GCC Technologies P3-132S, P3-60 User Manual

Puma III Series

User Manual

V.22 2016 Dec. http://www.GCCworld.com

NOTICE

GCC reserves the right to modify the information contained in this user manual at any time without prior notice; un-authorized modification, copying distribution or display is prohibited. All comments, queries or suggestions concerning this manual please consult with your local dealer.

V.22 2016 Dec.

Puma III User Manual

Important Information

Thanks for your purchase of GCC Puma III Cutting Plotter. For your safety and to optimize the performance of the Puma III, please read the user manual completely and keep it in a correct location.

PRECAUTIONS IN USE

 For safety concern, please always hold the cutter firmly from the bottom when moving it. Do not move the cutter by clasping the depression area on both sides.

 Do not shake or drop the blade holder, a blade tip maybe fly out.

 During operation, keep away from any moving parts of the cutter (such as the carriage, drums). Also be careful that your clothing and hairs do not be caught.

 Always connect the power cable to a grounded outlet.

 Always use the accessory power cable that is provided. Do not wire the power cable so that it becomes bent or caught between objects.

 Do not connect the power cable to branching outlet to which other machines are also connected, or use an extension cable. There is danger of overheating and of misoperation of the machine.

 Keep the tools away from children where they can reach.

 Always put the pinch rollers within position of the white marks.

Important Information


C o n t t e n t t s

Important Information

1. General Information

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Package Items

1.3 Product Features

1.4 Appearance of Puma III

1.4.1 The Front View

1.4.2 The Back View

1.4.3 The Whole View

1.4.4 The Left-hand Side

1.4.5 The Right-hand Side

2. Installation

2.1 Precaution

2.2 Stand & Flexible Media Support System (for P3-132)

2.3 USB Cable Tie and Saddle

2.4 Desktop Flexible Media Support System (for P3-60 only)

2.5 Blade Installation

2.6 Cable Connections

2.6.1 USB Interface

2.6.1.1 Connecting your GCC cutter

2.6.1.2 Installing the driver

2.6.1.3 Driver Un-installation

2.6.2 RS-232 Interface

2.6.3 Data Transmitting

2.6.4 Printer Sever Shared Setting

2.7 Software Installation

2.7.1 GreatCut Installation

2.7.2 Sure Cuts A Lot Installation

2.7.2.1 Auto Installation

2.7.2.2 Manually Activate Software

2.7.2.3 Re-install Sure Cuts A Lot Software

3. The Control Panel

3.1 The LCD Panel

3.2 Menu in On-line Mode

3.3 Menu in Off-line Mode

3.4 Menu Items

4. Operation

4.1 Media Loading

4.1.1 Loading the Sheet Media

4.1.2 Loading the Roll Media

4.2 Tracking Performance

4.3 Cutting Force and Offset Adjustment

4.4 When Completing the Cutting Job

4.5 Puma III Print Driver setting

4.5.1 Puma III Print Driver setting>Option Page

1-1

1-1

1-2

1-3

1-3

1-4

1-5

1-6

1-6

2-1

2-2

2-6

2-8

2-10

2-13

2-13

2-14

2-14

2-18

2-21

2-21

2-22

3-5

4-1

4-1

4-3

4-6

4-6

2-25

2-25

2-31

2-31

2-35

2-36

3-1

3-2

3-3

4-8

4-8

4-8

Contents


4.6 Reference Parameter setting for different materials

5. Automatic-Aligning System

4-11

5.1 Introduction

5.2 AAS Contour Cutting System

5.2.1 Notice for Registration Marks

5.2.2 AAS II on Puma III

5.3 Printer Test

5.4 Registration Mark Offset Range

5-1

5-2

5-2

5-3

5-4

5-6

5.6 Tips for AAS

6. Basic Maintenance

6.1 Cleaning the cutting Plotter

6.2 Cleaning the Grid Drum

6.3 Cleaning the Pinch Rollers

7. Trouble Shooting

7.1 Non-Operational Problems

7.2 Operational Problems

7.3 Communication Problems

7.4 Software Problems

7.5 Cutting Quality Problems

Appendix

A-3

A-4

A-5

A-6

A-7

CorelDRAW Plug-In Instruction

Illustrator Plug-In Instruction

GreatCut Plug-In Instruction

SignPal 12 Instruction

Sure Cuts A Lot

7-1

7-2

7-3

7-4

7-5

A-1

A-2

A-3

A-4

A-5

A-6

A-7

5-8

6-1

6-2

6-2

Contents


Chapter 1 General Information

1.1 Introduction

Puma III series cutting plotters have been designed to produce computer-generated images or perform contour cutting on sheets or rolls of vinyl media.

This manual covers the following models of Puma III series cutting plotters:

‧ P3-60 for media width: 70mm (2.76”) ~ 719mm (28.3”)

‧ P3-132S for media width: 70mm (2.76”) ~ 1470mm (57.87”)

1.2 Package Items

The package of the Puma III model contents the items listed below, please check carefully.

If you find any item missing, please consult your local dealer for further assistance.

S t t a n d a r d I I t t e m Q u a n t t i i t y

1. Cutting Plotter

2. Stand Set ( for P3-132S only, optional for P3-60)



2 piece of T-shape stand

 1 piece of stand beam

 20 pieces of M6 screws



1 piece of M5 L-shape hexagon screw driver

 1 piece of Installation Guide for Stand Set

1

1

3. Flexible Media Support System Package

Items

1 set of Roll Media Flange (2 pieces)

1 set of Roll Holder (2 pieces)

1 set of Roll Holder Guide Bushes (4 pieces)

1 set of Roll Holder Support (2 pieces)

32 pieces of M6 screws

1 piece of M6 L-shape hexagon screw driver

1 piece of Roll Base

P3-60 P3-132S

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

1

General Information 1-1


4. Accessories

 1 piece of User’s Compact Disk

 1 piece of AC power Cord

 1 pieces of data cable (USB cable: 3m)



1 set of Blade Holder Assembly (

Installed in tool carriage of the cutting plotter

)

 1 piece of Blade (Installed in Blade Holder)

 1 piece of Safe Blade

 1 piece of Cutting Pad

 1 piece of Tweezers

 1 piece of Promise Card

1.3 Product Features

The following are the main features of the Puma III series cutting plotters:

‧ Dual-port connectivity provides you with greater flexibility

‧ Up to 400 gram cutting force

‧ Up to 849 mm per second (33.4 ips) cutting speed (at 45° direction)

‧ Guaranty 5-meter tracking

‧ User-friendly and multi-language control panel

‧ Enhanced Automatic-Aligning System for automatic contour cutting

1



1.4 Appearance of Puma III

1.4.1 The Front View (Figure 1-1)

Grid Drums move the media back and forth during operation.

Slicer Groove cuts off the extra media easily along this groove.

Control Panel

14 buttons and 1

LED and 1 LCM showing messages and menus.

Tool Carriage performs the cutting with the installed blade or pen with AAS module.

Cutting Pad provides the protection of

Platen provides the surface for blade when the blade is supporting media while cutting. cutting

Alignment Rulers media can be aligned with the clear guide line marks

Figure 1-1



1.4.2 The Back View (Figure 1-2)

Pinch Rollers hold the media during cutting.

Lever raises or lowers the pinch rollers.


Figure 1-2


1.4.3 The Whole View (Figure 1-3)

**Stand for Puma III 60 is an optional item.

**Stand for Puma III 132S is a standard item.

Roll Holder – holds and supplies the roll media for cutting.

Roll Holder Guide

Bushes

– serve to keep the roll media in place when media is pulled from the roll.

Roll Holder

Support

– supports roll holders.

T-Stand

– supports the cutting plotter

T-Stand

– supports the cutting plotter

Stand Beam

– stabilizes the body.

Figure 1-3



1.4.4 The Left-hand Side (Figure 1-4)

Power Switch – On when switches to [I]; Off to [O]

Fuse – 3 Amp.

AC Power Connector

Figure 1-4

1.4.5 The Right-hand Side (Figure 1-5)

Serial Interface Connector (RS232C) used to connect the cutting plotter to a computer through a serial interface cable.

Figure 1-5


USB Connector used to connect the cutting plotter to a computer through a USB cable.


Chapter 2 Installation

2.1 Precaution

Notice 1

 Carefully handle the cutter to prevent any injuries.

 Make sure the power switch is off before installing the cutting plotter.

Notice 2 A proper place for installation the cutting plotter

Please select a proper location that meets the following conditions.

 The machine can be approached easily from any direction.



Keep at least 60 cm space in front and behind the machine.

 Make sure the cutter is placed on a flat, level and sturdy surface

 The operation temperature should be between 15 and 30 ℃ (60-86 o

F) in the workshop.

 Keep the relative humidity between 25% and 75% in the workshop.



Protecting the machine from dust and air current.

 Preventing the machine from direct sunlight.

Notice 3 Connecting the Power Supply

Check the plug of the power cord to see if it matches the wall outlet. If not, please contact your dealer.

 Insert the plug (male) into a grounded power outlet.

 Insert the other end (female) of power cord into the AC connector of cutting plotter.

Installation 2-1


2.2 Stand & Flexible Media Support System (for P3-132)

Please follow procedure below to assemble stand and media support system.

Step 1 Please examine supplied items in the accessory box of stand carton before you install:

Stand is a optional item for Puma III-60, Item List ：

 2 piece of T-shape stand

 1 piece of stand beam

 20 pieces of M6 screws

 1 piece of M5 L-shape hexagon screw driver

 1 piece of Installation Guide for Stand Set

Step 2







Remove the plotter body and the accessories from the shipped carton.

Place the stand beam upright on the T-stand and follow the number

 to assemble (See Figure 2-1 & 2-2).

There is hexagon socket head screws fasten on the T-stand on both side taken as locating pins.



T-Stand



Stand beam

Figure 2-1

Figure 2-2

Step 3 Position the stand beam perpendicularly to part  and put the screws into

Installation 2-2

Puma III User Manual the holes and tighten them as Figure 2-2. Then the complete picture of stand will be like Figure 2-1.

Step 4 Remove the cutting plotter from the carton. Position your stand under the plotter, on the bottom of the plotter, there is one hole on each side in the position corresponding to the locating pins, so the locating pins can be located into the holes. Then insert the screws into the holes on the stand to fix the plotter and tighten them up as shown in Figure 2-3.

Screws

Figure 2-3

Installation 2-3


Step 5

Insert the roll holder support with the screws into the holes of the stand, and then tighten them up as shown in Figure 2-4 . You could decide roll holder support’s position by inserting into different holes.

4 screws

Figure 2-4

Roll holder

Step 6

Place two roll holders onto the roll holder support and ensure the white protrusion is wedged in the groove. ( Figure 2-5 )

Roll holder support

Roll holders

Figure 2-5

Installation 2-4


Step 7

Lastly, the complete picture will be shown like below. ( Figure 2-6 )

Figure 2-6

Installation 2-5


2.3 USB Cable Tie and Saddle

The USB cable tie and saddle assembly for the stands with Flexible Media Support

System only.

Step 1 Insert the cable tie into the upper hole of cable saddle from bottom to top.

This side up

Step 2 Place the USB cable into the cable tie and tighten the cable tie.

Step 3 Insert the cable tie end into the lower hole of cable saddle to finish the job.

Installation 2-6


Untied way: pull out the cable tie  pull up the pin  release the cable tie.

Pull out the cable tie

Pull up the pin

Release the cable tie

Installation 2-7


2.4 Desktop Flexible Media Support System (for P3-60 only)

Step 1

Check three spacer supports on the back of the machine.

Step 2

Insert the left and right roll holder base into the spacer supports on the left and right side when 2 inches roll media is used.

Installation 2-8


Step 3

Press the roll holder base and the installation is complete.

