MUTOH ValueCut, ValueCut VC-600, ValueCut VC-1300, ValueCut VC-1800 User Manual
V.3 2012 Nov.
0B
ValueCut Series
1B
User Manual
V.3 2012 Nov.
U
NOTICE
Mutoh reserves the right to modify the information contained in this user
manual at any time without prior notice; un-authorized modification, copying
distribution or display is prohibited. All comments, queries or
suggestions concerning this manual please consult with your local dealer.
ValueCut User Manual
Important Information
Thank you for purchasing the ValueCut Cutting Plotter.
Before you use the cutting plotter, please make sure that you have read the
safety precautions and instructions below.
Caution
!
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS!
For safety concern, please always hold the cutter firmly from the bottom while moving
it. Do not move the cutter by clasping the depression area on both sides.
Do not place your hand close to the tool carriage to prevent your fingers from being
clamped during the operation of the cutting plotter.
Important Information
O (Correct) X (Incorrect)
ValueCut User Manual
Important Information
Hazardous moving parts keep fingers and other body parts away!
Do not shake or drop the blade holder, a blade tip can fly out.
During an operation, do not touch any of the moving parts of this machine (such as the
carriage). Also be careful to make sure that clothing and hair do not get caught.
Always connect the power cable to a grounded outlet.
Always use the accessory power cable which is provided. Do not wire the power cable
so that it becomes bent or caught between objects.
Do not connect the power cable to branching outlet to which other machines are also
connected, or use an extension cable. There is danger of overheating and of
mis-operation of the machine.
Keep the tools away from children where they can reach.
Always put the pinch rollers within the white marks.
O (CORRECT)
╳
╳╳
╳ (INCORRECT)
Press down
DISABLE
Press down
Stop bar
Note: Never press the top release grip (the release grip is fully pressed when a clip
sound is heard) and pull the bottom release grip at the same time as the pictures shown
below. This will prevent you from disabling the pinch roller as the stop bar will not reach
the correct position and therefore will not be functioning.
ValueCut User Manual
Important Information
ENABLE
Pull up bottom to release grip
ValueCut User Manual
Table of Contents
TTaabbllee ooff CCoonntteenntts
s
Important Information
1. General Information
1.1 Introduction 1-1
1.2 Package Items 1-1
1.3 Product Features 1-2
1.4 Appearance of ValueCut
1.4.1 The Front View 1-3
1.4.2 The Back View 1-3
1.4.3 The Whole View 1-4
1.4.4 The Left-hand Side 1-4
1.4.5 The Right-hand Side 1-5
2. Installation
2.1 Precaution 2-1
2.2 Stand & Flexible Media Support System 2-2
2.3 Desktop Flexible Media Support System 2-6
2.4 Installation of Media Basket System
2.5 Cutting Pad Installation
2-8
2-11
2.6 Blade Installation 2-13
2.7 Automatic Blade Length Detection 2-15
2.8 Cable Connections 2-17
2.8.1 USB Interface 2-17
2.8.2 Driver Un-installation 2-20
2.8.3 RS-232 Interface 2-23
2.8.4 Data Transmitting 2-23
3. The Control Panel
3.1 The LCD Panel 3-1
3.2 Menu in On-line Mode 3-2
3.3 Menu in Off-line Mode 3-3
3.4 Menu Items 3-4
4. Operation
4.1 Media Loading
4.1.1 Loading the Sheet Media 4-1
4.1.2 Loading the Roll Media 4-3
4.2 Tracking Performance 4-5
4.3 Cutting Force and Offset Adjustment 4-7
4.4 How to Cut 3mm Letter 4-8
4.5 How to Make A Long Plot 4-8
4.6 When Completing the Cutting Job 4-9
4.7 ValueCut Print Driver setting 4-10
4.7.1 Option Page 4-10
4.7.2 Paper Page 4-12
ValueCut User Manual
Table of Contents
5. Accu-Aligning System
5.1 Introduction 5-1
5.2 Calibrating the System 5-2
5.2.1 Media Calibration 5-2
5.2.2 AAS Calibration 5-2
5.2.3 AAS II on ValueCut 5-3
5.2.4 Automatic Distinction of the Plot Direction 5-5
5.3 Printer Test 5-5
5.4 Contour Cutting 5-7
5.5 Tips for AAS 5-8
6. Maintenance
6.1 Cleaning the cutting Plotter 6-1
6.2 Cleaning the Grid Drum 6-2
6.3 Cleaning the Pinch Rollers 6-2
7. Trouble Shooting
7.1 Non-Operational Problems 7-1
7.2 Operational Problems 7-2
7.2.1 LCM Error Messages 7-2
7.2.2 Other operational problems 7-3
7.3 Cutting Plotter/Computer Communication Problems
7-5
7.4 Software Problems 7-6
7.5 Cutting Quality Problems 7-7
Appendix
A-1
ValueCut Specification A-1
A-2
Blade Specification A-2
A-3 Consumable and Optional Item List A-3
A-4 CorelDRAW Plug-In Instruction A-4
A-5 Illustrator Instruction A-5
ValueCut User Manual
General Information 1-1
1.1 Introduction
ValueCut series cutting plotters have been designed to produce computer-generated images
or perform contour cutting on sheets or rolls of vinyl media.
