ADSI i-TECH 230 Operator's Manual

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OPERATOR'S

MMC i-TECH CUTTER MANUAL

Manual Date August 2010 for build 12-F or later

http://www.allendatagraph.com/

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Summary of Contents for ADSI i-TECH 230

Page 2: Table Of Contents
Limited Warranty Agreement ............1 Service Policy ..................1 Technical Support ................2 Installation ..................2 SET-UP ......................2 i-TECH Cutter Stand ..................3 Computer Connection ..................3 System Interfacing ....................3 Loading Allen i-TECH Software ..............3 Windows 7, Vista, or Windows XP DirectCUT Driver ........3 Software Updates ....................
Page 3 Control Panel ................... 10 Remote Panel ................... 14 Remote Panel Functions ................15 Action menu ....................15 Send HPGL File ....................15 Save Settings from Cutter to File, Load Settings from File To Cutter ....15 Save Calibration/Restore Calibration ............... 15 Upload Firmware ....................
Page 4 Diagnostics ..................29 Diagnostic Operation ................... 29 Control panel operation ..................29 Remote panel operation ..................30 Setup Diagnostics ..................30 Calibrate 07, Calibrate To Printer and SmartMark  Setup ......30 Calibration Square Plot ..................30 Default Calibration 08 ..................30 FO Output ......................
Page 5: Limited Warranty Agreement
This may require that you ship us parts from your machine as per the warranty statement found in the front of your ADSI user’s manual, or for ADSI to ship parts to you for installation. NOTE: Any replacement parts shipped to you require that you ship the old parts back to ADSI unless previously approved.
Page 6: Technical Support
NOTE:A credit card number is required at the time of shipment of any parts. In a warranty sit- uation, the card will not be charged with the exception of shipping charges, as long as parts are returned to ADSI in a timely manner. Non-warranty parts are required to be paid in full prior to shipment.
Page 7: I-Tech Cutter Stand
Choose latest version. http://adsi-usa.com/techsupport/cutterdriver.html. Then download and install the remote panel program from this page: http://adsi-usa.com/techsupport/i-TECHfirmware.html. If you are using AllenCAD you may download latest version from: http://adsi-usa.com/techsupport/AllenCAD.html. To download other Technical support bulletins go to http://adsi-usa.com/ click on tech support, then online documents, Find your cutter, cutter driver, or AllenCAD on the list shown and click on it.
Page 8: Using Cutter
To update to a later version of software when recommended to do so by the tech support depart- ment, go to the web site. Click on tech support, then online documents. Select your cutter type, AllenCAD or Cutter driver from list of selections. Find the software update and click on it to download the setup program from the web site.
Page 9: Allencad
AllenCAD Click Tile and print. Select objects and press enter key. Click ok on options page Select cutter driver in drop down between Properties and Cut button. Click on Cut. Omega Composer Web Site Copy CD Copy Signlab For cutters using built in drivers you need to know the com port cutter is attached to: Click on start ->...
Page 10: Explanation Of Smartmarktm
silver spot on white, while to the eye there is contrast the reflectivity of the two is sometimes nearly the same. If there is trouble with certain materials detecting the target you can print the target in a yellow or white field. The size of the yellow field should be larger than the scan length. (Note: in order to get an accurate scan no other printed marks may appear in the yellow scan area.
Page 11: Designing Labels
you can normally correct this either in the printer or you can use calibrate to printer to get the cutter to cut the same size as the printer. Origin Only is not normally used on cutter because its is hard to load media straight. Origin only does a alignment with the visual sensor at the origin only.
Page 12: Using Corel Suite Tools
Click on drop down arrow next to live trace button. select tracing options, Select threshold of 254 and blur of 2 px, click on ok. Wait for trace to complete. then click on ex- pand to move outline to dielines layer. Click on object, path, simplify.
Page 13: Lining Up Smartmarktm
Window -> Dockers -> Object Manager Verify snap to guide lines is checked from the view menu. This adds two control windows on the right side of the program Change units to inches Change width to 28 and height to 11 Click ok Now create two layers.
Page 14: Sending File With Coreldraw
Window -> Layers. Select the dielines layer on the layer menu. Click on File -> Allen DirectCut to open the DirectCut for Illustrator. Sending file with CorelDraw Load the file you want to cut with CorelDraw. If the object manager is not visible you can make it visible by clicking on Window ->...