Note: Insert the left roll holder base into the middle spacer support and right roll holder base into the right one when 1 inches roll media is used.

Installation 2-9


2.5 Blade Installation

! Caution

Do not touch the tip of the blade by your fingers.

! Notice

The blade is a consumable item, which will affect the cutting quality significantly.

Please replace with a new blade when having the following situations:

1. The tip of blade is broken.

2. The cutting traces are not as good as they were.

3. Uncut area remains the same even the blade force has been raised significantly.

Figure 2-11 is the picture of the blade holder. Insert a blade into the bottom of the blade holder. Pushing the pin on the top of blade holder can remove the blade.

Be sure to keep your fingers away from the blade tip.

Pin

Adjustment depth knob

Outward ring

Figure 2-11

Installation 2-10


Step 1 Install blade. (Figure 2-12)

Figure 2-12

Step 2 Push the blade to the bottom of the blade holder. (Figure 2-13)

Figure 2-13

Step 3 Adjust the blade tip to suitable length by rotating “Blade tip adjustment screw” clockwise or counterclockwise. (Figure 2-14)

Tips:

“The proper length” means the blade length is about

0.1mm more than film’s thickness. For example, if the thickness of film is

0.5mm, then the blade length is properly adjusted

Figure 2-14 to 0.6mm and it can completely cut through the film layer without cutting though the paper backing.

Installation 2-11


Step 4 Insert the blade holder into tool carriage. Please note the outward ring of the holder must put into the groove of carriage firmly (Figure 2-15) and lock the grip. (Figure 2-16)

Figure 2-15 Figure 2-16

Step 5 Reverse steps mentioned above to remove the blade holder.

Step 6 Press the push-pin to remove the blade from the blade holder when replacing blade. (Figure 2-17)

Figure 2-17

Installation 2-12


2.6 Cable Connections

Puma III communicates with a computer through USB (Universal Serial Bus), or Serial port (RS-232C) . This chapter shows you how to connect the cutting plotter to a host computer and how to set up the computer/cutting plotter interconnection.

!! Notice: When USB connection is enabled, serial port will be disabled automatically.

Serial Interface Connector (RS232C) used to connect the cutting plotter to a computer through a serial interface cable.

Figure 2-18

USB Connector used to connect the cutting plotter to a computer through a USB cable.

2.6.1 USB Interface

Puma III build-in USB interface are based on the Universal Serial Bus

Specifications Revision 2.0 (Full Speed).

Installation 2-13


2.6.1.1 Connecting your GCC cutter

1. Turn on the machine.

2. Connect the USB connector to the machine and then USB driver will installed automatically. It will take a few minutes to find the device. Please

DO NOT disconnect the USB cable until the installation has completed.

3. You can double click the USB icon on the taskbar to make sure the USB device is detected.

2.6.1.2 Installing the driver

Use the USB One-click Installation for quick driver installation. Follow the simple steps below for driver setup.

Caution!!

 If you are using Windows 7 and above as your operating system, make sure you log in using the “Administrator” account.

Step 1 Put the installation DVD into your CD-ROM. Please make sure that the USB device is connected before you start the driver installation.

Step 2 Choose the model you want to install from the driver list and click on

Windows Driver (Win 7 and Above) (Automatic Detection) or

Windows Driver (Win 7 and Above) (Manual Selection) to start installing the Driver and AAS plug-in.

Installation 2-14


Step 3 Click “Next” to start the driver installation.

Step 4 If you were Windows 7and above, please click on the red words to instruct you how to disable Windows Update to allow success driver installation. And then click OK to next step.

Step 5 Please make sure the cutting plotter is powered on and connected to theUSB device, and then click OK to next step.

Step 6 Confirm to close all running application programs before you start installing the driver, and then click OK.

Installation 2-15


Step 7 The installation will take a few minutes to complete and you will see a message below and click on “OK” upon completion. Enjoy your GCC cutter!

Step 8 If you want to install AASII VBA on CorelDRAW and Adobe

Illusatrator, exit CorelDRAW and Adobe Illusatrator program, and then click on“Install.”

Step 9 Check Install Message to confirm CorelDRAW and AI version and then click OK.

Note:

(1) If the driver is being installed for a second time, the user will be prompted as to whether a second copy of the driver installation is required.

Installation 2-16


(2) If the user selects yes, a second copy of the driver will be installed.

(3) For users who have upgraded Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW, please go to the AAS Installer page in the Printer Properties window and click “ Install ” to access the latest version of GCC AAS Plug-in.

Installation 2-17


2.6.1.3 Driver Un-installation

You have to remove previous version driver installed on your PC system completely before you can install the latest version successfully. Please refer to below steps.

Step 1 Go to Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers window. Right click the printer and select “ Remove device .”

Step 2 After removing the unit, click on any printer on the page and select

“ Print server properties .” (For Win 7 and above)

Or right click on blank space and then select “ Print server properties .” (For Windows XP)

Installation 2-18


Step 3 Select “Driver” page

Step 4 Select the model and click on “Remove”.

Installation 2-19


Step 5 Select “Remove driver and driver package” and click OK.

Step 6 Click Yes and then click “Delete” and “OK,” and the driver installed on

PC is completely removed.

Installation 2-20


2.6.2 RS-232 Interface

 Connecting to the RS-232 (Serial) Port

1. For IBM PC, PS/2 users or compatibles, connect the RS-232C cable to the serial connector of the assigned serial port (COM1 or COM2) of your host computer.

2. Set up the communication parameters (Baud Rate and Data Bits/Parity) to match the setting of software package, refer to chapter 3 – “Misc” key description.

Caution!! Please turn off the plotter before plugging the RS-232C

2.6.3 Data Transmitting

There are two options to transmit the data from the computer to the cutting plotter:

Option 1: With proper interface settings, the data can be transmitted from your application software package to the cutting plotters directly.

Option 2: Most cutting software packages are able to emulate HP-GL or

HP-GL/2 commands. As long as the file is HP-GL or HP-GL/2 format, the cutting plotter can output the data precisely.

Installation 2-21


2.6.4 Printer Sever Shared Setting

In “A-PC”, set the printer driver as a shared printer, then use B-PC to connect

A-PC’s printer driver via Intranet.

A-PC B-PC

Intranet

USB or COM

Step 1 Set A-PC’s printer driver as a shared printer (Right-click on printer icon, choose “Printer properties”. Click “Sharing” tab then check “Share this printer.”)

Installation 2-22


Step 2 Click “Advanced” tab, then choose “Print directly to the printer” option.

Installation 2-23


Step 3 Send a job from A-PC to the machine to check if A-PC is connected to the machine.

Try to send a job to check if the port is working.

Step 4 Activate A-PC’s Printer Driver from B-PC’s Network.

Step 5 Right-click on the printer icon, and select “Connect” to A-PC’s printer.

Installation 2-24


2.7 Software Installation

2.7.1 GreatCut Installation

Step 1 Click GreatCut Registration in installation DVD to go http://gccvoucher.eurosystems.lu/ , and then enter your voucher code provided when purchasing GreatCut and click “Go on!”

Step 2 Click “Request” to go to registration page.

Step 3 Fill in the required information and click “Request license code.”

Installation 2-25


Step 4 The registration is completed; you should receive two emails, one is registration confirmation with activation link and another is your license data with .ecf

file.

Step 5 Check your email to see if you receive the activation link and click the link that will direct you the link for GreatCut download.

Installation 2-26


Step 6 Or click “Install GreatCut” in installation DVD.

Step 7 Select a destination folder.

Step 8 Select Typical and click Next.

Note: You may select custom setup to install additional drivers.

Installation 2-27


Step 9 Select the folder and click Next.

Default program folder in the start menu is GCC\GreatCut 3.

Step 10 GreatCut is installing.

Step 11 Click Finish to complete installation.

Installation 2-28


Step 12 Before you launch GreatCut, open the .ecf

attached to the license data email to install your license data to GreatCut so that you don’t need to fill in your information again.

Installation 2-29


Step 13 If the license do not install successfully, you will need to fill in your license data manually. You can find the details of your license data from the email.

Step 14 GreatCut is ready to use now.

Installation 2-30


2.7.2 Sure Cuts A Lot Installation (Optional Item)

2.7.2.1 Auto Installation

Step 1 Put your installation DVD into your CD-ROM to start the installation. The software is compatible with Windows 7 and above and Macintosh OSX

10.6 and above.

Step 2 Select “Install Sure Cuts A Lot” to start the installation.

Step 3 Press Next to continue.

Step 4 Select “I accept the agreement” and press “Next.”

Installation 2-31


Step 5 Use the default folder (suggested) or select a folder you want to install the

Sure Cuts A Lot and press “Next.”

Step 6 Tick “Create a desktop icon” if you want to create a shortcut on your desktop, and tick “Associated scut4 extension” to associate the scut4 extension file with Sure Cuts A Lot software. Then press “Next” to start the installation.

Installation 2-32


Step 7 Don’t tick “Install USB Driver” and tick “Launch Sure Cuts A Lot,” and then press “Finish” to compete installation.

Step 8 Run Sure Cuts A Lot.

Step 9 Press “Activate…”to activate Sure Cuts A Lot. Please make sure it is connected to the internet.

Step 10 Put your name in the Name column and enter the 25-letter software key shown on the DVD front cover to the Serial column and press “OK” to complete the activation.

Installation 2-33


Step 11 Sure Cuts A Lot is ready to use.

Note

 If you use a trial version to output graphics, meaning you do not enter the software key to activate the Sure Cuts A Lot mentioned above, there will be two extra lines cut through the design, therefore, make sure the Sure

Cuts A Lot software is activated before implementing cutting jobs.

Installation 2-34


2.7.2.2 Manually Activate Software

If the computer connected to cutter doesn’t have internet connection to accomplish above software activation process, you can use “Activate manually” function alternatively to enter the “Activation Code” to start the usage of Sure

Cuts A Lot. Meanwhile, you need to find another computer that has internet access to obtain the “Activation Code” in advance following below instructions.

Step 1 Check the "Activate manually" checkbox and you should see the Site

Code and Activation Code fields appear. The Site Code field will be pre-filled in and cannot be changed.

Step 2 Visit http://www.craftedge.com/activation/surecutsalot via an internet connected computer. Enter your name, serial (software key, shows on the DVD cover) and site code.

Step 3 Click on the "Generate Activation Code" button, and your activation code will be shown in the Activation Code field.

Installation 2-35


Step 4 Copy and paste the activation code back into the activation dialog box of

Sure Cuts A Lot program and hit ok.

2.7.2.3 Re-install Sure Cuts A Lot Software

If you change a new computer, you may need to deactivate your Sure Cuts A Lot software and re-install it on your new device.

Go to “Deactivate…” under Help and press Yes to confirm, then follow the installation procedure and use the same code to activate it on another computer.

Installation 2-36


Installation 2-37


Chapter 3 The Control Panel

This chapter describes the button operations with the LCM menu flowcharts of Puma III. When the cutting plotter is ready for use as described in Chapter 1 & 2, all functions are under default parameters.

3.1 The LCD Panel

Key

LCD Screen

Power LED

4 Arrow Keys

< LCD Control Panel on Puma III series >

Function

To display functions and error messages.

To indicate the power status ( light up: power on; light off: power off )

To move position, select function, or change setting.

ENTER To set item or register the immediately preceding input value.

PAUSE/RESUME To temporarily halt cutting process or to continue

ON/OFF LINE To switch modes, stop cutting job, or abort changes of settings.

OFFSET

FORCE

SPEED

CUT TEST

To adjust the value of blade’s offset.

To adjust the value of cutting force.

To adjust the value of cutting speed and quality.

To perform cutting tests on different media

DATA CLEAR

TOOL SELECT

MISC

To clear up buffer memory.

