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Guide
User’s Guide – Ultima cutting plotter
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
This document may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without written permission of the
copyright owner.
This document is furnished to support the MUTOH Ultima cutting plotter. In consideration of the furnishing of
the information contained in this document, the party to whom it is given assumes its custody and control and
agrees to the following:
The information herein contained is given in confidence, and any part thereof shall not be copied or
reproduced without written consent of Mutoh Europe N.V.
This document or the contents herein under no circumstances shall be used in the manufacture or
reproduction of the article shown and the delivery of this document shall not constitute any right or license to
do so.
April 2007
Published: Mutoh Europe N.V., Archimedesstraat 13, B-8400 Oostende, BELGIUM
Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing a Mutoh Ultima series sign cutting plotter. The Mutoh Ultima drag knife cutting plotter
has been designed to be one of the most user-friendly and versatile cutting plotters in the market.
As a stand-alone cutting plotter, the Ultima can cut and plot designs onto PVC or paper as required.
In combination with an inkjet printer, the Ultima cutting plotter is ready for contour-cutting of preprinted signs
made with any printer capable of printing onto cutting plotter compatible media. Contour-cutting is made
possible via the integrated EPOS (electronic positioning) technology and the in-the-box software.
But even more important, it is easy to use, as the following guide will show you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Regulatory and safety information ............................................................................................................ 9
Important
This is a Class A product approved for industrial environments. In a domestic
environment this product may cause radio interference in which case you may be
required to take adequate measures.
This equipment complies with the requirements for a Class A computing device in the FCC rules, part 15,
subpart J.
Operation of this device in a residential area may interfere with television reception or operation of utilities.
Cutters generate weak radio signals and may interfere with television reception and utilities. If the cutter
does interfere with radio or TV reception, try the following:
¾ Move either the cutter or the receiving antenna so that there is more distance between them.
¾ Be sure the cutter and the receiving antenna are on separate power lines.
Technical problems and maintenance, which require the cutter to be opened, can only be done by qualified
personnel who were trained to repair this type of machine.
Unauthorized removing of covers and/or overruling safety locks can be dangerous and will result in your
guarantee becoming void.
1 2
2. INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
The location where you set up your equipment is very important. Please see to it that it meets following
conditions:
Power supply of 100 to 120 VAC 50/60 Hz or 200 to 240 VAC 50/60 Hz.
Ambient Conditions:
Operating environment
- Temperature: 5 °C to 30 °C
- Humidity: 35 % - 75 % non-condensing.
Recommended environment
- Temperature: Room temperature 16 °C to 25 °C
- Humidity: 50 % to 65 %, non-condensing.
Variation rate
- Temperature: 2 °C per hour.
- Humidity: 5 % per hour.
Storage environment
- Temperature: 0 °C to 50 °C
Please protect your cutter from moisture, dust, draughts and direct sunlight. It is best to keep your machine
away from open windows and air-conditioners.
See to it that there is an adequate space around the cutter so that ventilation is not obstructed.
Avoid unnecessary vibrations and set up your cutter on a level surface.
When selecting a place for your cutter, leave at least 90 cm in front and 90 cm at the rear, as shown in the
illustration below.
(*)
When ordered as a bundle together with a Mutoh Printer, the in-the-box software may be replaced with one software which handles
cutting, printing and contourcutting.
Notes
• When unpacking the cutter, check whether all parts described in the parts list are included in the box.
Consult your dealer if anything seems to be missing.
• Lifting the machine out of the box should be done by two people. This to avoid back injuries.
• Protect the plotter from firm shocks.
• Do not dismantle the unit
Step 5 : Lift the cutter unit out of the box and put it on a flat and stable surface.
Step 7 : Remove the pieces of foam, protecting the tool head during transportation.
Step 8 : If you had your cutter delivered with a stand, please refer to the instructions for mounting the
stand.
Notes
Assemble the stand as described in the procedure enclosed in the stand box.
There are two positioning points on the stand and one screw hole.
Step 2 : Place the body on the stand and tighten with one screw at both sides.
3 Roll Support System The roll support system carries the conveyor rolls.
When using roll media for cutting jobs, put the roll of media on top of
4 Conveyor Rolls
the two conveyor rolls.
These flanges on the conveyor rolls will prevent the roll of media from
5 Small guiding Flanges shifting to the left or to the right when vinyl is pulled off the roll during
the pre-feed cycle.
Supports the cutting media and guides the movement of the media
7 Platen & Grid Cover
along the x-axis.
USB connector to easily connect the cutter for fast and reliable data
10 USB interface
transmission.
12 Centronics Connector Centronics Connector to connect the cutter to the host computer.
Connector for the power cord, which plugs into the main power
13 Power Connector
supply of the cutter.
14 Pressure Rollers Hold the media against the drive rollers during cutting.
All available tools such as knife holders, drawing pens and painting
Cutting head for Cutting
17 pens can be secured into the head using the locking screw. The tool
and Sheeting Off
head moves along the Y-axis to locate the cutting position.
Raises and lowers the pressure rollers. Lowering the pressure rollers
19 Hold Lever
will hold the media in place.
Using the operation panel, you can access different modes and alter several settings, in order to fine-tune
the cutter to match all your needs.
CONTROL-KEY
Key Description
CANCEL Press the [CANCEL] key to clear all received data.
Press the [CANCEL] key to return to the previous setting (without changes).
EXIT – SHEET OFF The [EXIT-SHEET OFF] key cancels the changes made in the setting. You will
return to the previous menu.
Press the [EXIT-SHEET OFF] key in normal mode to perform a sheet-off.
READY / PAUSE Press the [READY / PAUSE] key to set the cutter READY or PAUSE.
UP Press the [UP] key to increase the value of the setting or select the next option.
DOWN Press the [DOWN] key to decrease the value of the setting.
PRESETS Change the user (there are maximum 32 users); each user has his own set of
settings that are saved when the machine is shut down.
ORIGIN Press the [ORIGIN] key to change the origin position. (This can change the origin
direction and move the origin point.)
TEST Press the [TEST] key to choose one of the test plots to plot.
CONTOUR CUTTING Press the [CONTOUR CUTTING] key to start an auto/manual aligning procedure.
OFFSET Press the [OFFSET] key to access the offset adjustment menu
Take-Up / Sheet / Roll Press the [MEDIA SUPPLY TYPE] key to select how media is loaded.
ARROW-KEY Press the [ARROW] key for manual movement of the tool head.
LIGHT INDICATORS
LED Description
ORIGIN Blinks to indicate that you can move the head to replace the origin when you are in
the origin menu.
Lighting indicates that we have a set the origin.
Use the arrow keys to set the origin position by means of the laser led and confirm
with the enter key.
TAKE-UP Indicating that you are working with roll media without front edge detection
ROLL Indicating that you are working with roll media using front edge detection
Caution
Please do not use sharp or pointed tools like ballpoints or pencils to press keys. The operation panel is to
be operated with your fingertips.
To make the connection between the cutter and the computer, you are offered two possibilities. The first
possibility is a 2-way RS-232C serial interface. The second possibility is a USB interface.
The serial RS-232C interface enables the cutter to be connected to and controlled by an RS-232C
compatible host computer system. The cutter is equipped with a standard RS-232C - DB-9P connector on
the rear panel and requires a standard RS-232C DB-9S mating connector.
Step 1 : Make sure both the cutter and the computer are turned off. Connect one end of the serial
interface cable to the serial interface connector at the rear side of the cutting plotter.
Step 3 : Connect the other end of the serial cable to your computer.
Notes
For proper operation of the serial communication, it will be necessary to match the computer settings to the
plotter settings!
Step 1 : Make sure the USB driver is installed as described in the application guide chapter 1.
Step 2 : Connect one end of the USB cable to the USB connector at the rear side of the cutting plotter.
Step 3 : Connect the other end of the USB cable to your computer or the network.
