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Ioline SmarTrac User Guide
type, such as the vector and bitmap based Encapsu-
lated 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 ma-
terials. 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 motor-
driven drive shaft and tensioned pinchwheels.
G
H
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 ori-
gin. 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.
I
Idler Wheel -
Secondary wheels that help keep wide
material flat during cutting.
J
K
Keypad -
Panel on the right side of the machine
where primary plotter functions are accessible. Also
called the
Control Panel
.
L
M
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
.
N
O
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 sign-
cutters for pen or blade paths.
Overcut -
Distance the blade travels beyond the end
of each cut vector.
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.
P
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 til-
ing. 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 par-
allel 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.