To select tools.

To set up functions.

Please see details in “3.4 Menu Items”

The Control Panel 3-1

L-------- W-----T1M

Sending data

[ PAUSE ]


3.2 Menu in On-line Mode

Power On Puma III in processing

GCC Cutter

LCM Version- - -

Puma III

Firmware: Copyright:

Place Media And Then Lower

Down The Lever

Roll Edge Single

Sizing Media Width Lever Up

To Abort

Sizing Media Length Lever Up

To Abort

Top menu

S--- F----- O---- use to select

Pause Setup Resume

[ FORCE]

[ SPEED ]

[ OFFSET ]

[ DATA CLEAR ]

[TOOL SELECT ]

Force:80 gf

OK:ENTER

Offset: 0.275 mm

OK:ENTER

Clear Data Memory

N:Cancel OK:ENTER use to select; [ENTER] to enable the setting

Speed: 51cm/s

Select: OK:ENTER

UP Speed: 51 cm/s

Select: OK:ENTER

Quality: Fine

Select: OK:ENTER

1S:51 F:80 O:0.275 M

Select: OK:ENTER

Set Smoothing Cut

Select: OK:ENTER

OverCut: 0.00mm

Select: OK:ENTER

Set Tangential Mode

Select: OK:ENTER



3.3 Menu in Off-line Mode

Press [ON/OFF LINE] to switch to the offline mode

Offline For

System Setup

[

[ FORCE]

Force: 80 gf

OK:ENTER

[ OFFSET ]

Offset: 0.275 mm

OK:ENTER

[ DATA CLEAR ]

Clear Data Memory

N:Cancel OK:ENTER

] move origin

X: Y:

[ SPEED ]

Speed: 51 cm/s

Select: OK:ENTER

UP Speed: 51 cm/s

Select: OK:ENTER

Quality: Fine

Select: OK:ENTER

[CUT TEST ]

Square Cut

Select: OK:ENTER

Repeat AAS Job

Select: OK:ENTER

Repeat Last Plot

Select: OK:ENTER

Pattern Setting

Select: OK:ENTER

Ratio Setting

Select: OK:ENTER

5~400 with an increment of 5(gram force)

0.000~1.000 with an increment of 0.025(mm)

Speed:3~60 with an increment of 3(cm/s)

UP Speed :3~60 with an increment of 3(cm/s)

Draft, Normal, Fair, Fine

Pattern: Arrow

Change: OK: ENTER

Ratio: 100%

Change: OK: ENTER

Pattern: Cross, Arrow

Ratio: 100%, 200%, 300%, 400%

Test Blade Holder

OK: ENTER

Blade Length Adjust

Select: OK:ENTER

Set Length 0.00mm

Change: OK: ENTER Test Blade Length

OK: ENTER

Turn CW , Turn CCW



Offline For

System Setup

[TOOL SELECT ]

1S:51 F:80 O:0.275 M

Select: OK:ENTER

Set Smoothing Cut

Select: OK:ENTER

OverCut: 0.00mm

Select: OK:ENTER

Set Tangential Mode

Select: OK:ENTER

Panel Setup

Select: OK:ENTER

OverCut:0.00-1.00mm with an increment of 0.05mm

[ MISC ]

Restore default

Select: OK:ENTER

Save parameter

Select: OK:ENTER

Auto Unrolled Media

Select: OK:ENTER

Vacuum

Select: OK:ENTER

First back to origin

Select: OK:ENTER

AAS Offset

Select: OK:ENTER

Paper Saving Mode

Select: OK:ENTER

Set Communication

Select: OK:ENTER

Firmware ： x.x.xx

FPGA ： Vx.x mm/dd/yy

Select Language

Select: OK:ENTER

Select Unit

Select: OK:ENTER

Image Scale Length

Select: OK:ENTER

Rear Paper Sensor

Select: OK:ENTER

Enable, Disable

Enable, Disable

Both Expanded Mode 、 Length Expanded Mode 、

Width Expanded Mode 、 Both Unexpanded Mode

English, Chinese

Metric (cm/gram) or English measurement (inch/oz) or Unit (cm/oz) or Unit (inch/gram)

Image Scale Width

Select: OK:ENTER


Scale Length

Select: OK:ENTER

Scale Width

Select: OK:ENTER


3.4 Menu Items

Below describes the functions of menu items

Menu or Key

Roll

Edge

Single

Function Setting

--- Media sizing ---

To measure media width. Maximum Tracking

150 meters

To measure media width and pull the media back till the front Maximum Tracking paper sensor open. 150 meters

To measure media width and length. Maximum Tracking

10 meters

To indicate the power status.

--- POWER ---

Default

[ Arrow Keys ]

1. To move the tool carriage position on X or Y axis.

2. To select functions or change values of settings.

[ ENTER ]

1. The displayed parameters will be saved automatically.

2. To set a new origin at the present tool carriage position.

In “offline” mode, moving the tool carriage to desired position by [Arrow Keys], then press [ENTER] key to set a new origin. While moving with the parameters of XY-axes displayed, press [MISC] key will enable fine-tune movement; press [MISC] key again to disable the function.

[ PAUSE/RESUME ]

To temporarily halt the cutting process.

To resume the process by press [Pause/Resume] key again.

[ ONLINE/OFFLINE ]

1. To switch between online mode and offline mode.

2. To stop the cutting job or abort the change of setting.

Once press this key, the cutting job will be terminated immediately and cannot be resumed.

[ OFFSET ]

To set or modify the distance between the blade tip and the center axis.

0.000~1.000mm 0.275mm

[ FORCE ]

To set or modify the value of tool force.

5 gram/per step

Speed

Up Speed

[ SPEED ]

To set or modify tool speed at horizontal moving.

To set or modify tool speed at vertical moving.

3~60cm/sec;

3cm/sec per step

51cm/sec

3~60cm/sec;

3cm/sec per step

51cm/sec

Cutting Quality To set or modify cutting quality. Draft, Normal, Normal

[Slower speeds / higher quality - Faster speeds / lower quality]

Fair, Fine

The Set Cutting Quality Page allows you to adjust and balance vector mode’s quality and speed settings based on your specific job. Draft Mode offers the highest output speed, sacrificing quality. Whereas Quality Mode offers the highest quality, sacrificing output speed. Keep in mind that speed and quality are usually at a tradeoff.

[ CUT TEST ]



Square Cut

Repeat AAS

Job

To perform a cutting test at present blade position.

For more information, please refer to “4.3 Adjusting the

Cutting Force and Offset” to adjust blade force and cutting speed.

To repeat AAS jobs automatically without having to operate on the computer side.

Please be noted that this feature is mainly applied to the

Single paper mode; please ensure a new piece of material you wish to apply this feature on is loaded and the origin repositioned to the first registration mark before starting.

When the first AAS job repeat completes, the user will be offered the choice of “Repeat AAS Job Again”, please press ”Online/Offline” to return to the main menu.

Recut: 1~99; Repeat Last

Plot

Copy:

To copy the last job without re-sending the data.

* 1mm gap will be auto-generated between 2 copies).

* If the media length is not enough to continue, it will show below message on LCM:

1~99;

1 per step

Pattern Setting

Ratio Setting

O u t O f S p a c e ; # o f C o p i e s f i n i s h e d

If both functions are enabled at the same time, the cutter will perform the last setting only.

To provide two patterns for cut test

Note: It is recommended to select “Cross” if you are working on thick pieces of materials.

To adjust the size of the pattern

Blade Length

Adjust

“Arrow” and

“Cross” patterns

“Arrow”

100%, 200%,

300%, 400%

100%

To adjust the length of the blade

Note:

1. Keep your blade length as 0 before you start adjusting.

2. Test the blade holder first and then test the blade length by

0.00mm-5.00mm 0.00mm pressing ENTER.

3. Keep the blade holder at the same position when you perform blade holder and blade length tests.

4. When blade holder and blade length tests are finished, the screen will show you to what degree (the unit of the value following “CW” or “CCW” is “circle”) and in which direction

[CW (clockwise) or CCW (counterclockwise)] you should turn the adjustment knob.

EG, Turn CW 0.5 is telling you that you should turn the knob for half a circle clockwisely.

5. The value on the screen will be 0.0 when the blade length is perfect and no more adjustment needs to be made. You may start cutting at this point.

[ DATA CLEAR ]

To clear up buffer memory.

Save

Parameter

[ TOOL SELECT ]

To save pattern(s) of cutting parameters for later use.

There are 4 sets of parameters saved in the panel. Use Page

Patterns1~4

Up and Page Down keys to select the set of parameters you wish to adjust, press “Enter” to confirm (the number shown on the upper left corner will change accordingly). Each set of


Pattern 1


Set Smoothing

Cut parameters includes Speed, Force, Offset, Up Speed, Quality and Scaling though the latter three will not be displayed in this section. To adjust or check individual parameters, go back to the responding keys on the panel and press “Enter” to confirm.

To enable smooth-cutting function. Enable

Over Cut

Set Tangential

Mode

Panel Setup

To generate an overcut to facilitate weeding.

0.05mm/per step

To enable the emulated tangential-cutting mode for thicker Disable media types and small letter cuts.

Note: while the Offset value setting at 0.000 mm, “Set

Tangential Mode” will automatically be disabled.

Accept setup command:

To accept commands of the Force, Speed, Cutting Quality, and Offset only via software.

Restore

Default

Control panel only:

To accept commands of the Force, Speed, Cutting Quality, and Offset only via control panel of the cutter.

To turn all parameters of the menu items to factory-default settings.

Auto Unrolled

Media

Rear Paper

Sensor

Vacuum

First Back to

Origin

AAS Offset

[ MISC ]

To avoid paper jam and motor crash by automatically unroll media (50cm and up) before cutting while enabled. .

* Auto-unroll only effects on roll/edge media.

* Using Single mode to size media will disable this function automatically.

* If the length of the rolled media is less than 2 meters or the weight is light, it is recommended to set this mode disabled.

To detect if the rear paper sensor is covered to determine the Enable following process; when it is enabled, the cutter will detect if the material has covered the rear paper sensor under the Roll

Disable and Edge mode; when disabled, the rear paper sensor will not be functioning.

Note: Rear paper sensor only functions under “Roll” and

“Edge” mode.

To help improve tracking and cutting accuracy by turning on the fans. If you turn off the vacuum system, the fans will remain inactive during cutting or plotting.

To enable the carriage back to the previous origin; when

“Enable” is selected, the carriage will not go back to the previous origin while the selection of “Disable” allows the carriage to do so.

To set or modify AAS offset value.

You can refer to “5.3 Printer Test” for more details.

Enable

Disable

Paper Saving

Mode

3. Both expanded mode 4. Both unexpanded mode

Set

Communication

To build up the communication between host computer and cutter.

Baud Rate is to determine the speed of data transmission.

Data Bits refers to the size of one block of data.

Parity is used to check if data was revived correctly or not.

9600, n, 7, 1, p

9600, o, 7, 1, p

9600pbs, 7 Bits with NO Parity

9600pbs, 7 Bits with ODD Parity

Enable

Enable

Enable

Enable d mode



9600, e, 7, 1, p

9600, n, 8, 1, p

9600, o, 8, 1, p

9600, e, 8, 1, p

9600pbs, 7 Bits with EVEN Parity

9600pbs, 8 Bits with NO Parity

9600pbs, 8 Bits with ODD Parity

9600pbs, 8 Bits with EVEN Parity

19200, n, 7, 1, p 19200pbs, 7 Bits with NO Parity

19200, o, 7, 1, p 19200pbs, 7 Bits with ODD Parity

19200, e, 7, 1, p 19200pbs, 7 Bits with EVEN Parity

19200, n, 8, 1, p 19200pbs, 8 Bits with NO Parity

19200, o, 8, 1, p 19200pbs, 8 Bits with ODD Parity

19200, e, 8, 1, p 19200pbs, 8 Bits with EVEN Parity

To display the version number of Firmware and FPGA code. Firmware

Version

Select

Language

To select displayed languages on LCM panel in English,

Spanish, Italian, Deutsch, Japanese, Portuguese, Polish,

Turkish or French.