Notes
Using the serial/USB communication, your cutter will not only be able to receive data from the computer,
but will also be able to send information to the computer (media size, ...).
Notes
• Please make sure that the USB driver is installed!
• Please make sure to shut down all programs on your computer before installing new firmware.
Step 1: In case the power is ON, first turn the power of the machine OFF.
Step 2: Connect the Ultima cutting plotter with your PC by means of a USB cable. Remove the RS232
connection.
Step 7: In the “Device Manager” open the list “Ports” (COM & LPT).
Step 8: Check the COM-port number for the USB serial Port (Mutoh Ultima). In the figure above it is
COM3.
Step 10: Select the correct comport (in this case COM3).
Step 15: The Ultima gives a beep and "Connection with ULTIMA established! Please wait..." is shown in
the update tool.
Step 16: After 13 seconds the message "Sending firmware to ULTIMA!! Please wait...!" appears in the
update tool.
Step 18: The first seconds the progress bar colours red and green. Afterwards the progress bar is black.
Notes
Please note that you passed the critical section of updating when the progress bar is black. When the
machine is shut down in the critical section of the update we refer to the section “When you shut down the
Ultima inside the critical section”.
Step 19: After 1 minute the update finishes with the text "Firmware update successful, restart the
ULTIMA!" on the Ultima update tool.
Notes
Please perform a “Code Update” after a firmware upgrade. Without performing a “Code Update”, the panel
keyboard remains in the old firmware version.
To connect the power cable, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 2 : Plug the plotter-end of the power cable into the connector at the rear of the plotter.
Step 3 : Plug the other end of the power cable into an electrical outlet of the correct voltage and with a
proper grounding.
Notes
The disconnect device is the plug on the power supply cord
At the right-hand side of the cutter head, you will find a pivoting mounting bracket. Opening this bracket will
enable you to install a full range of cutting and drawing tools. To do so, please follow the instructions
mentioned below.
Step 1 : Open the screw (1) to unlock the tool head-mounting bracket.
Step 2 : Hold back the clip (2) of the tool head and slide the tool into position, making sure the tool collar
fits into the groove just beneath the locking screw (3).
When loading media into the cutter, it is necessary to clearly distinguish two situations. The first situation is
when you are using cut-sheet media. The second situation is when you are using roll media.
Step 1 : Put the pressure rollers (1) in the “up” position using the media hold lever (2) and turn the power
switch ON (3). The cutter will perform its initialization routine and move the tool head (4) to the
rightmost position.
Step 2 : Press the media-select button on the operation panel and select the sheet. After selection the
SHEET-LED will light up.
Step 3 : Insert the media into the cutter. It is best to position the media so that half of it hangs in front and
half of it hangs at the back of the cutter.
Step 4 : Adjust the position of the pressure rollers so that they align well with the drive rollers. Doing this
you are helped by the tactile and audible click system for the left pressure roller. The right
pressure roller’s movement is limited so that it can never be malpositioned.
Always make sure that the pressure rollers are completely inside the sheet of the media you want
to load. Especially when you use a cut-sheet of which the corners are not perfectly square, it is
best to put the pressure rollers well inside the vinyl as the width of the sheet may vary.
In case you are using a SC-1400D, you have the opportunity to use either two or three pressure
rollers, depending on the width of the vinyl you are using. When not using the left pressure roller
(i.e. when loading vinyl of a small width), the left pressure roller should be placed at the extreme
left of the cutter (that is, not on top of a grid roller).
Notes
Please note that the middle pressure roller should always be placed on top of a grid roller.
Step 6 : After finishing the media loading sequence, the tool head will be parked at the origin position and
the cutter will be in ON-LINE mode, ready to receive data from the host computer.
Notes
Do not try to move the pressure rollers when the media hold lever is in the down position as this may cause
damage to the system.
Step 1 : Put the pressure rollers in the “up” position and turn the power switch ON.
The cutter will perform its initialization routine and move the tool head to the rightmost position.
Step 2 : Press the media-select button on the operation panel and select one of the roll loading options.
After selection the ROLL-LED will light up.
Step 3 : Position the roll of media onto the conveyor rolls. Open the protective cover and pull the media
through to be able to choose the best possible position for the pressure rollers.
Notes
Place the media roll on the conveyor rolls as visible on the picture.
To avoid back injuries, the roll of media should be lifted by at least two persons if it’s heavier than 30 kg.
Step 4 : Adjust the position of the pressure rollers so that they align well with the drive rollers and that
they can accommodate the roll of vinyl. Doing this, you are helped by the tactile and audible click
system for the left pressure roller. The right pressure roller’s movement is limited so that it can
never be malpositioned. Always make sure that both pressure rollers are at least 5 mm (0.2 inch)
inside the media. It is not recommendable that the rollers run on the very edge of the material.
In case you are using a SC-1400D, you have the opportunity to use either two or three pressure
rollers, depending on the width of the vinyl you are using. When not using the left pressure roller
(i.e. when loading vinyl of a small width), the left pressure roller should be placed at the extreme
left of the cutter (that is, not on top of a grid roller).
Notes
Please note that the middle pressure roller should always be placed on top of a grid roller.
Step 5 : It is best that you hold the front edge of the media in the middle with one hand and with the other
hand, the roll itself.
As you are holding the roll firmly into position, pull the front edge of the media forward so that
there is an even tension across the whole width of the roll.
Step 6 : At this stage, put the hold lever in the DOWN position. Adjust the position of the small conveyor
flanges so that they are just alongside the roll of vinyl. This action will initialize the media loading
sequence, during which the cutter will shuffle a pre-set distance of vinyl. The media will be
shuffled back and forth enabling you to verify the media transport. The page length (pre-feed
length) is factory-set to 1000 mm and can be adjusted by the user.
Step 7 : After finishing the media loading sequence, the tool head will be parked at the origin position and
the cutter will be in ON-LINE mode, ready to receive data from the host computer.
The auto-sheet-off mechanism of your cutter can be very easily used to cut the front edge of a new roll of
vinyl straight as well as to cut off a sheet of vinyl from a roll, to be used as a separate sheet.
If you want to sheet-off the vinyl, please follow the instructions below.
Step 1 : Be sure to select take-up with the media supply type key.
Step 3 : By pressing the Arrow keys, it’s possible to position the media and where to do a sheet off (or
straighten the media)
Step 4 : Press the [SHEET OFF] key. The following message will appear on the operation panel.
Do a sheet-off?
Up = No
Down = Yes
Step 5 : Press the [DOWN] key to confirm. A sheet off will be performed.
Notes
Press the [UP] key to not perform a sheet off.
→ Sheet off mode should be enabled first (Menu Option)
3. CUTTER CONTROLS
3.1. UNDERSTANDING THE OPERATION PANEL
CANCEL-key
The [CANCEL] key can be used for clearing all received data.
Press the [CANCEL] key to return to the previous setting (without changes).
EXIT/SHEET OFF-key
ENTER/MENU-key
PRESETS-key
Pressing the [PRESETS] key you can choose the active user. Each user has its
own settings that are saved. You can make users for different types of cutting
jobs and so pick the desired settings when necessary by selecting the user.
ORIGIN-key
Use the ARROW keys to set the origin position by means of the laser and confirm
with the [ENTER] key.
Diverse Origin Positions can be set in the Origin Menu (Enter Menu)
L Right (default), L Left, Center, U Right, U left
TEST-key
By pressing the [TEST] key you can select one of the test plots out of the list to
cut.
CONTOUR CUTTING-key
In this menu you can start a “manual”, “auto no barcode”, “barcode multi” or
“barcode single” aligning procedure by selecting the desired one of the shown
list.
SPEED-key
Press the [SPEED] key to enter the setting menu to change the cutting speed.
Press the [UP] or [DOWN] key to change the speed. Press the [ENTER] key to
confirm the change. If you do not want to change the speed press the
[CANCEL] or [EXIT] key.
