Ioline Supernova I/S Series, Supernova SC Series, SmarTrac I Series, SmarTrac S Series, SmarTrac SC Series User Manual

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User Guide

I/S Series SC Series

Ioline SmarTrac™

User Notice

Trademarks

Ioline and SmarTrac are trademarks of Ioline Corporation. Other product names, logos, designs, titles, words or phrases mentioned within this publication may be trademarks, service marks, or trade names of Ioline Corporation or other entities and may be registered in certain jurisdictions including internationally.

Ioline Disclaimer

IOLINE CORPORATION PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OR MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL IOLINE, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF IOLINE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.

Limit of Liability Statement

It is the responsibility of the operator of the signcutter to monitor the performance of the signcutter and maintain it in proper working condition by following the instructions in this User Guide. It is the responsibility of the operator of the signcutter to follow all safety precautions and warnings that are described in this User Guide. Ioline is not responsible for injuries that may occur as a result of unsafe operating procedures. Ioline is not responsible for substandard operational performance as a result of failure to maintain the signcutter as described in this User Guide.

© 1997-2005 Ioline Corporation. All rights reserved. This manual may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, transmitted or converted to any electronic or machine-readable form in whole or in part without prior written approval of Ioline Corporation.

Service and Support

If you require assistance with an Ioline product, your local Ioline dealer or authorized service center is ready to help. Support information is also available 24/7 on the Ioline Web site—or you may contact Ioline directly:

Ioline Corporation

14140 NE 200th Street

Woodinville, Washington 98072 U.S.A.

Ioline Customer Service Department

Monday through Friday

7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. U.S. Paciﬁc Time

Voice:

1.425.398.8282

Fax: 1.425.398.8383

techsupport@ioline.com

www.ioline.com

Part Number 106844 Rev. 3

Ioline SmarTrac™

User Guide

I/S Series SC Series

Images & Illustrations

Figure 1 The Ioline SmarTrac I/S cutter front view ............................................................. x

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

Figure 28

Figure 29

Figure 30

Figure 31

Figure 32

Figure 33

Figure 34

Figure 35

Figure 36.

Figure 37. The

The Ioline SmarTrac Contour (SC) cutter front view ....................................... xi

The Ioline SmarTrac SC-72 cutter front view .................................................... xii

The Ioline SmarTrac Contour SC-72 cutter rear view ................................... xiv

Power and communications ports .............................................................................xiv

USB Connection .......................................................................................................17

Ignore the Windows® XP Warning ........................................................................ 17

Click Next when the New Hardware Wizard window appears .............. 17

Locate the USB driver folder ................................................................................. 18

Find the COM port number under the Device Manager window ............18

Setup the software for USB .................................................................................... 19

Enter the port settings under the Device Manager window ...................... 19

The Ioline Control Center Installation window. ........................................ 20

The SmarTrac keypad ............................................................................................... 21

Origin point ................................................................................................................ 22

The Control Center Setup Screen ............................................................... 23

The Control Center Main Menu .................................................................... 24

Adjusting pinchwheel presure ................................................................................ 31

Locking the idler pinchwheels off the platen ...................................................... 31

Installing the blade and blade foot in the holder ............................................... 32

Installing the blade holder in the carriage jaw .................................................... 32

When properly exposed, the blade lightly scores the backing .......................33

Suggested settings for different materials ............................................................ 35

Plotting pen guidelines ............................................................................................. 36

The Tangential Panel .................................................................................................40

Rectangular registration marks .............................................................................. 41

Recommended registration mark dimensions .................................................... 41

Registration marks margin ...................................................................................... 42

Registration mark locations on plot ..................................................................... 42

Replacing the blade ................................................................................................... 49

Cleaning the drive shaft ........................................................................................... 50

The Calibration Box and measurements ........................................................ 51

Print and measure a 1-cm black square on a white background ................... 52

Registration tool in jaw ............................................................................................52

Align tool with the corner of the box ................................................................. 52

The Control Center Calibration window ..................................................... 53

Small Sensor Calibration window .........................................................................54

Table of Contents

Safety & Caution

Visual Reference Guid

Chapter

1 Installation

Getting Started ........................................................................................................................ 15

Compatible Materials .......................................................................................................... 15

Installation .................................................................................................................................. 16

Unpack the Signcutter ......................................................................................................... 16

Assembly ................................................................................................................................ 16

Prepare the Area .................................................................................................................. 16

Connect the Signcutter to the Computer ..................................................................... 16

Installing USB Drivers ........................................................................................................... 17

Prepare to install .................................................................................................................. 17

Windows® XP Warning ....................................................................................................... 17

Install Drivers ........................................................................................................................ 17

Find the COM Port .............................................................................................................. 18

Setup the Software to use USB ......................................................................................... 19

Manually conﬁgure the USB settings (optional) ............................................................ 19

Power On ............................................................................................................................... 20

Installing Ioline Software and Manuals ............................................................................. 20

Chapter 2 Operation

Keypad Controls ....................................................................................................................... 21

START / STOP ........................................................................................................................ 21

Arrow Keys ............................................................................................................................ 22

Set Origin ............................................................................................................................... 22

Speed ....................................................................................................................................... 22

Force ....................................................................................................................................... 22

Test Cut .................................................................................................................................. 22

Repeat ..................................................................................................................................... 23

The Ioline Control Center .................................................................................................. 23

Changing System Settings ................................................................................................... 24

Menu Bar Features ................................................................................................................. 25

File .......................................................................................................................................... 25

Setup ..................................................................................................................................... 25

Display .................................................................................................................................. 25

Options ................................................................................................................................. 25

Calibrate .............................................................................................................................. 25

Test ......................................................................................................................................... 25

Help ........................................................................................................................................ 25

Screen Menu Options ............................................................................................................ 26

Measurement Units .............................................................................................................. 26

Panel Size ................................................................................................................................ 26

Scale ......................................................................................................................................... 26

Autoloop ................................................................................................................................ 26

Tangential Cutting ................................................................................................................ 26

Special Features .................................................................................................................... 26

Update Display ...................................................................................................................... 27

Send Settings to Cutter: Temporary ............................................................................... 27

Send Settings to Cutter: Permanent ................................................................................ 27

Acceleration .......................................................................................................................... 28

Up/Down Delays .................................................................................................................. 28

Force ....................................................................................................................................... 28

Force Values ........................................................................................................................... 28

Blade Overcut ....................................................................................................................... 28

Blade Steering Arc ................................................................................................................ 28

Cutting a Sign ............................................................................................................................ 29

General Guidelines .............................................................................................................. 29

Power On ............................................................................................................................... 29

Loading the Material ............................................................................................................ 29

Aligning the Material and Pinchwheels ............................................................................ 30

Adjusting the Pinchwheel Pressure .................................................................................. 30

Locking the Pinchwheels Off of the Platen .................................................................... 31

Installing a Blade and the Blade Foot ............................................................................... 32

Installing a Blade Holder or Pen ....................................................................................... 32

Adjusting Blade Exposureand Force .............................................................................. 33

Adjusting Blade Exposure: .................................................................................................. 33

Force Adjustment: ................................................................................................................. 34

Veriﬁcation: ............................................................................................................................ 34

Sending a Cut/Plot File to the Signcutter ....................................................................... 34

Pausing Cutting ..................................................................................................................... 34

Canceling a Cut .................................................................................................................... 35

Suggested Settings ................................................................................................................ 35

Guidelines for Plotting Pens ............................................................................................... 35

Cutting Long Signs ............................................................................................................... 36

Cutting Small Characters (Under 1/4-in.) ........................................................................ 37

How to Pounce ..................................................................................................................... 38

Stencil Cutting ....................................................................................................................... 39

Tangential Cutting ................................................................................................................ 40

Contour Cutting ................................................................................................................... 41

Chapter 3 Communication Testing

Communication Test ............................................................................................................ 43

Testing the Signcutter Serial Port ..................................................................................... 44

Testing the Computer Serial Port .................................................................................... 44

Troubleshooting Chart ........................................................................................................ 45

Chapter 4 Troubleshooting

LED Codes ............................................................................................................................. 47

Troubleshooting the Parallel Port (for older machines) .............................................. 47

Replacing the Blade ................................................................................................................ 49

Chapter 5 Routine Maintenance

Cleaning the Drive Shaft .................................................................................................... 50

Size Calibration ........................................................................................................................ 50

Prepare the signcutter: ........................................................................................................ 50

Gather the Calibration Data: ............................................................................................. 50

Enter the Calibration Data: ................................................................................................ 51

Calibrating the Sensor for Contour Cutting .............................................................. 52

Prepare to Calibrate the Sensor ....................................................................................... 52

Calibrate the Sensor ............................................................................................................ 53

Service & Support ................................................................................................................... 55

Getting Help .............................................................................................................................. 55

Chapter 6 End Notes

Customer Service ................................................................................................................... 56

Your Comments Are Requested ...................................................................................... 56

Before you contact Support… .......................................................................................... 57

The FCC Wants You to Know... ......................................................................................... 58

This booklet is available from: .......................................................................................... 58

vii

Glossary

Index

viii

Please read these safety guidelines before beginning operation of the signcutter. The signcutter uses a very sharp blade when cutting. The parts can move quickly. Always observe the following safety precautions:

 Do not allow the material to become suddenly taut between

the plotter and a roll of material during plotting. A service loop of unrolled material is required for problem free operation. Using the Autoloop function (enabled in the Control Center) will create the required service loop by gently pulling a set amount of material from the roll before cutting. Ioline recommends using the Autoloop function when plotting on a roll of material.

Safety &

Cautions

 Do not try to repair the machine without factory authorization.

Only qualiﬁed service personnel should attempt any disassembly or access to internal components. If external mechanical adjustments are necessary, turn off the signcutter and disconnect it from all power sources (both the computer and the wall outlet).

 Be careful with hair, jewelry, or loose clothing near the signcut-

ter. They can become caught in the mechanical parts.

 Never move the carriage by hand. Use the Arrow keys and let

the machine do it.

 Keep hands away from the carriage when the signcutter is in

operation. The carriage will automatically move to its right end position when the power is turned on.

 Be careful when lifting the signcutter. Hold the bottom surfaces

of the signcutter to lift or move it.

 Keep ﬁngers away from the drive shaft when the signcutter is

in operation.

 Use caution when changing a blade in the blade holder. See the

Routine Maintenance chapter of this User Guide for the recommended procedure.

 Be careful when handling the blades. They are sharp and could

cause an injury if mishandled. Although the blades are made of an extremely hard material, they are brittle and can break if dropped or mishandled.

KEY

A. Dust Cover B. Drive Shaft Marker C. Carriage D. Blade Holder

E. Idler Wheel F. Drive Shaft (beneath vinyl) G. Pinchwheel H. Pinchwheel Lever

GA B C H

Figure 1. The Ioline SmarTrac I/S cutter front view.

Visual Reference Guide

KEY

I. Keypad J. Stand Leg K. Stand Leveling Foot L. Cross-member

A B E H

M. Media Roller N. Platen O. Traverse P. LED Sensor

F G

Figure 2. The Ioline SmarTrac Contour (SC) cutter front view.

