotter your jobs will be sent to
unless otherwise specified in the Plot program.
7.
Click on Continue. The screen will return to the GSP Setup menu.
8. Double-click on the control bar to exit the GSP Setup Menu. The
system returns to the GSP
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
and you can now access the HS15
plus
plotter.
program group
Adding Plotters
Multiple plotters can be added to your system. They must be added
individually.
1. Click on the desired plotter you wish to add from the Plotters list
box and click on the port in the Ports box that the plotter will be
attached to.
2. Click on Add. The highlighted plotter is added to the Ready for
Plotting list box.
Note: For each plotter you add, a number is added after the plotter
model number (for example, HS15-1 for the first plotter added,
HS15-2 for the second).
12 HS15
plus
Deleting Plotters
To remove plotters from the system:
1. In the Ready for Plotting Box, click on the name of the plotter to be
deleted.
2. Click on Delete.
Assigning Default Plotter
A default plotter can be assigned if more than one plotter is connected to
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
the
Note: There must be plotter names in the Ready for Plotting Box to
select a default plotter. If only one plotter is installed to the
ADVANTAGE
plotter.
1. Highlight the name of the desired default plotter in the Plotters Box.
system, that plotter is automatically specified as the default
.
GRAPHIX
2. Click on Preference. The Set Preferences Message Box appears.
3. Click on OK. The name of the default plotter selected will appear
below the words
Default Plotter
.
4. Click on Continue. The screen returns to the GSP Setup menu.
5. Double-click on the control bar to exit the GSP Setup menu. The
system returns to the GSP
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE
program group
.
MATERIALS AND TOOLS
Material Products
13
The HS15
Gerber vinyl products in high performance or intermediate grades are
translucent, reflective, or metallic and come in a wide range of colors.
Also available are direct cut silk screen, ruby photo film, paint masking
material, rubber sandblast stencil material, and heat transfer materials.
Consult your Gerber distributor for further information about available
materials, colors, and prices. Always insist on Gerber authorized
materials for highest quality results.
Loading Material
To load material
CAUTION: You can load material into your HS15
tool installed, but it is preferable to load material with no tool in the
carriage. Otherwise, damage can result to the blade.
1. Slide the roll of material to be used onto the roll holder. Pull the end
of the material away from and over the top of the tensioner toward
the plotter, as shown.
plus
uses the same plotting materials as all Gerber plotters.
plus
plotter with a
14 HS15
plus
CAUTION: When power is on, the carriage spindle must be
moved only by using the slew keys. Attempts to manually move
the plotter drum, rotate or force the tool up or down may
damage the plotter.
CAUTION: While power is off, center the carriage by gently
pushing toward the center of its travel. Take care to move the
carriage slowly and firmly by gripping the right end of the
carriage housing, not by gripping the carriage spindle.
IDLER ROLLER
CAUTION: Do not use the way shafts to lift or turn the HS15
plus
This can damage the system and reduce plotting accuracy.
2. Center the carriage spindle preferably by using the slew keys (see
“Front Panel” section) or manually (with certain precautions, as
noted above). Be sure that the carriage spindle is not located at
either extreme end of its travel and that both ends of the rubber drum
can be reached easily.
3. Open the bail arms at either end of the drum by pulling them up and
away from the drum.
4. Using the slew (arrow) keys, rotate the drum until three closely
spaced pins are visible. These three sprocket pins are used to align
the material.
The idler roller prevents sandblast and static cling material from
jamming between the material and the moving parts of the plotter.
Sandblast and static cling material should be fed
under the idler roller,
as shown below.
.
Materials and Tools 15
All other materials can be fed
over the idler rolle
r, as shown below.
To feed and align the material
1. Feed the material through the plotter as shown in the appropriate
diagram, according to the type of material you are working with.
2. Place the holes in the material over the adjustable sprockets on the
drum first (toward the rear of the plotter), making sure to match the
three closely-spaced sprocket pins and holes.
3. Place the holes in the material over the fixed sprockets at the keypad
end of the plotter, making sure to match the three closely-spaced
sprocket pins and holes.
4. Center the front bail arm over the fixed sprockets and secure into
place.
5. Adjust the sliding sprockets at the rear of the plotter slightly forward
or backward to accommodate small differences in the material
width.
6. Securely close the adjustable bail arm over the adjustable sprockets.
16 HS15
plus
HELPFUL HINTS
When you change materials, open the bail arms and roll the
material back onto the roll. Tape the ends securely to prevent the
roll from unraveling.
The HS15
plus
plots so fast that heavy rolls of material such as
reflective vinyl cannot turn as rapidly as the plotter tries to pull
them. This can result in a material jam and cause the plotter to
stall. When using heavy rolls of material such as reflective vinyl
or sandblast stencil, advance enough vinyl for an entire job
before you start to plot to eliminate the possibility of scrapping a
large job in the event of a material jam.
Before unrolling the vinyl for a job, determine how much
material you need. Check the length of the longest line in the
job, or the width of an automatically laid out sign or digitized
design. Remember that if you are plotting in the Axis Swap
mode, you need to consider the height of the job rather than its
width.
The most practical way to unroll material for a job is to use the
slew keys on the plotter. It is best to unroll more than enough
material, rather than "just enough," in case your estimate is not
accurate. You may also pull material from the roll by hand. This
may be the simplest method if you are plotting relatively small
jobs.
When you have advanced enough material for the job, feed it
back through the plotter, or otherwise position it appropriately
according to the start position selected at the
ADVANTAGE
and the resulting tool starting location. If you
GRAPHIX
have a large quantity of material piling up on the table, be sure
to arrange the material in loose accordion folds so it can feed
easily. Make sure the material is positioned to feed straight into
the plotter rather than at an angle.
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