This manual covers the following models of ValueCut series cutting plotters:
‧VC-600 for media width: 50mm(1.97”) ~ 770mm(30.3”)
‧VC-1300 for media width: 50mm(1.97”) ~ 1594mm(62.7”)
‧VC-1800 for media width: 300mm(11.8”) ~ 1900mm(74.8”)
1.2 Package Items
The package of the ValueCut model contents the items listed below, please check carefully.
If you find any item missing, please consult your local dealer for further assistance.
SSttaannddaarrdd IItteemm
QQuuaannttiittyy
1. Cutting Plotter 1
2. Stand Set ( for VC-1300/1800 only )(Optional for VC-600)
2 piece of T-shape stand
1 piece of stand beam
18 pieces of M6 screws
1 piece of M5 L-shape hexagon screw driver
1 piece of Installation Guide for Stand Set
1
3. Flexible Media Support System Package
Items
VC-1300/1800
Only
VC-600
1 set of Roll Media Flange (2 pieces)
V V
1 set of Roll Holder (2 pieces)
V V
1 set of Roll Holder Guide Bushes (4 pieces)
V V
1 set of Roll Holder Support (2 pieces)
V V
1 piece of M6 L-shape hexagon screw driver
V V
1 piece of Installation Guide for Roll Holder
V
1 piece of M5 L-shape hexagon screw driver
V
1 set of Desktop Support Brackets (2 pieces)
V
4 pieces of Plastic Foot
V
4 pieces of M4 screws
V
12 pieces of M6 screws
V
1 piece of M4 L-shape hexagon screw driver
V
1
1. General Information
ValueCut User Manual
General Information 1-2
4. Accessories
1 piece of User’s Compact Disk
1 piece of data cable (RS-232C)
1 piece of data cable (USB cable)
1 set of Blade Holder Assembly (Installed in tool carriage of the cutting
plotter)
1 piece of Blade (45° with Red Cap/ Installed in Blade Holder)
1 piece of Safe Blade
1 piece of Cutting Pad for Vinyl cutting
1 piece of Tweezers
1 Oily ball-point pen
1
1.3 Product Features
The following are the main features of the ValueCut series cutting plotters:
‧ Tri-port connectivity provides you with greater flexibility
‧ Up to 600-gram cutting force
‧ Up to 60-inch/per second cutting speed
‧ Guaranty 10-meter tracking
‧ User friendly, multi-language control panel
‧ Ingenious media basket (optional item)
‧ Enhanced Accu-Aligning System for automatic contour cutting
ValueCut User Manual
General Information 1-3
1.4 Appearance of ValueCut
1.4.1 The Front View (Figure 1-1)
1.4.2 The Back View (Figure 1-2)
Pinch Rollers
–
hold the media during
cutting.
Lever
–
raises or lowers the
pinch rollers.
Figure 1-2
Control panel
–
consists of 14
control keys and 1 LED and 1 LCM
showing messages and menus.