KEY

A. Dust Cover B. Drive Shaft Marker C. Idler Wheel D. Carriage

E. Blade Holder F. LED Sensor G. Pinchwheel H. Drive Shaft

See Detail 1 See Detail 2

Figure 3. The Ioline SmarTrac SC-72 cutter front view.

See Detail 3

xii

KEY

K. Stand Leg L. Platen Leveling Foot M. Stand Leveling Foot N. Cross-member

Platen

P. Traverse

Detail 1

Detail 2

Detail 3

xiii

KEY

Q. Media Shaft (in rear) R. Power Switch S. Serial (COM) Port

Figure 4. The Ioline SmarTrac Contour SC-72 cutter rear view.

USB Port

T. U. Power Cord

xiv

Figure 5. Power and communications ports are located on the back of the right cover.

Getting Started

Thank you for purchasing the Ioline SmarTrac signcutter.

This manual contains instructions and guidelines for setting up, operating and maintaining your signcutter. The SmarTrac hooks up to your system like a printer. Use design software to create your designs and send ﬁles to the SmarTrac for cutting or plotting. The following components are needed to cut designs:

Chapter 1

Installation

 A Windows-compatible computer. The computer must be as-

sembled and installed correctly before you connect it by serial or USB cable to the signcutter.

 Design software loaded into the computer according to the

manufacturer’s installation instructions. If you have any questions about the computer or the software, you will need to contact the manufacturer or your dealer. Most design software provides drivers for Ioline signcutters. If you need assistance with drivers, contact Ioline customer service.

 There is a specialized software program that comes with the

signcutter called the Ioline Control Center. This software utility enables you to adjust signcutter settings and perform system diagnostics.

 The signcutter will cut the graphic exactly as you have de-

signed it, from the material that you have loaded into the SmarTrac. See table below for a list of compatible materials.

Compatible Materials

SmarTrac I/S SmarTrac Contour (SC)

Vinyl

Sandblast

Vinyl

Sandblast

Hint

If you use Windows® 98SE or later, you can connect the SmarTrac to your computer via USB. Use a serial connection for older operating systems or if your computer does not have a USB port.

Rubylith

Flock

Stencil

Thin reﬂectives

Rubylith

Flock

Stencil

3M® 9600 & some other reﬂectives

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Caution

Do not lift the signcutter by the plastic end covers,

the dust cover, or the riage rail. This may permanently damage the machine. Use the bottom surfaces of the signcutter to lift or move it.

car-

Installation

Unpack the Signcutter

This procedure requires two people. Carefully remove the signcutter from the box and place it on a ﬂat, stable surface. Check the Packing List to ensure that all of the accessories are present. Save all packing materials and the box.

Assembly

Refer to the SmarTrac Quick Start Guide for directions on assembling the signcutter.

If you purchased the SmarTrac with a stand or table-top cradle, you’ll ﬁnd assembly directions and hardware in the Assemble and attach the stand or cradle to the signcutter before attempting to plot. Make sure the media rollers (media shaft on the SC-72) are properly installed and that the signcutter is facing the correct direction. Place a level on top of the signcutter and adjust the stand leveling feet as required to level the stand.

Prepare the Area

Prepare a large clean area to work. Make sure the ﬂoor is free of debris and clear of any obstacles. Pull the signcutter away from the wall so the material can move freely.

Accessory Kit.



The plotter will not function if a serial cable is connected to a parallel port on the PC.



Always turn off the power to both the computer and the machine before connecting any cables. This will protect the equip ment and reset the signcutter.



Make sure power is off to the computer and the signcutter. Ioline recommends using a surge protector power strip for both machines.

Note

Connect the Signcutter to the Computer

Connect the SmarTrac to the computer with either a USB or serial cable. A serial cable is provided in the Accessory Kit. Standard USB cables are widely available at computer stores or from Ioline.

The SmarTrac has a 9-pin male serial port receptacle. If your computer has a 25-pin serial port, a 9- to 25-pin adapter is necessary. Adaptors are inexpensive and available from computer stores or from Ioline.

After the cables are correctly connected between the computer and signcutter, select the correct port within both the design software and the Control Center. Consult the design software manual or your dealer for further information. Consult the Operation chapter of this

manual or contact Ioline Customer Service for assistance with the Control Center.

Chapter 1: Over view

Installing USB Drivers

Prepare to install

1. Make sure power to the Ioline equipment is off.

2. Connect the PC to the equipment with the USB cable.

3. Power on the PC.

4. Insert the included Ioline Installation CDROM into the PC CDROM drive.

Windows® XP Warning

A warning may appear during Windows® XP installation that the driver is not certiﬁed by Microsoft®. Please press the Continue Anyway button to continue with the installation.

Figure 6. USB Connection. (Unused serial port also shown above.)



Ioline USB drivers are only compatible and tested with Microsoft Windows operating systems ver sions 98SE, 2000, and XP. They are not WHQL certiﬁed at this time.



Ioline USB drivers create a special COM port that allows computer software with serial communi cation support to use the connection.

Note

USB

Figure 7. Ignore the Windows® XP Warning.

Install Drivers

1. Turn on power to the Ioline equipment.

2. The

3. Click in the circle

4. Click on

5. A note will appear

Add New Hardware Wizard window will appear. Click on

Next.

next to Search for

a suitable driver for my device then click Next.

Browse

then ﬁnd the USB_Drivers folder on the Ioline Installation CDROM. Click on Open, then OK.

that the Wizard

Figure 8. Click Next when the New Hardware Wizard window appears.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

completed installing drivers for the Ioline Composite Device. Click the Finish button.

6. Some versions of Windows may repeat this process a second time for the Ioline USB to UART Bridge Controller. Click the Finish button.

Find the COM Port

1. Open the Windows Control Panel.

Figure 9. Locate the USB driver folder.

2. Double click on the System icon.

3. In Windows

2000 and XP, click on the Hardware tab then Device Man- ager button. In Windows® 98SE, click on the Device Manager tab.

4. Double click on the Ports (COM and LPT) item to expand the list.

5. Find the

Ioline

Figure 10. Find the COM port number under the Device Manager window.

USB to UART Bridge Controller (COMx) item in the list. Write down the COM port number shown in the label. Use this information when conﬁguring software that communicates with the equipment (see below).

Setup the Soft-

Chapter 1: Over view

ware to use

1. Install the application(s) that will send data to the machine. This includes utilities that are included with the equipment.

2. When conﬁgur ing the driver and communications for the application, choose the COM port number determined above in Find the COM Port.

3. If additional COM port settings are required, use the values shown in the Figure 11.

USB

Figure 11. Setup the software for USB.

Manually conﬁgure the USB settings (optional)

1. Open the Windows Control Panel.

2. Double click on the System icon.

3. In Windows

vice Manager button. In Windows® 98SE, click on the Device Manager tab.

2000 and XP, click on the Hardware tab then De-



Manually changing the Windows® COM port settings is required for some programs. Use the Windows® Device Manager to change settings.

Note

4. Double click on the Ports (COM and LPT) item to expand the list.

5. Right click on the Ioline

USB to UART Bridge Controller (COMx) item

in the list, then choose Properties.

6. Click on the Settings tab and enter the values shown above in

Setup The Software to Use USB.

7. Click on ﬁnished.

Port

OK when

Figure 12. Enter the port settings under the De- vice Manager window.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide



Both USB and Serial communications use a COM port designa tion. See the SmarTrac Quick Start Guide for more informa tion.If connected to a serial port, a COM port designation (i.e. COM 1, COM 2, etc.) must be selected. The choice of a port for the signcutter will depend on the ports being used by other devices on the computer. Consult with the dealer if a port is not available.

Note

Power On

Turn on the computer and the signcutter to make sure they work.

The signcutter power switch is located next to the power cord behind the keypad. The carriage will move toward the keypad side of the machine when the power is turned on. Keep hands and loose clothing away from all moving parts of the signcutter. The red LED on the front panel will light when the start-up process is ﬁnished.

Installing Ioline Software and Manuals

The Control Center is a utility that enables you to adjust parameters and optimize cutter performance. IQ Plot provides advanced production management. The SmarTrac comes with a CD-ROM which has the Microsoft Windows® 98SE, 2000 and XP version of the Ioline Control Center and IQ Plot programs, and electronic User Guides.

1. Turn on the power to the computer and start Windows

2. Insert the Ioline CD ROM into the CD ROM drive (usually

3. Select the

4. Choose

5. Type

Start button.

Run.

D:\SETUP (substitute the correct letter if the CD ROM

drive letter is not D:) and Click OK.

6. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

D:)

7. Consult the

Operation chapter of this manual for details on us-

ing the Ioline Control Center software.

Figure 13. The Ioline Control Center Installation window.

Chapter 2

Operation

Keypad Controls

The keypad allows access to the main signcutter functions.

Figure 14. The SmarTrac keypad.



Unless otherwise stated, the following information applies to both the I/S and SC SmarTrac lines.

Note

START / STOP

The START / STOP key connects or disconnects communication between the computer and the signcutter. If the START / STOP key is pressed during cutting or plotting (STOP mode) the machine will stop when the current vector is ﬁnished.

The Arrow keys are active when in STOP mode. When the START / STOP key is pressed again, (START mode) cutting will resume exactly where it stopped.

START mode Green light Arrow keys inoperable, sign-

cutter online (ready to receive instructions).

STOP mode Red light Arrow keys operable, sign-

cutter ofﬂine (not ready to receive instructions).

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide



Design software usually refers to the origin as “lower left” because it is the lower left corner of a sign. Because the cut is usually oriented as shown, it is physically on the right side of the signcutter.

Note

Arrow Keys

Pressing the Arrow keys moves the material back and forth or the carriage from side to side. The Arrow keys will not work unless the signcutter is in STOP mode (see START / STOP above).

Set Origin

The Set Origin key sets the initial origin or starting position for the sign. Unless you use the Repeat function to cut the same graphic, it is best to set a new origin before cutting each sign. If a new origin is not set before sending a ﬁle to the signcutter, the signcutter will begin at the origin point set for the previous cut ﬁle.

Your design software may give you the option of selecting the origin point. If you set the origin within the software, but do not reset it on the signcutter using the Set Origin button, the SmarTrac will treat the new ﬁle as a continuation of the previous cut. This affects the Repeat function. (See the Repeat section below.)

Figure 15. Origin point.

Caution

Note: Using too much force can cause excessive drag, damage the pen or

blade, or tear the material.

To set a new origin, make sure the SmarTrac is in STOP mode (Red light is on). Use the Arrow keys to move the pen or blade to the intended origin of the cut, then press the Set Origin key. The signcutter will then be ready to accept cut/plot ﬁles.

Speed

Use the Speed knob on the front panel of the signcutter to adjust the speed. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the speed, or counterclockwise to decrease the speed. Set the speed according to the type of cutting and material being used. See the Cutting a Sign section of this manual.

Force

Adjust the force by using the Force knob on the front panel. Turn the Force knob clockwise to increase the force exerted on the pen or blade. See the section on Cutting a Sign for the recommended settings. The range of force available at the knob is adjustable in the Control Center. The maximum range is 1 to 500 grams (1 to 400 grams for the I/S 60).

