GRAPHTEC FC4200-50 User Manual
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GRAPHTEC FC4200-50 User Manual

GRAPHTEC FC4200-50 User Manual

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FC4200-50/60
CUTTING PRO
USER'S MANUAL
MANUAL NO. FC4200-UM-152

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Summary of Contents for GRAPHTEC FC4200-50

  • Page 1 FC4200-50/60 CUTTING PRO USER’S MANUAL MANUAL NO. FC4200-UM-152...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS UNPACKING YOUR PLOTTER Checking the Standard Accessories .................. Plotter Nomenclature ......................CUTTER BLADES AND PENS Types and Features of Cutter Blades ................Nomenclature of Cutter Pens .................... Replacing a Cutter Blade ....................Adjusting the Blade Length ....................PREPARING FOR A CUTTING OPERATION Control Panel ........................
  • Page 3 Specifying the Registration MARK Mode ................6-14 Selecting the Registration MARK TYPE ................6-21 6.10 Specifying the Registration MARK SIZE ................6-22 6.11 Specifying Other Parameters Related to Registration Marks ..........6-23 6.11.1 Adjusting the Distance Precision for Registration Marks ........6-23 6.11.2 Adjusting the Registration Mark Sensor ..............
  • Page 4 Notes on the Use of This Manual All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of Graphtec Corpora- tion.
  • Page 5 TO ENSURE SAFE AND CORRECT USE To ensure safe and correct use of your plotter, read this Manual thoroughly before use. After having read this Manual, keep it in a handy location for quick reference as needed. Do not permit small children to touch the plotter. The following describes important points for safe operation.
  • Page 6 • Such action may cause human injury. • If the plotter requires repair, contact your sales representative or nearest Graphtec vendor. Keep away No disassembly Do not connect the plotter to a non-rated power supply.
  • Page 7 Safety Precautions (Continued) WARNING Do not allow dust or metallic matter to adhere Do not use the power cord if it is damaged. to the power plug. • Use of a damaged cord may result in electrical • A dirty power plug may result in electrical shock shock or a fire hazard due to current leakage.
  • Page 8 • Use of the plotter in such status may result in connector. electrical shock or a fire hazard due to current leakage. • Contact your sales representative or nearest Graphtec vendor to request repair. Prohibited Do not attempt to lubricate the plotter’s mecha- nisms. Unplug the power •...
  • Page 9 Proper cables and connectors are available from GRAPHTEC’s authorized dealers or manufacturers of computers or peripherals. GRAPHTEC is not responsible for any interference caused by using cables and connectors other than those recommended or by unau- thorized changes or modifications to this equipment.
  • Page 10 Selecting a Power Cable Be sure to refer to the following tables if you wish to use a cable other than the one supplied as an acces- sory. Table 1 100 V to 120 V Power Supply Voltage Range Supply Plug Voltage Reference...
  • Page 11 Precautions on the Handling of Cutter Blades This plotter employs blades to perform cutting operations. To prevent injury or accidents caused by a cutter blade, be sure to handle the cutter blades very carefully whenever replacing a cutter blade, attaching a cutter pen to the plotter, and so on.
  • Page 12 (3) Mount the pen bracket Pen bracket so that the cutter pen’s Cutter pen’s flange flange is covered, then tighten the screw. CAUTION Tighten the screw only after having confirmed that the cutter pen’s flange is being held down by the pen bracket as illustrated in the figure below Step (3).
  • Page 13 (2) After properly positioning the pen, re- turn the holder to its original position in order to secure the pen in place. Fit the pen’s upper groove onto the bracket Checkpoint Ensure that the pen’s upper groove fits onto the upper part of the pen station’s pen bracket After Turning On the Plotter During a cutting operation and immediately afterward as well as when setting the plotter’s functions, the pen carriage and the Y bar may suddenly move.
  • Page 14 The Warning Label The warning label shown below is attached to the outside of this plotter’s cover. Be sure to strictly observe the precaution indicated in the label. CAUTION Keep your hands and all other objects away from the plotter’s moving parts and their range of movement. Daily Maintenance and Storage Daily Maintenance During the course of daily plotter operation, be sure to observe the following precautions.