FORCE-key
Press the [FORCE] key to enter the setting menu to change the force.
Press the [UP] or [DOWN] key to change the force. Press the [ENTER] key to
confirm the change. If you do not want to change the force press the [CANCEL]
or [EXIT] key.
Press the [FORCE] key again to cut following picture to verify your force cutting
value.
OFFSET-key
By pressing the [OFFSET] key you can change the offset of the knife:
When you enter this menu you can input the offset or the base offset for cutting
the calibration figures.
When you press the [ENTER] key you get a dialog on the cutter that asks if you
want to do a test cutting (select 1 or 2) or not.
When you perform a test cut, 10 reference pictures around the selected base
offset are cut. You can choose the best one by selecting one of the pictures
with the laser pointer and the [UP] and [DOWN] key.
TOOL-key
READY / PAUSE-key
By pressing this key you can interrupt the cutting job. When you press the
[READY/PAUSE] key again the cutting job is started again. When no media is
loaded you only can be in pause. When media is loaded the status is ready and
can be changed to pause. When in the pause status (media loaded or not) you
still can send a file to the cutter but it will only responds when you go to ready.
UP-key
Press the [UP] key to select a desired value when you are in a menu or a
selection dialog.
DOWN-key
Press the [DOWN] key to select a desired value when you are in a menu or a
selection dialog.
TUSR-key
By pressing this key you can select take-up, sheet or roll media loading system.
The selection can only be done when no media is loaded. (= lever up position)
When media is loaded the LED’s only show which type of media is loaded but
cannot be changed.
ARROW-key
The [ARROW] keys are always active, the cutter being ONLINE or OFFLINE.
To enable the user to manually move the tool head and the media. This can be
necessary in order to examine specific details of the sign or to set a new origin.
When pressing the [LEFT ARROW] or [RIGHT ARROW] key, the head will move
accordingly. It will move slowly for two seconds and speed up afterwards.
When pressing the [TOP ARROW] or [BOTTOM ARROW] key, the media (if
loaded) will move accordingly. It will move slowly for 2 seconds and speed up
afterwards.
When pressing two [ARROW] keys simultaneously the head will move relative
diagonal to the media.
ORIGIN LED
TAKE-UP LED
This LED will light up if you have selected to load roll media without front edge
detection.
SHEET LED
DISPLAY
4 lines / 16 characters
Displays the LCD-display messages, shows settings/values
and allows menu-wise control.
Following items can be changed / controlled directly via the operation panel.
Tool force is the amount of downward pressure that the cutter applies on the tool.
To change or control the tool force, please perform the instructions mentioned below.
Step 2 : The actual FORCE setting for the selected tool will now be shown on the display. Viewing of the
value can be performed in PAUSE as well as in READY mode.
Force
Actual : 30
New : 30
In gram
Step 3 : Press the [UP] or [DOWN] key to change the force setting.
Step 4 : Press the [FORCE] key. The Ultima will cut following picture.
Step 5 : Check the patterns. Especially look for good quality of the corners and easy weeding. If this is
not the case readjust the FORCE selection.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
To change / control the cutting speed, please perform the instructions mentioned bow.
Step 2 : The actual SPEED setting for the selected tool will now be shown on the display. Viewing of the
value can be performed in PAUSE as well as in READY mode.
Speed
Actual : 10
New : 10
In cm/s
Notes
Changing/viewing of the value can be performed in BUSY mode. Please note that the effect can only be
seen after a few seconds.
Notes
Toolup / laser speed is independent of the cutting speed.
Step 3 : Press the [UP] or [DOWN] key to change the force setting.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
One of the most important factors to obtain good quality, but unfortunately also one of the factors that is
easily forgotten, is the offset.
For more information about the offset, please refer to the chapter ‘Fine-tuning your cutter to obtain Mutoh
quality’.
Step 2 : The actual TOOL setting for the Ultima cutting plotter will be shown on the display. Viewing of
the value can be performed in PAUSE as well as in READY mode.
Tool
Actual : knife
New : knife
Pen or knife
Step 3 : Press the [UP] or [DOWN] key to change the force setting. You can choose between ‘pen’ and
‘knife’.
Notes
Please make sure the tool selected onto the display is the same as the installed tool in the Ultima cutting
plotter.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Notes
Please make sure media is loaded. If not, the Ultima positioning calculation is based on previously installed
media.
Step 2 : The laser LED will be activated automatically. The display will show following message:
Point laser to
Desired origin
Position
Enter = Confirm
Step 3 : Use the arrow keys to move the laser to the desired origin position and press the [ENTER] key.
For more information about the test cuts, please refer to the chapter ‘Fine-tuning your cutter to obtain Mutoh
quality’.
¾ Select Preset : Use this function to select a previously saved user setting.
¾ Reset : Change a saved user setting to a default value based on Mutoh’s values.
¾ Add : Add a new user setting.
¾ Remove : Remove a previously saved user setting.
Use this function to select a previously saved user setting. Please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Presets
Select presets
Choose user
Step 3 : Press the [ENTER] key. Following message will appear on the display.
→ User 1
Enter = select
↑ = Up
↓ = Down
Step 5 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm the selected user setting. The Ultima cutting plotter will load
the requested user settings.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
3.2.7.2. ‘Reset’
Use this function to change a saved user setting to a default value based on Mutoh’s values. Please follow
the instructions mentioned below.
Step 2 : Use the [UP] or [DOWN] key to select the following display.
Presets
Reset
Choose user
Step 3 : Press the [ENTER] key. Following message will appear on the display.
→ Monomeric vinyl
Enter = select
↑ = Up
↓ = Down
Step 4 : Use the [UP] or [DOWN] key to select a setting based on Mutoh’s values.
Step 5 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm the selected user setting. The Ultima cutting plotter will load
the requested settings into the active user setting. The active user setting will now have the
settings based on Mutoh’s values.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
3.2.7.3. ‘Add’
To add a new user setting, please follow the instructions below.
Step 1 : Change all settings for the specific cutting job you will perform.
Step 3 : Use the [UP] or [DOWN] key to select the following display.
Presets
Add
Choose user
Step 4 : Press the [ENTER] key. The Ultima cutting plotter will store all settings in a new user setting.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
3.2.7.4. ‘Remove’
To remove a previously saved user setting, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 2 : Use the [UP] or [DOWN] key to select the following display.
Presets
Remove
Choose user
→ User 1
Enter = select
↑ = Up
↓ = Down
Step 4 : Use the [UP] or [DOWN] key to select the user setting you want to delete.
Step 5 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm. The Ultima cutting plotter will delete the selected user setting.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Contour cutting is without doubt the most used feature of the Ultima Cutting Plotter. This feature is made to
cut pre-printed signs on vinyl for sticker production.
Before using this feature, perform the epos alignment as described in chapter 5.6.8.1.
There are some different approaches to cut your signs which also implicate a different alignment method.
To perform and choose the proper alignment, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 3 : Power ON the cutting plotter. The cutting plotter will perform a shuffle sequence.
Contourcutting :
Methods :
→ BCode Single
Start alignment
Step 5 : By using the [UP] and [DOWN] key you select ‘Manual’, ‘Auto No BCod’, ‘BCode Multi’ or ‘BCode
Single’.
Each one of these methods has its own cropmark system (see below)
MP 1 AL 3 AL 4 AL 5
Step 6 : Before performing an alignment, ‘X Length’, ‘Y Width’ and ‘Roll Direction’ must be inserted. With
these values the Ultima cutting plotter will calculate the E-pos correction.
Step 7 : Press the [CONTOUR CUTTING] key. On the display following message will appear.
Contourcutting :
X Length (mm) :
→ 500
Start alignment
Step 8 : By using the [UP] and [DOWN] key you select an appropriate value for the X Length.
