36
Ioline SmarTrac User Guide
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 cali-
brated and that the pinchwheels are correctly spaced. For best re-
sults, 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 stand or cradle. The use of a stand or cradle takes ad-
vantage of the signcutter platen design. When draped over the
platen, the material benefits from its natural tendency to curl
downward.
2.
Build a material slide. Cut two cardboard pieces the width of
the stand and large enough to lean against the stand legs. This
prevents the material from going under the machine and get-
ting buckled with material from the other side.
3.
Check the material roll. Place the roll of material to the right
of the material cradle or media rollers. Make sure the roll is
tightly wrapped and even along the sides.
4.
Load the material straight.
See the previous sections
Loading the
Material
and
Aligning the Material and Pinchwheels
to properly
load the signcutter
.
5.
Lower
Acceleration
. Using the Ioline
Control Center
, set
Accel-
eration
to
0.5 g
or less. Lower acceleration will help with overall
accuracy, especially in the transition between
Frames
.
Figure 24.
Plotting pen guidelines.
Paper
Pen
Speed
Force
(grams)
Comments
BMI
®
Super
Layflat or
equivalent
high-quality
bond
HP
®
-style
ballpoint
Maximum
60 – 80
1 5ms pen up/
1 5ms pen
down delays
“
BIC
®
Round
Stic ballpoint
Maximum
180 – 200
“
Standford
®
Sharpie
Maximum
70 – 100
“
HP
®
-style
fiber tip
Maximum
70 – 100
—
Plastic tip
—
—
Not
recommended
—
Ceramic tip
—
—
Not
recommended
—
Liquid ink /
Metal tip
—
—
Not
recommended