Provide four-unit systems for users convenient. Select Units

Image Scale

Length

Image Scale

Width

To adjust the image scale of media length and width that may cause by the thickness of the media.

The Numerator is the ideal length, and the Denominator is the actual length measured from the resultant.

For example, cutting a line with 500.0 mm length. The procedure as follows:

1. Press the [LEFT ARROW] to choose the Numerator and select 500.0 mm,

2. Cut the length by sending a graph file,

3. Measure the length then use the [RIGHT ARROW] key to choose the Denominator, then

4. Press [UP ARROW /DOWN ARROW] to change the values of the actual length.

Scale Length Fixed scaling, for maintenance only. cm/gram; inch/oz; cm/oz; inch/gram

English

Metric

500/500 mm

Scale Width



Chapter 4 Operation

4.1 Media Loading

4.1.1 Loading the Sheet Media

To load the media properly, please follow the procedures listed below:

Pull the lever upward to raise the pinch rollers. (Figure 4-1)

Figure 4-1

Load your media on the platen and slide it under the pinch rollers from either the front side or the backside. The alignment rulers on the platen extension will help you to adjust the media precisely.

Note:

Be sure that the media must be covered by the paper sensors on the platen when loading the media. At least one of the two paper sensors should be covered. Once the media covers the sensor, the cutting plotter will size width and length of media automatically.

Then move the pinch rollers manually to the proper position. Be sure the pinch rollers must be positioned above the grid drum. The white marks on top trail will help you position pinch rollers when media on the platen. (Figure 4-2)

Operation 4-1


Figure 4-2

Push the lever downward to lower down the pinch rollers.

White Marks

Turn on the power; the machine will be initialized. Then follow the instruction of LCM to measure the size of the media.

Note:

Move the pinch roller by applying force at the rear portion of the pinch roller support. Do not move it by holding its front rubber roller.

Figure 4-3 correct way to move pinch rollers

Operation 4-2


4.1.2 Loading the Roll Media

Step 1

Firstly, put the roll media guide bushes on two roll holders. (Figure 4-4)

Figure 4-4

Step 2

Option A (Use the media flange)

Insert a roll media flange at the end of each roll media and tighten the thumbscrew until the roll media is firmly gripped. (Figure 4-5)

Figure 4-5

Then put the roll media on the roll holders. Adjust the position of the roll media ensure that the media flange is able to run in the groove of roll holder guide bushes. (Figure 4-6)

Figure 4-6

Operation 4-3


Option B

Insert the two roll holders into the roll media support set, and then place the roll media directly between the two roll holders. (Figure 4-7)

Figure 4-7

Step 3

Load the media on the platen. After loading the roll media, flatten the media on the platen and hold the front edge of the roll media firmly (Figure 4-8)

Figure 4-8

Operation 4-4


Step 4

Then turn the roll downward to make an equal tension across the media. (Figure 4-9)

Figure 4-9

Step 5

Move the pinch rollers to the precise location and be careful that the pinch rollers must be positioned above the grid drums.

Step 6

Push the lever downward to lower down the pinch rollers.

Step 7

Fixes roll holder guide bushes on the roll holder to secure the roll media.

Step 8

Turn on the power switch and select Roll, Edge or Single mode appropriate for one time setup, or set to Default Roll in Sizing Setting and Roll type sizing will be performed when the machine is turned on. Then the cutting plotter is ready to work.

Step 9

Unloading media ： Reversing steps mentioned above to remove the media.

For the users of Puma III-60, you can also use the “Roll Base” (a standard accessory of

Puma III-60) to feed a roll media. Please adjust the position of roll base to get a good cutting result. (Figure 4-10)

Operation 4-5


4.2 Tracking Performance

In order to achieve the best tracking performance for a long plot, please leave the margin of

0.5mm~25mm in the left and right edges of the media.(Figure 4-11)

0.5mm-25 mm

Pinch roller

Figure 4-11

4.3 Cutting Force and Offset Adjustment

0.5mm-25mm

Pinch roller

Before sending your designs from computer to Puma III for cutting, please make “Cut Test” to adjust cutting force and offset value.

The “Cut Test” should be repeated several times until the optimum settings are achieved.

Please follow procedure below to optimum the cutting force and offset settings.

Step 1

After sizing the media, press [CUT TEST] button to select the “Square Cut”, and press [ENTER

KEY] to confirm.

The default cutting force and offset value of the cutting test are 80gf and 0.275mm respectively.

Step 2

Press [ARROW KEY] to move the tool carriage to the position where you would like to cut. Then, press the [ENTER KEY] to make a “Cut Test”.

Note: At the same time, the new origin is also set at the cut test position.

Step 3

When the “Cut Test” is completed, a pattern appears (please refer to Figure 4-12). Peel off the pattern to see if it can be easily separated from the media base. If the output result is good, the cutting force is set appropriately. If not or it cut through the back paper of media, press [FORCE

KEY] to adjust the tool force until an optimum force is obtained.

Operation 4-6

Step 4


If the pattern appears to be BB or CC layout (see Figure 4-12), press [OFFSET KEY] to adjust the offset value until AA pattern is shown.

S q u a r e

S e l e c t :

C u t

X :

M o v e

O K : E n t e r

Press c u

ENTER_KEY t t e s t

Y :

Press

ENTER_KEY

M

AA BB CC

C o n t

N : C A i n o u s

N C E L

S q u a r e

O K :

C u t

E n t e r

Press

ENTER_KEY

Finish square cut

Press

ENTER_KEY

Press

CANCEL_KEY

Press SPEED_KEY,

FORCE_KEY,

OFFSET_KEY to setup or

Press arrow keys to desired position for next square cut

3mm 3mm

Machine

Figure 4-12

Operation 4-7


4.4 When Completing the Cutting Job

After completing the cutting job, raise the sheet-loading lever, and then remove the material.

You can also cut off the finished job by the Safe Blade (a standard accessory) along the knife guide. (Figure 4-13)

Figure 4-13

4.5 Puma III Print Driver setting

4.5.1 Puma III Print Driver setting>Option Page

File Function:

The file function section allows users to set the parameters of Speed, Force, Offset and Quality for later use. This section is useful when performing repeated jobs on a variety of objects, allowing you to save your frequently used cutter parameters and load them in the future.

• Custom Media: This section lists the files for the parameter settings that you have recently created and worked. You can save more than 50 files to simplify your cutting job.

• Default: This section contains the reference settings that are applicable with the verified materials to achieve the best cutting results. Please note that the setting value might need to be adjusted according to different suppliers of materials.

• SAVE: This function will save current print driver parameter settings to a file under the specified location on your computer. (Saved parameter setting files will be tagged with the

Puma series extension)

Operation 4-8


• LOAD: This function allows you to load previously saved print driver parameters.

• ORIGINAL: This function will load the print driver’s original factory parameter settings.

• SAVE TO DEFAULT: This function allows you to save your current print driver parameters as the default startup settings.

• DELETE: This function will delete the file you select from the Custom Media section, whereas the settings in Default section cannot be deleted. Please note the delete function only removes the list shown in Custom Media section, it does not remove the file from your hard drive, if you wish to completely remove the file from your hard disk, you will have to manually delete the file from your operating system.

Die Cut

The Die Cut function must be activated with the Kiss Cut function to avoid the falling of cut-through materials and material jam beneath the carriage. Die Cut helps you to cut through the backing of the material while Kiss Cut cuts through only the top layer but not the backing.

This will leave only tiny bits of the backing attached to the top layer, creating complete individual patterns with backing sheets (see figure 1 and 2).

Vinyl

Figure 1

Cutting line

Figure 2

Operation 4-9


To activate the Die Cut function, go to “Option”, tick “Die Cut”, and enter the amount you wish for the “Length” and “Force” of both Die Cut and Kiss Cut, then click “OK” (see figure 3).

Note:

The length setting for the cutting line of Die Cut is in the range of 0-2000mm whereas that of Kiss Cut is 0-100mm.

Figure 3

When the job is completed and you untick the Die Cut function, you will be able to adjust the pen speed, pen force, and offset in the section on the top following normal operating procedures

(see figure 4).

Note: the extension of the blade has to be set to cut through both the top layer and the backing in the very beginning. You then adjust the tool force for the best cutting performance.

Figure 4

Operation 4-10


4.6 Reference Parameter setting for different materials

The following reference parameter is used on GCC verified materials shown in the table.

Material

Blade

Blade tip length (mm)

Force (g)

Speed (cm/sec)

Offset (mm)

Recommend model

Material

Blade


Force (g)

Speed (cm/sec)

Offset (mm)

Recommend model

Material

Blade


Force (g)

Speed (cm/sec)

Offset (mm)

Recommend model

Wall stickers red

0.3

95

72

0.275

RX, Jaguar, Puma,

EX-P, Bengal, EXII,

AR-24

Magnets green

0.8

580

3

0.5

RX, Jaguar

Vehicle stickers red

0.27

85

60

0.275

RX, Jaguar, Puma,

EX-P, Bengal, EXII,

AR-24

Reflective film green

0.5

380

3

0.5

RX, Jaguar, Puma,

EX-P, Bengal

Window tint red

0.09

70

72

0.275

RX, Jaguar, Puma,

EX-P, Bengal, EXII,

AR-24

Protective tint green

0.3

320

3

0.5

RX, Jaguar, Puma,

EX-P, Bengal

Personalized stickers Window decoration red

0.28

105

72

0.275 red

0.25

95

65

0.275

RX, Jaguar, Puma,

EX-P, Bengal, EXII,

AR-24

RX, Jaguar, Puma,

EX-P, Bengal, EXII,

AR-24

Cardboard green

0.3

165

30

0.5

RX, Jaguar, Puma,

EX-P, Bengal, EXII, AR-24

Rhinestone green

0.8

190

15

0.5

RX, Jaguar, Puma

Operation 4-11


Chapter 5 Automatic-Aligning System

Please note that this chapter is only an instruction to AASII; for step-by-step instructions, please refer to the following chapters: 08_A-3 CorelDraw Plug-In, 08_A-4 Illustrator Plug-In, 08_A-5

GreatCut Plug-In.

5.1 Introduction

The Puma III series cutting plotters feature a standard Automatic-Aligning System (AAS II) to guarantee precise contour cutting quality by detecting the registration marks printed around the graphic.

Notice

 Avoid any kind of light source horizontally illuminating the AAS module.

- PROHIBITED - ACCEPTABLE

 DO NOT take off the cover of AAS module while in operation.

- PROHIBITED

Automatic-Aligning System 5-1


5.2 AAS Contour Cutting System

The AAS system has one calibration procedures to ensure maximum accuracy of AAS operation. To operate the AAS you need to learn about the method of media feeding firstly.

(Refer to 4.1 Media Loading.)

5.2.1 Notice for Registration Marks

The first registration mark is designed to be different in order to identify the origin for AAS auto-detection. The following precaution must be aware for registration marks to be read automatically.

 Type of media

 Registration mark pattern

 Reading range required for detection the registration marks

 Position for registration marks and medium

The registration marks have to be:

 Created by cutting software like SignPal or GCC CorelDRAW plug-in

 In black color (printing quality of registration marks is essential; incorrect, misaligned colors, blurry or smeared printout might leading to inaccurate cutting result)



Length: The length of marks

 Range: 5mm~50mm

 Optimized Setting: 25mm

 Thickness: The line thickness of marks

 Range: 1mm~2mm



Optimized Setting: 1mm

 Margin: The distance between marks and images

 Range: 0mm~50mm


The cutter can not detect the marks while:



Cutter carriage is not located near the outside area of first mark before detecting (See the picture in page 5-7 for auto-detecting area of first mark.)