Notes
Please make sure that the value of the X Length is smaller than the length of the loaded media. Otherwise,
the Ultima cutting plotter cannot complete the alignment – NO VALID EPOS REFERENCE FOUND.
Step 9 : Press the [CONTOUR CUTTING] key to confirm. On the display following message will appear.
Contourcutting :
Y Width (mm) :
→ 500
Start alignment
Step 10 : By using the [UP] and [DOWN] key you select an appropriate value for the Y Width.
Step 11 : Press the [CONTOUR CUTTING] key to confirm. On the display following message will appear.
Contourcutting :
Roll direction
→ Non-reverse
Start alignment
Step 12 : Select the appropriate ‘roll direction’ (non-reverse or reverse) by using the [UP] and [DOWN] key.
Step 13 : Press the [CONTOUR CUTTING] key to check the entered values of the ‘X length’, ‘Y width’ and
‘roll direction’.
Step 15 : The Ultima cutting plotter will start the frame detection. (‘Manual’ or ‘automatic’ as selected in
step 5).
Step 15 : The Ultima cutting plotter will automatically measure the four alignments points.
Step 15 : After pressing the [ENTER] key following message will appear on the display.
Manual alignment
method
please select
the point
Step 16 : Use the [ARROW] keys to select the first alignment point (P1). Press the [ENTER] key to
perform.
Step 17 : The Ultima cutting plotter will move the head toward the second alignment point. On the display
following message will appear.
Manual alignment
method
please select
the point
Step 18 : Use the [ARROW] keys to select the second alignment point (P2). Press the [ENTER] key to
perform.
Step 19 : The Ultima cutting plotter will move the head toward the third alignment point. On the display
following message will appear.
Manual alignment
method
please select
the point
Step 20 : Use the [ARROW] keys to select the fourth alignment point (P4). Press the [ENTER] key to
perform
Step 21 : The Ultima cutting plotter will move the head toward the fourth alignment point. On the display
following message will appear.
Manual alignment
method
please select
the point
Step 22 : Use the [ARROW] keys to select the third alignment point (P3). Press the [ENTER] key to
perform.
Notes
Make sure to keep the order of the alignment points. P1, P2, P4 and then P 3
Contourcutting:
→ Repeat Mode
Start Aligning
Step 17 : With the [MENU ▲] key to choose “Single Scan” or “Repeat Mode”.
Notes
> Single Scan: The command will be given to start scanning the bar code of the first / next bounding box
ONLY, from roll or sheet. After finishing this single job, the Ultima returns into the Ready status.
> Repeat Mode: AUTOMATICALLY all succeeding frames will be scanned and contour cut as well, until the
end of roll is reached.
Contourcutting:
→ Single Scan
Start Aligning
Step 17 : With the [MENU▲] key to choose “Single Scan” or “Repeat Mode”.
Notes
> Single Scan: The command will be given to start scanning the bar code of the first / next bounding box
ONLY, from roll or sheet. After finishing this single job, the Ultima returns into the Ready status.
> Repeat Mode: AUTOMATICALLY all succeeding frames will be scanned and contour cut as well, until the
end of roll is reached.
Its advantage is that the cropmark system is very small (for small sized jobs), and that this method can be
used in case of vinyl that do not reflect the laser light (meaning, the laser would not be capable of measuring
the cropmarks automatically).
The user has to use the jog keys on the Ultima’s keyboard to measure each cross manually before
contourcutting can start.
The AL3 (Mutoh Auto Align) is the first fully-automated alignment system.
Just place the sign in the cutter, click on PLOT in the cutting software, and the cutter will automatic align the
sign by use of the black bounding box, no user intervention is needed.
This method is ideal for use of single signs, one at the time.
We do not advise to use this method for signs over 2 meter of length, although there is no real limit to the
length that can be used.
The AL4 (Mutoh Auto Align Barcode) is similar to the AL3 method, but there is barcode printed on
the sign.
The AL5 (Mutoh Auto Align Multiframe) offers all advantages of the AL4 and AL3 method, but it will
split the image in multiple segments of maximum 50cm. (This is to enhance precision over long length).
With AL5, it is possible to make signs of 10m or longer, and the Ultima will measure segment per segment,
and cut segment per segment. This method gives you more accuracy than the AL4 method. We do not
recommend this method for signs smaller than 1,5m
You should use the CutServer for this method, and make sure the CutServer properties are set to MULTI-
FRAME MODE. (Single scan for 1 AL5 file and Repeat mode for a roll with multiple AL5 files).
Notes
For more details about the Print & Cut workflow and CutServer, please refer to the Application Guide in
the box.
Notes
Please note that the creation of an image should be done in a graphics application software (e.g.
CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop or Macromedia Freehand) or in origin software with design
functionalities (EasySIGN Power Pack Pro Mutoh Edition or Scanvec Amiable PhotoPRINT DX Mutoh
Edition)
Notes
Do not forget to create the cutting line around your image. The default cutting line is a “magenta hairline” or
“spotcolor” with <CutContour> swatch name (in the CMYK pallet).
→ Thickness line = hairline (or 0.25)
→ Colour = 100% magenta
For more details, please refer to the Application Guide.
To use the automatic alignment procedure, the pre-printed sheet contains a Bounding Box (*) around the
design to be cut. Details can be found below.
VINYL
(*) Please note that the Bounding Box around your design(s) will be printed. Before contour-cutting the E-
pos technology will search for the Bounding Box and measure the position of the design(s).
The Bounding Box should be at least an A4 format (Portrait). There must be 5 mm white space between the
image and the Bounding Box. Make sure that the Bounding Box is colored black. (→ Contrast) Make sure
that the Bounding Box fits within the margins of the maximum cutting width of your cutting plotter.
Notes
Please note that the position of the design with the Bounding Box compared to the page edges is defined in
the print-software.
VINYL
Notes
When measuring the four points of the box and the cutter establishes a distortion (this means the box is not a
perfect rectangle due to print deformation, or not between the margins), the cutter will beep and shows
following message:
EPOS-warning
********************
Much print
distortion
The cutter will cut a little cross in the lower right corner to remind you and us to its bad print quality in case of
bad contour cutting; however it will continue its workflow after two seconds.
Step 4 : Activate the “EPOS offset fine-tune” function by pressing the [TEST] + [CONTOURCUTTING]
button simultaneously. This function is only accurate for 1 job.
EPOS fine-tune
selected for
next job
press any key
Step 6 : The cutter will start cutting 11 lines on the bottom of the box.
Step 7 : When pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key, the laser goes to the next line. Following message is
displayed
Offset: 0.00
Enter = Select
▲ = Up
▼ = Down
Notes
You can also use the [ARROW] keys
Step 8 : Press the [ENTER] key when laser is above the line which lies on the bottom side of the box.
Step 9 : The cutter will start cutting 11 lines on at the right side of the box.
Step 10 : When pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key, the laser goes to the next line. Following message is
displayed
Offset: 0.00
Enter = Select
▲ = Up
▼ = Down
Notes
You can also use the [ARROW] keys
Step 11 : Press the [ENTER] key when laser is above the line which lies on the right side of the box.
This function is a warning. Following message could appear when the printed box on the vinyl or other media
is deformed. This means, not a perfect rectangle.
The Ultima can not guarantee a perfect cut workflow when the box is deformed.
When measuring the four points of the box and the cutter establishes a distortion, the cutter will beep and
shows following message:
EPOS-warning
********************
Much print
distortion
The cutter will cut a little cross in the lower right corner and will continue its workflow after two seconds.
Not only there are keys to directly change or control some values of the Ultima cutting plotter, but more
settings are available by following the instructions mentioned below.
Step 1 : Pressing the [ENTER] key, the user enters the setup-menu.
Step 2 : Pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key, the user can select the parameter he wants to adjust. Confirm
with the [ENTER] key the selection.
