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Chapter 2: Operation
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.
2.
Use the
Paneling
feature in the design software for long signs.
Paneling
will restrict the length of any X-axis move. Ioline sug-
gests 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.
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 ma-
chine if the signcutter has only feet. Note: Do not place a paper roll
between two media rollers.
If using a cut sheet or scrap:
Diable Autoloop.
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
Autoloop
in the Ioline
Control Center
section for
more information.
Note