 Medium thickness is more than 0.8mm

 Transparent medium is used

 Non-monochrome drawing. The marks can’t be read if is printed on colored medium

 Dirty or creased medium surface



5.2.2 AAS II on Puma III

There are three types of AAS II mark patterns: 4-Point Positioning, Segmental

Positioning, and Multiple Copies. Note that before print out your designs by inkjet printers, the registration marks have to be created on your graphic designs by cutting software like SignPal or GCC CorelDraw plug-in. Hand-made marks or drawings won’t be reorganized by GCC cutting plotters. For more details about registration mark setting in cutting software, please refer to ‘ Appendix A-3 : CorelDraw Plug-In Instruction”,

‘ Appendix A-4 : Illustrator Plug-In Instruction, ’ ‘ Appendix A-5 : GreatCut Plug-In

Instruction,’ and ‘ Appendix A-6 : SignPal 10.5 Instruction’

1. 4-Point Positioning

This is the basic mark pattern that AAS II will auto detect four registration marks and contour cut images inside those marks.

 Command: Esc.D1;(XDist);(YDist):

 Layout: 4 registration marks at the 4 corners around the design

2. Segmental Positioning

In addition to 4 original points, the intermediate registration marks are added on both X axis and Y axis to help contour cut accurately, especially for cutting large images.

 Command: Esc.D2;(XDist);(YDist);(XStep);(YStep):

 Layout:

In-between distance on X: 200~600mm, default 300mm

In-between distance on Y: 200-600mm, default 300mm



3. Multiple Copies

The function is used to duplicate images to let you cut quantities of images at a time.The

AAS II sensor will automatically scan registration marks for each individual image to ensure the contour cutting precision.

 Command: Esc.D3;(XCopies);(YCopies);(Space):

 Layout:

5.3 Printer Test

Before performing AAS contour cutting, it’s recommended to print out a test file that you can find in the enclosed Installation CD to make sure the AAS II cutting accuracy of

Puma III.

There are two testing files for AASII:

1. AAS II_X_Y_Offset_Caberation_A4 .eps (A4 size)

2. AAS II_X_Y_Offset_Caberation_600_600 .eps (Default setting, it is recommended for testing)

 Print out the testing graphic. ( Please use high precision printer)



Load the graphic to Puma III and sent the file to test the cutting job

 If there are any adjustments to be made, you can change the offset value by following the steps:

■ Measure the offset values from the printed line and the actual cutting line.

■ Enter the AAS Offset under MISC function for the values you just measured, then press Enter

■ Test the cutting again

■ AAS II offset X and Y value is defined as following:

Horizontal line is defined as X and vertical is defined as Y (when facing


Puma III User Manual the cutting plotter)

■ When the actual cutting line and the printed line need to be changed towards the direction of origin mark, then simply add the negative value of the offset.

If the direction is from the opposite of the origin mark, then enter positive values for the offset (see the following figures). This method applies to both

X and Y axes.

Note:

 Before adjusting the AAS II settings, please proceed scaling for width and length.

 The blade offset value isn’t set for this test graphic, please set it according to the blade you use.



If you have any question, please contact us or your local distributor for assistance.



5.4 Registration Mark Offset Range

Please correctly load your media (refer to the alignment ruler on the platen) to make sure the registration marks are successfully detected. Deviation exceeds the range below will lead to detection failure.

5.5 Contour Cutting

For accurate contour cutting with AAS function, please proceed the following steps:

Step 1 Creating Graphics

■ Create the graphic that you want to print and cut in your software.

■ Create a contour for cutting around the graphic.

TIPS1: Leave some space between the graphic and contour line.

TIPS2: Create the contour in a separate layer and assign a different color for it.

■ Add registration marks around the graphic.

Note:

The Multiple Copies function is also available. It automatically copy the graphic and registration marks.



Step 2 Placing the Registration Marks

 The AAS Layout Instruction:

* Auto-detection function on the 1 st

mark covers the grey area





Suggested 30mm margin on both left and right sides of media sheet.

Suggested 20~30mm margin on top of media sheet, and at least 50mm margin on the bottom edge to prevent sheets dropping or any error occurred while media sizing.

Step 3 Print the Graphics

■ Print the graphic and the marks with your printer

(Scaling = 100%).

■ When printing on a roll media, make sure the orientation as following:



Step 4 Load the printout onto cutter

■ The Origin Mark is is different from the rest registration marks. Please make sure the media is fed with correct direction.

Step 5 Cut the Contour

■ Send out the command from software to perform the contour cutting job.

5.6 Tips for AAS

For getting better results of contour cutting, there are some tips below for your reference.





Keep light sources simple and avoid illuminating from the sides of cutter.

Before operating AAS, change the maximum paper size in Puma IIIdriver property.

Step 1 Find the Puma III model in the “Printer & Fax” folder of your PC.







Step 2 Open the Properties window and select the “Paper” tab.

Step 3 Change the maximum Paper Size of X to 1200 mm.

Adjust the cutting speed to between 300~600mm/sec.

Avoid the registration marks locating on the tracks of pinch rollers.

Make sure the edge of the media is not bent up when detecting registration marks.



Chapter 6 Basic Maintenance

This chapter explains the basic maintenance (i.e. cleaning the cutting plotter) required for the cutting plotter. Except for the below mentioned, all other maintenance must be performed by a qualified service technician.

6.1 Cleaning the Cutting Plotter

In order to keep the cutting plotter under good condition and best performance, you need to clean the machine properly and regularly.

Precaution in Cleaning

 Unplug the cutting plotter before cleaning

 Never use solvents, abrasive cleaners or strong detergents for cleaning. They may damage the surface of the cutting plotter and the moving parts.

Recommended Methods

 Gently wipe the cutting plotter surface with a lint-free cloth. If necessary, clean with a damp cloth or an alcohol-immersed cloth. Wipe with water to rinse off any residue and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

 Wipe all dust and dirt from the tool carriage rails.

 Use a vacuum cleaner to empty any accumulated dirt and media residue beneath the pinch roller housing.

 Clean the platen, paper sensors and pinch rollers with a damp cloth or an alcohol-immersed cloth, and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

 Wipe dust and dirt from the stand.

Basic Maintenance 6-1


6.2 Cleaning the Grid Drum

 Turn off the cutting plotter, and move the tool carriage away from the area needed to be cleaned.

 Raise the pinch rollers and move them away from the grid drum for cleaning.

 Use a bristle brush (a toothbrush is acceptable) to remove dust from the drum surface. Rotate the drum manually while cleaning. Refer to Figure 6-1

Figure 6-1

6.3 Cleaning the Pinch Rollers

If the pinch rollers need a thorough cleaning, use a lint-free cloth or cotton swab to wipe away the accumulated dust from the rubber portion of the pinch rollers. To prevent the pinch rollers from rotating while cleaning, use finger to hold the pinch rollers not to rotate.

If needed to remove the embedded or persistent dust, use the lint-free cloth or cotton swab moistened with rubbing alcohol.

Note: The daily maintenance of your cutting plotter is very important.

Be sure to clean up the grid drum and pinch rollers regularly for better cutting accuracy and output quality.

Basic Maintenance 6-2


Chapter 7 Trouble Shooting

This chapter is to help you correct some common problems you may come across. Prior to getting into the details of this chapter, please be sure that your application environment is compatible with the cutting plotter.

Note:

Before having your cutting plotter serviced, please make sure that the malfunction is in your cutting plotter, not the result of an interface problem or a malfunction in your computer or a software problem.

Why doesn’t the cutting plotter operate?

Possible Causes:

7.1 Non-Operational Problems

Check the following first:

 Does the AC power cord plug in properly?

 Does the AC power cord connected to the power connector properly?

 Does the power LED still illuminate?

Solutions:

If the LCM is able to display the message, the cutting plotter should be in a normal condition. Switch off the cutting plotter and turn it on again to see if the problem still existing.

If the LCM is not able to display any message, contact the technician from your dealer.

Trouble Shooting 7-1


7.2 Operational Problems

Some mechanical problems or failure during operation will cause some problems. The error messages shown on the LCM present the problem first, and followed by recommended actions.

If the problem still exists after the recommended actions have been done, have your cutting plotter serviced.

Error, Check Media

Or Drum or X Motor

This message indicates that there might be a problem on the X axis . Check if the drum is working well and if the media is well loaded.

Correct the problem and re-power on to reboot system.

Error, Check Media

Or Y Motor

This message indicates that there might be an obstruction to carriage relating to a problem on the Y axis . Correct the problem and re-power on to reboot system .

Error, Check Carriage

Sensor or VC Motor

Graph Was Clipped.

Data In Buffer

This message indicates that the blade up/down sensor malfunction. Re-power on to re-boot system. If the problem still exists, find a serviceman.

This message indicates that the cutting exceeds the cutting limit. Reload larger media or re-scale the plot to a smaller size; then press the key followed by the display of LCM to continue.



7.3 Cutting Plotter/Computer Communication Problems

The messages showed below present problems in relation to cutting plotter/computer communication.

Communication Error

Setup: MISC.

key

Is the connection cable connected to the cutting plotter and computer properly?

Yes

Has the interface setting been done correctly?

Yes No

No

Refer to Chapter 2-

Connecting your cutting plotter.

Try the communication between your cutting plotter and computer. If it still does not work, have your cutting plotter serviced.

Refer to the “ MISC ” key in

Chapter 3 - Description of

Operation for the port setup.

Note:

The computer also needs to set up compatible communication parameters to the cutting plotter set up.

HP-GL/2 Cmd. Error

If your cutting plotter can not recognize the HP-GL/2 or HP-GL commands, please check the HP-GL/2 or HP-GL commands applied to your cutting plotter are used properly.



7.4 Software Problems

Check the following first:

Does your software package indicate that it will work with your computer and cutting plotter?

Does your software support HP-GL and HP-GL/2 drivers?

(* check the configuration settings of your software.)

Yes

Does the cutting plotter interface match the requirements of your software?

Yes No

Does your software recommend using a different cable?

Yes

Try using the recommende d cable.

Refer to Chapter

2 - Connecting your cutting plotter.

No

Does the software vendor provide a sample file?

Yes

Re-power on the cutting plotter and try to send the file again.

No

No

Most well known cutting softwares in the world have drivers for our cutting plotters. If not, use software that has HP-GL and

HP-GL/2 emulation supports and you can chose the following three drivers:

 A3 size: HP7475A





A1 size: HP7580A

A0 size: HP Draf Pro Exl or

HP Draf Master

Do something about the error message display on

LCM, or consult your software vendor.



7.5 Cutting Quality Problems

Note: The daily maintenance of your cutting plotter is very important.

Be sure to clean up the grid drum and pinch rollers regularly for better cutting accuracy and output quality.

Is the blade installed correctly and the blade holder fastened securely?

Is there any dirt adhered to the blade?

Yes

Remove the blade and clean it.

Yes

Is the blade dull or chipped?

Yes

Replace with a new blade

Yes

No

Refer to Chapter 2.3

“ Blade Installation”

Is tool force set up properly? (The default for tool force is 80 gf)

Yes

Is the tool offset set up properly?

No

No

Adjust the tool force to obtain an optimum blade force. Refer to

Chapter 4.3 “Cutting Force and

Offset Adjustment”

Please contact your dealer for technician support.

No

No

Adjust the tool offset to obtain an optimum value.



Puma III Specification

Model Name/No.