  • Page 15: Unpacking Your Plotter

    1.1 Checking the Standard Accessories After unpacking the plotter, check that the standard accessories listed below are all present. If an acces- sory is missing, contact your sales representative or nearest Graphtec vendor. Power cord Cutter pen plunger Cutter blades...

  • Page 16: Plotter Nomenclature

    1.2 Plotter Nomenclature (1) Pen carriage : Drives the cutter/pen to the left/right. (2) Pen holder : Holds the cutter/pen and drives it up/down. (3) Pen station : Holds a pen for plotting. (4) Y bar : Holds the pen carriage; moves left/right. (5) Writing panel : Cutting/plotting is performed here.

  • Page 17: Cutter Blades And Pens

    2. CUTTER BLADES AND PENS 2.1 Types and Features of Cutter Blades Becoming familiar with the types and features of cutter blades compatible with your plotter will enable you to select the best combination of cutter blade and cutting medium for optimum cutting results. Blade’s shape Blade Blade...

  • Page 18: Nomenclature Of Cutter Pens

    2.2 Nomenclature of Cutter Pens CAUTION When handling cutter blades, be careful to avoid cutting your fingers or other parts of your body. With this plotter, the cutter pen is mounted into its corresponding cutter pen plunger for use. There are two types of cutter pen plungers available, which vary according to the diameter of the blade to be mounted (the φ...

  • Page 19: Replacing A Cutter Blade

    2.3 Replacing a Cutter Blade Procedure Blade length adjustment dial (red) Blade length adjustment dial (blue) Plunger Plunger φ φ (for 1.5-mm blade) (for 0.9-mm blade) φ φ 1.5-mm 0.9-mm cutter blade cutter blade Spring φ φ Plunger cap for 1.5-mm blade Plunger cap for 0.9-mm blade (1) Turn the blade length adjustment dial to retract the blade inside the plunger.

  • Page 20: Adjusting The Blade Length

    2.4 Adjusting the Blade Length CAUTION When handling cutter blades, be careful to avoid cutting your fingers or other parts of your body. Make sure that the blade length is suitable for the thickness of the medium being used. If the blade is extended too far, the writing panel and the blade itself may be damaged. Adjusting the Blade Length (1) Before adjusting the blade length, align the blade tip with the tip of the cutter pen by turning the blade adjustment knob in the B direction (see the figure below).

  • Page 21: Preparing For A Cutting Operation

    3. PREPARING FOR A CUTTING OPERATION This chapter provides instructions on using the control panel, loading a medium, setting the cutting condi- tions, and so forth. 3.1 Control Panel FORCE OFFSET SPEED QUALITY POWER PROMPT Indicator Lamps POWER POWER ..The POWER lamp remains lit (green) while the plotter is on. PROMPT ..
  • Page 22 POSITION Keys These POSITION keys function differently according to the plotter’s operating sta- tus. They are used to change a setting on a displayed menu during Menu mode, but are used to move the pen carriage at all other times. When a key is first initially pressed, the pen carriage moves slowly.

  • Page 23: The Tree Structure Of Menus

    3.2 The Tree Structure of Menus In Menu mode Page Main Menu Submenu PAUSE MARK NEXT PAGE CLEAR PEN U/D SELECT PEN INTERFACE STEP SIZE (GP-GL mode only) NEXT PAGE RS-232C COMMAND ORIGIN POINT FILM (HP-GL mode only) AREA ROTATE FUNCTION THICK MIRROR...

  • Page 24: Connecting Your Plotter To A Computer

    Depending on the port used, connect the plotter using either a Centronics-compatible cable or an RS-232C serial cable. Obtain the Graphtec-designated interface cable (sold separately) that is compatible with the computer model to be connected to the plotter.

  • Page 25: Turning On The Plotter And Initialization

    3.4 Turning on the Plotter and Initialization (1) Make sure that the plotter is turned off ( the “O” side of the POWER switch is depressed). (2) Connect one end of the power cord provided to an electrical socket of the rated supply voltage then connect the other end to the plotter’s AC line inlet.