Cutting Pad –
provides the
protection of blade when the blade is
cutting.
Tool Carriage
–
performs the
cutting with the installed blade
and pen with AAS module.
Alignment Rulers
–
media can be aligned
with the clear guide line
marks.
Grid Drums
–
move
the media back and
forth during operation.
Slicer Groove
–
slice off the extra
media easily along
this groove.
Platen
–
provides the
surface for holding and
supp
orting media while
performing cutting.
Figure 1-1
ValueCut User Manual
General Information 1-4
1.4.3
The Whole View of ValueCut (Figure 1-3)
Figure 1-3
Roll Holder
– holds
and supplies the roll
media for cutting.
Roll Holder Guide
Bushes
–
serve to
keep the roll media in
place when media is
pulled from the roll.
T-Stand
–
supports
the cutting plotter
Stand Beam
–
stabilizes the body.
Roll Holder
Support
–
supports
roll holders.
T-Stand
–
supports
the cutting plotter
ValueCut User Manual
General Information 1-5
1.4 4 The Left-hand Side (Figure 1-4)
1.4.5 The Right-hand Side (Figure 1-5)
Fuse
–
3 Amp.
AC Power Connector – used to insert the AC power cord.
Power Switch – On when switches to [I]; Off to [O]
Figure 1-4
Serial Interface Connector (RS232C) – used
to connect the cutting plotter to a computer
through a serial interface cable.
Figure 1-5
USB Connector
–
used to connect the cutting
plotter to a computer through a USB cable.
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-1
2.1 Precaution
Please read the following information carefully before you start installation.
2. Installation
Note:
1.
Make sure the power switch is off before installing the cutting plotter.
Carefully handle the cutter to prevent any injuries.
2. Choosing a proper place before setting up the cutting plotter
Before installing your cutting plotter, select
a suitable location, which meets the following
conditions.
The machine can be approached easily from any direction.
Keep enough space for the machine, accessories and supplies.
Keep the working area stable, avoiding sever vibration.
Keep the temperature between 15 and 30
℃℃℃℃
(60-86oF) in the workshop.
The relative humidity of the working environment should be between 25% to 75%.
Protecting the machine from dust and strong air current.
Preventing the machine from direct sunlight or extremely bright lighting.
3. Connecting the Power Supply
Check the plug of the power cord to see if it matches with the wall outlet. If not, please
contact your dealer.
Insert the plug (male) into a grounded power outlet.
Insert the other end (female) of power cord into the AC connector of cutting plotter.
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-2
2.2 Stand & Flexible Media Support System (for VC-1300/1800)
Step 1
Please examine supplied items in the accessory box of stand carton:
2 piece of T-shape stand
1 piece of stand beam
18 pieces of M6 screws
1 piece of M5 L-shape hexagon screw driver
1 piece of Installation Guide for Stand Set
Step 2
Remove the plotter body and the accessories from the shipped carton.
Place the stand beam upright on the T-stand and follow the number
to
assemble.
(See Figure 2-1 & 2-2)
T-Stand
Stand beam
Figure 2-1
Figure 2-2
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-3
Step 3
Position the stand beam perpendicularly to part and put the screws into the holes and
tighten them as Figure 2-2. Then the complete picture of stand will be like Figure 2-1.
Step 4
Remove the cutting plotter from the carton. Position your stand under the plotter, and then
insert the screws into the holes on plotter’s bottom and tighten them up as shown in Figure
2-3.
Screws
Figure 2-3
Note: The cutting plotter needs to be assembled by at least two people.
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-4
Step 5
Insert the roll holder support with the screws into the holes of the stand, and then tighten them
up as shown in
Figure 2-4
. You could decide roll holder support’s position by inserting into
different holes.
Step 6
Place two roll holders into the holes in the roll holder support. (Figure 2-5); Push the roll holder
to the left until it is correctly positioned and then to the right to allow successful installation.