Test Cut

The Test Cut button cuts a test pattern. Use it before cutting new material to help determine the proper force (for knives or pens) and blade exposure for cutting signs—and the effect of the blade offset and overcut settings speciﬁed in the Control Center. See the section on Cutting a Sign for details on adjusting force and blade exposure. The Control Center section has details about blade offset and overcut.

1. Make sure that material is loaded in the signcutter that the blade holder is installed in the carriage. Position the blade over the material near the right side of the signcutter.

Chapter 2: Operation

2. Check for the Red light. Press the START / STOP key if it is not on.

3. Press the small test pattern consisting of a circle within a square.

4. Adjust the knob and the blade foot. Repeat the test cut until the desired line quality is obtained. See the section on Cutting a Sign for

details on adjusting force and blade exposure.

5. Successive test cuts automatically align to the left of the last test cut.

6. If the cut a 1.9 in. x 7.1 in. pattern.

Test Cut key for one second. The plotter will cut a

force and blade exposure up or down with the Force

Test Cut key is pressed for three seconds the plotter will

Repeat

The SmarTrac nearly 1 megabyte of data in buffer memory so that you can use the Repeat key to create additional copies of a graphic without having to resend the ﬁle. The signcutter must be in STOP mode (red LED) in order to use the this key.

Since the SmarTrac begins cutting or plotting at the current blade location in STOP mode, reposition the blade or pen ﬁrst (using the Arrow keys) before pressing the Repeat key.

Several issues affect the repeat function and the data stored in memory:

1. If the ﬁle exceeds the capacity of the is disabled.

buffer, the Repeat function



If an origin is not set between ﬁles, two possible unintended results can occur: if the combined cuts do not exceed the buffer, Repeat will cause them all to be recut or, if the combined ﬁles exceed the buffer size, Repeat will be disabled.

Note

2. Your graphic will remain in send another ﬁle, or update settings with the Update Display function. (Update Display is described later in this chapter.)

memory until you reset the origin,

The Ioline Control Center

The Ioline Control Center is a utility program that does three things:

 Allows adjustment of settings to tailor output from the computer.

 Sends completed cut ﬁles to the signcutter. (To make design

changes to the ﬁle, you must use the design software.)

 Includes several diagnostic tests for troubleshooting.

Figure 16. The Control Center Setup Screen.



To avoid communication port conﬂicts, do not simultaneously run more than one application that is communicating with the plotter.



The design software may override the Control Center settings. Check to see if it has by pressing the Update Display button before and after a cut is completed. If the settings change, use the design software to modify cutting parameters.

Note

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Figure 17. The Control Center Main Menu.

Changing System Settings

You can adjust many settings with the Control Center to ﬁt your needs:

 Put the signcutter in START mode (Green light mode)

before changing system settings. To do so, press the START / STOP key and make sure the Green light is on before changing any settings.

 The Screen Menu displays most commonly adjusted param-

eters. The Menu Bar contains utilities and less commonly adjusted signcutter settings.

 Your selected changes take effect only after you press one of

the Send Settings buttons.

Menu Bar Features

The Ioline Control Center provides comprehensive help ﬁles to explain the functions of the software options. Below is a brief summary Menu Bar items.

File

Send Cut/Plot File Sends a cut (.PLT) ﬁle to the signcutter.

Open Settings File Restores saved settings ﬁles.

Save Settings As Save settings ﬁles.

Exit Exits the Control Center program.

Setup

Plotter Setup Selects the correct signcutter model.

Port Setup Selects the communications port.

Chapter 2: Operation

Display

Plotter Settings Displays current signcutter settings.

Factory Defaults Restore original factory settings.

ROM Version Displays installed ROM version.

Memory Buffer Displays installed memory buffer

size.

Blade Status Displays whether or not the blade

holder is installed.

Options

Filtering Toggles Filtering on and off.

HPGL Setting Selects an HGPL language.

Install New Firmware Installs new ﬁrmware on the sign-

cutter.

Calibrate

Calibrate Plotter Calibrates the signcutter.

Test

Serial Test Tests serial communications.

Computer Port Test Tests the computer port.

Plotter Port Test Tests the signcutter port.

Help

Contents Lists contents of help ﬁles.

About Provides Control Center version

information.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Screen Menu Options

Measurement Units

English or Metric units are available when adjusting settings.

Panel Size

The Panel Size is the maximum area the signcutter can use for cutting. The factory-set (and maximum) X-axis panel length is 838-in long (2129-cm). The maximum Y-axis panel size depends on the machine width. The material moves along the X-axis; the carriage moves along the Y-axis. When cutting on a Cut Sheet the panel values should be adjusted to match the sheet size.

Scale

The factory-set Scale is 100%. The signcutter will produce a cut in the exact size of any cut ﬁle that is sent. If the scale is 50%, the sign cutter will produce a cut that is half the intended size. The scale of the signcutter can range from 1% to 999%. Note: Both X- and Y-axes are set independently.

Caution

Autoloop default is off. Do not allow the

material to become taut when using a roll of material with Autoloop disabled. Manually create and maintain a service loop in the rear.

Autoloop

With Autoloop enabled the signcutter will create a service loop of material at the beginning of the plot and whenever necessary during the cutting process. The factory setting is 30-in (76.2-cm), but the loop size is adjustable. Disable Autoloop when cutting short pieces of vinyl or scraps.

Tangential Cutting

When enabled, the tangential cutting feature will carefully align the blade with the line segment before making each cut in the material.

Settings:

Enable: Turns on the Tangential Cutting feature in the cutter after

the Permanent button is pressed.

Length: Determines how far the alignment cut starts from the begin-

ning of the line segment. The default of 33 is best for most materials.

Force: Sets the pressure used when making an alignment move.

Ten grams typically makes little or no mark on the material but properly aligns the blade.

Special Features

See the sections, How to Pounce and Stencil Cutting, for details on using these features.

Pounce The Pouncing feature will make a series of holes for trans-

ferring a pattern to a ﬂat surface. Special pounce tools are required. The hole size and spacing is adjustable. See Cut and Blank below for more details.

Tag Board Tag Board Cutout is for cutting stencil material (tag board). Cutout A standard blade holder and blade is required. An in-

termittent cut is created so that the stencil stays in place during cutting. See Cut and Blank below for more details.

Cut The Cut value is the length, in thousands of an inch

(mils.), that the blade will cut when plotting the segmented line for pouncing or tag board cutout.

Chapter 2: Operation

Cut Values

Pouncing Tag Board

Default Length 40 mils. (.04-in) 2000 mils.

Maximum Length

Minimum Length

4000 mils. 5000 mils.

40 mils. 50 mils.

Blank The Blank value is the length, in thousands of an inch

(mils), that the blade skips (e.g. will not cut) when plotting the segmented line for pouncing or tag board cutout. The default length is 600 mils (.6 inches) for pouncing and 60 mils for tag board. The maximum is 4000 mils for pouncing and 5000 mils for tag board. The minimum is 40 mils for pouncing and 50 mils for tag board.

Blank Values

Pouncing Tag Board

Default Length 600 mils. (.6-in) 60 mils.

Maximum Length

Minimum Length

4000 mils. 5000 mils.

40 mils. 50 mils.



The design software may override the Control Center settings. Check to see if it has by pressing the Update Display button before and after a cut is completed. Check the plotter setup screens in the design software to make adjustments if necessary.

Note

Update Display

Selecting this option will update all of the screen values with the current settings stored in the signcutter. For example, using Update Display after a blade is inserted in the carriage will update the Control Center and allow access to the Tag Board Cutout parameters.

Send Settings to Cutter: Temporary

After changing any setting, the changes must be sent to the signcutter. If Send Settings to Cutter: Temporary is selected, all of the displayed settings will be used for the current session. When the signcutter is turned off these settings will be lost and the previous permanent settings will be in effect when the signcutter is turned on again. If any settings are changed, repeat the Test Cut procedure to ensure that the results are satisfactory.

Send Settings to Cutter: Permanent

If Send Settings to Cutter: Permanent is selected, all of the displayed settings will be sent to the signcutter and will be saved for all subsequent sessions, even after turning off the signcutter.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Acceleration

The factory-set Acceleration is 1.0 g. The Acceleration setting determines how quickly the pen or blade will reach full speed when starting or ending a cut line. Use the Control Center to change the setting within a range of 0.1 to 1.0 g. For long or difﬁcult cuts, or when trying to achieve maximum accuracy, use lower Acceleration settings.

Up/Down Delays

The factory-set Up and Down Delays are both 0 milliseconds (ms) or 0 thousandths of a second. The Delay setting controls the amount of time, in milliseconds, the signcutter pauses after lifting or lowering the pen or blade. Under normal circumstances this setting will not require adjustment. Thick material (e.g. sandblast mask) may require a delay of 25 to 50 ms.

Force

The minimum and maximum force settings for the Force control knob on the keypad is adjustable.

Force Values

Force Setting

Factory-set Default

Default Maximum

Maximum

Default Minimum

10 grams

200 grams

400 grams

10 grams

Blade Overcut

Blade Overcut is the distance the blade travels beyond the end of a cut. Blade Overcut ensures that each cut actually reaches the point where one cut line meets and slightly overlaps another cut line. This ensures that all of the pieces of the sign will be cut completely, with no undercuts. The factory-set Blade Overcut is 10 mils. This setting is ignored when a pen is installed in the carriage.

Blade Steering Arc

Blade The Blade Offset is nominally 15 mils (or 47 mils on some Offset blades), but speciﬁc blades can vary within a tolerance.

For close work, making some tiny test cuts at several settings, then picking the best one, can improve accuracy. This setting is ignored when a pen is installed in the carriage.

Minimum Angle steering arc. For a very tiny cut, a small or zero angle

Minimum Angle sets the angle for the signcutter blade

can be speciﬁed. For larger cuts a greater angle of up to 45 degrees is best. The factory-set value works well with most ﬁles. Adjusting this setting for small cuts may improve performance. This setting is ignored when a pen is installed in the carriage.

Cutting a Sign

Before cutting a sign, turn the signcutter on, load it with vinyl, install a blade holder, and set an origin. (These steps are outlined below.) In most cases the design ﬁles are sent directly from the design software to the plotter. If necessary, use the Ioline Control Center software to send design ﬁles, adjust settings and test sign cutter communication.

General Guidelines

1. Never let the material become suddenly taut between the plotter and a roll of material during plotting. A service loop of unrolled material is required for problem-free operation. Ioline recommends using the Autoloop function (enabled in the Con- trol Center). It will create the required service loop by gently pulling a set amount of material from the roll before cutting. Autoloop default is off.

Chapter 2: Operation

2. Use the Paneling will restrict the length of any X-axis move. Ioline suggests an X panel size of 10 to 20 inches with no panels greater than 40 inches.

3. Force. Incorrect force can cause misalignment problems over the range of a long cut. If the force is too high, the material may skew.

4. Prepare a large clean area to work.

Paneling feature in the design software for long signs.