Step 3 : The [UP] key will increase the value or select the next parameter. The [DOWN] key will decrease
the value or select the previous parameter. Press the [ENTER] key to confirm the new setting.
After confirmation the display will show the previous menu.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Step 4 : Press the [EXIT] key to go back to the previous menu and confirm the changed settings.
The general settings parameter influences the cutter’s reactions to commands given by the computer or
initiated via the control panel. In the general settings menu, several parameters are available:
With the sheet-off mode, you can select “AUTOMAT”, “MANUAL” or “DISABLE”.
Automatic A sheet-off can be done when pressing the “Exit-Sheet OFF” key.
Manual A sheet-off can be done with a snap-off blade knife; the paper will feed towards the cutgroove.
Disable No sheet-off can be done
The auto-sheet-off mechanism of your cutter can be very easily used to cut the front edge of a new roll of
vinyl straight as well as to cut off a sheet of vinyl from a roll, to be used as a separate sheet. Please refer to
2.11.
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Sheet Off Mode’ by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual Sheet Off Mode will now be shown
on the display
Sheet Off
Actual : AUTOMAT
New : AUTOMAT
Sheet Off Mode
Step 3 : By using the [UP] or [DOWN] key select “Automat”, “Manual” or “Disable”.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Notes
When pressing the [EXIT-SHEET OFF] key for a while, following message will appear.
Do a sheet off?
▲ = No
▼ = Yes
This message will only appear when Sheet Off Mode is enabled.
With the sheet-off margin, you can select a value from 1 mm to 250 mm. Before performing a sheet-off the
Ultima cutting plotter will forward the media equally to the selected margin.
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Sheet Off Margin’ by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual Sheet Off Margin will now be shown
on the display
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
This parameter is directly related to the loading of ROLL media. The Pre-Feed length or SHUFFLE length
has to be set before a roll is loaded.
1. The length of media set for the Pre-Feed length parameter will be pulled off the roll, before the
cutting job commences. This will prevent media from being pulled off the roll at high speed and
acceleration. High speed can only be properly used on condition that the media can move freely,
without having to be pulled off the roll during a job.
2. Before actually cutting starts the complete length of the media is shuffled back and forth through the
cutter, ensuring that the pressure rollers have a discrete path while the user has the time to verify if
the vinyl transport goes well.
3. Your Ultima cutter has been equipped with MUTOH’s unique AUTO-SHEET-OFF feature, to
automatically cut off media at the end of a cutting sequence. Following an automatic PAGE
command or a manual PAGE command initiated via the control panel, the cutter will shuffle through
the pre-set Pre-Feed length of media, to ensure that their is enough media left for a possible replot.
If there is not enough media left, the cutter will stop before the end of the assigned media length.
To change the value of the Pre-Feed Length, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Pre-Feed Length’ by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual Pre-Feed Length will now be shown
on the display
Pre-Feed Length
Actual : 940
New : 940
Pre-Feed (mm):
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Notes
Please note that the use of the PRE-FEED LENGTH should not be regarded as a loss of time. If the shuffle
movement is executed without difficulty, the user can be convinced that the sign to be cut will be executed
with very little risk of media tracking problems. As such, it will result in a time-saving operation, preventing
that the user will have to re-cut a very complex design because of bad media alignment.
Notes
Please note that the cutting range is not limited by the Pre-Feed Length which you have set. In case a
design which exceeds the shuffle length is sent to the cutting plotter, the cutter will react as follows:
The first vector, which exceeds the limit, will be cut using reduced speed for the distance exceeding the
limit.
An additional 20 cm (8 inch) of media will be pulled off the roll in order to eliminate any possible snagging at
the roll.
After the additional (20 cm) pre-feed the cutter will continue at the requested speed until the new limit is
exceeded.
However, this should not be a reason for you not to change the page length at all, as by omitting to change
it; you will be inhibited to check the full vinyl transport before the job is launched
After installation of a sheet (and sheet is selected in the menu) the Ultima cutting plotter will measure the
width and length of the sheet.
In case sheet is selected in the menu but roll media is loaded the Ultima will measure the length of the roll.
This is not the intension. Therefore, you can select a Max Sheet length value. In case sheet is selected in
the menu, the Ultima will not measure more than the length selected in the Max Sheet length menu,
preventing roll media to be rolled off completely.
To change the value of the Max Sheet length, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Max Sheet length’ by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual Pre-Feed Length will now be shown
on the display
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
A : Original origin
Page Mode
Actual : 1
New : 1
0, 1 or 2
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
4.2.6 Origin
To change / control the default origin after a media load sequence, please perform the instructions
mentioned bow.
Notes
Please make sure media is loaded. If this is not the case, the Ultima positioning calculation is based on
previously installed media.
Step 2 : The actual ORIGIN setting for the selected tool will now be shown on the display. Viewing of the
value can be performed in PAUSE as well as in READY mode.
Origin type :
Actual : LRIGHT
New : LRIGHT
Set new origin
Step 3 : Press the [UP] or [DOWN] key to change the origin setting. Values are: L RIGHT, CENTER, L
LEFT, U LEFT, U RIGHT or MANUAL.
Step 4 : In case you have selected ‘CENTER’, ‘L RIGHT’, ‘L LEFT’, ‘U LEFT’ or ‘U RIGHT’, press the
[ENTER] key to confirm the ORIGIN selection. The head will move to the requested position.
Step 5 : In case you use the shortcut key [ORIGIN], the beam will automatically activate, and you can use
the [ARROW] keys to position the head to the requested origin. Press the [ENTER] key to
confirm the ORIGIN
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
It is possible to perform a test contour cutting with the Ultima cutting plotter. Contour lines will be indicated
by the laser beam. In case the speed of the test contour cutting is not acceptable, you can decrease or
increase the speed.
To change the Laser Speed, please follow the instructions mentioned below:
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Laser Speed’ by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual Laser Speed value will now be
shown on the display
Laser Speed
Actual : 10
New 10
In cm/s
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Notes
The laser speed has nothing to do with the speed of measuring a frame.
Tool-up movements are mostly long movements (which reach their maximum speed) between the short tool-
down movements. These movements could cause abrupt media transport (which could cause tracking
problems). Therefore, it is recommended to select a tool-up speed lower than the speed selection in the
menu.
Notes
In case the Tool-up speed is higher than the speed. The Tool-up speed will be set automatically to the
value of the speed.
Notes
The tool-down speed is related to the value selected in the speed menu.
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Tool-up Speed’ by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual Tool-up Speed value will now be
shown on the display
Tool-up Speed
Actual : 100
New : 100
In cm/s
Notes
This value has effect only on the ‘acceleration’ value.
The lower the acceleration → the higher the quality but the lower the throughput.
The higher the acceleration → the higher the throughput but the lower the quality.
To change the Cut Quality, please follow the instructions mentioned below :
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Cut Quality’ by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual cut quality value will now be shown
on the display
Cut quality
Actual : DRAFT
New : DRAFT
Choose quality
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Notes
Reset the factory default does not affect the Offset values and machine settings (EPOS connection, serial
number, ..)
To set the user to the Factory Default, please follow the instructions mentioned below :
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Factory Default’ by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The display will show the following message.
Factory default
Actual : NO
New : NO
Reset settings
Step 4 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm. The settings of the Ultima cutting plotter will be resetted.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
4.2.11. Copies
In case multiple outputs of a specific design are needed, you can use the copies function. This function will
replot the last set of data, which was sent to the cutting plotter. That is, all data that was sent since the last
INITIALISATION command (“IN”).
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Copies’ by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The display will show the following message.
Copies
Actual : 1
New 1
Times to copy
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Notes
When you want to make copies, make sure that the ‘Sheet OFF’ mode is enabled. Otherwise you’ll perform
a multi-cut. The cutter will cut continuously on the same place.
Notes
In case of identical frames without barcode, copying contour cutting tasks can be done via the COPY menu
option as well as from roll and sheet.
