GCC Expert 24 Cutting Plotter User Manual

V.4 2012 Feb.

EXPERT 24

CUTTING PLOTTER

User Manual

`

Great Computer Corporation ©

NOTICE

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

V.4 2012 Feb.

Expert 24 user manual

Important Information

Thank you for purchasing the Expert 24 Cutting Plotter.

Before you use the cutting plotter, please make sure that you have read the safety precautions and instructions below.

!

Caution

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS!

¾

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

O (correct)

X (Incorrect)

¾

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

¾

During an operation, do not touch any of the moving parts of this machine (such as the carriage). Also be careful to make sure that clothing and hair do not get caught.

¾

Always connect the power cable to a grounded outlet.

¾

Always use the accessory power cable which is provided. Do not wire the power cable

¾ 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

mis-operation of the machine.

¾

¾

Keep the tools away from children where they can reach.

Always put the pinch rollers within the white marks.

Important Information

Expert 24 user manual

T a b l l e o f f

C o n t t e n t t s

Important Information

1. General Information

1.1 Package Items

1.2 Product Features

1.3 The Appearance

2. Installation

2.1 Precaution

2.2 Stand & Flexible Media Support System

2.3 Blade Installation

2.4 Media Loading

2.4.1 Loading the Sheet Media

2.4.2 Loading the Roll Media

2.4.3 How to change the poll size without turning off the machine?

2.5 Cable Connections

2.5.1 USB Interface

2.5.2 How to switch the USB mode

2.5.3 RS-232 Interface

3.Operation

3.1 The Control Panel

3.2 VLCD

3.3 File Uploader

3.4 Data Transmission

3.5 Expert 24 Print Driver setting

3.5.1 Option Page

3.5.2 Paper Page

4. Basic Maintenance

4.1 Cleaning the cutting Plotter

4.2 Cleaning the Grid Drum

4.3 Cleaning the Pinch Rollers

5. Trouble Shooting

5.1 What if Expert 24 cannot Operate?

5.2 Light Indicators

5.3 Cutting Quality Problems

Appendix

A-1 CorelDraw instruction

A-2 Expert 24 Specification

A-3 Blade Specification

1-1

1-1

1-2

2-10

2-10

2-13

2-13

4-1

4-1

4-2

5-1

5-1

5-4

A-1

A-2

A-3

2-1

2-2

2-5

2-7

2-7

2-9

2-9

3-1

3-2

3-5

3-6

3-7

3-7

3-9

Table of Contents

Expert 24 user manual

1. General Information

The package of Expert 24 contents the items listed below, please check carefully.

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

Item

Cutting Plotter

Accessories

1. Installation CD 2. AC Power Cord

Quantity

1 Set

1 Set

3.

Desktop Support Brackets

4. Cutting Pad 5. USB Cable 6. RS-232 Cable

7. Tweezers 8. Paper Slicer

The followings are the main features of the Expert 24 cutting plotters:

‧ Dual-port connectivity – USB & Serial interface.

‧ Up to 250 gram cutting force.

‧ Up to 400 mm/per second cutting speed.

General Information 1-1

Expert 24 user manual

1.3.1 The Front View

A B C D E

【Figure 1-1】

F G

H

Object

A

Primary Pinch Roller

B

Slicing Groove

C

Alignment Ruler

D

Tool Carriage

E

Blade Holder

F

Platen

G Cutting Pad

H

Control Panel

1.3.2 The Back View

Object

J

Grid Drum

Description

To help hold the media during cutting.

To help slice off media.

To align media with clear guideline marks

To help perform cutting job with installed blade or pen.

To hold the blade.

The surface for holding and supporting media in operation.

To protect blade and plate in operation.

To consist of 10 control keys and 6 LED lights.

【Figure 1-2】

J

Description

To move media back and forth in operation.

General Information 1-2

Expert 24 user manual

K L

【Figure 1-3】

M

N

O

【Figure 1-4】

Object

K

AC Power Connector

Description

To insert the AC power cord.