Power On

Turn on the computer and the signcutter. The signcutter power switch is located next to the power cord on the back. The carriage will move when the power comes on. Keep hands and loose cloth ing away from all moving parts of the SmarTrac. The Red light on the front panel will come on when the Start-up Procedure is ﬁnished.

Loading the Material

If using a roll of vinyl:

Place the roll between the media rollers (stand), on the axle (cradle or SC-72 stand) or at the back of the machine (foot).

If using a roll of paper:

Hang the paper roll on an axle if available. Use a media roller or the cradle tube if the signcutter has them. Place the roll behind the machine if the signcutter has only feet. Note: Do not place a paper roll between two media rollers.



If Autoloop is not enabled in the Control Center, do not allow the material to become taut between the signcutter and the material roll. Manually create and maintain a service loop in the rear. See Control Center section for more information.

Note

Autoloop in the Ioline

If using a cut sheet or scrap:

Diable Autoloop.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Aligning the Material and Pinchwheels

Ioline recommends using the “Typewriter Method” to align the material to the platen. The drive shaft is optimized for most common material widths as well as scraps. When loading material, use the drive shaft markers on the traverse to ﬁnd the drive shaft segments.

1. Lift the

pinchwheels by raising the pinchwheel lever on the right side of the signcutter. Bring the material up and through the space under the pinchwheels. Pull down enough material to reach the media rollers on the stand (I/S 80, SC-40 and larger models) or about one foot (25-cm) on the table-top cradlemounted I/S 60 models.

2. Roughly align the material so that the edges are overlapping the wide-right drive shaft segment and one of the smaller segments. Use the drive shaft markers on the traverse to ﬁnd the drive shaft segments when they are covered by material.

3. Position the outer-pinchwheels on the material about 1-in (2.5-cm) from the edge. Use the drive shaft markers on the traverse as a guide to make sure the wheels are over a drive shaft segment.

4. Slide the inner-

idler wheels (when provided) so that they are as close to evenly spaced between the outer wheels as possible while remaining over a drive shaft segment. Use the drive shaft markers on traverse to ensure that the wheels are positioned correctly.

5. With both hands, reach under the

stand or cradle and clasp the front edges of the sides of the material hanging from the front of the machine against the edges of the material hanging from the back of the machine. Pull downward on the material and square the edges so that they are parallel front and back. Alternatively, align the edge of the material with the edge of the material roll.

Caution

While checking alignment with the Arrow keys,

make sure that the mate rial between the material roll and the signcutter is never pulled taut with the drive shaft.

* This option is not available on all SmarTrac models.

6. While maintaining the material square and taut, clamp the pinchwheels to the material by lowering the pinchwheel lever on the right side of the signcutter.

7. Check alignment by using the forward and back. The material edge should run straight.

Arrow keys to move the material

Adjusting the Pinchwheel Pressure

I/S 80, SC-40 and wider models have pinchwheels with adjustable spring force*. This allows the user to use maximum force (24 lbs.) for holding vinyl (which requires more force for better tracking) or less force (8 lbs.) for lightweight materials like paper and for sandblast resists that must be tracked directly on the rubber surface. The pinchwheels can also be set in a position that keeps them completely off the surface so that the inner pinchwheels on larger cutters will not interfere with pen plotting.

Set Force Adjustment by turning the screw on the back of the pinchwheel assembly.

1. Move the pinchwheel to the access hole on the back of the dust cover.

2. Insert a ﬂat screwdriver into the slot and turn the adjustment screw 90 degrees. When the slot is in the vertical position on the outer wheels, the force is 24-lbs. The horizontal position indi

cates 8-lbs of force. On units equipped with inner pinchwheels, force can be set to 12 lbs. (vertical setting) or 4-lbs. (horizontal setting). The 12-lb. inner pinchwheel setting is useful for heavier materials such as heavy sandblast or reﬂective sheeting.

Chapter 2: Operation

High Force Position

Cam Slot Vertical

Figure 18. Adjusting pinchwheel presure.

Low Force Position

Cam Slot Horizontal

Locking the Pinchwheels Off of the Platen

The idler pinchwheels have a locking feature* that will hold them off of the platen during cutting or plotting. This will reduce ink smearing if plotting with a heavy ink marker.

1. Lift the idler pinchwheels off the platen with the pinchwheel lever.

2. Press on the handles at the rear of the idler pinchwheel arm.

3. Flip the that the clip is under the lower tabs.

4. When the will stay in the up position.

locking clip into position with both thumbs. Make sure

pinchwheels are lowered onto the platen the idlers

Figure 19. Locking the idler pinchwheels off the platen.

* This option is not available on all SmarTrac models.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide



Be very careful when handling the blades as they are sharp and brittle and the tips can chip or break. Using a hard surface to insert the blade may damage it.

Note

Installing a Blade and the Blade Foot

A blade and a blade holder are included in the Accessory Kit. To install the blade and blade foot in to the blade holder:

1. Remove the foot from the assembly by unscrewing it counter clockwise.

2. Slide the blade into the hole in the out. The blade should spin freely.

3. Screw the foot clockwise onto the shank. Stop before the blade emerges.

blade holder until it bottoms

Figure 20. Installing the blade and blade foot in the holder.

Installing a Blade Holder or Pen

1. Rotate the clamp out of the way, then turn the clamp screw until there is enough room to insert the blade holder or pen.

2. If using a blade holder or plotter pen, slip the ﬂange into the slot in the carriage jaw. If using a regular pen, position the tip

/10-inch off of the platen when the jaw is in the up position. The signcutter can hold any pen with a maximum barrel diameter of 7/8-in (22-mm).

3. Tighten the clamp screw until the blade or pen is secure.

Figure 21. Installing the blade holder in the carriage jaw.

Chapter 2: Operation

Adjusting Blade Exposure and Force

Properly adjust blade exposure and force to achieve good cutting results.

Adjusting Blade Exposure:



Successive test cuts will automatically be positioned to the left of the previous test cut.

Note

Figure 22. When properly exposed, the blade lightly scores

the backing.

1. Turn the Force knob clockwise to maximum. Set the Speed to 50% with the keypad knob. The maximum force setting is adjustable in the Control Center to 500 grams (400 grams for the I/S 60), if required for thick materials. A maximum force of 200 grams is sufﬁcient for most materials.

2. Check that the blade tip is barely visible when viewing the blade from the side. This technique approaches the correct blade exposure from too little with no chance of having too much (which could damage the blade).

3. Press the START / STOP LED is red. Move the carriage until the blade is near the right edge of the material.

4. Press the test sign. There will be no cutting if the initial foot adjustment was correct.

5. Turn the foot the Test Cut key. The material should have a light pattern.

6. Continue increasing the The test sign will completely separate from the surrounding material and lightly score the material backing when enough blade is exposed.

Test Cut key for one second. The signcutter will cut a

/8-turn upward (clockwise from below). Press

button on the front panel until the

blade exposure and making test cuts.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Force Adjustment:

Different types of materials require a different cutting force. Before adjusting Force, make sure that the blade exposure is adjusted ﬁrst.

See Adjusting Blade Exposure, above.

1. Turn the mark, and repeat the Test Cut. Use Full Force if the Test Cut is not complete.

2. If the repeat the Test Cut. Continue until the cut is incomplete. This indicates that there is not enough force to push the exposed blade fully into the material. At this point turn the Force knob up one mark, which should be just enough.

Force knob down slightly from maximum, about one

Test Cut is complete, turn the Force down again and

Veriﬁcation:

1. Press the Test Cut key for 3 seconds. The signcutter will cut a

1.9 inch x 7.1 inch design.

2. If the sign does not separate cleanly and leave a light scoring on the backing, try another 1/8 turn upward (counter clockwise from above) of blade exposure and a very slight increase in force.

Sending a Cut/Plot File to the Signcutter

Always load the signcutter and make test cuts to determine the correct settings before sending any ﬁles. See the Adjusting Blade Expo- sure and Force sections for more details.

Caution

Do not turn the material roll or pull material tight

between the drive shaft and the material roll while cutting is paused. If the material becomes suddenly tight, the machine will jam.

Important: Make sure that the carriage and material are in the proper position and that an origin is set by pressing Set Origin on the keypad (LED is green).

Send the ﬁle directly from the design software following the direc tions in the documentation or—

From the Ioline Control Center:

1. From the menu bar select

2. Either enter the path and ﬁle name of the cut or select the cor rect location from the directory\ﬁle lists in the dialog box. For example, the path might be:

C:\IOLINE\<ﬁlename>.plt

4. Select

OK.

File, Send Cut/Plot File.

Pausing Cutting

1. Press the START / STOP key to place the signcutter in STOP mode (red LED).

2. When cutting is interrupted, the moved with the keypad Arrow keys.

3. Press the START / STOP will return to the original cutting position and continue plotting where it stopped. The keypad LED will change from red to green.

key to resume cutting. The signcutter

carriage and material can be

Canceling a Cut

1. Press the START / STOP key to place the signcutter in STOP mode (red LED).

2. Cancel the cut from the design software (refer to the design software manual or consult software dealer) or cancel the cut in the Control Center software by clicking on the Abort button in the Send File window. (Note: If this step is skipped the cut will continue when a new origin is set.)

Chapter 2: Operation

3. Press the

Set Origin key to make the signcutter delete the cut

data it has already received but has not yet plotted.

Suggested Settings

There are many variables that determine signcutter output quality. Ioline recommends using low force and speed settings when making the initial test cuts. Gradually increase these settings until the best values for the material are found. Refer to Figure 23 for settings for a variety of material types. Force values are provided for starting reference only. These settings may vary due to manufacturer, color, age, and temperature of the material.

Guidelines for Plotting Pens

Ioline has determined guidelines for plotting with a plotter pen. Refer to the Figure 24 for recommended settings for a variety of pen

Material Thick-

Blade Offset

ness

(mils)

Amberlith™ / Rubylith™ 1 45

(mils)

15 30-60 med. 0.1 30o 0-5 0-50

Flock 15 Cobra 47 100-200 min. 1 15o 10 0

Polyester, Metalized

Reﬂective, Engineering Grade

Sandblast Mask2 18

2 45

5 45

15 100-140 max. 1 30o 10 0

15 240-250 min. 1 30o 10 0

- - - - - - - -

Cobra 47 220-260 min. 1 15o 30 0

36 Cobra 47 220-260 min. 1 15o 30 0

Stencil, Lacquer Adhering

Stencil, Vinyl

Stencil, Water Soluble

Tag Board

Vinyl, Calendered

Vinyl, Cast

1 These sandblasts typically have a backing which is designed for cutting

by hand.

2 Use the low force setting on the

larger plotter.

1 45

4 45

1 45

10 45

3 45

2 45

pinchwheels if using a 80 cm or

- - - - - - - -

15 80-100 max. 1 30o 10 0

15 200-220 min. 1 30o 10 0

15 125-135 med. 1 30o 10 0

15 300-400 min. 0.1 30o 10 0

15 100-150 med.-

Force

(grams)

Speed

(ips)

Accel-

eration

(grams)

Min.

Angle

(degrees)

Overcut

(mils)

1 30o 10 0

max.

1 30o 10 0

max.

