Panther Vinyl Sign User Manual
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Panther Vinyl Sign User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Panther Vinyl Sign

  • Page 1 ® User's Guide SIGNWarehouse Warehouse pan_man_rev1_0504...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    3.3 Transmitting Data to Plotter 3.4 Interface for Macintosh Computer 3.5 USB Port 4. – Operation Procedure 4.1 Setting up Menu—Panther II in On-line mode 4.2 Setting up Menu—Panther II in Off-line mode 4.3 Description of Menu Items 4.4 Loading the Sheet Media 4.5 Loading the Roll Media...

  • Page 3: Your Sign Cutting Plotter

    Standard Item Quantity Cutting Plotter Stand Set (Only for Panther PII -132S/101S/76S • 1 Piece of H-shape stand • 2 Pieces of stands • 1 piece of stand beam Flexible Media Support System & Accessory Box...

  • Page 4: Front View Of Panther

    Front View of Panther (Figure 1-1) Pinch Rollers – Holds the media during cutting. Grid Drums – move the media back and forth during operation. Control panel – consists of 14 Slitter Groove – sheets control keys and 1 LED and 1...

  • Page 5: Back View Of Panther

    1.3 Back View of Panther (Figure 1-2) Lever – Raises or lowers the pinch rollers. Figure 1-2 1.4 Whole View of Panther (Figure 1-3) Roll Holder Guide Bushes – Keeps the roll media in place when media is pulled from the roll.

  • Page 6: Left Hand Side Of Panther

    1.5 Left Hand Side of Panther (Figure 1-4) Power Switch – On when switches to [I]; Off to [O] Fuse – 3 Amp. Figure 1-4 AC Power Connector – used to insert the AC power cord. 1.6 Right Hand Side of Panther (Figure 1-5) Parallel Interface Connector –...

  • Page 7: Control Panel

    1.7 Control Panel (Figure 1-6) Please refer to the Chapter4 – the description of operation for detailed explanation. Figure 1-6 LCD Display Screen: various functional and error messages are displayed here. Power LED: it lights up when the power is on. 4 Arrow Keys: used to move the carriage or sheet or changing setting.

  • Page 8: Installation

    2. Installation Installation Caution 1 • Make sure the power switch is off and power cord is unplugged before installing the cutting plotter. • Carefully handle the cutter to prevent any injuries or damage to the cutter. Caution 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.

  • Page 9: Stand & Flexible Media Support System Installation

    2.2 Stand & Flexible Media Support System Installation Step 1 Please examine supplied items in the accessory box of stand carton: • 1 piece of M6 L-shape hexagon screw driver • 1 piece of M5 L-shape hexagon screw driver • 24 pieces of M6 screws •...
  • Page 10 Step 4 Position the stand beam perpendicularly to part and put the screws into the holes and tighten them as Figure 2-3. Then the complete picture of stand will be like Figure 2-4. Stand Stand Screws Figure 2-3 H-stand Figure 2-4 Step 5 Remove the cutting plotter from the carton.

  • Page 11: Desktop Flexible Media Support System Installation

    Place two roll holders into the holes in the roll holder support (Figure 2-7) Roll holder support Roll holders Figure 2-7 ***Installation Complete*** 2.3 Desktop Flexible Media Support System Installation (Panther II) Step 1 Please examine the following items in stand carton’s accessory box: • 1 set of Roll Media Flange (2 pieces) •...
  • Page 12 Step 3 Figure 2-3-2 Position the Desktop Support Brackets beside the Roll Holder Support and insert M6 screws into the Roll Holder Support and tighten them with M5 L-shape screw driver. (Refer to Figure 2-3-2 at the left). M6 screws Desktop Support Brackets Step 4 Roll Holder Support...

  • Page 13: Blade Installation

    Step 6 The complete Desktop Media Support System will be shown as in Figure 2-3-5. Figure 2-3-5 2.4 Blade Installation Figure 2-10 is the illustration of the blade holder. Insert a blade into the bottom of the blade holder and remove the blade by pushing the pin.
  • Page 14 Step 2 Push the blade to the bottom of the blade holder. (Figure 2-12). Figure 2-12 Step 3 Adjust the blade tip to suitable length by screwing “Blade tip adjustment screw” clockwise or count-clockwise. (Figure 2-13). Tips: “The proper length” means the blade’s length is adjusted 0.1mm more than fi...
  • Page 15 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, and the cutting quality might be affected. Increasing the cutting force, might do the trick.