L

N

Fuse

M Power Switch

USB Connector

3Amp.

To turn on or off the machine.

To connect the machine and a computer through a

USB cable.

O Serial Interface Connector To connect the machine and a computer through a

RS-232 cable.

General Information 1-3

Expert 24 User Manual

2. Installation

2.1 Precaution

Please read below information carefully before you start installation.

Notice 1

z

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

Carefully handle the cutter to prevent any injuries.

Notice 2

Choosing a proper place before setting up the cutting plotter

Before installing your cutting plotter, select a suitable location, which meets the following conditions. z

The machine can be approached easily from any direction. z

Keep enough space for the machine, accessories and supplies. z

Keep the working area stable, avoiding severe vibration. z

Keep the temperature between 15 and 30

℃

(60-86 o

F)

in the workshop. z

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

Protecting the machine from dust and strong air current. z

Preventing the machine from direct sunlight or extremely bright lighting.

Notice 3

Connecting the Power Supply

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

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

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

Installation 2-1

Expert 24 User Manual

2.2 Stand

2.2.1 Stand Installation

Please follow the procedures below for assembling the stand and the media support system.

Step 1

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

Stand is an optional item for Expert 24, Item List： z 1 Left side vertical stand z 1 Right side vertical stand z 1 Support for left side z 1 Support for right side z 1 Stand Beam z 2 Bottom Stands with wheels z 2 Sliding brackets for paper take up z 1 Hex Wrench (M5)Φ4 z 28 Socket flat head screws(M6*12L) z 1 Installation Guide

Step 2

Position the Left side vertical stand perpendicularly to part

X and put the screws into the holes and tighten them to form a left side T-stand (Figure 2-1). Repeat the same steps with the

Right side vertical stand.

Left side vertical stand

X

Bottom Stand

Figure 2-1

Installation 2-2

Expert 24 User Manual

Step 3

Place the stand beam upright on the T-stand and put the screws into the holes but do not tighten them at this step.

Stand Beam

T-stand

Figure 2-2

Step 4

Position both the left Support and right Support perpendicularly to the T-stand and put the screws into the holes and tighten them as shown in Figure 2-3.

Support for left side

Support for right side

Figure 2-3

Installation 2-3

Expert 24 User Manual

Step 5

Remove the cutting plotter from the carton. Position the stand under the plotter, and insert the screws into the holes on the bottom of the plotter but do not tighten them up as shown in

Figure 2-4.

Figure 2-4

Step 6

Tighten the screws of step 3 and step 5. Place the sliding brackets for paper takeup onto the stand beam. sliding brackets for paper takeup

Figure 2-5

Installation 2-4

Expert 24 User Manual

2.3 Blade Installation

Figure 2-6 is the illustrator of the blade

Pin

holder. Insert a blade into the bottom of

Adjustment depth knob

the blade holder and remove the blade by pushing the pin. Make sure that your fingers are away from the blade tip.

Outward ring

Step 1 Step 2 Figure 2-6

Install blade (Figure 2-7). Push the blade to the bottom of the blade

holder (Figure 2-8).

Figure 2-7 Figure 2-8

Step 3

Adjust the blade tip to suitable length by screwing “Blade tip adjustment screw” clockwise or count-clockwise. (Figure 2-9).

Tips:

Figure 2-9

“The proper length” means the blade’s length is adjusted 0.1mm more than film’s thickness. That is, if the thickness of film is

0.5mm, then blade’s length is properly adjusted 0.6mm and it can completely cut through the film layer yet avoid penetrating the backing.

Installation 2-5

Expert 24 User Manual

Step 4

Insert the blade holder into tool carriage. Please note the outward ring of the holder must put into the grooves of carriage firmly (see Figure 2-10), fasten the case (Figure 2-11).

Figure 2-10 Figure 2-11

Step 5

Use the reversing steps to remove the blade holder.

Step 6

Eject the blade:

Push “Blade eject pin” to eject blade when the blade needs to be replaced.