  • Page 26: Securing A Medium

    CAUTION If your plotter is the FC4200-50 model which secures media using electrostatic adhesion, do not directly spray a commercially available “spray adhesive” on its electrostatic adhesion panel to rein- force its adhesion. Certain “spray adhesive remover” products used to remove a spray adhesive contain an anti-static agent that will impair the capability of the electrostatic adhesion panel.
  • Page 27 For the FC4200-60 Model (with a polyvinyl writing panel) (2) Secure the medium to the writing panel by using tape or its equivalent to tape down areas of the medium that will not be cut or plotted. (3) Return the pen carriage to its original position by pressing the key once more.
  • Page 28 3 – 8...

  • Page 29: Specifying The Pen Conditions

    4. SPECIFYING THE PEN CONDITIONS In preparation for starting a cutting operation, this chapter provides instructions on achieving optimum cutting conditions by specifying the cutter pen’s blade type as well as the cutting FORCE, cutting SPEED, cutter OFFSET, and cutting QUALITY settings. The cutter pen conditions for cutting media consists of the following five elements.

  • Page 30: Selecting A Set Of Cutting Conditions

    Reference Values for Plotting Conditions Pen type FORCE SPEED QUALITY Water-based ballpoint pen 20 to 23 2 to 3 Oil-based ballpoint pen 18 to 23 2 to 3 To avoid unnecessary wear on the pen’s tip, specify the FORCE value to its lowest permissible setting.

  • Page 31: Specifying The Cutting Conditions

    4.3 Specifying the Cutting Conditions This section describes how to specify the cutter pen’s blade type and its cutting FORCE, cutting SPEED, cutter OFFSET, and cutting QUALITY parameters. NOTE Before specifying the cutting conditions, first perform the setting procedure described in Section 5.6, “Specifying the Pen Conditions.”...

  • Page 32: Specifying The Cutting/Plotting Force

    4.3.2 Specifying the Cutting/Plotting FORCE The FORCE parameter is used to specify the pressure applied either by the cutter pen during cutting or by the plotting pen during plotting. Select the FORCE setting while referring to the optimum FORCE setting for both your pen type and the currently loaded medium.

  • Page 33: Selecting The Cutting Quality

    (3) Press the (SPEED) key to move the blinking cursor to the lower left position as shown in the following figure. FORCE OFFSET 12 COND1 09U 0 30 CHANGE PEN1 SPEED QUALITY (4) To change the SPEED setting, press the POSITION key.

  • Page 34: Setting Cutting Conditions In Thick Mode

    4.3.5 Setting Cutting Conditions in THICK MODE Select the THICK MODE setting when you will be cutting either thick media (such as masking rubber for sandblasting or thick paper for apparel patterns) or thin but hard media (such as acrylic film). NOTE For more information about the THICK MODE parameter, see Section 6.4, “Enabling the THICK MODE Setting.”...

  • Page 35: Running A Cutting Test

    4.4 Running a Cutting Test After specifying the blade type, FORCE, and SPEED settings, run a cutting test to actually confirm the combined impact of your settings. Check how deeply the medium has been cut and the roundness of the cut corners.
  • Page 36 (6) Check the cut pattern(s). Peel off the four outside corners of the test pattern(s) that you cut by selecting TEST 1 or 2, and then look at the corners of the inner triangle. If the corners are rounded, the OFFSET setting is too low.

  • Page 37: Using The Basic Functions

    5. USING THE BASIC FUNCTIONS This chapter explains how to use the plotter’s basic functions. 5.1 Specifying the Origin Point of the Plotting Area The starting position for a cutting operation or a plotting operation can be moved freely to another position within the mechanical plotting area.

  • Page 38: Using The Copy Function

    5.2 Using the COPY function When data used for a cutting operation is stored in the plotter’s internal buffer memory, this function lets you repeatedly cut duplicates of that data. CAUTION • While a COPY operation is in progress, do not send new data from the computer. The existing data will be overwritten and erased by the new data.
  • Page 39 (7) If the specified setting is satisfactory, press the ENTER key. The “COPY” message appears and the plotter makes only the specified number of copies. The copy data will be saved even if you replace the medium, so you can make as many copies as necessary as long as that data is not cleared from the plotter’s internal buffer memory.
  • Page 40 When the ROTATE parameter has been set to rotate the coordinate axes, copies will be cut as illus- trated in the following example. Initially cut image (original) 1st copy 2nd copy COPY origin point Origin point 3rd copy Space between copies 5th copy 4th copy In each case, cutting will be performed in ascending order from the first copy, the second copy, and so...