Page 15 PAUSE The pause key will halt the operation of the system at any point. It is used to pause the system for inspection, media jams or to pause the machine for any other reason. Press the pause key to resume the system. The system can LOAD PAUSE COPY...
Page 16 most applications the normal force range is adequate (see Dynamic Force Adjust (Advanced Option) and high resolution force mode in the Remote Panel section). In the normal force range mode, the force is adjustable between 10 and 550 grams of force in 100 steps. On the 315/230 front panel rotate the force knob to change the force.
Page 17 override menu function enables or disables the CAD override function. With the function On the cutter will ignore some HPGL control commands sent from the cutting software. With the function Off the CAD software can control these HPGL commands. The commands affected by CAd override are: set acceleration set force set minimum angle...
Page 18: Remote Panel
loads or saves a custom set-up or power up default. Press the select key to initiate the menu function. Press the left or right arrow key to display SEt. Press the up or down key to scroll thru (LOAd, Save), press select, press the up or down key to scroll thru the settings (1 – 6). Press the select key to load or are save the setting.
Page 19: Remote Panel Functions
Remote Panel Functions Action menu Send HPGL File Send HPGL File will send a HPGL cutter file directly to the Cutter. Typical origins of HPGL files include the Allen Driver, CorelDraw or some other design software. To send a HPGL cutter file from the remote panel program click the Send HPGL File menu item to open the select file window.
Page 20: Setup Menu
Setup Menu Main Menu The Main menu opens the main menu window. The top window shows the model number and firmware version. The media height window shows the maximum dimension the i-TECH is set to cut. With the media height sensors enabled, the i-TECH will scan the pinch wheel magnets to determine the loaded media size and will calculate the maximum cut size.
Page 21: Pen Control Tab
Pen Control Tab Draw Speed displays and sets the velocity of the knife when it is actually drawing or cutting. The draw speed is the speed the knife travels around the periphery of the items being cut. Force displays and sets the cutting force. The default force for cutting is set at 12.
Page 22: Line Sensor
Rubber Scratch Force displays and sets the down force used during tangential emulation. This is primarily used when cutting thick materials such as sandblast rubber. Tangential emulation simulates a tangential or servo controlled rotating knife by moving to a position short of the vector to be cut and putting the knife blade down with a very light force while moving toward the direction of cut to align the knife before applying the full cutting force.
Page 23: Line Sensor (Advanced Options)
these methods you can set the size to 0.02 and the sensor size is included in the sensor-offset parameter. Scanning Parameters The i-TECH SmartMark system has adjustable scanning parameters to allow for different size and style of registration marks. The primary parameters are the scan offset and length.
Page 24: Skew Tab (Advanced Options)
requires two (origin and scale) registration marks to accurately cut the die lines of most labels. If, however, there is a problem with the printing it may become desirable to use three registration marks. (see also discussion about marks in Tutorial Using Adobe Illustrator section) When using two registration marks the embedded computer in the i-TECH will automatically scan both the Origin Point and the Scale Point.
Page 25: Settings Menu
Scale Tab (Advanced Options) (These menu items appear if you select the advanced menu on the Setup Option menu) X Target Location . This is the distance between the origin target and the scale target when the parameter of the FO command is –1. This command is used on CAD systems that do not emit the FO hpgl command.
Page 26: Settings Menu (Advanced Options)
the offset of the knife. This parameter sets the offset for those calculations. The figure to the right shows the path the knife follows; the radius move at the corner allows for the knife offset. There are three blades available from our online store our online store at http://www.allendatagraph.com. H20-017 30°...
Page 27: Options Menu
for different speeds. This parameter allows for building a database for these materials and when enabled will greatly improve the cutting on these materials. (See the Dynamic Force Adjust (Advanced Option) for more details) CAd Override On enables or disables the CAD function. With the function (disabled) the cutter will ignore some of the HPGL control commands sent from the cutting...
Page 28: Options Menu (Advance Options)
Menus option offers the more advanced features of the software. It is recommended this be set to Normal until a more advance feature is understood or is required by your operation. The menu items below are displayed when the menus is set to Advanced. Paper Sensor Some units come with paper sensors.
Page 29: Diagnostics
material. The recommended method for establishing the various force vs. velocity numbers is to run the test cut at various velocities and record the results for entry here. Max Draw Speed Enter the Maximum cut speed for the media in the window.
Page 30: Installing Knife Blades
speed set in the Joystick Speed Window. Left Click and hold the arrow button to move the material or carriage. With the Jog/Slew box checked so that Jog/Slew = Jog, the arrow buttons will jog the cutter that fixed distance each time the button is clicked. The setting in the Jog Distance Window also sets the jog distance for the Front Panel Joystick buttons.
Page 31: Calibration
The cut strip should be installed for knives and pen plotting, but must be removed for Pouncing. Replacement cut strips are available at online store http://adsi-usa.com/. Select store and cutter supplies to see available cut strips.
Page 32: Pinch Wheel Maintenance
Pinch Wheel Maintenance Pinch wheels are critical to the i-TECH unit's material handling performance. They should be inspected for wear regularly and cleaned as needed. To clean adhesive off the pinch wheels, simply use a soft cloth and denatured alcohol. In normal use, the pinch wheels will need to be replaced in time.
Page 33: Diagnostics
5. Verify belt path and tension. 6. Replace the control panel housing, top rail cover and rear cover. X-Axis The belt inside the rear cover drives the grit wheel (X axis). To adjust the tension of this belt, it is necessary to reposition the motor.
Page 34: Remote Panel Operation
To Stop a Diagnostic Press the reset key sequence F1, F2, F3 or power off and on unit. To Exit the Diagnostic Mode To return to normal operation, run diagnostic 99 or cycle the cutter power off and on. Remote panel operation Certain diagnostics are easier to run from the remote panel.
Page 35: Button Diagnostic 31
To run a customer diagnostic, click on the menu item and the diagnostic will automatically start. Some require intervention after starting and you will be given instructions on the screen. The num- ber pad on your computer keyboard is mapped to simulate buttons on the front panel of the cutter. The mapping is displayed on the screen.
Page 36: Flag Setup - Z Axis 58
Flag Setup - Z Axis 58 It is necessary to run Diagnostic 34 to verify carriage flag setting before performing this diagnostic. This diagnostic configures the carriage to the cutter. It measures the up, down, and bottom position of the knife so that it can properly raise and lower the knife without punching a hole in the media.
Page 37: Reed Switch 24
Reed Switch 24 This diagnostic continuously displays the result of the media height sensor. As the reed switch passes in front of a pinch wheel with a magnet installed, the output will change from 1111 to 0000. Front Panel Only Diagnostics Some diagnostics can only be run from the front panel Display Last Error 15 Running diagnostic 15 will display the last error number saved in NVM.
Page 38: Trouble Shooting
gAtE will appear. Press select change 1st part of gateway to 192 then press select change 2nd part of gateway to 168 then press select change 3rd part of gateway to 4 then press select change 4th part of gateway to 1 then press select. Trouble Shooting Problem Solutions...
Page 39 driver versions. Model numbers for template maker and Magnetic sign cutters are in the 2000 range. GT cutters do not have 2000 added to model number. Check the model number displayed on the remote panel setup -> main menu.  Template cuts off by small amounts or different amounts each time.
Page 40 o Verify red led is lit. o Check that distance led is from media is 3.4 to 4.6 mm. o Run line sensor diagnostic (21) to verify operation of sensor.  If tar1 on 2 or subsequent frame o Verify space between jobs in printer driver is set cor- rectly.
Page 41  Cutter in pause state.  Job does not complete Verify minimum cutter driver level of 2.08g. New software can be downloaded from Web Site Copy  If you have less the firmware revision 12 as usb version in your cutter turn off polyline encoded output in printer properties, de- vice settings.
Page 42  Inspect pinch wheels  Clean grit wheel and pinch wheels.  Reduce acceleration and / or velocity.  Change springs Web Site Copy Copy.
Page 43: Error Codes
Error Codes If the internal microprocessor detects an error condition, the letter E0 and a 2 digit code will be displayed on the control panel. Any key pressed after the error is displayed will place the machine in the diagnostic mode, indicated by a flashing "D" on the control panel. Recommended diagnostic procedures (D##) are listed in the error description.
Page 44: Appendix E Radio And Television Interference
Appendix E Radio and Television Interference NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable pro- tection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.

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