Caution

The blade will lose its sharpness after a period of usage, the cutting quality be affected. By increasing the cutting force, it might do the trick. However, the blade is worn out and no longer provides a reliable cutting, you should re a new one. The blade is consumable and must be replaced as often as nece to maintain the cutting quality. The quality of the blade deeply affects c quality. So be sure to use a high quality blade to ensure good cutting results

Tips - When to replace a new blade:

9 If the blade is broken, you have to replace a new one.

9 If cutting quality is not as good as usual, you may need to replace a new one.

9 If the material cannot be cut through by higher cutting force, you may need to replace a new one.

Installation 2-6

Expert 24 User Manual

2.4 Automatic Blade Length Adjustment

Figure 2.-18 is the new blade holder with a scale and the carriage with a mark.

Scale

Mark

Figure 2-12

Figure 2-13

There are 10 units on the scale; each unit equals to 0.1 mm, allowing you to adjust the blade length for 0.00mm-5.00mm (Figure 2-12).

Follow the steps below to adjust the length of the blade

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

2. Align one of the scales on the blade holder to the mark on the carriage

3. Select “Blade Length Adjust” under “CUT TEST” on the LCM, enter the blade length wished in “Set Length”; test the blade holder first and then test the blade length by pressing ENTER.

Note: 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 clock-wisely

(Figure 2-14, Figure 2-15).

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.

Installation 2-7

Expert 24 User Manual

Figure 2-14 Figure 2-15

Installation 2-8

Expert 24 User Manual

2.5 Media Loading

2.5.1 Loading the Sheet Media

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

Step 1

Lift the 2 levers at the back side of cutter to raise pinch rollers (

Figure 2-16

).

Step 2

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 (

Figure 2-17

).

Figure 2-16

Figure 2-17

Step 3

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 the main beam will remind you where the grid drums are (Figure 2-18).

White mark Figure 2-18

Figure 2-19

Installation 2-9

Expert 24 User Manual

CAUTION!

9 Make sure the Primary and secondary pinch rollers are set to right positions.

9 Position the Primary Pinch Rollers at the right and left sides of media.

9 Position the Secondary Pinch Roller at the center of media.

Figure 2-20

!!

Secondary Pinch Roller Primary Pinch Roller

(O)

Correct

(X)

Incorrect

Figure 2-21

Step 4

Push the lever backward to lower down the pinch rollers (Figure 2-22).

Step 5

After turn on the power, the tool carriage will measure the size of the media automatically. And the plotting cutter begins to work.

Installation 2-10

Expert 24 User Manual

Note:

9 Al ways adjust the position with the pinch rollers raised.

9 Please reposition the pinch roller by holding the center of

the pinch roller and moving it from the rear end of the machine. (Figure 2-23)

9 DO NOT move the pinch roller by holding its fro nt rubber roller (Figure 2-24).

Figure 2-23 Figure 2-24

(O) (X)

Correct

Incorrect

2 .5.2 Loading the Roll Media

You can use the stand with flexible media support system. Please refer to Chapter 2.2 for hardware setup, and Chapter 2.5.1 for media loading.

2 .5.3 How to change the poll size without turning off the machine?

Have the machine on-line, press origin set once and the red error light will start blinking, then pressed again and the machine will start moving to get the new size. Then open the VLCD and under the poll size you will find the new measurements.

Installation 2-11

Expert 24 User Manual

2.6 Cable Connection

T he cutting plotter communicates with a computer through a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or a 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.

Expert 24 build-in USB interf ace are based on the Universal Serial Bus Specifications

Revision 1.1. (Operation system of Windows 95, Windows NT don’t support USB ).

„

USB driver installation

Caution!!

9

If you are using Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7 as your operating system,

make sure you log in using the “Administrator” account.

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

S tep 1:

Connecti ng your GCC cutter

1. Turn on the machine.

2. Connect the USB connector to the ma chine and then USB driver will installed automatically. It will take a few minutes to find the device. Please DO NOT disc onnect 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.