  • Page 41: Specifying The Corrective Values For The Pen Width

    5.3 Specifying the Corrective Values for the Pen Width The PEN WIDTH (Interval between pens) function lets you correct any deviation between the initial cutting/plotting position of the cutter pen and plotting pen. CAUTION To use this function, you must first specify PEN No. 1 for COND No. 1 and PEN No. 2 for COND No. 2.
  • Page 42 (6) To adjust the X-axis deviation, press the (X=) key and then use the POSITION keys to change the numeric value. To adjust the Y-axis deviation, press the (Y=) key and then use the POSITION keys to change the numeric value. The displayed value changes in one-unit steps in a range from -80 to +80.

  • Page 43: Raising Or Lowering The Pen

    5.4 Raising or Lowering the Pen The PEN U/D function is used for raising or lowering the pen. Setting Procedure (1) Consecutively press the PAUSE and NEXT PAGE keys to display the menu below. FORCE OFFSET MARK PEN U/D CLEAR SELECT PEN SPEED QUALITY...

  • Page 44: Clearing The Plotter's Internal Buffer Memory

    5.5 Clearing the Plotter’s Internal Buffer Memory The BUFFER CLEAR function allows you to clear cutting data that has been saved in the plotter’s internal buffer memory. Setting Procedure (1) Consecutively press the PAUSE key and NEXT PAGE key to display the menu below. FORCE OFFSET MARK...

  • Page 45: Specifying The Pen Conditions

    5.6 Specifying the Pen Conditions The SELECT PEN function allows you to assign four different sets of pen conditions (COND Nos. 1 to 4) to Pen holder 1 and Pen holder 2. NOTE Before using a Change Pen command, such as the “J” or “SP” command, you must first set the “SP, J COMMAND”...
  • Page 46 5 – 10...

  • Page 47: Using The Main Functions

    6. USING THE MAIN FUNCTIONS This chapter explains how to use the plotter’s main functions for cutting or plotting applications. 6.1 Selecting the ORIGIN POINT Position in HP-GL Mode When the COMMAND setting is HP-GL, the ORIGIN function can be used to set the position of the origin point to either the bottom left or center of the effective cutting/plotting area.

  • Page 48: Specifying The Effective Cutting/Plotting Area

    6.2 Specifying the Effective Cutting/Plotting AREA The AREA function enables you to define the effective area within which cutting or plotting will be per- formed by specifying the L.L. (Lower Left) and U.R. (Upper Right) corners of the desired area. Cutting or plotting will not be performed outside of the specified AREA.
  • Page 49 After you finish specifying the L.L. point, the following menu appears for specifying the U.R. point. FORCE OFFSET SET U.R. DEFAULT SPEED QUALITY Use the POSITION keys to move the pen carriage to the upper right corner of the desired area with respect to the current origin position. When you are satisfied with the position, press ENTER key to register your U.R.

  • Page 50: Enabling The Rotate Mode To Rotate The Coordinate Axes

    6.3 Enabling the ROTATE Mode to Rotate the Coordinate Axes The ROTATE function selects the ON/OFF status of the ROTATE mode. Set the ROTATE mode to ON in order to rotate the coordinate system of an image as shown in the example below. Rotated origin point Rotated coordinate axes When ROTATE mode is ON...
  • Page 51 The currently selected setting is indicated by the asterisk (*) symbol. To enable the ROTATE mode, press the (ON) key. To disable the ROTATE mode, press the (OFF) key. When the displayed setting is satisfactory, press the ENTER key to register your setting. Press the PAUSE key to return the plotter to READY status.

