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Ioline
Minimum Angle - This is the minimum angle for which the ma-
chine will perform a blade steering arc.
O
Offset - The distance the tip of the blade trails behind the center of the blade.
Origin - Place marking the zero (0) coordinate on the X or Y axes. Used as a
starting reference by signcutters 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 align-
ment 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 tiling. 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 parallel port on a PC is a female
(small holes) connector.
Plotter - A device that uses coordinates and vectors to create images. In elec-
tronic sign making, plotters recreate vectors on material with a set of coordi-
nates stored in a computer file.
Pinchwheel - Wheeled roller, tensioned by springs, that clamps material be-
tween it and the drive shaft for transporting the material.
Pounce Pattern - A full sized pattern of any design to be painted. Once the
pattern is created, the outline is perforated into paper using the Pounce fea-
ture. The pattern is then held firmly against the substrate and perforations
patted with powder, charcoal or colored chalk dust, leaving an outline of the
design.
R
Resolution - The smallest distance that a signcutter can move the material or
the carriage. Plotter resolution affects the accuracy that a plot file is repro-
duced on the material.
Roll Feed - A method of pulling material from a roll for plotting and cutting.
Works in conjunction with panels.
S
Serial Communications - Method of sending information from a computer
to a signcutter by sending 1 bit at a time through a cable. The serial port on a
PC is a male (small pins) connector.
Service Loop - Slack material between the material roll and the signcutter.
Stencil - A thin sheet of material into which a design is cut. When a stencil is
placed on another substrate and paint or ink is applied, the image represented
by the cut out portion of the stencil is printed on the substrate below it.
T
Tag Board - A heavy paper (usually 150 pound) that is used in the apparel
industry for cutting patterns and stencils.
Throughput - The speed at which a signcutter completes a job. Represents
the ability to process information and produce an image.
V
Vector - In computerized sign making, a line segment between two coordi-
nates, on which a pen or blade path can be created for cutting.
Vinyl - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film that, in sign making, is backed with an
adhesive that will create a strong bond to a surface when pressure is applied.
W
Weeding - Process of pulling extraneous material away from a cut sign leav-
ing only the sections representing the intended design.
X
X - Axis - Theoretical horizontal line providing a lengthwise reference point
for signcutters. Associated with vinyl movement over the platen on the sign-
cutter.
Y
Y - Axis - Theoretical vertical line providing a longitudinal reference point
for signcutters. Associated with carriage movement on the signcutter.