Installation 2-12

Expert 24 User Manual

Step 2: Installing the software

(1) Put the installation CD into your CD-ROM.

Please make sure that the USB device is connected before you start the driver installation.

(2) Choose the model you want to install from the driver list and click on either the 32 bit or 64 bit driver installation depending on the operating system installed on your computer to start the installati on. (The Expert Pro model is used as an illustration in the following steps.)

(3) Click “Next” to start the driver installation.

Installation 2-13

Expert 24 User Manual

(4) 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!

Note:

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

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

Installation 2-14

Expert 24 User Manual

2.6.2 How to switch the USB mode?

S tep 1. Press ON/ Offline button to switch to the “offline” status.

S tep 2. Press “Pause” and “Origin Set” button at the same time and you will find the current status of the USB mode indicated by the three LEDs as shown below.

◎ Flashing ● LED on

O peration System

Common USB Mode

Repeat

●

Data Clear

●

Cut Test

◎

GCC USB Mode ● ◎ ●

A. 【Switching to GCC USB mode】

If you want to switch the USB mode from Common USB mode to GCC USB mode, p lease press the “Data Clear” button and then press the “origin set” butto n to finish your set up.

B. 【Switching to Commo n USB m ode】

If you want to switch the USB mode from GCC USB mode to Common USB mode, please p ress the “Cut Te st” button and then press the “origin set” button to finish your set up.

Step 3. Please re-connect the USB cable and complete the installation.

2 .6.3 RS-232 Interface

„

Connecting to the RS-232 (Serial) Port

1. For I BM PC, PS/2 users or compatibles, connect the RS-232C cable to the serial conn ector 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 sof tware package, refer to chapter 3 – “Misc” key description.

Installation 2-15

Expert 24 user manual

3. Operation

3.1 The Control Panel

3.1.1 The Outline of control panel

Figure 3-1

Key

POWER LED

ERROR LED

ON/OFF LINE

Function

Indicates the power status ( LED ON: power on; LED OFF: power off )

Indicates the error status ( LED ON: error; LED OFF: normal )

Switches modes or stops cutting job (LED ON: on-line; LED OFF: off-line)

While in on-line mode: only ON/OFF LINE and PAUSE keys activated

While in off-line mode: the settings in VLCD can be adjusted.

PAUSE

REPEAT

DATA CLEAR

CUT TEST

Temporarily halts the cutting process or resumes a paused job

Repeats last job.

Clears up buffer memory.

Performs various cutting tests

ORIGIN SET Resets origin at a new position.

4 Arrow Keys Moves carriage position, selects function, or changes setting.

3.1.2 Reset Origin

Note:

9 Make sure the machine is in off-line mode to enable this function.

Step 1 Move the carriage to a new position.

Operation

3-1

Expert 24 user manual

Step 2 Press the ORIGIN SET button to reset origin.

3.1.3 Cut Test

Note:

9 Make sure the machine is in off-line mode to enable this function.

9 It’s recommended to run this function until the cutting quality meets your demand before executing the cutting job.

Step 1 After sizing, press the ON/OFF LINE button to set as off-line mode.

Step 2 Move the carriage to a preferred position.

Step 3 Press CUT TEST button to begin.

3.1.4 Repeat

Note:

9 Make sure the machine is in off-line mode to enable this function.

Step 1 Press the ON/OFF LINE button to set as off-line mode.

Step 2 Press the REPEAT button to repeat the cutting function starting at the position where the carriage is located. Otherwise, the carriage can be moved to a preferred position, and after re-setting the position as the new origin, user can use the repeat function to repeat a job.

3.2 VLCD

“VLCD” is a program for modifying parameters of cutting functions.

3.2.1 Installation

Step 1 Copy the VLCD.exe file in the Accessories folder of the Sable Installation

CD onto your local drive.

Step 2 Launch VLCD by double-click on the icon.