  • Page 52: Specifying The Thick Mode Settings

    6.4 Specifying the THICK MODE Settings The THICK MODE function is used to specify the THICK MODE settings. Use this function for cutting thick media (such as masking rubber for sandblasting or thick paper for apparel patterns) or thin yet stiff media (such as acrylic film).

  • Page 53: Enabling The Mirror Mode To Produce A Mirror Image

    6.5 Enabling the MIRROR Mode to Produce a Mirror Image The MIRROR function selects the ON/OFF status of the MIRROR mode. Set the MIRROR mode to ON in order to reverse the coordinate system as shown in the example below. New origin Reversed coordinate system When MIRROR mode is ON...
  • Page 54 (6) When the displayed setting is satisfactory, press the ENTER key to register your setting. (7) Press the PAUSE key to return the plotter to READY status. NOTE The MIRROR setting will be set to OFF when the plotter is turned off. 6 –...

  • Page 55: Specifying The Pen Sort Function

    6.6 Specifying the Pen SORT Function When the SORT setting is 1, the plotter stores the plotting data in its buffer memory then performs pen sorting to minimize the number of pen changes required during plotting. When the SORT setting is 2, the plotter performs pen sorting, plots the plotting data, and then performs cutting using the cutter pen last.
  • Page 56 NOTE Your SORT setting will be retained in the plotter’s RAM even while the plotter is turned off. CAUTION With certain software applications, when the SORT setting is ON and the plotter receives data that takes the cutting sequence into account, the cutting sequence may be changed or the pen sorting process may take a long time to complete.

  • Page 57: Overview Of Automatic Registration Mark Recognition

    6.7 Overview of Automatic Registration Mark Recognition When the plotter has been set up for automatic registration mark recognition, be careful regarding the following points: • The registration mark pattern • The reading area required for registration mark detection • The position of the origin point •...
  • Page 58 (2) The Reading Area Required for Registration Mark Detection The figures below illustrate the reading area that this plotter requires for detecting registration marks. Registration mark pattern 1 Registration mark pattern 2 a = 6 mm a = 6 mm Registration mark reading range Registration mark reading range CAUTION...
  • Page 59 Registration mark pattern 1 Registration mark pattern 2 Registration mark origin Origin Output origin Output origin To align the output origin with the registration mark origin, measure the offset between the output origin and the registration mark origin, then input the measured distance when setting the OFFSET function (for details, see Subsection 6.11.3, “Specifying the Registration Mark OFFSET”).

  • Page 60: Specifying The Registration Mark Mode

    6.8 Specifying the Registration MARK Mode The MARK MODE function allows you to align the orientation of the plotter’s X and Y axes with the coordi- nate axes on a medium that is pre-printed with, for example, registration marks. NOTE •...
  • Page 61 If you selected 2 POINT or 3 POINT in Step (4), the menu below appears after pressing the ENTER key in Step (5). FORCE OFFSET MARK MOVE No. No.=1 SPEED QUALITY By registering the interval between the position of registration marks in advance, you can move from one registration mark to another without registration mark recognition being performed.
  • Page 62 Registration mark pattern 1 Registration mark pattern 2 Range of registration mark recognition Range of registration mark recognition a = 6 mm a = 6 mm b = Value specified as the MARK SIZE setting b = Value specified as the MARK SIZE setting (9) Press the PAUSE key to return the plotter to READY status.
  • Page 63 Setting Procedure Press the ORIGIN key to display the prompt below. FORCE OFFSET SET FIRST POINT ! SPEED QUALITY Use the POSITION keys to move the pen carriage to the desired FIRST POINT position, then press the ENTER key. The prompt below appears. FORCE OFFSET SET SECOND POINT !
  • Page 64 (5) After the ENTER key is pressed in Step (4) while the second menu is being displayed, the plotter returns to READY status. Specifying Two-Point (2 POINT) Recognition This following procedure describes how to align the coordinate axes based on two points. In this mode, the plotter reads two registration marks in the X-axis direction and then corrects the tilt in the X axis and adjusts the distance precision.
  • Page 65 When the two points have been automatically recognized, the menu below appears (only when the MARK DIST. ADJ. setting is MANUAL). FORCE OFFSET 260.0 mm 0260.0 mm SPEED QUALITY The display’s first line shows the distance between the points A and B as read by the plotter, so input the actual distance in the second line.
  • Page 66 To begin adjustment, press the (No. = 1), (No. = 2) or (No. = 3) key to select the corre- sponding number for the mark space interval registered for the Mark Move Dist. setting. The message below appears. FORCE OFFSET WAIT ..