  • Page 16: Connecting Cutting Plotters

    3. Connecting Cutting Plotters The cutting plotter communicates with a computer through a USB (Universal Serial Bus), Parallel port (Centronics) 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, both parallel port and serial port will be disabled automatically.

  • Page 17: Transmitting Data To Plotter

    3.3 Transmitting the Data to Plotter There are two options to transmit the data from the computer to the cutting plotter: Option 1 - Recommended With proper interface settings, the data can be transmitted from your application software package to the cutting plotters directly.

  • Page 18: Usb Port

    USB Port The USB port can only be used in conjunction with windows drivers. The windows drivers are available at http://techsupport.signwarehouse.com/HTML/Cutters/index.html ***DISCLAIMER*** This is a vinyl cutter! It is not intended to be used with windows drivers or as a printer. SignWarehouse.com does not recommend that you use these drivers.

  • Page 19: Operation Procedure

    4. Operation Procedure This chapter describes the button operation with the LCM menu fl owcharts of Panther II. When the cutting plotter is ready for use as described in Chapter 1 & 2, all functions are under default parameters. 4.1 Setting up Menu—Panther II in on line mode...

  • Page 20: Setting Up Menu-Panther Ii In Off-Line Mode

    4.2 Setting up Menu—Panther II in off line mode Press [ON/OFF LINE] switch to offl ine mode Offl ine For System Setup Force: 80 gf 0-600 gram with an increment of 5 gf [Force Key] OK: Enter Offset 0.275 mm [OFFSET KEY] 0.000-1.000mm with an increment of 0.025mm...

  • Page 21: Description Of Menu Items

    4.3 Description of Menu Items This describes the items and functions available when you press. Menu or Key Function Setting Default Media sizing Roll: Sizing media width. Tracking 25 meters Edge Sizing media width and pull the media back Tracking 25 until the front paper sensor is not covered.
  • Page 22 4. Both unexpanded mode Select Provides LCM message display in different English Language languages. Panther II supports English, Span- ish, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Portuguese, Polish, Turkish and French for LCM display. Select Units Provides two units systems for users convenient.
  • Page 23 Scale Length & This “Scaling” Feature is used to adjust the error Width on the length and width, which may be caused by the thickness of the media. The Denominator is the actual length, and the Numerator is the ideal length measured from the result.

  • Page 24: Loading The Sheet Media

    (for contour images that were generated by printers. The cutting) registration marks should be printed along the border of the image. Panther II provides two alternatives. 1. 2-points registration contour cutting 2. 3-points registration contour cutting 4.4 Loading the Sheet Media...
  • Page 25 Step 2 Load your media on the platen and slide it under the pinch rollers from either the front side or the backside. The color alignment rulers on the platen extension will help you to adjust the media precisely. Note: Be sure that the media must cover the paper sensors on the platen when Backside...

  • Page 26: Loading The Roll Media

    Note: Always adjust the position with the pinch roller raised. 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 4-20). Incorrect Figure 4-20 4.5 Loading the Roll Media .
  • Page 27 Option A (Recommended) . Insert the two roll holders into the roll media support set then place the roll media directly between the two roll holders (Figure 4-22). Figure 4-22 Option B (Use the media fl anges) Insert a roll media fl ange at the end of each roll media and tighten the thumbscrew until the roll media is fi...
  • Page 28 . Then turn the roll downward to make an equal tension across the media (Figure 4-26). Note : Make sure that the media tension is equally distributed from left to right. If the media is not tight enough against the platen, it would cause tracking problems! Figure 4-26 .

  • Page 29: Tracking Performance

    Tracking Performance In order to achieve the best tracking performance for a long plot, we recommend some signifi cant media loading procedures described as follows: If the media length is less than 4 m, leave the margin of 0.5mm—25mm in the left and right edges of the media (see Figure 4-27).