NOTE:

Settings should be adjusted for cutting small letters or intricate detail,

refer to the Cutting Small Characters section.

Down Delay

(millisecs)

Figure 23. Suggested settings for different materials.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Paper Pen Speed Force

BMI® Super Layﬂat or equivalent high-quality bond

“ BIC® Round

“ Standford®

“ HP®-style

— Plastic tip — — Not

— Ceramic tip — — Not

— Liquid ink /

Figure 24. Plotting pen guidelines.

HP®-style ballpoint

Stic ballpoint

Sharpie

ﬁber tip

Metal tip

Maximum

Maximum 70 – 100

— — Not

60 – 80 1 5ms pen up/

180 – 200

70 – 100

(grams)

Comments

1 5ms pen down delays

recommended

types. Use Test Cut and gradually increase these settings until the best value is found for the pen being used. Remember that Force values are for starting reference only. These settings may vary due to manufacturer, color, age, and temperature of the material.

Cutting Long Signs

When cutting long signs, it becomes increasingly important for the material to be aligned properly and for the settings to be properly adjusted. Before cutting, verify that the SmarTrac is properly calibrated and that the pinchwheels are correctly spaced. For best results, certain system settings should also be adjusted. Use the Ioline Control Center to make these changes. The following suggestions will help you produce ﬁne quality long signs.

1. Use a

2. Build a material slide. Cut two cardboard pieces the width of

3. Check the material roll. Place the roll of material to the right

4. Load the material straight.

5. Lower Acceleration. Using the Ioline Control Center, set Accel

stand or cradle. The use of a stand or cradle takes advantage of the signcutter platen design. When draped over the platen, the material beneﬁts from its natural tendency to curl downward.

the stand and large enough to lean against the stand legs. This prevents the material from going under the machine and getting buckled with material from the other side.

of the material cradle or media rollers. Make sure the roll is tightly wrapped and even along the sides.

See the previous sections Loading the

Material and Aligning the Material and Pinchwheels to properly

load the signcutter.

eration to 0.5 g or less. Lower acceleration will help with overall

accuracy, especially in the transition between Frames.

6. Use Autoloop. Autoloop will gently pull a set amount of material from the roll. This helps the material feed into the signcutter more accurately and keeps it from “jerking” from the roll. Autoloop also helps to set up the drive track in the backing of the material, which helps keep the material aligned. Autoloop is enabled in the Control Center. Set Autoloop to ON and set the Loop Size to the default of 30 inches. Setting the Panel Size in the signmaking software to the same length as the Loop Size might help tracking accuracy. If Autoloop is OFF, maintain a service loop of material behind the signcutter to prevent, “jerking,” material from the roll.

7. Speed. Set the Speed knob to 50 percent or less. Moving the material at a slower speed helps to keep it more stable and prevents it from kinking or buckling.

8. Force and Blade Depth. Incorrect cutting Force and Blade Depth can cause misalignment problems over the range of a long plot. If the Force is too high, the material may skew. If the Blade Depth is set too deep, it could cut all the way through the material and/or cause the material to become jammed under the blade.

Chapter 2: Operation

9. Let the software Contour Ordering feature in the design software (some software programs automatically handle this process). This will reduce the number of time consuming back and forth and side to side movements. Wear on the material backing (as well as the vinyl) is also decreased, which will improve tracking. The more complex the ﬁle, the more difﬁcult the problem.

10. Use the restrict the length of any X-axis move. Ioline suggests a Panel

Size of 10 to 20 inches. With most signmaking software, the Paneling feature allows the placement of a panel between char-

acters.

Paneling feature in the design software. Paneling will

help. Use the Automatic Sorting, Ordering or

Cutting Small Characters (Under 1/4-in.)

For cutting small characters or intricate detail in various material, it is necessary for the signcutter to be calibrated properly and to make sure the pinchwheels are spaced correctly. Also, some of the system settings should be adjusted to achieve more accurate detailed cutting. This is done by making changes in the Ioline Control Center and by adjusting the dial controls on the front panel. The following is a list of adjustments that should be made:

1. Lower small, detailed cutting. Start by making test cuts with one quarter Force. Gradually increase the Force until the vinyl is completely cut.

Force. The lowest blade force possible is the best for

2. Slower

3. Foot Adjustment. After setting the lowest cutting Force, adjust the Foot downward until the cut is not complete, then back it up just enough to get a complete cut. Since some Force is applied to the Foot, a slight increase in cutting force might be necessary. When the Foot is adjusted properly, the blade tip should just cut through the material.

Speed. The Speed knob should be set halfway or less.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

4. Lower Acceleration. When cutting Rubylith or Amberlith, set the Acceleration to 0.1 g in the Control Center. Set the Accel- eration to 0.5g for all other material.

5. Minimum Angle. This is listed in the Control Center under the Blade Steering Arc heading. The Minimum Angle should be set at 0 degrees.

6. Overcut. Set this between 0-5 mils. If weeding becomes difﬁcult at corners, increase Overcut by one mil at a time until weeding is easier. A little more force might help if the material has incomplete cutting not at the corners.

7. Offset. Usually the offset listed for the blade is used as the Offset in the Control Center. For very small characters, tiny manufacturing variances among blades can make a difference. Check this by cutting small characters with sharp turns, i.e. the letter N. With the standard 45 degree, .015 inch offset blade, try several tests using different offset values, i.e. 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 mils, then pick the value with the best result.

8. Position the Wheels. Place the pinchwheels near the cutting area to assure that the vinyl stays ﬂat.

How to Pounce

Use the pounce feature with high quality paper. Ioline recommends 20 lb. paper that lies ﬂat. A pounce tool and a pounce blade (available from Ioline) are also required.

1. Select

2. Slide the paper roll onto a media roller (use the roller as an

3. Enable

4. Set the

5. Turn the

6. Install the pounce tool and blade like a standard

7. With the

8. Increase or decrease the

Pounce in the Ioline Control Center. Make sure that Tag Board Cutout is turned OFF. Put the signcutter in START mode (green LED on). Update the signcutter with the Send Settings (temporary or permanent) buttons.

axle). Ioline does not recommend using two media rollers to cradle paper rolls.

Autoloop or create a service loop of material.

Speed knob to maximum. Set the Acceleration to 0.5 g.

Performance will vary with different paper types. Experiment with lower settings if required.

Force knob to maximum (default is 200 grams).

blade holder.

(Note: there is no foot on the pounce blade assembly.)

Red light ON, press the Test Cut key for 3 seconds.

The signcutter will pounce a 1.9 inch x 7.1 inch design.

force on the Force Knob as needed for a complete puncture through the paper. If the pounce blade picks up the paper and jams, try setting the Force and/or Ac- celeration to lower settings.

9. The

Pouncing Cut is intermittent - short pounce cut followed by a longer uncut segment. The default length is 40 mils (.04 inches) for the cut and 600 mils (.6 inches) for the blank. The lengths of the cuts and blanks are adjustable with the Control Center. Perform test cuts to determine the proper settings for these parameters. (E.g., try wider blank spacing for larger im-

ages.) See the section describing the Ioline Control Center for more

details on adjusting the cut and blank settings.

Stencil Cutting

Stencil material (Tag Board) is handled much the same as vinyl with the important exception of using much higher force.

Chapter 2: Operation

1. Select

2. Slide the paper roll onto a media roller (use the roller as an

3. Enable

4. Install a

5. Perform test cuts to establish

6. A

Tag Board Cutout in the Ioline Control Center. Make sure that Pounce is turned off. Put the signcutter in START mode (green LED on). Update the signcutter with the Send Set- tings (temporary or permanent) buttons.

axle). Ioline does not recommend using two media rollers to cradle tag board rolls.

Autoloop or create a service loop of material.

blade holder in the carriage.

blade exposure and Force set-

tings. See the section Adjusting Blade Exposure and Force for the proper procedure. Most tag board cuts are made at or near maximum force (400 grams). Check the Control Center for the maximum force setting. Adjust as necessary. See the Suggested

Settings in Figure 23 for more details.

Tag Board Cut is intermittent - a long cut length followed by a short uncut segment. The default length is 2000 mils (2.0 inches) for the cut and 60 mils (.06 inches) for the blank. The lengths of the cuts and blanks are adjustable with the Control Center. Perform test cuts to determine the proper settings for these parameters. See the section describing the Ioline Control Center for more details on adjusting the cut and blank settings.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Tangential Cutting

This feature is available only on SmarTrac SC models and I/S 85, 100 and 130 models manufactured after March

2005.

When enabled, the tangential cutting feature will carefully align the blade with the line segment before making each cut in the material. This process is useful for especially challenging materials like reﬂective vinyl. Using tangential cutting will reduce throughput because of the extra alignment steps. Use the Ioline Control Center software to enable and adjust tangential cutting.

Follow these steps to enable tangential cutting:

1. Power on the Ioline cutter.

2. Use the cutting should begin. Press the Set Origin button on the keypad so that the keypad light turns green.

3. Open the Ioline

4. Find the

5. Check the box next to Settings to Cutter window.

6. Perform a test cut on the machine.

this chapter to learn about test cuts.

7. Adjust parameters as necessary. The settings are explained below. Make sure to press Start/Stop until the keypad LED is green before updating settings in the cutter with the Permanent button.

8. The cutter is ready to make tangential cuts. Open the Control Center software and uncheck the Enable box then press the Permanent button to return to normal cutting mode.

Arrow keys to position the blade and material where

Control Center software.

Tangential Cutting box on the main screen.

Enable. Press Permanent in the Send

See Cutting a Sign earlier in

Figure 25. The Tangential Panel.

Chapter 2: Operation

Contour Cutting

This feature is available only on SmarTrac Contour (SC) models and retroﬁtted I/S 85 models.

The contour cut feature provides an automatic registration process that, when combined with contour cut enabled design software, will read registration marks on a pre-printed image, send the position data to the software, then receive an ‘adjusted’ plot ﬁle that precisely cuts around the image. The registration and adjustment process is required because the color printing and/or laminating process may distort the media, especially when heat is used to cure the ink or apply ﬁlms. These processes cause the image to expand and contract and might affect accuracy.

The following conditions are required for successful registration cutting with an Ioline SmarTrac Contour cutter:

1. The background material is white.

1-in





If using a pen for testing, recalibrate the sensor by following the calibration process described in this User Guide.

Note

2. Four

3. The

registration marks are printed in the corners of an encompassing rectangle around the pre-printed image(s). In other words, the marks form the corners of a rectangle that encloses, and is at least 1-in bigger on all sides than, the maximum dimensions of the printed image(s). See

Figure 26.

registration marks are solid rectangular black squares with

a minimum size of 0.275-in. (7-mm) and a maximum size of .59 in. (15 mm). Ioline recommends a 0.394-in. (1-cm) square. See

Figure 27.

Figure 26. Rectangular registration marks.

1-cm

Figure 27. Ioline recommends registration mark dimensions of 0.394-in (1-cm) square.

4. Make sure there is a minimum margin of 3-in. between the registration marks and the edge of the vinyl on both sides and the top and bottom. See Figure 28.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

5. The design software was used to create the registra tion marks, is capable of initiating registration process for Ioline cutters, and can adjust the cut ﬁle using the registration measurements made by the cutter. Contact the manufacturer of the design software to determine if Ioline contour drivers are available.