  • Page 67: Selecting The Registration Mark Type

    6.9 Selecting the Registration MARK TYPE The MARK TYPE function is used to select the registration mark pattern of a medium that has been pre- printed with registration marks or other markings. Setting Procedure Press the PAUSE key, then press the NEXT PAGE key until the menu below appears.

  • Page 68: Specifying The Registration Mark Size

    6.10 Specifying the Registration MARK SIZE The MARK SIZE function lets you specify the size of registration marks for a medium that is pre-printed with registration marks or other markings. Setting Procedure (1) Press the PAUSE key, then press the NEXT PAGE key until the menu below appears.

  • Page 69: Specifying Other Parameters Related To Registration Marks

    6.11 Specifying Other Parameters Related to Registration Marks Selecting the EXPAND parameter gives you access to other functions for adjusting the distance precision method for registration marks (MARK DIST. ADJ.), adjusting the registration mark sensor (MARK ADJ. SENS), specifying the registration MARK OFFSET, and specifying the ADJ. SENS+ function. 6.11.1 Adjusting the Distance Precision for Registration Marks The MARK DIST.

  • Page 70: Adjusting The Registration Mark Sensor

    (6) When the displayed setting is satisfactory, press the ENTER key to register your setting. (7) Press the PAUSE key to return the plotter to READY status. 6.11.2 Adjusting the Registration Mark Sensor The MARK ADJ. SEN function lets you adjust the registration mark recognition sensor by plotting a cross symbol, reading it, and plotting another cross symbol for use in adjustment.

  • Page 71: Specifying The Registration Mark Offset

    After the sensor reads the cross symbol, a cross symbol for use in adjustment is plotted using the pen in Pen Holder 1 (see the figure below). Value for Y-axis distance correction The 2nd cross plotted Value for X-axis distance correction After the sensor reads the cross symbol plotted for use in adjustment, the menu below appears.
  • Page 72 (2) Press the (MARK) key to display the menu below. FORCE OFFSET MODE MARK SIZE TYPE EXPAND SPEED QUALITY (3) Press the (EXPAND) key to display the menu below. FORCE OFFSET DIST ADJ. OFFSET ADJ.SENS ADJ.SENS+ SPEED QUALITY (4) Press the (OFFSET) key to display the menu below.

  • Page 73: Adjusting The Sensor By Printing A Cross Pattern

    6.11.4 Adjusting the Sensor by Printing a Cross Pattern The ADJ. SENS+ function plots a cross symbol, reads it, and plots another cross symbol for use in deter- mining the corrective values you should input in order to adjust the registration mark sensor’s precision. Setting Procedure Press the PAUSE key, then press the...
  • Page 74 6 – 28...

  • Page 75: Using The Optional Functions

    7. USING THE OPTIONAL FUNCTIONS This chapter describes how to use the optional functions which are accessed by selecting OPTION1 or OPTION2. 7.1 Setting the PEN UP SPEED The PEN UP SPEED function allows you to specify how fast the pen travels while it is raised (in PEN UP status).

  • Page 76: Setting The Cutter Blade's Offset Force

    7.2 Setting the Cutter Blade’s OFFSET FORCE Upon receiving cutting data, the plotter analyzes the data then performs “initial blade control” to control the orientation of the cutter blade’s tip according to the initial angle of rotation required by each line segment defined in the data sent from the computer.

  • Page 77: Setting The Cutter Blade's Offset Angle

    7.3 Setting the Cutter Blade’s OFFSET ANGLE The OFFSET ANGLE function lets you specify a reference angle for determining whether or not the plotter will conduct initial blade control (for an explanation of initial blade control, see Section 7.2, “Setting the Cutter Blade’s OFFSET FORCE”).