  • Page 30: Adjusting The Cutting Force And Offset

    4.7 Adjusting the Cutting Force and Offset Before sending your designs for cutting, you may perform a “cut test” to generate satisfactory cutting results. “Cut Test” should be repeated until the appropriate cutting conditions for the media are discovered. After sizing the media, press [CUT TEST] button to select the “square cut”, and press [ENTER KEY] to confi...

  • Page 31: Adjusting The Blade Depth

    4.8 Adjusting the blade depth To properly adjust the blade depth, remove the blade holder from the cutter. Lay the vinyl you wish to cut on a fl at surface and with the blade holder in your hand push down on the vinyl and drag the blade across the sur- face of the vinyl.

  • Page 32: Maintenance

    5. 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 qualifi ed service technician. 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.

  • Page 33: Cleaning The Grid Drum

    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.

  • Page 34: Trouble Shooting

    6. Trouble Shooting This chapter helps you to correct some common problem 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 certain that the malfunction is in your cutting plotter, not the result of an interface problem or a malfunction in your computer or a soft- ware problem.

  • Page 35: Operational Problems

    Operational Problems Some mechanical problems or failure during operation will cause some problems. The error messages shown on the LCM present the problem fi rst, and followed by recommended actions. If the problem still exists after the recommended actions have been done, have your cutting plotter serviced. This message indicates that there might be a problem on the X axis.

  • Page 36: Cutting Plotter Computer Communication Problems

    Cutting Plotter/Computer Communication Problems The messages showed below present problems in relation to cutting plotter/computer communication. Is the connection cable con- Communication Error nected to the cutting plotter Setup: MISC. key and computer properly? Refer to Chapter 4 - Connecting Has the interface setting your cutting plotter.

  • Page 37: Software Problem

    Software Problems Check the following fi rst: 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 confi guration settings of your software.) Does the cutting plotter inter- The most well known cutting face match the requirements of softwares in the world have...

  • Page 38: Cutting Quality Problem

    Cutting Quality Problems Is the blade installed correctly and the blade holder fastened securely? Is the blade dull or Refer to Chapter 2.3 chipped? “Blade Installation”. Is tool force set up properly? Replace with a (The default for tool force is new blade.

  • Page 39: Quick Menu

    Quick Menu Power ON. (LED lights on) Place the media and lower down the pinch rollers (must position above the grid drums). Sizing - Press the related ARROW KEYS for roll (cut from the current position), edge (cut from the edge) or single.

  • Page 40: Advanced Troubleshooting

    Advanced Troubleshooting Thank you for purchasing the PantherII. Before you use the cutting plotter, please make sure that you have read the safety precautions and Instructions below. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS! Caution • For safety concern, please always hold the cutter fi rmly from the bottom when moving it. Do not move the cutter by clasping the depression area on both sides.
  • Page 41 HOW TO CUT 3mm LETTERS ? • To obtain good quality output, narrow width media is suggested. However, if wide media is used, you should: Position two pinch rollers as close as possible to both edges of the cutting area. Make sure the loaded media is held fl...
  • Page 42 Engage pinch rollers. Fixes roll media guide bushes on the roll holder to secure the roll media. The protrusion length of the blade should be longer than the thickness of the vinyl. (Please see in the section of “ABOUT THE TOOL”.) After you notice all above then you’ll enjoy your gigantic signs production! Warning Never press the top release grip and pull the bottom release grip at the same time as the pictures shown below:...
  • Page 43 Cutting SandBlast on Panther plotter 1. Use a Roland 60° blade and adjust blade as the thickness of the material. 2. Use a heavy duty blade holder. 3. Slow your cutter down as slow as you can. (See Page 4.3 for directions on changing cutting speed) 4.

  • Page 44: Optional Items

    Panther Series Optional Accessories The following items are available for Panther series: Item Part No. Description US Price Pouncing Kit PLTA-POUNCE-KIT 1 pouncing blade head, 5 coils of US $119.00 pouncing pad and one L-shaped hexagon wrench. Item Part No.

  • Page 45: Equipment Specifi Cation

    Environment Temperature 0 C~55 C / 32 F~131 F (operating) -40 C~75 F~167 F (storage) Figure 0-3 • The above specifi cation is subject to change without prior notice. • Stand for Panther PII-61 is optional. A. Equipment Specifi cations...

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