Roll holder support
Roll holders
Roll holder
3 screws
Figure 2-4
Figure 2-5
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-5
Step 7
Lastly, the complete picture will be shown like below. (
Figure 2-6
)
Figure 2-6
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-6
2.3 Desktop Flexible Media Support System (For VC-600 only)
Step 1
Please examine the following items in stand carton’s accessory box:
1 set of Roll Media Flange (2 pieces)
1 set of Roll Holder (2 pieces)
1 set of Roll Holder Guide Bushes (4 pieces)
1 set of Roll Holder Support (2 pieces)
1 set of Desktop Support Bracket (2 pieces)
4 pieces of Plastic Foot
4 pieces of M4 screws
12 pieces of M6 screws
1 piece of M4 L-shape hexagon screw driver
1 piece of M5 L-shape hexagon screw driver
1 piece of M6 L-shape hexagon screw driver (for adjusting the screws of Roll Holders)
1 piece of Installation Guide for Roll Holder
Step 2
Put the 4 Plastic Foot under the Roll Holder Support and insert the M4 screw into the hole of
Plastic Foot and tighten them with the M4 L-shape screw driver. (Figure 2-7
)
Figure 2
-7
M4 screws
Plastic
M4 screws
Roll Holder Support
M6 screws
Figure 2-8
Desktop Support Brackets
M6 screws
Roll Holder Support
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-7
Step 3 Position the Desktop Support Brackets beside the Roll Holder Support and insert
M6 screws into the Roll Holder Support and tighten them with M6 L-shape screw driver. (Refer
to Figure 2-9 at the left).
Step 4
Put the bottom of machine in lateral, and position the Roll Holder Assembly beside the bottom
of the machine. Then, insert the M6 screws into the holes of Roll Holder support assembly
and tighten them with M6 L-shape screwdriver. Like Figure 2-10.
Step 5
Place the two roll holders into the holes of Roll Holder Support (Figure 2-10).
Step 6
The complete Desktop Media Support System will be shown as in Figure 2-11.
Figure 2-11
Figure 2-9
M6 screws
Screw holes
Roll Holder Assembly
Figure 2-10
Roll Holders
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-8
2.4 Installation of Media Basket System
Step 1
Please examine the supplied items in the accessory box
2 pieces of basket arms
2 pieces of basket rods
1 piece of basket
2 pieces of fixtures (for basket arms)
8 pieces of M3 screws
1 piece of 2mm L-shape hexagon screw driver
Step 2
First, place the basket arms beside the stand and fix them with fixtures. Then insert the M3
screws and tighten them with the 2mm L-shape screw driver. (See Figure 12)
Basket arm
Fixtures Screws
Stand
Figure 2-12
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-9
Step 3
Insert the basket rods to the basket holes (See Figure 13)
Step 4
Loosen the basket screws from the basket arms. Position the basket rod in front of the basket
arms and insert the basket screws into the holes on the basket rod and tighten them. (Figure
14)
Basket rods
Basket
Figure 2-13
Figure 2-14
Basket screw
Basket rod
Basket arm
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-10
Step 5
The complete Media Basket System will be like Figure 2-15.
Figure 2-15
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-11
2.5 Cutting Pad Installation
1 piece of cutting pad is included in the accessory pack. Follow the instruction below to install
a new cutting pad when the existing pad is worn out.
Step 1
Carefully remove the cutting pad from the unit.
Figure 2-16
Step 2
Remove the remaining adhesive on the groove with alcohol or cleaning naphtha.
Remaining adhesive
Figure 2-17
Remaining adhesive
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-12
Step 3
Attach the new cutting pad to the groove after unrolling it and removing the backing sheet and
the installation process is completed.
Figure 2-18
Figure 2-19
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-13
2.6 Blade Installation
Figure 2-20 is the illustrator of the blade holder. Insert a blade into the bottom of the blade
holder and remove the blade by pushing the pin. Make sure that your fingers are away from
the blade tip.
Step 1
Install blade (Figure 2-21).
Step 2
Push the blade to the bottom of the blade holder. (Figure 2-22).
Step 3
Adjust the blade tip to suitable length by screwing
“Blade tip adjustment screw” clockwise orcount-clockwise. (Figure 2-23).