  • Page 78: Setting The Step Pass

    7.4 Setting the STEP PASS Use this function when the distance between the coordinate points defined in the cutting data is extremely short. The specified STEP PASS value will be used as the minimum unit of distance for processing the cutting data, permitting stability during initial blade control and improved cutting quality.

  • Page 79: Selecting The Length Unit

    7.5 Selecting the LENGTH UNIT Your plotter’s display panel can show coordinate values in units of either millimeters or inches. This LENGTH UNIT function lets you switch the unit of length shown on the display panel. Setting Procedure (1) Press the PAUSE key, then press the NEXT PAGE key until the menu below appears.

  • Page 80: Setting The Distance Adjust Values

    7.6 Setting the DISTANCE ADJUST Values The DISTANCE ADJUST function is used to correct any deviation in the length of line segments during cutting or plotting. The corrective values are input as a percentage of the actual distance of cutting or plotting.

  • Page 81: Using The Special Functions

    8. USING THE SPECIAL FUNCTIONS This chapter explains how to use special functions which are not used during normal cutting or plotting operations. 8.1 Description of the Special Functions The following describes the eight special functions. (1) Enabling or Disabling the “;”, “,”, and “:” Commands (Only in GP-GL command mode) While the COMMAND setting is GP-GL, this ;,: COMMAND function lets you switch the ENABLED/ DISABLED status for recognizing the input of the “;”, “,”, and “:”...
  • Page 82 (6) Selecting the Position for INIT. BLADE CONTROL The INIT. BLADE CONTROL function determines the position where initial blade control will be per- formed. (For an explanation of initial blade control, see Section 7.2, “Setting the Cutter Blade’s OFF- SET FORCE”). When the INIT.

  • Page 83: Setting The Special Functions

    8.2 Setting the Special Functions Follow the procedure below to specify a special function. Setting Procedure (1) While holding down the POSITION key, turn on the plotter. The menus for specifying the special functions will be displayed in the sequence below. COMMAND setting = GP-GL COMMAND setting = HP-GL ;...
  • Page 84 8 – 4...

  • Page 85: Test Modes And Troubleshooting Procedures

    9. TEST MODES AND TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES This chapter explains how to use the plotter’s test modes, how to identify and remedy basic problems you may encounter, and what to do if an error message appears. 9.1 Using the TEST Modes 9.1.1 Printing a List of the Currently Selected Conditions CAUTION As soon as the F2 (COND.

  • Page 86: Running The Self Test

    9.1.2 Running the SELF TEST CAUTION As soon as the F3 (SELF TEST) key is pressed to select this function in Step (4) below, the pen carriage begins moving. Be sure to keep hands, hair, and so forth away from the plotter’s moving parts.

  • Page 87: Using The Character Dump Mode

    9.1.3 Using the Character Dump Mode CAUTION As soon as the F4 (DUMP) key is pressed to select this function in Step (4) below, the pen carriage begins moving. Be sure to keep hands, hair, and so forth away from the plotter’s moving parts. This CHAR DUMP function enables advanced users to check whether or not the plotter is properly receiv- ing the data sent from the computer.

  • Page 88: Troubleshooting Procedures

    9.2 Troubleshooting Procedures If your plotter is not operating properly, try the solution(s) described in the following tables before contacting your sales representative or nearest Graphtec vendor to request a service call. 9.2.1 The Plotter Doesn’t Operate After Being Turned On...

  • Page 89: The Cut Results Are Unsatisfactory

    9.2.2 The Cut Results Are Unsatisfactory Symptom Cause Solution • The cut corners are too round The OFFSET setting is not Adjust the OFFSET setting. → Corners are too rounded: Raise the • The cut corners are too pointed suitable for the blade type being used.
  • Page 90 Symptom Cause Solution • The blade cuts even into the backing The cutter’s blade is ex- Adjust the extended length of the cutter’s sheet. tended too far. blade. The cutting FORCE setting Lower the FORCE setting. is too high. • The blade falls out of the cutter plunger. The cutter plunger’s diam- Use a cutter plunger of the proper eter is too large for the blade...
  • Page 91 Symptom Cause Solution • Cutting conditions cannot be retained The CONDITION PRIORITY Switch the setting to MANUAL. or changed. setting is PROGRAM. The ENTER key wasn’t Check your setting procedure. pressed after changing a setting. • Characters and lines become de- The plotter is set to Cutter At the CONDITIONS menu, switch the formed when plotting.