4.2.12. Smoothing
Smoothing can be ENABLED or DISABLED. Depending on your choice, cutting of obtuse angles will be
dealt differently by the cutter.
If the complementary angle between two consecutive vectors A & B is larger than the smoothing angle, the
cutter will slow down and cut a sharp corner (1). If the angle is smaller, the cutter will maintain its speed and
cut a rounded corner (2). The optimum smoothing angle is calculated internally.
When smoothing is DISABLED all corners will be cut sharply.
= 30°
To change the smoothing settings, please follow the instructions mentioned below :
Step 1 : In the general setting select ‘Smoothing’ with the [UP] or [DOWN] key
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual smoothing setting will now be
shown on the display
Smoothing
Actual : ENABLED
New : ENABLED
Smoothing Status
Step 3 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select the appropriate smoothing vector. If ‘Disabled’ is
selected, smoothing will be turned OFF.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Step 4 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm and go back to the previous menu.
Notes
The cutting plotter will work significantly slower when smoothing is DISABLED.
This is the calculation accuracy factor for the incorporated Bézier curve generation. The value can be set
between 1 and 10.
To change the Bézier settings, please follow the instructions mentioned below :
Step 1 : In the general setting select Bézier settings with the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual Bézier setting will now be shown on
the display
Bezier
Actual : 10
New : 10
Bezier step
Step 3 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select the requested value. The following message will
appear on the operation panel.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Step 1 : In the general setting select [LANGUAGE] with the UP or DOWN key
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual LANGUAGE-setting will now be
shown on the display
Language
Actual : ENGLISH
New : ENGLISH
Language
Step 3 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select the appropriate language. Five language settings are
available (English, German, French, Spanish and Dutch).
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Step 4 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm and go back to the previous menu.
Your cutter is able to understand different graphic languages. These languages are MHGL, MHGL/2, HPGL
and HPGL/2.
To change the graphic language, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 1 : In the general setting select “Emulation” with the [UP] or [DOWN] key
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual graphic languages will now be
shown on the display
Emulation
Actual : HPGL2
New : HPGL2
Plot file type
Step 3 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select the appropriate graphic languages.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Step 4 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm and go back to the previous menu.
Select 0.025 or 0.010 mm. Factory default is 0.025 mm. Some cutting software packages use 0.010 mm. If
the plot unit is not set correctly, all your cutting jobs will be cut 2.5 times too large or too small.
Notes
Please note that some software packages use the “step per mm” terminology, in which case a program
step of 0.025 mm corresponds with 40 steps per mm and a program step of 0.010 mm with 100 steps per
mm.
Contour cutting supports only 0.010 mm program step.
To change the plot unit, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 1 : In the general setting select “Program Step” with the [UP] or [DOWN] key
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The actual program step will now be shown on
the display
Program step
Actual : 0.025
New : 0.025
Plot unit (mm)
Step 3 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select the appropriate Program Step.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Step 4 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm and go back to the previous menu.
Notes
The default value of the program step selection is 0.010 mm.
If you use the value 0.025, there is a chance that the cutter will position himself not in the lower right corner,
but in the middle of the box.
Several cutting software packages enable the user to send speed, force and acceleration commands to the
cutter. The cutter can be set up to ACCEPT or IGNORE these commands.
To change the VS/ZF/AS settings, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 1 : In the general setting select VS/ZF/AS settings with the [UP] or [DOWN] key.
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The display will shown the following message.
VS/ZF/AS
Actual : ACCEPT
New : ACCEPT
VS/ZF/AS mode
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
Step 4 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm and go back to the previous menu.
Notes
When VS, ZF and AS commands are sent and accepted, they will override the speed, force and
acceleration settings the user may have set from the cutter operation panel.
When the VS, ZF and AS commands are ignored, the cutter will always use the settings, which are set-up
from the cutter operation panel.
In order for your plotter to be able to communicate well with your host computer, the communication settings
on both machines have to match exactly. Please refer to the manual of your software to determine which
communication setting will be used by your software. Your cutter can be set up to use any settings
necessary.
In the factory, several commonly used settings have been pre-installed. For your convenience, however, we
have included the possibility to alter any of the settings when necessary.
To change the communication selection, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 1 : In the general setting select “Communication” with the [UP] or [DOWN] key
Step 2 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm your selection. The next menu will appear.
Baudrate
DataBits
Parity
StopBits
FlowControl
USB/RS232
Step 3 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select the appropriate menu to be changed.
Step 5 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select the appropriate value for the selected menu.
Step 6 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm the selection and go back to the menu selection.
Notes
To cancel the changes of the parameter, press the [CANCEL] key. The display will show the previous
value for the parameter.
When you press the [EXIT] key the changed value will be ignored and you go back to the previous menu.
There are three factors that have to be taken into account when setting up your cutter to execute a
demanding cutting job:
¾ The knife depth
¾ The cutting pressure
¾ The offset
Two types of high quality knife holders are available for the Ultima cutters.
No matter which type of knife holder you are using, adjusting the knife depth is a very important parameter
when it comes to making high quality outputs. Always make sure that the knife blade protrudes enough, but
not too much out of the knife holder.
1. Knife Holder
2. Vinyl
3. Backing
4. Cutting blade
Hold the body (2) in one hand and adjust the Loosen the base part of the cutting knife. To do this,
depth by using the set screw (3). take the base part in your left hand and twist the ring
slightly.
Turning the set screw (3) clockwise will make the Take the base part and the ring in your left hand and
blade protrude out of the edge of the base part twist the shaft until the knife point protrudes about 0.2
(1). Turning the set screw (3) counterclockwise, mm (0.008”) out of the edge of the base part.
will retract the blade.
For a first test, turn out the blade until it protrudes
about 0.2mm (0.008”) out of the base part
Tighten the ring firmly against the base part. This will
prevent the cutting blade from coming loose during
cutting.
Make a manual test-cut on a small piece of media, of the same type that you will be using. Adjust the depth
until the top layer is cut completely and that you can see a slight scratch on the backing when peeling off.
At no times you should be able to see a scratch at the back side of the media.
For some applications it might be convenient to be able to very accurately change the depth of the cutting
blade. For those applications, MUTOH can provide you with an optional knife holder, featuring a nonius
(vernier) with which it is possible to adjust the depth of the knife in increments of 0.01 millimeter (0.0004”)
The upper scale lines make it possible to change the knife depth over 0.05 mm (0.002”).
The lower scale (nonius) makes it possible to change the knife depth over 0.01 mm (0.0004”).
- 0,05 mm + 0,05 mm
- 0,01 mm + 0,01 mm
Here, we merely want to point out that you have to try to cut your design with the lowest possible pressure
that gives no trouble to weed. Some cast media require only 20 grams to be cut completely through. In that
case there is no need to apply 100 grams of pressure. Too much pressure can cause a decrease of quality.
By pressing the [OFFSET] key you can change the offset of the knife:
¾ When you enter this menu you can input the offset or the base offset for cutting the calibration figures.
¾ When you press the [ENTER] key you get a dialog on the cutter that asks if you want to do a test cutting
(select 1 or 2) or not.
¾ When you perform a test cut, 10 reference pictures around the selected base offset are cut. You can
choose the best one by selecting one of the pictures with the laser pointer and the [UP] and [DOWN] key.
One of the most important factors to obtain good quality, but unfortunately also one of the factors that is
easily forgotten, is the offset.
1: Cutter blade
2: Theoretical Offset
1
As you can see in the above figure, the knife offset (2) is the distance between the knife center and the knife
tip.
Accurate measurement of the OFFSET to be used is very difficult and requires specialized equipment. You
should therefore adjust the offset (2) by checking real cutting results on the media you will use. MUTOH
helps you doing this by way of a semi-automatic offset adjustment routine, which has been integrated into
your cutter.