Figure 2-23
Figure 2-22
Tips:
“The proper length” means the blade’s
length is adjusted 0.1mm more than
film’s thickness. That is, if the thickness
of film is 0.5mm, then blade’s length is
properly adjusted 0.6mm and it can
completely cut through the film layer yet
avoid penetrating the backing.
Figure 2-20
Pin
Outward ring
Adjustment depth knob
Figure 2-21
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-14
Step 4
Insert the blade holder into tool carriage. Please note the outward ring of the holder must put
into the grooves of carriage firmly (see Figure 2-24), then fasten the case (Figure 25).
Figure 2-24
Figure 2-25
Step 5 Use the reversing steps to remove the blade holder.
Step 6 Eject the blade. Push “Blade eject pin” to eject blade when the blade needs to be
replaced.
Note:
The blade will lose its sharpness after a period of usage, the cutting quality might be affected.
By increasing the cutting force, it might do the trick. However, once the blade is worn out
and no longer provides a reliable cutting, you should replace a new one. The blade is
consumable and must be replaced as often as necessary to maintain the cutting quality. The
quality of the blade deeply affects cutting quality. So be sure to use a high quality blade to
ensure good cutting results.
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-15
Figure 2-26
Figure 2-27
2.7 Automatic Blade Length Detection
Figure 2.-26 is the new blade holder with a scale and the carriage with a mark. This blade holder
detects blade length automatically and shows how the knob needs to be turned on the LCM.
There are 10 units on the scale; each unit equals to 0.05 mm, allowing you to adjust the blade length
for 0.00mm-5.00mm (Figure 2-26).
Follow the steps below to adjust the length of the blade:
1. Keep the blade tip within the blade holder before you start adjusting.
2. Align one of the scales on the blade holder to the mark on the carriage
3. Select “Blade Length Adjust” under “CUT TEST” on the LCM, enter the blade length
wished in “Set Length”; test the blade holder first and then test the blade length by
pressing ENTER.
Mark
Scale
1 unit
Note:
Keep the blade holder at the same position when you perform blade holder and blade length
tests.
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-16
Figure 2-30
Figure 2-29
4. When blade holder and blade length tests are finished, the screen will show you to what
degree (the unit of the value following “CW” or “CCW” is “circle”) and in which direction
[CW (clockwise) or CCW (counterclockwise)] you should turn the adjustment knob.
EG, Turn CW 5 is telling you that you should turn the knob for 5 units clock-wisely (Figure
2-28, Figure 2-29).
5. The screen will show "Adjustment completes" when the value on the screen is 0, the blade length
is perfect and no more adjustment needs to be made. Press "Enter" now to complete the process
and you may start cutting at this point.
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-17
2.8 Cable Connection
The cutting plotter communicates with a computer through a USB (Universal Serial Bus), Parallel
port (Centronics), or a Serial port (RS-232C). This chapter shows you how to connect the cutting
plotter to a host computer and how to set up the computer/cutting plotter interconnection.
2.8.1 USB Interface
ValueCut build-in USB interface are based on the Universal Serial Bus Specifications Revision
1.1. (Operation system of Windows 95, Windows NT don’t support USB ).
USB driver installation
Use the USB One-click Installation for quick driver installation. Follow the simple steps
below for driver setup.
Figure 2-31
Serial port
USB port
Note:
When USB connection is enabled, both parallel port and serial port will be disabled automatically.
Note:
If you are using Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7 as your operating system, make s
ure you log in
using the “Administrator” account.
ValueCut User Manual
Installation 2-18
Step 1:
Connecting your Mutoh cutter
1. Turn on the machine.
2. Connect the USB connector to the machine and then USB driver will installed
automatically. It will take a few minutes to find the device. Please DO NOT disconnect
the USB cable until the installation has completed.
3. You can double click the USB icon on the taskbar to make sure the USB device is
detected.
Step 2: Installing the software
(1) Put the installation CD into your CD-ROM. Please make sure that the USB device is
connected before you start the driver installation.
(2) Choose either the 32 bit or 64 bit driver installation depending on the operating
system installed on your computer to start the installation.
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