Operational Method

Max. Cutting Width

Max. Cutting Length

Max. Media Loading Width

Min. Media Loading Width

Acceptable Material Thickness

Number of Pinch Rollers

Motor Drive

Cutting Force

Max. Cutting Speed

Offset

Mechanical Resolution

Software Resolution

Distance Accuracy

Repeatability

Automatic-Aligning System

Memory Buffer

Interfaces

Type of Command

Control Panel

P3-60 P3-132S

600 mm (23.6 in)

719 mm (28.3 in)

Roller-Type

1300 mm (51.18 in)

50 m(164 ft)

1470 mm (57.87 in)

50 mm (1.97 in)

0.8 mm (0.03 in)

2 4

DC Servo Control

400 g

849 mm /sec (33.4 ips) (at 45° direction)

0~1.0 mm (with an increase of 0.025 mm)

0.009 mm (0.00035")

0.025 mm (0.00098")

±0.254 mm or ±0.1% of move, whichever is greater

±0.1mm up to 3 meters (* certified media)

Completely Automatic Contour Cutting System for print to cut solution

4MB

USB 2.0 (Full Speed) and Serial (RS-232C)

HP-GL, HP-GL/2

LCD (20 digits x 2 lines), 14 Keys, 1 Power LED

Diameter of Blade

Dimension (HxWxD) mm

Net Weight

Stand

Power Supply

Power Consumption

Environment Temperature

Environment Humidity

220x 879x258

8.67 x34.61x10.16 in

13kg / 28.6lb

Optional

2 mm

1065 x 1632 x 620 (including stand)

41.93 x62.25x24.41 in

53 kg / 116.4 lb

Standard

AC 100-240V, 50~60 Hz (auto switching)

Max.110watts

15

°

C ~35

°

C / 60°F ~86°F (operating)

25%~ 75% relative humidity (operating)



Compatible with Windows 7 and above & MAC OS X 10.6 and above. (*Purchasing serial number for “ Sure

Cuts A Lot ” software to work with Mac OS.)

 The specification and data sheet may vary with different materials used. In order to obtain the best output quality, please maintain the machine regularly and properly.

 GCC reserves the right to change the specifications at any time without notice.



GCC certified material in tracking is Avery MPI 3000.

Puma III Specification A-1


 The above listed specification values are effective only when operated with media certified by GCC.

Puma III Specification A-1


Blade Specification

20200159G

For cutting thick fluorescent and reflective vinyl. Also for cutting detailed work in standard vinyl.

The blade is 45° with Red Cap (5-unit package), 0.25 mm offset, and 2 mm blade diameter.

265012020G

For cutting reflective vinyl, cardboard, sandblast, flock, and stencil sharp edge.

The blade is 60° with Green Cap , 0.50 mm blade offset, and 2 mm blade diameter.

26500059G

For cutting thin sandblast mask and stencil with friction feed or sprocket feed machine.

The blade is 60° with Blue Cap , 0.25 mm blade offset, and 2 mm blade diameter.

26500060G

For Cutting small text and fine detail. Sharp blade with smallest offset.

The blade is 50° with Black Cap , 0.175 mm blade offset, and 2 mm blade diameter.

For thin and delicate media such as window tint.

202003090G

The blade is 25° with Yellow Cap (5-unit package), 0.25 mm blade offset, and 2 mm blade diameter.

Blade Specification A-2


About the Tool

A generic term referring to the blade that cuts the sheet, the pen that does plotting, and the LED bombsight (option) used for pointing to the reference point.

OFFSET is the distance that the blade tip is displaced from the centerline of the blade.

Blade

Central line

Blade tip

Protrusion Length of the Blade

offset

Protrusion length of the blade

Thickness of the media (t1)

Thickness of the base paper (t 2)

Length of protrusion = t1 + t 2/ 2, but for your convenience you may just make it about

0.3mm ~ 0.5mm beyond the blade holder tip.

Blade Specification A-2


CorelDRAW Plug-In Instruction

AASII VBA Installer is applicable for CorelDRAW Version 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Installation

Please refer to Step 8 in Chapter 2.7.1.2

Driver Installation to install AAS plug-in for

CorelDRAW.

Run CorelDRAW AAS Plug-in

Step 1 Run CorelDRAW to edit your graphics and select all images at once when you wish to plot.

Step 2 Select “Tools  Macros  Run Macro.” Then select Global Macros

(GCCAASII_Draw13.gms) under the “Macros in” manual, and press “Run”.

CorelDRAW Plug-In A-3


Step 3 Click on “Apply” and select whether you would like to add the registration marks by page size or by object.

Step 4 Now you can print out the image file with registration marks.

Note: “Add Registration Mark by Object” will be the default selection if you click on the image whereas “Add Registration Mark by page size” will be the default one when the blank area on the page is clicked.

You can also add a Hot Icon for the AAS Plug-in

Select “Tools  Options  Workspace  Customization  Commands  Macros 

GCCMadual.GCC_AAS_Plug_In” and Click OK.



Add Registration Mark by page size

If you tick “Add Registration Mark by page size” as shown in the figure below and click “Apply”, your registration marks will be created automatically (please see Figure A3-1).

Note:

1. The length setting will be in the range of 5-25mm according to your page size.

2. Please DO NOT make any changes to the “Origin” section when you choose to add registration marks by page size as indicated below otherwise the position of the marks will be changed (please see Figure A3-2).

Figure A3-1

Figure A3-2

The system will create the 4 marks on the 4 corners of the page as shown in the picture below wherever you move your image.


Figure A3-3


Workable area

It allows users to edit and cut graphics in the area outside the registration marks when adding registration marks by page.

For A4 size media sheet, the workable area is 2.5mm

extended from the registration mark on left and right sides and 4.5mm extended from the registration mark on top side. On the bottom side, it is suggested to leave at least 25mm margin from the edge of media sheet to prevent sheets dropping or any error occurred while media sizing.

For A3 size media sheet, the workable area is 10mm extended from the registration mark on the left side, 9mm extended from the registration mark on the right side and 11mm extended from the registration mark on top side. On the bottom side, it is suggested to leave at least 25mm margin from the edge of media sheet to prevent sheets dropping or any error occurred while media sizing.

Note: Select “ Edge ” mode when media sizing to allow the media sheet to be unrolled.

If you select “ Single ” mode, the media sheet will not be able to be moved back and hence fail to be detected by front paper sensor.



Add Registration Mark by Object

If you tick “Add Registration Mark by Object”, you will be offered three options of registration marks as shown below.

4-Point Positioning



Length: The length of marks

 Range: 5mm~50mm




Thickness: The line thickness of marks

 Range: 1mm~2mm






Margin: The distance between marks and images

 Range: 0mm~50mm




Segmental Positioning

 X Step: The distance of intermediate position on the X axis

 Y Step: The distance of intermediate position on the Y axis



Range: 200mm~600mm

 Optimized Setting: Less than 500mm

Figure A3-4

Multiple Copies

 No. of X Copies: The numbers of copies on X axis



No. of Y Copies: The numbers of copies on Y axis

 Range: 1~50. (The more copies you make, the more time is needed for data transmission.)



Numbers of X Copies * Numbers of Y Copies = The total amount of image copies



Copies with outline ： To show outlines of image graphics

Note: The values entered in the “4-Point Positioning” section (length, thickness and margin) will still be applied when you tick “Segmental Positioning” or “Multiple Copies”.





 Length: The length of marks



Range: 5mm~50mm


 Thickness: The line thickness of marks



Range: 1mm~2mm




Margin: The distance between marks and images



Range: 0mm~50mm


Figure A3-5

The system will create the 4 marks as shown in the picture below.

Figure A3-6



Note:

1. To save your materials, in addition to amending object margins, you can also adjust the length of the registration marks (5mm minimum) when you apply 4-Point Positioning (see table 1 for suggestions based on different material sizes). The smaller the size is, the smaller the distance between the object and the registration marks is (see the figures below).

Area to be cut

Figure A3-8 Figure A3-7

Page size

(unit: mm)

A6 (105 x 148)

A5 (148 × 210)

A4 (210 × 297)

A3 (297 × 420)

A2 (420 × 594)

A1 (594 × 841) and above

Suggested mark length

(unit: mm)

5

8

11

16

23

25 *

Table 1

* 25mm is the suggested value for the registration mark length

2. The size of the registration marks would affect the accuracy of registration mark detection so please make sure the amount you enter is reasonable.

3. If you change the paper size, you will have to reset the registration marks otherwise the previous setting will be applied.




For precise cutting quality, it is suggested to select “Segmental

Positioning” when you are working on an extra long or large-sized image to increase cutting accuracy.


 X Step: The distance of intermediate position on the X axis



Y Step: The distance of intermediate position on the Y axis



Range: 200mm~600mm

 Optimized Setting: Less than 500mm

Figure A3-9

The system will create the as shown in the picture below


Figure A3-10

Segmental Positioning will be applied to Multiple Copies when the object to be copied is of large size (with the length or width over 200mm) to increase the accuracy of registration mark detection.



Multiple Copies

It is suggested to select “Multiple Copies” when you would like to make several copies of one image on your material to increase cutting accuracy.

Multiple Copies



No. of X Copies: The numbers of copies on X axis



No. of Y Copies: The numbers of copies on Y axis


 Numbers of X Copies * Numbers of Y Copies = The total amount of image copies

 Copies with outline ： To show outlines of image graphics

Figure A3-11

The system will create the as shown in the picture below.

Y axis

X axis

Figure A3-12



Contour cutting through CorelDraw

Step 1 Position the paper with registration marks printed by your printer on the GCC cutter.

Step 2 Select “Files  Print”.

Note: if you use CorelDraw X5 and later, you must follow the steps below.

Figure A3-13

Step 1 Click the “color” page and go to the “Color conversions performed by:” and then select the model name of you cutter (please refer to Figure A3-14).


Figure A3-14


Step 2 Go to the “Layout” page and select Bottom left corner at “Reposition images to”.

Figure A3-15

Step 3 Click “Print”.



Illustrator Plug-In Instruction

AASII VBA Installer is applicable for Adobe Illustrator Version CS4, CS5, CS6, CC.

Installation

Please refer to Step 8 in Chapter 2.7.1.2 Driver Installation to install AAS plug-in for Adobe

Illustrator.

Printer Setting

Step 1 Go to Control Panel, right click on the printer and select Printer Properties to open the Printer Properties page

Illustrator Plug-In A-4


Step 2 Go to the Advanced page and make sure the “Enable advanced printing features” box is unchecked.



User Instructions

Step 1 Open Illustrator.

Step 2 Edit your image and create a contour line ( Note: you must have the line width set as

0.001mm).

Contour line

Step 3 Click on the image and apply the AAS function (File  Scripts  _AASII_Plug_In).



Step 4 Select the registration marks needed

Step 5 Three types of registration marks are introduced here: 4-Point Positioning, Segmental

Positioning and Multiple Copies.

Note:

Step 6 Confirm the registration marks (the 4-Point Position mark is used as an illustration in the



Step 6 Confirm the registration marks (the 4-Point Position mark is used as an illustration in the following steps).

Step 7 Click on the blank area on the page and then click “Document Setup”.



Step 8 Hit “Edit Artboards”.

Step 9 Click on “Presets

→ Fit Artboard to Artwork bounds”.



Step 10 Please move your mouse to the tool bar on the left when step 9 is finished and then click “Selection Tool”.

Step 11 This will take you back to the edit mode.



Step 12 Print out the file with the contour line and the registration marks.

Step 13 Place the printed file on the cutter, lower the pinch rollers and then position the carriage at the origin of the registration marks.

Step 14 Send the file to the cutter.



Step 15 Select the cutter model, position the object in the bottom left corner.

Step 16 Your job is now completed.