The selected Offset value is LARGER than the The selected Offset value is SMALLER than the
optimum knife offset. optimum knife offset.
In this case, a square corner will be cut as follows : In this case, a square corner will be cut as follows :
The cutting direction is indicated by the arrow. The The cutting direction is indicated by the arrow. The
corners are not well formed. corners are not well formed. The cutter did not cut
The cutter cuts too far in the angular points. far enough in the angular points.
Notes
1) Inaccurate offset setting may cause :
¾ POOR cutting quality.
¾ Difficult weeding.
2) In case the offset adjustment routine is aborted, the cutter will continue working with the value prior to
launching the adjustment routine.
Step 1 : Install a knife in the tool head. Please do not forget to select knife in the menu.
Step 3 : Press the [OFFSET] key. The display will show the following message.
Offset
Actual : 0,50
New : 0,50
Calibration base
Step 5 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm. The display will show the following message.
Test offset:
Cancel = no test
Up = test1
Down = test2
Step 6 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select the “test1” or “test2”
Notes
Press the [CANCEL] key in case you do not want to perform an offset.
Step 7 : After pressing the [UP] key, the cutter will cut the offset “TEST1”.
0.45 0.46 0.47 0.48 0.49 0.50 0.51 0.52 0.53 0.54
Offset : 0.50
Enter = select
Up = Up
Down = Down
Step 8 : Use the [ARROW] keys to forward the media. Check the patterns and determine which of them
gives best quality. Especially look for good quality of the corners, closure of the circles and easy
weeding.
Step 9 : Use the [UP] or [DOWN] key to select the correct Offset value. The LED will light up the chosen
value.
Step 7 : After pressing the [DOWN] key, the cutter will cut the offset “TEST2”.
0.55 0.54 0.53 0.52 0.51 0.50 0.49 0.48 0.47 0.46
Offset : 0.50
Enter = select
Up = Up
Down = Down
Step 8 : Use the [ARROW] keys to forward the media. Check the patterns and determine which of them
gives best quality. Especially look for good quality of the corners and easy weeding.
Step 9 : Use the [UP] or [DOWN] key to select the correct Offset value. The LED will light up the chosen
value.
In order to enable the user to check if the cutter is fully functional, without needing a computer, Mutoh
Europe has integrated thirteen demo test cuts into the Ultima cutters. The demo cuts are accessible by
pressing the [TEST] key.
To perform the ‘SC-850’ procedure, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Notes
Dependent on which machine type you have, the program will select sc-850 or sc-1400.
Step 3 : Make sure that a knife with well adjusted depth is mounted into the tool head.
Step 4 : If you have not yet performed the offset adjustment routine for the current knife and/or vinyl, first
perform this routine in order to obtain perfect quality.
Step 5 : Press the [TEST] key. The display will show the following message.
Cut Test:
Quality check
→ SC-850 or SC-1400
Choose testfile
Cut Test:
SC-850 or SC-1400
→ Cut test
Choose testfile
Notes
If you do not want to perform a test, press the [EXIT] key.
Step 8 : The Ultima will cut a picture. Check the patterns. Especially look for good quality of the corners
and easy weeding. If this is not the case readjust the Ultima cutting plotter.
Step 3 : Make sure that a knife with well adjusted depth is mounted into the tool head.
Step 4 : If you have not yet performed the offset adjustment routine for the current knife and/or vinyl, first
perform this routine in order to obtain perfect quality.
Step 5 : Press the [TEST] key. The display will show the following message.
Testplot :
Quality check
→ SC-850 or SC-1400
Choose testfile
Notes
If you do not want to perform the test, press the [EXIT] key.
Step 8 : The Ultima will cut a picture. Check the patterns. Especially look for good quality of the corners
and easy weeding. If this is not the case readjust the Ultima cutting plotter.
Step 3 : Make sure that a knife with well adjusted depth is mounted into the tool head.
Step 4 : If you have not yet performed the offset adjustment routine for the current knife and/or vinyl, first
perform this routine in order to obtain perfect quality.
Step 5 : Press the [TEST] key. The display will show the following message.
Testplot :
Quality check
→ SC-850 or SC-1400
Choose testfile
Step 6 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select ‘Knife offset → test’. The display on the operation
panel will show the following message.
Testplot :
Knife Offset
→ test
Choose testfile
Notes
If you do not want to perform the test, press the [EXIT] key.
Step 4 : Press the [TEST] key. The display will show the following message.
Testplot :
Quality check
→ SC-850 or SC-1400
Choose testfile
Step 5 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select ‘Settings → plot’. The display on the operation panel
will show the following message.
Testplot :
Settings
→ Plot
Choose testfile
Step 6 : The Ultima cutting plotter will plot the actual settings.
The manual calibration can be done with knife or with pen. Depending of the installed tool a test plot will be
drawn/cut.
To calibrate the E-pos system using the ‘manual calibration’ with knife, please follow the instructions
mentioned below.
Step 5 : Press the [TEST] key. The display will show the following message.
Testplot :
Quality check
→ SC-850 or SC-1400
Choose testfile
Step 6 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select ‘EPOS align tune --> manual’. The Display on the
Operation Panel will show the following message.
Testplot :
EPOS align tune
→ manual
Choose testfile
Step 7 : Press the [ENTER] key. The Ultima cutting plotter will start cutting two square boxes. After
drawing following message will appear.
Measure box is
cut please
weed out and
press a button
Step 8 : Peel off the boxes cut by the Ultima cutting plotter.
Step 10 : The Ultima cutting plotter will move the laser to the point where both squares touch. Following
message will appear.
* Epos Calibration. *
Please move
laser pointer to
cross and enter
Step 11 : If necessary, use the [ARROW] keys to position the laser exactly onto the point where both
squares touch. Do not keep the [ARROW] keys pressed, they only causes one movement.
Step 12 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm the position of the laser. The distance between laser and knife
is calculated and stored.
Step 13 : Calibration of the E-pos system with the ‘manual calibration’ method is done.
To calibrate the E-pos system using the ‘manual calibration’ with pen, please follow the instructions
mentioned below.
Step 5 : Press the [TEST] key. The display will show the following message.
Testplot :
Quality check
→ SC-850 or SC-1400
Choose testfile
Step 6 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select ‘EPOS align tune --> manual’. The Display on the
Operation Panel will show the following message.
Testplot :
EPOS align tune
→ manual
Choose testfile
Step 7 : Press the [ENTER] key. The Ultima cutting plotter will start drawing a cross.
Step 8 : The Ultima cutting plotter will move the laser to the point where both lines intersect. Following
message will appear.
* Epos Calibrate. *
Please move
laser pointer to
cross and enter
Step 9 : If necessary, use the [ARROW] keys to position the laser exactly onto the point where both lines
intersect. Do not keep the [ARROW] keys pressed, pressing the keys only causes one
movement.
Step 10 : Press the [ENTER] key to confirm the position of the laser. The distance between laser and knife
is calculated and stored.
Step 11 : Calibration of the E-pos system with the ‘manual calibration’ method is done.
To calibrate the E-pos system using the ‘Automatic calibration’, please follow the instructions mentioned
below.
Step 4 : Press the [TEST] key. The display will show the following message.
Testplot :
Quality check
→ SC-850 or SC-1400
Choose testfile
Step 5 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select ‘EPOS align tune --> automatic. The Display on the
Operation Panel will show the following message.
Testplot :
EPOS align tune
→ automatic
Choose testfile
Step 6 : Press the [ENTER] key. The Ultima cutting plotter will cut a square. After cutting following
message will appear.
Measure box is
cut please
weed out and
press a button
Step 9 : The laser of the Ultima cutting plotter will measure the box. The distance between laser and
knife is calculated and stored.
Step 10 : Calibration of the E-pos system with the ‘automatic calibration’ method is done. Following
message will appear.