Note:

9 Make sure the machine is in on-line mode to enable this program.

9 The media is loaded on the machine.

Operation

3-2

Expert 24 user manual

Step 3 Choose the correct port setting that is used for connecting the cutter to your computer (Figure 3-2).

If you are using the USB cable, choose USB0 from the pull down menu. If you are using a Serial cable, choose either COM1 or COM2. Make sure no other devices are occupying the port that you are going to use.

Step 4 Press the Connect button to connect your computer and the cutter.

If the connection succeeds, the model info, firmware version, and adjustable parameter columns will be shown (Figure 3-3).

Figure 3-2

3.2.2 Functions of VLCD

Figure 3-3

Below are the functions adjustable through the VLCD for Sable.

„

Poll Size

„

„

Force

Media Weight

„

„

„

„

Offset

Auto Unroll

Update Setting

Vector Smooth

Operation

3-3

Expert 24 user manual

„

„

Poll Size

Click on the Poll Size button to reveal the X/Y values.

Paper length represents the maximum plotting len gth.

Paper Width represents the distance between t he farthest two pinch rollers. (Figure 3-4).

Figure 3-4

„

Force

Adjusts the blade force between 0 and 250 (Default = 50).

Media Weight

Allows user to select the media weight. There are 2 options: Heavy, and Light (Default).

„

„

„

Offset

Adjusts the blade offset to ensure cutting quality. There are 8 options: 0.000, 0.175

(Default), 0.250, 0.275, 0.300, 0.500, 0.750, and 1.000.

Auto Unroll

Allows user to specify whether the cutter is used in single sheet mode (Auto Unroll Off:

Default) or in roll media mode (Auto Unroll On).

Update Setting

Applies the changed setting onto the cutter by press the Update Setting button.

„

Vector Smooth

Renders a smoother curve when outputting arcs. (Default: Disable)

Operation

3-4

Expert 24 user manual

3.3 File Uploader

3.3.1 Installation

9 “File Uploader” is a tool to help loading files for direct output.

9

9

The program ONLY supports HPGL format-files generated via GCC Cutter driver.

Copy the GCC File Uploader.exe file in the Accessories folder of the Sable’s

9

Installation CD onto your local drive to finish installation.

Launch GCC File Uploader by double-click on the icon

(Figure 3-5)

.

Figure 3-5

3.3.2 Functions of File Uploader

„

Figure 3-6

Port setup

9 This function will be activated while choosing COM port for data transmission.

9 Press the Port setup button to pop up the setup window for parameter change

(Figure

3-6)

.

„

Repeat

9 Activate this function by click on the Repeat’s checkbox.

9 Repeat Delay – the pause time between jobs; Unit: second.

9 Repeat Counts – the number of repeat jobs.

Operation

3-5

Expert 24 user manual

3.4 Data Transmission

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

Operation

3-6

Figure 2

Operation

Expert 24 user manual

3.5 Expert 24 Print Driver setting

3.5.1 Expert 24 Print Driver setting>Option Page

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

3-7

Expert 24 user manual

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 2).

*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 3).

Note:

1. 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.

2. Once the Die Cut function is activated, it will perform on all the line segments on the object.

Figure 4

Operation

3-8

Expert 24 user manual

3.5.2 Expert 24 Print Driver setting>Paper Page

Connecting Multiple Cutters to one PC

This function allows your computer to recognize the cutter you wish to perform your job on from other cutters with the same model name and printers connected at the same time, eliminating its confusion when you send your image to the cutter.

To activate this function, go to “Paper” and tick “Connecting Multiple Cutters to one PC” (see figure 1). Please do not tick this box if only one cutting plotter is in use.

Figure 1

When you are prompted to this window below, change your port setting manually.

Figure 2

Operation

3-9

Expert 24 user manual

To do this, please go to “Printers and Faxes”, right click on the model you would like to work on and click on “Properties”.

Go to “Ports” and tick the corresponding USB port (see figure 4). When this is completed, apply the same steps to other cutters you would like to work on (see figure 5). Please make sure you connect each cutter back to the same corresponding USB port every time.