Add Registration Mark by page size

If you want to create registration mark by page size, select the object, go to “Scripts” under

“File” and select “_AASII_Plug_In”

Tick “Make by page size” and click “Apply” and the registration mark will be created on the 4 corners of the page automatically, sown as below.

Note:

The length setting will be in the range of 10-50mm according to your page size.



Workable area

It allows users to edit and cut graphics in the area outside the registration marks when adding registration marks by page.

For A4 size media sheet, the workable area is 2.5mm

extended from the registration mark on left and right sides and 4.5mm extended from the registration mark on top side. On the bottom side, it is suggested to leave at least 25mm margin from the edge of media sheet to prevent sheets dropping or any error occurred while media sizing.

For A3 size media sheet, the workable area is 10mm extended from the registration mark on the left side, 9mm extended from the registration mark on the right side and 11mm extended from the registration mark on top side. On the bottom side, it is suggested to leave at least 25mm margin from the edge of media sheet to prevent sheets dropping or any error occurred while media sizing.

Note: Select “ Edge ” mode when media sizing to allow the media sheet to be unrolled. If you select “ Single ” mode, the media sheet will not be able to be moved back and hence fail to be detected by front paper sensor.



Add Registration Mark by Object

If you add registration mark by Object, you will be offered three options of registration marks.

Firstly, select the graphic which you want to add registration mark on and go to “Scripts” under

“File” and select “_AASII_Plug_In”.

Make sure to untick “Make by page size” and choose one of the registration mark types whichever is suitable.



Three types of registration marks



 Length: The length of marks

 Range: 5mm~50mm


 Thickness: The line thickness of marks

 Range: 1mm~2mm


 Margin: The distance between marks and images

 Range: 0mm~50mm





Note:

1. To save your materials, in addition to amending object margins, you can also adjust the length of the registration marks (5mm minimum) when you apply 4-Point Positioning (see table 1 for suggestions based on different material sizes). The smaller the size is, the smaller the distance between the object and the registration marks is (see the figures below).

Area to be cut

Page size

(unit: mm)

A6 (105 x 148)

A5 (148 × 210)

A4 (210 × 297)

A3 (297 × 420)

A2 (420 × 594)

A1 (594 × 841) and above


(unit: mm)

5

8

11

16

23

25 *

Table 1

* 25mm is the suggested value for the registration mark length


3. If you change the paper size, you will have to reset the registration marks otherwise the previous setting will be applied.




For precise cutting quality, it is suggested to select “Segmental Positioning” when you are working on an extra long or large-sized image to increase cutting accuracy.




X Step: The distance of intermediate position on the X axis

 Y Step: The distance of intermediate position on the Y axis

 Range: 200mm~600mm



Optimized Setting: Less than 500mm

The system will create the marks as shown in the picture below. Segmental Positioning



Multiple Copies

It is suggested to select “Multiple Copies” when you would like to make several copies of one image on your material to increase cutting accuracy.

Multiple Copies

 No. of X Copies: The numbers of copies on X axis

 No. of Y Copies: The numbers of copies on Y axis


 Numbers of X Copies * Numbers of Y Copies =

The total amount of image copies

 Copies with outline ： To show outlines of image graphics

 Margin: Space between marks; must be 0 or ≧ 20, no negative numbers allowed

The system will create the as shown in the picture below.

Y axis


X axis


GreatCut Plug-In Instruction

The user manual of GreatCut software is available on the GCC installation DVD.

GCC AASII System

Below is a step-by-step instruction of using the AAS function in GreatCut software through

CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator.

Edit your image in CorelDRAW


Step 1 Create a new file in CorelDRAW and click on the Create contour icon on the GreatCut toolbar (it would appear automatically once CorelDRAW is open).

GreatCut Plug-In A-5


Step 2 Complete contour line settings (including contour offset value) and press Calculate to confirm.

Contour lines will be added to the images.

Contour offset is the distance between the object and the contour line.



Tips: Vector object to create round outline

In general for vector objects you will get better results with the outline function. You will see the difference between "Normal" and "Round" in sharp corners. The picture is shown as below:

Normal Round

1. Click the “Create outline” to create contours in a freely definable distance around text objects.

2. Select “Round corners” and set the value of “offset” and “tolerance.”

Offset is the value for the distance of the inline and outline from the original object.

The field tolerance indicates in which offset from the corner dot is cut respectively rounded.



Step 3 Press the Settings icon on the GreatCut toolbar.

Step 4 Press the button on the right of Jog marks.



Step 5 Adjust the size, object margin and line thickness of your registration marks in the

Setup-Jog Marks window and click OK.

4-Point Positioning

 Size: The length of marks

 Range: 5mm~50mm


 Object margin: The distance between marks and images

 Range: 0mm~50mm


 Line thickness: the line thickness of marks

 Range: 1mm~2mm


Step 6 Ensure the three items below are selected and click OK.



Step 7 Click the Set Jog Marks Icon on the GreatCut toolbar.




Note:

1. To save your materials, in addition to amending object margins, you can also adjust the length of the registration marks (5mm minimum) when you apply the above function(see table 1 for suggestions based on different material sizes). The smaller the size is, the smaller the distance between the object and the registration marks is (see the figures below).

Area to be cut

Page size

(unit: mm)

A6 (105 x 148)

A5 (148 × 210)

A4 (210 × 297)

A3 (297 × 420)

A2 (420 × 594)

A1 (594 × 841) and above


(unit: mm)

5

8

11

16

23

25*

Table 1

*25mm is the suggested value for the registration mark length




Output

Step 1 Select both the entire object (including registration marks and the contour line) and press the Cut icon on the GreatCut toolbar.

Step 2 The system will activate GreatCut automatically and import the registration marks and contour line to GreatCut.



Step 3 Select Output under File.

Step 4 . Select Cut with AAS in Mode/Tool in the Output to device window.


Complete the settings of AAS

Offset, Pressure, Speed,

Material width and so on.


Step 5 Click output and the object will be sent to GCC Cutting Plotter.



Note: The difference amount Number of outputs, Number of copies, and Step count in the

Output window.

1. When Number of outputs is set as 2, the square and the triangle will be cut 1 time and then the square and the triangle will be cut 1 time at next position.

2. When Number of copies is set as 2, the square and the triangle will be cut 2 times at the same position.

3. When Step count is set as 2, the square will be cut 2 times at the same position and then the triangle will be cut will be cut 2 times at the same position.



Advanced Settings


For precise cutting quality, it is suggested to apply “Segmental Positioning” by adjusting the x and y distance when you are working on an extra long or large-size image to increase cutting quality.

Follow the same steps in the 4-Point Positioning section to complete the contour line setting and registration mark creation procedures. Adjust the size, object margin and line thickness of your registration marks and the space between registration marks by changing X, Y distance in the Setup-Jog Marks window and click OK.


Segmental Positioning

 Max.

x Distance: The distance of intermediate position on the X axis

 Range: 200-500 mm

 Max.

y Distance: The distance of intermediate position on the Y axis

 Range: 200-500 mm


The system will create the marks as shown in the picture below.

Y axis

X axis

Segmental Positioning

Follow the same steps in the Output section to output your image to GCC Cutting Plotter.



Multiple Copies

Follow the same steps in the 4-Point Positioning section to complete the contour line setting and registration mark creation procedures.

When you apply the “Multiple

Copies” function, the value that has been set in this section will still be applied.

Click on the Set Jog Marks Icon on the GreatCut toolbar and 4 marks will be created as shown in the picture below.



Click on the Multi-copy Icon on the GreatCut toolbar and complete the Number in X/Y (the number of copies desired on the X/Y axis) and Distance in X/Y (distance between each copy) settings then click OK.

Note:

The spacing of vertical & horizontal (Offset X & Y) should be ≥ 20mm or = 0mm; Users are advised to set the Distance in X/Y as 0 mm to remove the space between each copy to avoid the waste of materials.



The system will create several copies of the object with registration marks as shown in the picture below.




Edit your image in Adobe Illustrator


Step 1 Create a new file in Adobe Illustrator.

Step 2 Select the image and go to Contour in GreatCu in File.



Step 3 Complete contour line settings (including contour offset value) and press Calculate to confirm.

Contour line is now added to the object.

Contour offset is the distance between the object and the contour line.



Tips: Vector object to create round outline

In general for vector objects you will get better results with the outline function. You will see the difference between "Normal" and "Round" in sharp corners. The picture is shown as below:

Normal Round

1. Select the “Outline” in GreatCut option under File to create contours in a freely definable distance around text objects.

2. Select “Round corners” and set the value of “offset” and “tolerance.”

Offset is the value for the distance of the inline and outline from the original object.

The field tolerance indicates in which offset from the corner dot is cut respectively rounded.



Step 4 Click Settings on GreatCut under File.

Step 5 Press the button on the right of Jog marks.



Step 6 Adjust the size, object margin and line thickness of your registration marks and click OK.


 Size: The length of marks

 Range: 5mm~50mm


 Object margin: The distance between marks and images

 Range: 0mm~50mm


 Line thickness: the line thickness of marks

 Range: 1mm~2mm


Step 7 Ensure the three items below are selected and click OK.



Step 8 Click Set Jog Marks on GreatCut under File.




Output

Step 1 Select both the entire object (including registration marks and the contour line) then click

Cut on GreatCut under File.

Step 2 The system will activate GreatCut automatically and import the registration marks and contour line to GreatCut.



Step 3 Select Output under File.

Step 4 Select Cut with AAS in Mode/Tool in the Output to device window.



Step 5 Click output and the object will be sent to GCC Cutting Plotter



Note: The difference amount Number of outputs, Number of copies, and Step count in the

Output window.

1. When Number of outputs is set as 2, the square and the triangle will be cut 1 time and then the square and the triangle will be cut 1 time at next position.

2. When Number of copies is set as 2, the square and the triangle will be cut 2 times at the same position.

3. When Step count is set as 2, the square will be cut 2 times at the same position and then the triangle will be cut will be cut 2 times at the same position.



Advanced Settings


For precise cutting quality, it is suggested to apply “Segmental Positioning” by adjusting the x and y distance when you are working on an extra long or large-size image to increase cutting quality.

Follow the same steps in the 4-Point Positioning section to complete the contour line setting and registration mark creation procedures. Adjust the size, object margin and line thickness of your registration marks and the space between registration marks by changing X, Y distance in the Setup-Jog Marks window and click OK.



 Max.

x Distance: The distance of intermediate position on the X axis

 Range: 200-500 mm

 Max.

y Distance: The distance of intermediate position on the Y axis

 Range: 200-500 mm


Step 1 Click on the Set Jog Marks Icon on the GreatCut toolbar and 4 marks will be created as shown in the picture below.



Step 2 Follow the same steps in the 4-Point Positioning section to complete the contour line setting and registration mark creation procedures.

When you apply the “Multiple

Copies” function, the value that has been set in this section will still be applied.

Step 3 Click on the Set Jog Marks Icon on the GreatCut toolbar and the system will create the 4 marks as shown in the picture below.



Step 4 Click Multi-Copy on GreatCut under File.



Step 5 Complete the Number in X/Y (the number of copies desired on the X/Y axis) and

Distance in X/Y (distance between each copy) settings then click OK.

Note:

The spacing of vertical & horizontal (Offset X & Y) should be ≥ 20mm or = 0mm; users are advised to set the Distance in X/Y as 0 mm to remove the space between each copy to avoid the waste of materials.

Step 6 The system will create several copies of the object with registration marks as shown in the picture below.




SignPal 12 Instruction

The SignPal 12 Software is Windows System compatible and all versions support the AAS

II contour cutting function.

SignPal 12 Instruction Index:

[1] Installing the SignPal 12 software

[2] Set up your GCC Cutter on Production Manager

[3] SignPal AAS II Quick Start

[4] SignPal 12 Features List

[1] Installing the SignPal 12 software

To install the software, you must have Administrator privileges. To use the software, you must have Administrator or Power User privileges. See your Windows user guide for more information.