  • Page 92: The Coordinate Axes Cannot Be Correctly Aligned

    9.2.3 The Coordinate Axes Cannot Be Correctly Aligned Symptom Cause Solution During automatic registration mark There is foreign matter or Ensure that the detection area is free alignment, the MARK SEARCH plotting on the area where of foreign matter or plotting. ERROR message is displayed or the the mark sensor passes.

  • Page 93: Error Messages

    The table of acceleration rates is * If this problem occurs frequently, • The beeper sounds. faulty. contact your sales representative • The PROMPT lamp lights. or nearest Graphtec vendor. 9 – 9...

  • Page 94: Error Messages In Gp-Gl Command Mode

    Your software application’s output Configure your software applica- device setting has changed. tion menu to permit Graphtec plot- ter control. Re-specify the software applica- tion’s interface conditions. The plotter’s interface conditions Re-specify the plotter’s interface have changed.

  • Page 95: Error Messages In Hp-Gl Command Mode

    9.3.3 Error Messages in HP-GL Command Mode If any of the HP-GL command error messages listed in the following table is displayed, the cause can nearly always be traced to one of the causes below: (1) The software application’s output device setting has changed; or (2) The plotter’s interface conditions have changed.
  • Page 96 9 – 12...

  • Page 97: Interfaces

    10. INTERFACES This chapter explains the procedures for setting up the plotter’s interfaces to exchange data with a computer. This plotter comes standard with an RS-232C serial interface and a Centronics-compatible parallel inter- face. The plotter’s interface mode is automatically selected according to the type of data being transmitted to the plotter.

  • Page 98: Specifying The Step Size

    10.3 Specifying the STEP SIZE The STEP SIZE function can only be specified when the COMMAND setting is GP-GL. It specifies the minimum unit of distance travelled by the pen in step units. The STEP SIZE parameter can be set to 0.100, 0.050, 0.025, or 0.010 mm.

  • Page 99: Specifying The Rs-232C Interface Conditions

    10.4 Specifying the RS-232C Interface Conditions Be sure to set the interface conditions to identical settings at both your software application and at the plotter. Setting Procedure (1) Press the PAUSE key, then press the NEXT PAGE key until the menu below appears. FORCE OFFSET MARK...
  • Page 100 The parameter values are as follows: Baud rate : 19200, 9600, 4800, 2400, 1200, 600, 300 Data length : 7BIT (7bits), 8BIT (8bits) Parity : N (none), E (even), O (odd) Handshake : H (hardwire), X (X-on/X-off), E (Enq/Ack; selectable in HP-GL command mode only) Select the appropriate values to match those of your application program.

  • Page 101: Selecting The Command Mode

    10.5 Selecting the COMMAND Mode The COMMAND function selects the plotter’s command mode for use with either GP-GL or HP-GL com- mands. Select the COMMAND setting to match your software application. Setting Procedure (1) Press the PAUSE key, then press the NEXT PAGE key until the menu below appears.
  • Page 102 10 – 6...

  • Page 103: Specifications

    HP-GL is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. The figure varies with the type of Graphtec-designated medium used and the currently selected cutting conditions. Based on the precision when using the pen provided and high-grade paper to read this plotter’s resident pattern.
  • Page 104 11.2 Option Name Part no. Description Stand ST0032 Dedicated stand for the FC4200-60 11 – 2...

  • Page 105: External Dimensions

    11.3 External Dimensions The FC4200-50 Model Unit: mm Dimensional precision error: ±5 mm 11 – 3...
  • Page 106 The FC4200-60 Model (Excluding the Optional Stand) 1172 Unit: mm Dimensional precision error: ±5 mm 11 – 4...
  • Page 107 The specifications, etc., in this manual are subject to change without notice. FC4200-UM-152 June 15, 2000 1st edition-01 GRAPHTEC CORPORATION...

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