EPOS
Calibration
done
When you want to print on a grey vinyl for example, it is possible that the Ultima will not detect the frame
(bounding box) on the vinyl. That’s the main reason of the “Check sensor” menu. When you put the vinyl in
the Ultima, and you do a sensor check, and the ACD value is black, it will be impossible to do a contour cut
on that vinyl. When the ACD value displays white, you will not have any problems.
You can also use this menu to check if the Photodiode still works. Just draw a black box on a white paper,
and check if the Photodiode displays the right colour.
Step 2 : Press the [TEST] key. The display will show the following message.
Testplot :
Quality check
→ SC-850 or SC-1400
Choose testfile
Step 3 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select ‘EPOS system --> check sensor’. The Display on the
Operation Panel will show the following message.
Testplot :
EPOS system
→ check sensor
Choose testfile
Step 4 : Press the [ENTER] key. The Display on the Operation Panel will show the following message.
*Photodiode*
ADC value:
BLACK
Change the value
Step 5 : When you put a white A4-format paper (or one with white and black boxes on) under the sensor,
the display must show following message. Otherwise the sensor is broken.
*Photodiode*
ADC value:
WHITE
Change the value
Step 5 : Load media (AP-77010), delivered with the Ultima Cutting Plotter. (with the black arrow in the
upper right corner)
Step 6 : Levers down. Make sure the pressure rollers are located outside your frame
Step 7 : Press the [TEST] key. The display will show the following message.
Testplot :
Quality check
→ SC-850 or SC-1400
Choose testfile
Step 8 : By pressing the [UP] or [DOWN] key select ‘EPOS alignment --> test plot’. The Display on the
Operation Panel will show the following message.
Testplot :
EPOS alignment
→ test plot
Choose testfile
Step 9 : Press the [ENTER] key. The laser of the Ultima cutting plotter will measure the box and will start
(re)drawing the image file.
To verify bar code reading, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Notes
In the box of the Ultima Cutting Plotter, there’s a paper (Test sheet verify epos
alignment) delivered with the pattern on.
You can find the procedure also on the sheet.
Perform this test before you start contour cutting.
How to keep your cutter in good shape and prevent problems by regularly performing some easy, daily
maintenance.
How to pinpoint and check out problems that might occur.
Your cutting plotter, knives and pens will work better and last longer if you keep them clean and perform a
few simple daily maintenance tasks.
Notes
Before performing cleaning and daily maintenance, please power OFF the unit and remove the power
cable.
The figure below shows you this part of the plotter that might require your attention.
Use following procedure to remove small vinyl particles in the base part of the cutting blade holder.
Step 1 Step 1
Take the body (2) into one hand and unscrew the Take the ring in your hand and remove the base part.
base part (1).
Step 2 Step 2
Blow away the vinyl particles accumulated in the Blow away the vinyl particles accumulated in the top
top of the base part of the base part
Step 3 Step 3
Remove the spring from the cutting blade and Remove any residual material from the blade tip
remove any residual material from the blade tip
Step 4 Step 4
Place the spring back over the cutting blade and Place the base part back on the holder and twist it
tightly screw the base part on the holder. tightly.
Use a soft cloth to clean paper dust and particles off the platen, the grid cover the cutting mat and the
carriage cover.
Use a cotton swab to clean the media sensors and laser.
Although all materials used for your cutter have been chosen to ensure good durability, it will be necessary,
in order to maintain high quality output, to replace some parts, which are liable to wear and tear.
Notes
Before performing “wear and tear”, please power OFF the unit and remove the power cable.
Step 1 : First of all, remove the worn cutting mat by pulling it out, together with the underlying strip of vinyl.
Step 2 : Cut a strip of vinyl ( Width : 8 mm (0,3”) / Length : depending on the size of your cutter.) Stick this
strip into the cutting groove.
Step 3 : Complete this procedure by sticking the new cutting mat into the cutting groove.
1
2
Step 2: Remove the spring (3) and the cutting Step 2: Pull the old blade out of the holder and insert
blade (4). a new one
Step 3: Slide the spring over the new cutting blade Step 3: Place the base part on top of the holder
assembly and twist it tightly.
Step 4: Place the new blade with its spring into the
base part and screw the whole assembly onto the
body.
When you frequently use the auto-sheet-off utility, it is a good practice to regularly clean the knife and to
replace it when it starts to wear.
To replace the auto sheet-off knife, please follow the instructions mentioned below.
Step 1 : Power OFF the unit and remove the power cable.
Step 3 : Remove the cutter cap. Please do not lose the spring.
1 = cutter cap
Step 5 : Clean the sheet-off knife, removing any material residues that might be clogged to the blade. In
case the blade is worn, reinstall a new knife.
Step 6 : Place the (new) knife into the auto sheet-off assembly. Make sure the knife is correctly oriented.
Step 7 : Reinstall the cutter cap onto the auto sheet-off knife.
Ultima’s sensors and E-pos laser will work better and last longer if you keep them clean and perform a few
simple daily maintenance tasks.
Use a cotton swab to clean the media sensors and E-pos laser.
Please follow the instructions below to check if the Laser of the E-pos system is still working.
Notes
Please do not look straight into the light.
Notes
In case the laser of the E-pos system is not working, please contact your local Mutoh dealer.
6.4. TROUBLESHOOTING
In this section you will find a summary of problems that might occur during day-to-day use of your cutter and
some hints how to determine the cause of the problem.
1. Power switch is turned ON, but the cutter does not operate.
3. Data is being sent from the computer, but the cutter does not react.
4. Data is sent from the computer but errors occur on the cutter’s side.
¾ Are the output settings correct on the host computer and in the cutting software?
¾ Do the interface conditions on the host computer match those set on the cutter?
¾ Does the command mode on the host computer match the command mode on the cutter?
¾ Check whether the knife tip is not clogged with material residues.
¾ Examine the knife blade with a magnifier to see if the tip is not damaged or broken.
¾ Perform the offset adjustment routine to check cutting quality.
¾ Perform the internal test cut and check its quality.
Step 3 : After the initialization routine is finished, install a knife or pen in the head, select the proper tool
and load a sheet of media, which is at least 12 x 12 centimeters.
Step 4 : Make sure the cutter shuffles the media and verify that the cutter is Ready.
Step 6 : Check with which of the host computer’s communication ports your cutter is connected ( COM1,
COM2, LPT1, … ) to.
Step 7 : If your computer and cutter are linked with a serial interface ( COM1 or COM2 ), type following
command.
MODE COM1: 96,n,8,1,p then press <ENTER>
or
MODE COM2: 96,n,8,1,p then press <ENTER>
Notes
The command above will change your computer’s serial communication settings to match the cutter’s
factory default communication settings.
These settings are : 9600 BAUD, NONE parity, 8 data-bits, 1 stop bit.
Step 8 : Using any text editor, create a file called TEST.PLT with the following contents:
( To start the DOS editor you can type : edit TEST.PLT <ENTER> )
IN;
SP1;
PA0,0;
PD0,4000,4000,4000,4000,0,0,0;
PU2000,2000;
CI2000;
SP0;
Step 11 : Make sure you are in the directory where the file is located.
In this section you will find a summary of problems that might occur during day-to-day use of your cutter and
some hints how to determine the cause of the problem.
1. Power switch is turned ON, but the cutter does not operate.
3. Data is being sent from the computer, but the cutter does not react.
4. Data is sent from the computer but errors occur on the cutter’s side.
¾ Are the output settings correct on the host computer and in the cutting software?
¾ Do the interface conditions on the host computer match those set on the cutter?
¾ Does the command mode on the host computer match the command mode on the cutter?
¾ Check whether the knife tip is not clogged with material residues.
¾ Examine the knife blade with a magnifier to see if the tip is not damaged or broken.
¾ Perform the offset adjustment routine to check cutting quality.
¾ Perform the internal test cut and check its quality.
Each HPGL command has its own error code with a message