1. Uninstall any previous version of the software.

2. Go to GCC Club ( http://gccf.gcc.com.tw/gccclub/login.aspx

) and login, and select

Drivers > Cutter > Others > SignPal 12 to download the WinRAR file.

3. Follow the installation and activation instruction for SignPal 12 below.

SignPal 12 Instruction A-6


(1) Install and activate software on an online computer

1. Launch your browser and type https://www.saicloud.com in address bar and press enter, then input your activation code, then click Activate , activation code can be found in the code label in software package.

2. In login section, click I am new to the SAi Cloud and input your email address, then click Create Account, an email will be sent to your mailbox.



3. Check your mailbox and click website link in the email then complete the information fields.



4. Open Autorun in the WinRAR file. Then install software step by step by following the wizard.



5. Paste your code into activation code field.

6. Select language you need, click OK and finish installation.



(2) Install and activate software on an offline computer

1. Open Autorun in the WinRAR file. Then install software step by step by following the wizard.



2. Record your computer ID in the dialog box below and look up your computer name,

You can find your computer name by right-click on My Computer and choose

Properties.

3. Launch your browser on another online computer and type https://www.saicloud.com in the address bar and press enter, then input your activation code and click Activate .

The Activation code can be found in the software package certificate.



4. In login section, click I am new to the SAi Cloud and input your email address, then click Create Account, an email will be sent to your mailbox.

5. Check your mailbox and click website link in the email then complete the information fields.



6. Click “License Manager” can’t connect and input your computer ID and computer name that you recorded for the offline computer before, then click

Create license Now and Download License, save license file to local.



7. Copy license file to offline computer via a removable disk device, then import it.

8. Select language you need, then click OK and finish installation.



(3) Transfer license on an online computer

1. Open License Manager from Start menu.

2. Click Remove License From This computer , Now you can install the software on another computer.



(4)Transfer license on an offline computer

1. Open License Manager from Start menu.

2. Click Remove License From This computer , then record removal code in license dialog box.

3. Launch your browser on another online computer, access https://www.saicloud.com and login with your account. Click License

Removed then input removal code and click Remove. After this you can install software on another computer.



[2] Set up your GCC Cutter on Production Manager

1. Open Production Manager 12

2. Choose and set up your GCC cutter.

(Note that AAS II System only works on RX II, Jaguar V LX, Puma III, Expert II LX models.)





3. Select File > Print Setup in SignPal Software and select the printer.



4. Select File > Document Setup in SignPal and select paper size .



[3] SignPal AASII Quick Start

1. Use the Rectangle Tool to create a rectangle.

2. Select Effect > Contour Cut . Then click ‘Apply’ in DesignCentral window.



3. Apply the contour cut mark of GCC AASII by selecting Effect > Contour Cut Mark .

4. Select “ GCC AASII ” in SignPal DesignCentral window to create the AAS II registration marks (4-Point Positioning) and click ‘ Apply ’ in DesignCentral window.



5. There are three types of GCC AASII registration marks: 4-Point Positioning,

Segmental Positioning, and Multiple Copies. To make ‘Segmental Positioning’ marks, please select “ GCC Segmentation ” in DesignCentral window and then click ‘ Apply ’.

6. For ‘Multiple Copies’, this function is not available in SignPal. Currently the ‘Multiple

Copies’ function is only available under CorelDraw plug-in.

7. Select File > Print to print out the image.



8. Set the Scale as 100% in Print page.

9. Load the printout vinyl on the plotter and select File > Cut Contour to send data. You can preview the job and change cutter’s parameter settings in ‘Properties’ tab of Cut

Contour window .

The Production Manager will be automatic activated to complete the job.





[4] SignPal 12 Features List

Text

Text Tool

Arc Text

Path Text

Vertical Text

Vertical Path Text

Kerning

Break Apart/ Join

Drawing

Bezier

Freehand Drawing

Shapes

Rectangle

Oval

Registration Mark Tool

Measure Tool

Path Editing

Select Point Tool

Remove Point

Add Point

Straighten Path

Round Corner

Sharpen Corner

Optimize by Curve

Optimize by Smooth

Arc

Optimize by 3point Arc

Make Arc

Reduce Points

Close Path

Change Start Point

Cleaver

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Scissors

Make Right Angle

Break Path

Join Paths

Align Horizontal

Align Vertical

Align Points

Apply Length and

Angle

Remove Tiny Objects

Vector Eraser

Cleaver by Path

Working with Files

Job Info

Scanning

Achieve to Cloud

Workspaces

View

DesignCentral

Color Mixer

Snap

Arrange

Group

Compound

Mask

Guides

Contour Cut

Convert to Outlines

Convert Stroke to

Outlines

Convert Linked to

Native

Path Direction

Order

Cut Order


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Align

Spacing

Rotate

Resize

Deskew

Mirror

Step and Repeat

Effects

Combine

Outline

Contour Cut

Contour Cut Mark

Shadow

Bitmap

Autotrace

Color Mode

Production

Cut/Plot

Manual Split Lines

Tile All Copies

Panel to Border

Auto-weld

Auto-trap

Overcut

Optimize Cutting Order

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Sure Cuts A Lot

There are basic instructions of Sure Cut A Lot below. If you need detailed instruction, please refer to Sure Cut A Lot Help.

1. Select the cutter you want to output and change the work area.

Step 1 Run Sure Cuts A Lot software.

Step 2 Select “Cutter” and select “Manage Cutters” under My Cutter to change the work area.

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7


Step 3 Select company / brand as GCC and select model you want to output and then click the “<--Add to list” button.

Step 4 Select GCC on the left and click “Done.”

Step 5 If you want to change the material size and orientation, you can fill a proper value in the Document window.

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7


2. Insert Graphics from Library

Step 1 Select graphics from library to insert a selected design.

3. Draw Text

Click on the T icon at left side to create the text and select the font you like at text window.

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7


4. Import Design

If you have created your design in other design software, go to “import” or “place image” under file to import it, SCA supports svg, scut, scal, pdf, ai. wpc eps, bmp, gif, jpg and png files.

Tips Thousands of SVG files designed specifically for Sure Cuts A Lot!

 http://SVGCuts.com

is the top of source for designer SVG files for Sure

Cuts A Lot. Thousands of high quality elements including: shapes for card-making, scrapbooking, as well as gift bags, boxes and 3D flowers.

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7


5. Convert Image to Cutting File

Step 1 Go to Trace Image under File, or select Trace Image button on the toolbar to open the setting window.

Step 2 Click on “Choose an image” to input the image, adjust Image Settings and Output

Settings, and click OK. Then the outline of the image will be outputted automatically.

Note

 The contrast and pixels of import images will affect the trace image result. High contract graphics are recommended.

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7


6. Cut the Design

Step 1 Click on the “Cutter” button on the toolbar and Cut Settings window will appear.

Step 2 Click on “Settings…” to open GCC Cutter Settings window.

Note

 The origin point is on the bottom right.

Step 3 Adjust Registration Marks setting under GCC Cutter Settings window if needed.

*Registration Marks: set the distance between the edge of the material and the registration marks in Mark Offset; set the size of marks in Mark

Size; set the line thickness of marks in Mark Thickness.

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7


Step 4 Adjust Blade Offset, Overcut Value, Multi-Cut and Quality under Cut Settings window if needed.

*Blade Offset: set the offset value according to different blade, for a standard blade, set the offset value at 0.25mm, 0.5mm for an optional advanced blade and 0mm for an optional plotting pen.

*Quality: associated with the cutting result; please note the better cutting quality, the slower cutting speed.

*Multi-Cut: to repeat the cutting job at same position which is suitable for cutting thick material.

*Overcut: lines.

allows for easier weeding and makes up for incomplete cut

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7


Step 5 Under “Cut Settings” section, there are some useful functions. After setting the parameters, click on “Cut” to send the data to the GCC cutter and the GCC cutter will start the cutting job.

*Cut Mode: there are “WSIWYG” and “Origin Point” options, WSIWYG means what you see is what you get, the cutter will output the graphic at same position in preview window. While with Origin Point mode, the cutter will cut the graphic from bottom right origin point of the material.

*Use Software Speed and Pressure:

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7

tick this section, and you can set the values of speed and pressure manually.

*Preset: select a proper material to apply the preset speed and pressure parameter automatically.

*Speed & Pressure: you may adjust values of speed and pressure manually to get quality results.


7. Print and Cut Your Design

The Print and Cut function allows you to print the graphics from Sure Cuts A Lot to printer, and then put the printed materials on the GCC cutter to cut out the contour of printed jobs from Sure Cuts A Lot.

Step 1 Open an image file in Sure Cuts A Lot.

Step 2 Click on the Cutter icon on the toolbar, set the parameters and click on “Print+Cut” to add the registration marks and print out the image.

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7


Step 3 Click on “Print…” to open printer setting window and click OK.

Step 4 Print your design with registration marks out .

Step 5 Load the printed media to the GCC cutter.

Step 6 Press “Next” and then press “Scan+Cut”, and then the GCC cutter will detect the registration marks and cut the contour lines automatically.

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7


Tips Test Connection function can save your materials.

 Click on “Test Connection” to exam if set the connection properly.

Sure Cuts A Lot A-7

GCC Technologies P3-132S, P3-60 User Manual

Puma III Series

User Manual

Important Information

PRECAUTIONS IN USE

Chapter 1 General Information

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Package Items

1.3 Product Features

1.4 Appearance of Puma III

Chapter 2 Installation

2.1 Precaution

2.2 Stand & Flexible Media Support System (for P3-132)

2.3 USB Cable Tie and Saddle

2.4 Desktop Flexible Media Support System (for P3-60 only)

2.5 Blade Installation

2.6 Cable Connections

2.7 Software Installation

Chapter 3 The Control Panel

Chapter 4 Operation

4.1 Media Loading

4.2 Tracking Performance

4.3 Cutting Force and Offset Adjustment

4.4 When Completing the Cutting Job

4.5 Puma III Print Driver setting

4.6 Reference Parameter setting for different materials

The following reference parameter is used on GCC verified materials shown in the table.

Chapter 5 Automatic-Aligning System

5.1 Introduction

5.2 AAS Contour Cutting System

5.3 Printer Test

5.4 Registration Mark Offset Range

5.5 Contour Cutting

5.6 Tips for AAS

Chapter 6 Basic Maintenance

6.1 Cleaning the Cutting Plotter

6.2 Cleaning the Grid Drum

6.3 Cleaning the Pinch Rollers

Chapter 7 Trouble Shooting

Possible Causes:

7.1 Non-Operational Problems

7.2 Operational Problems

7.3 Cutting Plotter/Computer Communication Problems

7.4 Software Problems

7.5 Cutting Quality Problems

Puma III Specification

Blade Specification

About the Tool

Protrusion Length of the Blade

CorelDRAW Plug-In Instruction

Installation

Run CorelDRAW AAS Plug-in

You can also add a Hot Icon for the AAS Plug-in

Add Registration Mark by page size

Add Registration Mark by Object

Illustrator Plug-In Instruction

Installation

Printer Setting

User Instructions

Add Registration Mark by page size

Add Registration Mark by Object

Three types of registration marks

Y axis

X axis

GreatCut Plug-In Instruction

Edit your image in CorelDRAW

Advanced Settings

Edit your image in Adobe Illustrator

Advanced Settings

SignPal 12 Instruction

(1) Install and activate software on an online computer

(2) Install and activate software on an offline computer

(3) Transfer license on an online computer

(4)Transfer license on an offline computer

Sure Cuts A Lot

Related manuals

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puma iii series

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