Figure 28. There should be a 3-in margin between the registration marks and the edge of the vinyl.

3-in



6. An

7. The

Procedure:

1. Load the pre-printed material into the cutter and verify that

2. Center the sensor light over the ﬁrst registration point and

origin point should be set on the cutter so that the sensor

light is positioned within the center of the ﬁrst registration mark. See Figure 29 before scanning begins. See Set Origin earlier

in this chapter to learn the steps for setting an origin point with the keypad.

sensor is calibrated for the tool installed in the carriage. The cutter is calibrated for the blade holder at the factory.

material movement is as straight as possible.

press the Set Origin key on the keypad. The ﬁrst registration point (R1) is nearest the right end of the cutter and the front edge of the material. See Figure 29.

Figure 29. Registration mark locations on plot.

3. Use the design software to begin the registration process. The cutter will automatically scan all four registration marks and send the measurements back to the design software.

4. The design software will adjust the cut output to the image then send the Ioline formatted ﬁle to the cutter.

There are three communication diagnostic tests available in the Control Center. These tests are designed to help determine if a communication problem exists and to isolate where the problem is occurring.

A diagnostic module is required to run two of these tests. It will work on both the computer and signcutter serial (COM) ports. It is available from Ioline or an authorized dealer.

Communication Test

Chapter 3

Communication Testing

This test will determine if communication is working between the computer and the plotter on the parallel (LPT) or serial (COM) ports. Run this test from the Control Center, Test Menu. The diagnostic module is not required to run this test.

1. Turn the plotter off. Connect the plotter to the computer with

either a serial or parallel port cable. See the section Connect the

Signcutter to the Computer in the Installation chapter for more details.

2. Start the Ioline Test from the menu bar at the top of the window.

3. Turn on the signcutter while holding down the the keypad. Hold down the Test Cut key until the signcutter beeps and the light ﬂashes three times. The signcutter is now in Test Mode.

4. If testing the on the signcutter and verify that the handshake line (CTS) status displayed on the computer screen toggles ON/OFF. Leave the handshake line ON. This is not necessary for the parallel (LPT) port.

5. Press the The Green light will come on.

6. Press a key on the computer and verify that the character trans mitted equals the character received. If the characters match then the connection between the signcutter and computer is working properly.

Control Center. Select Test, Communication

Test Cut key on

serial (COM) port, press the START / STOP key

Repeat key to switch the signcutter into Echo Mode.

7. Select

8. Turn off the signcutter at the end of the test to exit

9. The next two tests are not necessary if

Exit after the communication test is complete.

serial (COM) port testing

is successful.

Test Mode.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Testing the Signcutter Serial Port

The diagnostic module is required for this test.

1. Connect the diagnostic module directly to the signcutter COM port.

2. From the Test.

3. Turn on the signcutter while holding down the the keypad. Hold down the Test Cut key until the signcutter beeps and the light ﬂashes three times. The signcutter is now in Test Mode.

4. Press any characters. Verify that the signcutter beeps.

5. Turn off the signcutter at the end of the tes to exit this test fails, the signcutter port is faulty.

Control Center main menu, select Test, Plotter Port

Test Cut key on

Arrow key on the keypad to transmit and receive

Test Mode. If

Testing the Computer Serial Port

The diagnostic module is required for this test.

1. Connect the diagnostic module directly to the COM port on the computer. If the computer COM port has a nine pin connector, use a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter between the COM port and diagnostic module.

2. From the Port Test.

3. Verify that the COM port selected is the correct one. If it is not, select the proper COM Port.

Control Center main menu, select Test, Computer

4. Verify the CTS handshake line is on.

5. Press any key on the computer keyboard and verify that the character transmitted equals the character received.

6. Select the this test fails, the computer port is faulty.

Exit button at the end of the test to exit Test Mode. If

If the system is not working correctly the problem could be with the computer, the cable, the design software, or with the signcutter. Changes to the computer operating system or the installation of new peripherals or software might cause conﬂicts. If the computer or the design software cause a problem, consult the computer or software manuals or call the manufacturer or dealer.

If the problem is with the signcutter, begin by making sure power is on and that the cable between the machines is connected correctly. Test the connection with the methods described in the Communica- tion Testing section. Consult the following chart for more detailed troubleshooting techniques:

Chapter 4

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Chart

The plot does not start at the correct point on the material.

Cause:

1. You have not set an

2. The origin selected in your soft ware is different than the one you selected on your plotter.

The plot does not repeat when pressing the Repeat key.

Cause:

1. Buffer overﬂow: ﬁle size exceeds buffer size.

When a plot is sent, nothing happens.

Cause:

1. The SmarTrac is in STOP mode.

2. You forgot to set an

origin.

Solution:

1. Select an

2. Select origins in the software

and on the plotter that coincide (usually lower-left, which is the right side of the plotter.

Figure 4

Solution:

See Repeat under the Operation chapter.

Solution:

1. Press the START / STOP key on the keypad to put the SmarTrac in START mode.

2. Use the Arrow keys to position the blade and press on the keypad.

origin.

See

Set Origin

3. There is a communications problem.

See Communication Testing and perform diagnostic tests. Contact your dealer if the prob lem persists.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Printing or cutting is erratic.

Cause:

1. The wrong plotter language is assigned to the plot ﬁle.

The blade skips or tears the material.

Cause:

1. The blade is dirty.

Blade Force is too low.

3. The blade is dull or broken.

The corners of the plot or cuts do not completely meet.

Cause:

1. The material is slipping.

2. The blade is dull or broken.

3. The Blade Overcut is too low.

4 The

The design does not weed cleanly.

Blade Offset is incorrect.

Solution:

1. Make sure the correct driver set ting is selected (HPGL or DM/PL).

Solution:

1. Clean or replace the blade.

2. Increase

3. Replace the blade.

Solution:

1. Clean the drive shaft.

2. Replace the blade.

3. Use a higher Blade Overcut value.

4 See the

Blade Force.

Blade Offset section.

Cause:

1. Blade Force is too low.

2. The blade is dull or broken.

3. The Blade Overcut is too low.

4. The

Poor tracking.

Cause:

1. Pinchwheels are positioned

2. Blade Force

5. The material kinks as it accumu

6. The drive shaft is dirty.

Offset is incorrect.

over a bearing (e.g. a smooth section) of the drive shaft.

is too high.

Acceleration is set too high.

Speed is set too high.

lates in the front or rear of the plotter.

Solution:

1. Increase Blade Force

2. Replace the blade.

3. Use a higher Blade Overcut value.

4. See the

Solution:

1. Reposition the pinchwheels.

2. Reduce the Blade Force

3. Set

4. Reduce

5. Make sure the material remains

6. Clean the drive shaft.

Blade Offset section.

over a drive shaft tread (located under the white drive shaft markers).

Acceleration to .5g.

Speed to 50% or less.

smooth, ﬂat and square during loading. Clear the media path in the front and rear of the SmarTrac.

Chapter 4: Troubleshooting

LED Codes

The Green light on the front panel blinks once:

Cause:

1. The carriage is jammed

The Red light on the front panel blinks once:

Cause:

1. The drive shaft is jammed.

The Red light on the front panel blinks twice:

Cause:

1. Buffer overﬂow or communica tion problem.

Solution:

1. Turn the SmarTrac off and clear away any debris or jammed material.

Solution:

1. Turn the SmarTrac off and clear away any debris of jammed material.

Solution:

See Communication Testing and perform diagnostic tests. Call your dealer if the problem persists.



If any yellow lights blink on the keypad, make note of the number of times the light blinks and contact Ioline Customer Service immediately. Contact informa tion is located in the End Notes chapter.

Note

The Red and Green lights on the front panel blink intermittently:

Cause:

1. Plotter language syntax error.

2. Bad or corrupted ﬁle.

Solution:

1. Make sure the correct driver is selected.

2. Restore the ﬁle from backup or recreate it.

Troubleshooting the Parallel Port (for older machines)

If the computer communicates with the signcutter over a network, it is common for LPT 1 to be ‘captured’, meaning, the data is redirected to the network instead of ﬂowing out of the parallel port on the back of the computer. Ending the capture will allow data to ﬂow normally from the computer to the plotter.

1. Click the to open the Printers window.

2. Right Click the printer icon for a network printer and select Properties.

3. Click on the

4. Click on

5. Assign the network printer path to another parallel port desig nation such as LPT 3. Set the printer to use that port or select a network print queue path.

START button, select Settings and then click Printers

Capture Settings or Details tab.

End Capture. Select LPT 1 and click OK.



If other lights are visible, contact Ioline Customer Service.



These instructions may vary depending on the Windows

Note

version.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

BIOS settings can also have an effect on parallel port performance. The SmarTrac supports only SPP parallel port communication. ECP and EPP modes are not supported. These instructions include editing the PC BIOS to ensure that the port is in the proper mode prior to staring Windows.

1. Click the

START button, select Settings and then click Control

Panel to open the Control Panel window.

2. Double Click the

System icon to open the System window and

then click the Device Manager tab.

3. Remove the parallel port by clicking

Ports, selecting the port

and clicking the Remove button.

4. Shut down Windows.

5. Restart or Reset the computer.

6. Enter the PC BIOS setup. This is usually done by hitting the DEL key or ESC key during the boot sequence. Consult the computer manuals or contact the manufacturer for more information about entering BIOS setup.

7. Find the parallel port setup options and set the port to be SPP (not ECP or EPP). Also, make sure there is no DMA activity over with the port.

8. Save the BIOS settings and exit setup.

9. Restart the computer and allow Windows

to start up. Win-

dows® should ﬁnd the port and install it using the new settings.

Chapter 5

Routine Maintenance

Replacing the Blade

If plot quality suddenly degrades the blade might be dull or broken. The tip of the blade is very fragile and can chip or break if dropped. It is difﬁcult to see when the blade is damaged. A magnifying glass can be helpful. To replace the blade:

1. Remove the adjustable blade foot by unscrewing it counter clockwise.

2. Remove the old blade with a pair of needle nose pliers and discard it.

3. Slide the new blade into the blade until it bottoms out. The blade should spin freely.

4. Screw the foot onto the fore the blade tip emerges.

blade holder (clockwise). Stop just be-

Caution

The blade tip is sharp and fragile. Be careful when handling it.

Figure 30. Replacing the blade.

5. Perform test cuts as described in the Cutting a Sign section before continuing to use the signcutter.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Caution

Warning: Do not use any cleaning agents (beside

alcohol), water or brushes with metal bristles to clean parts of the plotter. Pay special attention to keeping the drive shaft bearings free of all liquids.

Cleaning the Drive Shaft

Clean the drive shaft regularly to make sure the cut lines remain accurate. To clean the drive shaft:

1. Turn off the signcutter and disconnect the power cord.

2. Remove any accumulated dust and residue with a stiff bristle brush.

Figure 31. Cleaning the drive shaft.



The Scale command does not effect the calibration values.