Figure 4

Figure 5

Operation

3-10

Expert 24 user manual

4. Basic Maintenance

This chapter explains the basic maintenance (i.e. cleaning the cutting plotter) required for the cutting plotter. Except 24 for the steps mentioned below, all the other maintenances must be performed by a qualified service technician.

4.1 Cleaning the cutting plotter

In order to keep the cutting plotter under good conditions and have the 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 stron g detergents

for cleanin g. 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 it with a water-rinsed or an alcohol-rinsed cloth. Wipe the cutting plotter to remove any residues on the cutting plotter. Finally absorb water with a soft, lint-free cloth.

™ Wipe all the dust and dirt from the tool carriage rail.

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

™ Clean the platen, paper sensors and the pinch rollers with a water-rinsed cloth or alcohol-rinsed cloth. Finally absorb water with a soft, lint-free cloth.

™ Use the same method mentioned above to clean dust and dirt from the stand.

4.2 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 (a toothbrush is also acceptable) to remove dust from the drum surface. It needs to rotate the drum manually to clean the drum completely (Figure 4-1).

Expert 24 user manual

Figure 4-1

4.3 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 your fingers to hold the pinch rollers in place.

Use a lint-free cloth or cotton swab rinsed with alcohol to remove the embedded or persistent dust.

Expert 24 user manual

5. Trouble Shooting

This chapter helps you to 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 contacting your local dealer, please make sure that the problems are coming from your cutting plotter, not from the communication between the computer and cutting plotter or from a malfunction in your computer or software.

Why doesn’t the cutting plotter operate?

5.1 What if Expert 24 cannot operate?

If your cutting plotter doesn’t plot, please check the following items first:

Is the power cord plugged in properly?

Is the power cord connected to the power connector properly?

Is the power switch turned on properly?

Solutions: If the POWER LED lights on, the cutting plotter should be in a normal condition.

Turn off the cutting plotter and turn it on again to see if the problem still exists.

If the POWER LED doesn’t light, please call your local dealer to resolve this problem.

5.2 Light Indicators

Some of the operating problems can be identified by the lights on the control panel.

When your cutting plotter stops operating or the lights are on or flashing unexpectedly, see the following descriptions of the panel light patterns and the actions you should take.

Expert 24 user manual

5.2.1 Warning Indicators

When the ERROR LED flashes (as shown below), take the necessary actions according to the following instructions. When the problems are solved, the ERROR LED will turn off automatically. Pressing the ON/OFF LINE button can also turn off the ERROR LED.

Warning Indicators

ERROR

ON/OFF

REPEAT

LINE

DATA

CLEAR

CUT

TEST

1 Graph was clipped

2 HPGL/2 command Error

3 Lever up or no media

6 Width sensor error

7 Check media, drum or X motor

= flash = on = off

Warning 1 The graph is clipped

This condition indicates that the cutting graph is bigger than the cutting area.

You can solve the problem by:

1. Reload a wider or longer media.

2. Move the pinch rollers to widen the cutting area.

3. Re-scale the graph to a smaller size. Then send the cutting job again from your computer to the cutting plotter.

Warning 2 HPGL/2 command error

If the cutting plotter cannot recognize the commands from your computer, please check the commands applied to your cutting plotter in the HP-GL/2 or HPGL commands. Then send the same job to the cutting plotter again.

If that doesn’t solve the problem, please contact your local dealer.

Warning 3 Lever up or no media

Check that you have lowered the lever down and make sure that you load the media before cutting.

Expert 24 user manual

Warning 4 Cannot repeat cutting

There are two possibilities:

1. There is no data in the buffer: please send the job again from your computer;

2. The buffer is full: please send the same job from your computer again.

Under both conditions, press the ON/OFF LINE key to clear the warning message.

Warning 5 Communication error

Check that the serial/USB/parallel cable has been connected to the cutting plotter and computer properly.

If so, then check whether the interface settings are correct. Check that the communication settings in your PC are the same as the ones on your cutting plotter (for example – 9600bps, no parity, 8 bits, 1 stop bit). Then, press ON/OFF Line key to switch back to On Line mode.

