GRAPHTEC FC5100A-100, User Manual

Page: 91 / 201

Advanced Functions and Settings: AUTO REG. MARK - Auto Registration Mark Sensor
91
AUTO REG. MARK - Auto Registration Mark Sensor
The FC5100A Auto Registration Mark Sensor allows the plotter to automatically
locate the Registration Marks used in the AXIS ALIGNMENT function.
The AXIS ALIGNMENT function is a very important function that should be used
when you intend to cut pre-printed media, such as stickers or decals. When the
media is loaded in the plotter, it should be loaded at exactly the same angle and
position as it was on the printer which printed the image, to ensure that the posi-
tion of the contour matches the printed images. Since this cannot be done manu-
ally, the AXIS ALIGNMENT function allows one to adjust the angle and position of
the media on the plotter electrically, as if it were being loaded on the same printer.
The AXIS ALIGNMENT function locates any distortion of the printed image by
first using a reference point to create a virtual angle between the X and Y-axis and
then applying a scaling factor to match the cutting data to the printed image. This
can be done either manually using the Light Pointer with the AXIS ALIGNMENT
key, or automatically using the AUTO REG. MARK sensing function. NOTE: The
Light Pointer cannot be used if the Auto Registration Mark Sensor is installed.
The AUTO REG. MARK sensing function senses the registration mark using an
optical sensor that reflects light off the white media. If you use media that is
thicker than 0.3mm the registration mark will be too close to the optical sensor and
will be out of sensing range. When you are using transparent, colored or crumpled
media the light will not reflect back to the optical sensor as well as it does with
white media. In both cases, when the media is not white or is thicker than 0.3 mm,
use the AXIS ALIGNMENT key with the Light Pointer. NOTE: The Light Pointer
cannot be used if the Auto Registration Mark Sensor is installed. See
AXIS
ALIGNMENT for more details.
When using the AUTO REG. MARK sensing function, you must have both the
pre-printed media with registration marks and the cutting data. It is important that
you keep this information
after creating the printing image and the cutting data in
order to utilize the AXIS ALIGNMENT function.
Caution: The type of media you use affects the AUTO REG. MARK sensing function.
Always use white media that is no thicker than 0.3 mm.
Caution: Always print the image and registration marks at the same time.
• Registration mark sensing precision*: Max. 0.3 mm
* Precision measured when sensing a specified pattern using the pen provided
as a standard accessory and Graphtec’s PC-type non-glossy paper.
WARNING
• Registration marks used in the application software cannot be used.
• Registration marks must be created as data on the software.
• The following points must be noted when creating registration marks.
• Registration mark line thickness: 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm
• Registration mark size: 5 mm to 20 mm (See “ P. 106, Specifying the Reg-
istration MARK SIZE.)
• Registration marks should be either pattern 1 or pattern 2.