Note

Size Calibration

Over time, signcutters may require calibration to account for normal wear and tear. Typically, the accuracy of a cut is within 0.2% overall. By using the calibration feature, the variance can be adjusted to within 0.05%.

Prepare the signcutter:

1. Open the Ioline Control Center program. Put the signcutter in START mode (green LED).

2. Load the signcutter with material that is greater than 22-in wide (60-cm model) or greater than 30-in wide (80-cm or larger models) and a minimum of 48-in long. Install a blade holder (use vinyl material) or pen (use paper material) in the carriage. Enable Autoloop or manually create a service loop of material.

3. Move the the blade or pen is about one inch from both the right and front edge of the material. Set an origin. See the Operation chapter for

more details on preparing to cut.

Gather the Calibration Data:

1. Select Calibrate, Calibrate Plotter from the Control Center Menu Bar.

2. Select The signcutter will plot a large box. (Figure 32.)

carriage and material with the Arrow keys so that

Calibration Plot to cut the factory stored calibration cut.

3. Precisely measure both X-axis and Y-axis lines. Better accuracy in measurement equals better calibration.

4. Measure both sides and the top and bottom of the box.

X1 X2

~40 in.

Figure 32. The Calibration Box and measurements.

5. Take the average of the horizontal (Y) values by adding them together and dividing by 2. Repeat this procedure for the vertical (X) values.

Chapter 5: Routine Maintenance

Example:

If X1 = 39.750 in. and X2 = 39.700 in.

The sum is 79.450 in. (39.750 in. + 39.700 in. = 79.450 in.).

The average is 39.725 in. (79.450 in. / 2 = 39.725 in.)

The X calibration value is the average, 39.725 in.

Enter the Calibration Data:

1. Enter the measured values in the boxes in the Calibration window. Make sure the SmarTrac is in START mode (green LED). Select the Set Calibration button.

2. The signcutter will send the calibration values and the new Calibration Setting will be displayed in the boxes in the window.

3. Click on

Done when ﬁnished.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Hint

Sensor calibration is required if using any tool other than the Ioline blade holder (i.e. a ball point pen). Calibration is also required to switch back to the Ioline blade holder after calibrating for a different tool.

Calibrating the Sensor for Contour Cutting

The registration sensor is calibrated for the standard Ioline cutting tool at the factory before shipment. If the registration sensor if ever replaced or if tools other than the standard Ioline blade holder are used for registration, use the following process to recalibrate the sensor:

Figure 33. Print and measure a 1-cm black square on a white background.

1-cm

Prepare to Calibrate the Sensor

1. Print a black 1-cm square on a white background. Use the sensor calibration ﬁles, 1cm_square.jpg or 1cm_square.

doc, in C:\ Ioline\Calibration to gener-

ate the square. Make sure that there is at least a margin of 3 inches from each edge of the material to the edges of the box. Printing the square in the center of a standard sheet of white paper is acceptable. Make sure to carefully measure the square after printing to ensure that it is exactly 1-cm.

Figure 34. Registration tool in jaw.

Figure 35. Press the tool down to verify the tip lines

up with the corner of the box.

2. Insert the tool that is used during registration into the tool jaw on the carriage. If calibrating for the Ioline blade holder, insert the registration tool (Ioline PN 105745) included in the Accessory Kit.

Chapter 5: Routine Maintenance

3. Move the the lower left corner of the black square.

4. Turn the Speed knob down to the minimum level and continue to position the carriage and material until the tip is exactly over the corner. Gently press the tool down onto the paper to ensure that the tip is lined up. See the Figure 35

5. Press the keypad light is Green.

carriage and material so that the tip of the tool is near

Set Origin button on the keypad and ensure that the

Calibrate the Sensor

1. Open the Ioline Control Center. A shortcut is available in Start>Ioline.

Figure 36. The Control Center Calibration window.

2. In the Menu Bar, choose Calibrate>Calibrate Plotter… (Figure 36.)

3. Press the Sensor Calibration button at the bottom of the window.

4. Ensure the cutter is ready with the tip of the tool positioned over the lower left corner of the black box and a Green keypad LED. Press the Calibrate Sensor button in the small window that appears. (Figure 37.)

5. The

6. Press

sensor will automatically perform the calibration process

and update the four values in the windows.

Done when the process is complete.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

Figure 37. The Small Sensor Calibration window.

7. Perform test registration cuts to verify that alignment is correct. If it is not, check that the black box is exactly 1-cm then repeat the procedure again. Contact Ioline Customer Service if calibration is unsuccessful.

Service & Support

Ioline has many years of experience working with designers, graders and marker makers. Feel free to contact us if you have questions—or to share information.

Chapter 6

End Notes

Hint

SmarTrac Service manuals, technical bulletins, software updates and other information are available to SmarTrac owners on www.

ioline.com

. Access is free.

Getting Help

Ioline is committed to providing the highest quality service and support to its customers. If you need assistance with an Ioline SmarTrac, a number of resources are available:

1. First, refer to this SmarTrac User Guide for answers to your spe ciﬁc questions.

2. Many detailed troubleshooting and the SmarTrac Service Manual, available upon request from Ioline Customer Service.

3. Consult the support section of the Ioline Web site:

4. For additional assistance, contact your local dealer or Ioline Customer Service. Contact information is listed under Customer Service in this chapter.

Any warranty servicing of this product not speciﬁcally described in this manual must be authorized in writing by Ioline Customer Service. You may obtain service by calling or faxing Ioline Customer

Service. The technicians will help you determine the nature of the problem. If factory repair is necessary, you will receive a RMA (Return Material Authorization). Please gather the information indicated on the next page before contacting Ioline or your dealer.

repair issues are listed in

www.ioline.com.

1. When returning a machine, carefully package the equipment in its original container or packaging equivalent. You may purchase shipping containers from Ioline by contacting Ioline Customer Service. Ioline is not responsible for any damage

due to inadequate or improper packaging.

2. Carefully wrap and secure all items in the shipping container to prevent damage. Seal the container and note the RMA number near the address block.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

3. Ship the container using FED-EX or another approved carrier. COD shipments ARE NOT ACCEPTED. An Ioline representative will contact you prior to the start of work with an estimate of repair cost. All repairs are warranted for 90 days.

Customer Service

Ioline Corporation is committed to providing quality service and support to our customers. If you need assistance with an Ioline product, contact your local dealer or Ioline authorized service center. You may also contact:

Ioline Customer Service Department

Monday through Friday

7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. U.S. Paciﬁc Time

Voice: 1.425.398.8282

Fax: 1.425.398.8383

support@ioline .com

www.ioline.com

Your Comments Are Requested

Ioline Corporation is interested in comments on our documentation and products. Please send corrections or suggestions to:

Ioline Corporation

14140 NE 200th Street

Woodinville, WA 98072 USA

Voice: 1.425.398.8282

Fax: 1.425.398.8383

info@ioline.com

www.ioline.com

Before you contact Support…

Please gather the following information about your printer before contacting Ioline or your dealer for technical support:

Name:

Company

Name:

Phone

Number:

Fax:

E-mail:

Chapter 6: End Notes

Model:

Serial

Number*:

Date of

purchase:

Dealer:

Type of material

used:

Type of

Computer:

Type of

design software:

New software

or peripherals:

Service history:

* Look for the serial number above

the power switch on the back side of the right cover.

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

The FCC Wants You to Know...

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used properly (in strict accordance with manufacturer instructions), it may cause interference to radio and television reception. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception - which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on - you are encouraged to try to correct the problem by one or more of the following measures:

 Use only shielded interface cables.

 Reorient the receiving antenna.

 Relocate the host computer with respect to the receiver.

 Move the host computer away from the receiver.

 Plug the host computer into a different outlet so that the host

computer and receiver are on different branch circuits.



This equipment was 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 or her own expense.

Note

If necessary, consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. How To Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems, a booklet published by the Federal Communications Commission, is a helpful reference. Please contact the FCC to request a copy:

www.fcc.gov

Document stock number: 004-000-00345-4

This booklet is available from:

U.S. Government Printing Ofﬁce

Washington, D.C. 20402

Glossary

Acceleration - The rate that a signcutter changes the

velocity of the carriage or the vinyl. Acceleration is measured in units of g (1 g = 32.2 ft/s2). Higher acceleration can increase throughput but may degrade cut quality.

Arc - A segment of a circle, also called a curve.

Axis - The geometric guidelines used to place a coor

dinate. Used to determine pen or blade paths for signcutters.

Blade - Refers to the carbide steel cutting tool used

by sign-cutting signcutters. Blades are speciﬁed by offset (tip distance from center) and angle (relative to vinyl). They are designed to work with many different materials.

Blade Bevel - Angle of the vertical cutting edge of a blade. Larger angles help the blade travel through thicker material that produce more drag between the blade and the medium.

Blade Offset - The distance the blade tip trails behind the center of the blade.

Blade Steering Arc - The arc followed by the center of the blade as it rotates around the (ﬁxed) tip. This is used to align the blade in the direction of the next vector so no tearing occurs.

Cast - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheeting formed by spreading a molten vinyl mixture on a carrier sheet or web, and then baking at high temperatures to remove solvents and fuse the remaining material into a ﬁlm. Cast ﬁlm is usually thinner and more expensive than calendered vinyl.

Control Panel - Panel on the right side of the machine where primary plotter functions are accessible. Also called the Keypad.

Coordinate - A point that can be referenced by its position on the X or Y axes of a signcutter. The use of line or arc segments to connect coordinates creates paths for pens and knives to follow when cutting.

Contour Cut - The contour cut feature provides an automatic registration process that, when combined with contour cut enabled design software, will read registration marks on a pre-printed image, send the position data to the software, then receive an ‘adjusted’ plot ﬁle that precisely cuts around the image.

Cut Sheet - A single piece of material that is loaded into the signcutter but is not pulled from a roll.

DM/PL - Programming instructions language used

to connect a signcutter with a computer. DM/PL is used in the plotter drivers of some sign programs.

Drive Shaft - The motor driven shaft that moves material through a friction feed signcutter. The drive shaft has a rough surface that grips the material.

Calendered - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet-

ing squeezed between a series of heated rollers to achieve a small enough thickness for cutting with a signcutter. Calendered ﬁlm is generally thicker and less expensive than cast vinyl, but it sometimes tends to shrink or move back to its original thickness.

File Name Extensions - In MS-DOS® and Windows®

based programs, the three letters after the period in a ﬁle name. In sign ﬁles the three letters denote a ﬁle

6060

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

type, such as the vector and bitmap based Encapsulated Postscript (EPS) and the vector based Hewlett Packard® Graphics Language (PLT).

Flange - The projecting rim around the edge that holds the pen or blade holder to the tool carriage. The signcutter automatically recognizes when a pen or blade is installed and changes cutting parameters accordingly.

Font - Refers to the style and width of a particular design of letters, numbers, and symbols, such as Helvetica Bold or Times Roman.

Force - In cutting, the downward pressure exerted on a pen or blade tip to ease cutting through materials. Additional force can be added by adjusting the Control Center Force settings and updating the signcutter. Increasing the force will darken pen lines or aid in cutting thicker materials like tag board.