Warning 6 Width sensor error

Check that the pinch rollers are positioned above the grid drum and reload the media again.

Note:

In order to identify the warning messages easily, please stick the warning sticker (in accessory box) on the side cover of your cutting plotter.

5.2.2 Error Indicators

If some mechanical problems occur during the operation, the ERROR LED will turn on. Please follow the instructions below to solve the problem. If the cutting plotter still cannot work, please contact your local dealer and tell him or her about the error indicator.

ON/OFF

REPEAT

LINE

DATA

CLEAR

CUT

TEST

3

4

Check media, drum, or X motor

Check media or Y motor

= flash = on = off

Error 1 and 2

Please contact your local dealer to replace SRAM or DRAM.

Expert 24 user manual

Error 3 Check the media, drum or X-motor (Drum driven motor)

This message indicates that there might be a problem on the X-axis.

Please check that the drums are working normally and see that the media is well loaded. Then turn on the power and reboot the cutting plotter.

Error 4 Check the media, or Y motor (carriage driven motor)

This message indicates that there might be an obstruction to the carriage relating to a problem on the

Y-axis.

Please clear the obstruction and check that the carriage can move smoothly. Then turn on the power and reboot the cutting plotter.

5.3 Cutting Quality Problems

Check pen installed correctly and the blade holder fastened securely

Yes

Is the blade broken?

Yes

Replace a new blade

No

No

Please refer to

Chpater 2.

Check tool force setting

Yes

Is there any dirt adhered to the blade

Yes

Remove the blade and clean it

No

Please refer to 3.23 "

Cutting Test" to adjust the tool force.

No

Please contact customer service persionnel for technical support

Expert 24 User Manual

CorelDRAW Output Instruction

The following is an example of how to output the file with CorelDRAW.

User Instructions

1. Open CorelDRAW, finish editing all the files you wish to plot and select all the images at once.

2. Select “Outline Pen” to adjust the outline for cutting.

3. Adjust the value of pen width to 0.001 mm and click “OK” to save your input.

CorelDRAW Plug-In A-1

Expert 24 User Manual

4. Select “ File → Print” to output the file to your cutters.

5. Choose the correct model you have installed.

CorelDRAW Plug-In A-1

Expert 24 User Manual

6. Choose the “Layout page” and click the “Reposition images to: → Bottom left corner”.

Please note that you must put your image at the bottom left corner.

7. Go back to the General page and check that your image is at the bottom left corner. Click

“Print” and get a wonderful cutting image.

CorelDRAW Plug-In A-1

Expert 24 user manual

Expert 24 Specification

Model

Max. Cutting Width

Max. Media Width

Material Thickness

Max. Cutting Force

Max. Cutting Speed(Diagonal)

Mechanical Resolution

Software Resolution

Distance Accuracy

Repeatability

Re-plot Memory

Interfaces

Commands

Configurable Origin

Control Panel

EX-24

600mm (23.6")

719mm (28.3")

0.8mm

250g

400 mm /sec(15.7"/sec)

0.012 mm

0.025 mm

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

±0.1mm

500 Kbyte

USB 2.0 (Full Speed) & RS-232

HP-GL, HP-GL/2

Yes

6 LEDs/10 Keys

Stand

Operation Temperature

Environment

Humidity z Compatible with Windows 2000/XP/7/Vista.

15

Optional

°C~30°C / 60°F~86°F

25% ~ 75% z 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. z GCC reserves the right to change the specifications at any time without notice. z The above listed specification values are effective only when operated with media certified by GCC.

Specification

A-2

Expert 24 User Manual

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

265012020G

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

The blade is 60° with Green Cap, 0.50 mm blade offset

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

26500060G

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

The blade is 0.175 mm blade offset with Black Cap

Blade Specification A-3

Expert 24 User Manual

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

Thickness of the media (t1)

Protrusion length of the blade

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-3