How To Manage The Media Vacuum; The Media Vacuum System - Oce Arizona 200 GT User Manual

The Media Vacuum System

How to Manage the Media Vacuum

The Media Vacuum System
Introduction
The Océ Arizona 200/250/350 GT uses a low-flow, high-vacuum system to secure rigid
media for printing on the printer table. A fabricated aluminum overlay sheet placed on
the surface of the table creates the vacuum field. The overlay sheet is pin-registered to the
table. A rotary vane vacuum pump is used to evacuate the chamber of air between the
sheet and the table. Three air-feed ports connect the chamber to the vacuum pump
through a series of manually operated flow valves. These valves are used to activate or
shut down the different vacuum zones. In order for the system to work effectively during
printing all the circular pockets on the top surface of the overlay sheet connected to an
active vacuum chamber must be covered. This creates a closed vacuum system. A bleed
valve is provided to adjust the level of vacuum, if so desired.
Vacuum Overlay Sheet
The vacuum overlay sheet is supported on the table by 0.5mm diameter formed half-
shear features. This produces a small gap between the sheet and the top of the table for
air to flow. Foam tape applied around the perimeter of the sheet provides an edge seal.
Additional foam tape can be used within the perimeter to create up to three custom vac-
uum zones. The 0.5mm diameter half-shear feature creates the equivalent of a counter-
bored hole or circular pocket on the top surface of the panel. Each of these pockets is
connected to the sealed underside of the panel by 1.5mm diameter punched holes.
Default Vacuum Zones
The printer is shipped from the factory configured with one large vacuum zone that ac-
comodates the maximum media size. There are two suggested custom vacuum zone
configurations, one for Metric and one for Imperial units. These zones can be set up for
common media sizes, and can be modified with additional foam tape. The next section
has more information on how to create custom zones
Illustration
[52] Vacuum Zone Controls
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1 - Bleed Valve partly open
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88 Chapter 5 - How to Operate the Océ Arizona 200/250/350 GT
2 - Left Zone is Open
'' on page ?.