Friction feed - Process where the material is fed through a signcutter by placing it between a motordriven drive shaft and tensioned pinchwheels.

Mil - Thousandths of an inch or milliinches. For

example; 75 mils is the same as .075 inches. 1 mil is equal to .025mm.

Minimum Angle - This is the minimum angle for which the machine will perform a Blade Steering

Arc.

Offset - The distance the tip of the blade trails be-

hind the center of the blade.

Origin - Place marking the zero (0) coordinate on the X or Y axes. Used as a starting reference by signcutters for pen or blade paths.

Overcut - Distance the blade travels beyond the end of each cut vector.

HPGL Setting - The signcutter supports three in-

dustry standard signcutter languages: HPGL 7475, HPGL 7596, and DM/PL. Most design software uses DM/PL or HPGL 7475 which have a lower left origin. DM/PL cannot be selected in the Control Center because the signcutter will automatically recognize it. HPGL 7596 uses a center origin so cutting begins at the center of the intended cutting area.

Idler Wheel - Secondary wheels that help keep wide

material ﬂat during cutting.

Keypad - Panel on the right side of the machine

where primary plotter functions are accessible. Also called the Control Panel.

Overlap - Amount of material cut in one panel (or tile) that duplicates what is done in the previous panel (or tile). The overlapped image allows for alignment when assembling and installing a large image.

Panel - Production area of a signcutter. Signcutters

have a size limit along the Y axis (a few inches less than the width of the signcutter) and the X axis. If a job exceeds the production area, consecutive panels must be set up by the sign software. Also called tiling. Paneling a long cut will increase accuracy.

Parallel Communications - Method of sending information from a computer to a signcutter by sending 1 byte (8 bits) at a time through a cable. This method is faster than serial communication. The parallel port on a PC is a female (small holes) connector.

Plotter - A device that uses coordinates and vectors to create images. In electronic sign making, plotters recreate vectors on material with a set of coordinates stored in a computer ﬁle.

Glossary

6161

Pinchwheel - Wheeled roller, tensioned by springs, that clamps material between it and the drive shaft for transporting the material.

Pounce Pattern - A full sized pattern of any design to be painted. Once the pattern is created, the outline is perforated into paper using the Pounce feature. The pattern is then held ﬁrmly against the substrate and perforations patted with powder, charcoal or colored chalk dust, leaving an outline of the design.

Registration Marks - Shapes printed on material

that provide reference points for manual or automatic correction systems.

Resolution - The smallest distance that a signcutter can move the material or the carriage. Plotter resolution affects the accuracy that a plot ﬁle is reproduced on the material.

Roll Feed - A method of pulling material from a roll for plotting and cutting. Works in conjunction with panels.

cutting feature carefully aligns the blade with a line segment before making each cut in the material, offering cleaner cuts on thicker materials.

Throughput - The speed at which a signcutter completes a job. Represents the ability to process information and produce an image.

Vector - In computerized sign making, a line seg-

ment between two coordinates, on which a pen or blade path can be created for cutting.

Vinyl - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ﬁlm that, in sign making, is backed with an adhesive that will create a strong bond to a surface when pressure is applied.

Weeding - Process of pulling extraneous material

away from a cut sign leaving only the sections representing the intended design.

Serial Communications - Method of sending infor-

mation from a computer to a signcutter by sending 1 bit at a time through a cable. The serial port on a PC is a male (small pins) connector.

Service Loop - Slack material between the material roll and the signcutter.

Stencil - A thin sheet of material into which a design is cut. When a stencil is placed on another substrate and paint or ink is applied, the image represented by the cut out portion of the stencil is printed on the substrate below it.

Tag Board - A heavy paper (usually 150 pound) that

is used in the apparel industry for cutting patterns and stencils.

Tangential Cutting - When enabled, the tangential

X-Axis - Theoretical horizontal line providing a

lengthwise reference point for signcutters. Associated with vinyl movement over the platen on the signcutter.

Y-Axis - Theoretical vertical line providing a longi-

tudinal reference point for signcutters. Associated with carriage movement on the signcutter.

6262

Ioline SmarTrac User Guide

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Symbols

1cm_square.doc 52

1cm_square.jpg

Acceleration vi, 28, 35, 36, 38, 46, 59

Accessory Kit

Arc

Arrow key

Assembly

Guide

Autoloop vi, ix, 26, 29, 37, 38–39, 50

Axis 59

16, 32, 53

v, ix, 21, 22, 23, 30, 34, 40, 44, 45, 50

16. See also The SmarTrac Quick Start

Blade

Installing 32 Replacement 49

Blade bevel

Blade exposure

Adjusting 33

Blade foot

Blade holder vi, ix, x, xii, 22, 25, 27, 29, 32, 38, 39, 42,

49, 50, 52–53, 60

Installing 32

Blade Offset 22, 28, 46, 59

Blade Overcut

Blade status 25

Blade Steering Arc

Buffer

22–34, 39

vi, 28, 46

23, 25, 45

Calendered 59

Index

Calibration v, vii, 25, 50, 52–53

For contour cutting Measuring the calibration box

Calibration Box

Cam slot 31

Cancel a job 35

Carriage

Carriage rail.

Cast 59

Communication

Communication Testing

Computer 57

COM Port

Contour cutting 41–42, 59

Control Center

Control Panel

Coordinate

Cradle 16, 29, 30, 36, 38–39. See also Stand

Cross-member

Customer Service

Cutting 29–42

x, xi, xii, xiii, 16, 20, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32,

33, 34, 39, 42, 47, 50, 53, 59, 60, 61

See Traverse

Conﬂicts Parallel 60 Parallel port Serial xiv Setup within the design software Setup within the Ioline Control Center USB xiv

Finding 18

43–44, 50, 53, 60

Installing 20 Menu Bar Screen Menu

Send settings buttons 24 Setup 23

Aligning the material 30 Canceling a job 35 Contour graphics General guidelines 29

Setup 19

v, 18, 19, 44

Options 26–28

18,–19, 48, 59, 60

52–54

51, 52, 53, 54

16, 25

43, 43–44

v, ix, 15, 16, 20, 22–25, 27–29, 33–40,

xiii

41–42

Ioline SmarTrac Quick Start Guide

Installing a blade 32 Loading material 29 Long signs 36–37 Pausing 34 Quality 23, 35–36, 38, 49, 59 Replacing the blade 49 Scraps or short pieces Sending cut ﬁles Small characters 37–38 Tangential blade control

Cut Sheet 26, 59

29, 34

Defaults 25

Design software

Support

DM/PL 46, 59, 60

Drive Shaft

Cleaning 50

Drive shaft marker

Drive shaft segment

Dust cover

15, 22, 57

vii, x, xii, 59

x, xii

EPS 60

26, 29

x, xii, 30, 46

High Force Position

HPGL 25, 46, 60

HPGL Setting 60

Idler wheel x, xii, 60

Position

Installation 16–18

Ioline Corporation x, 56

IQ Plot 20

Jaw 32, 52, 53

Keypad v, xi, 21, 59, 60

Arrow keys Controls Force Repeat 23 Set Origin 22 Speed 22 START / STOP Test Cut

21–23

Factory defaults 25

FCC 58

Feed shaft

File name extensions

Filtering 25

Firmware

Flange

Font

Force

Friction feed

22, 23, 28–31, 33, 34–35, 37–39, 60

Adjusting 33–34

Green light mode. See START mode

Help x, 22, 25, 36–38, 43, 55–57, 59, 60

LED sensor xi, xii, 41–42, 52–53

Limit of liability statement x

Loading material 29

Long signs 36–37

Lower left

Low Force Position

Material 15

Alignment 30 Feed path Loading 29 Reﬂectives Sandblast 28, 30–31 Tag board Vinyl

Maximum cutting area

Measurement units

Media 57

28, 30–31, 40

15, 35, 61

vi, 26

Index

Media rollers xi, 16, 29, 30, 36, 38, 39

Media shaft xiv

Memory

Mil 60

Minimum Angle

23, 25

28, 38, 60

Ofﬂine 21

Offset 60

Online 21

Operating System 15

Origin 22–23, 29, 34–35, 42, 45, 50, 60

Lower left Setting 22

Overcut

Overlap

22, 60

Panel 60

Paneling

Panel size

Parallel communications

Parallel port

Pausing

Pens

Pinchwheel x, xii, 30–31, 35–38, 46, 60–61

Pinchwheel lever

Platen vi, xi, xiii, 31

Platen leveling foot

Plotter 60

Plotter settings 25

PLT

Pounce

29, 37, 60

vi, 26, 37

Guidelines 35 Installing 32

Adjustment 30–31

For pen plotting Cam slot 31 Locking 31 Locking clip 31 Maximum force Position

25, 60

x, 30–31

vi, 26, 38, 39, 61

xiii

Blank value 27 Cut value 27

Pounce pattern

Pouncing Cut

Power cord

Power switch

xiv

xiv, 57

Radio frequency 58

Red light 47

Red light mode.

Reﬂectives

Registration marks 41–42, 59, 61

Registration tool 52

Repair 55–56

Repeat v, 22–23, 43, 45, 51

Resolution 61

Roll feed

ROM version

See STOP mode

31, 40

Safety x, ix

Sandblast

Scaling graphics

Scraps

Sensor vii, xi, xii, 41–42, 52–54

Sensor Calibration button 53

Serial communications

Serial port

Service

Service loop

SmarTrac Quick Start Guide

SmarTrac Service Manual

Software.

Speed v, 22, 33, 35–38, 46, 53

Stand xi, 16, 29–30, 36

28, 30–31

26, 30

Adaptor Testing

Cross-member Leveling foot

xiv, 15–17, 20, 25, 43, 57, 60–61

25, 44

ix, 26, 29, 37–39, 50, 61

See Control Center

xiii

16, 20

xiii

Ioline SmarTrac Quick Start Guide

Media roller xiv Stand leg xiii

Stand leg xi, xiii

Stand leveling foot

Start-up Procedure

START mode

Start point.

START / STOP

Stencil vi, 15, 26, 35, 39, 61

Blank value 27 Cut value 27

STOP mode

Support

Contact information Ioline Web site Required information Warranty

System requirements

System settings

Adjusting 23 Permanent Saving Suggested settings 35 Temporary

See Origin

55–57, 55–58

xi, xiii

21, 24, 38–39, 45, 50–51

21–23, 34–35, 45

USB port

v, xiv, 15–20

Vector 61

Vinyl

Warranty 55

Weeding

X-Axis 61

Y-Axis 61

Tag board 27, 35, 38–39, 61

Tangential cutting

Tech Support

Test cut

Throughput

Traverse

Troubleshooting

Typewriter Method

v, 22–23, 27, 33–34, 36, 38, 43–44

xi, xiii

Communication Conﬂicts Computer Port Test Diagnostic tests 23 Plotter Port Test Radio-TV interference Radio or TV interference Serial Test

40, 61

45–48

Up/Down delays 28

Update Display

USB

Install drivers Setup 19

vi, 23, 27

Ioline Supernova I/S Series, Supernova SC Series, SmarTrac I Series, SmarTrac S Series, SmarTrac SC Series User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual