Panther Vinyl Sign User manual

®

User's Guide

SIGNWarehouse

Warehouse

com

pan_man_rev1_0504

Table of Contents

1. – Your Sign Cutting Plotter

1.1 Checking Supplied Items 1-1

1.2 Front View of Panther II 1-2

1.3 Back View of Panther II 1-3

1.4 Whole View of Panther II 1-3

1.5 Left Hand Side of Panther II 1-4

1.6 Right Hand Side of Panther II 1-4

1.7 Control Panel 1-5

2. – Installation

2.1 Installation 2-1

2.2 Stand & Flexible Media Support System Installation 2-2

2.3 Desktop Flexible Media Support System Installation 2-4

2.4 Blade Installation 2-6

3. – Connecting Cutting Plotters

3.1 Parallel Transmission 3-1

3.2 Serial Transmission 3-1

3.3 Transmitting Data to Plotter 3-2

3.4 Interface for Macintosh Computer 3-2

3.5 USB Port 3-3

4. – Operation Procedure

4.1 Setting up Menu—Panther II in On-line mode 4-1

4.2 Setting up Menu—Panther II in Off-line mode 4-2

4.3 Description of Menu Items 4-3

4.4 Loading the Sheet Media 4-6

4.5 Loading the Roll Media 4-8

4.6 Tracking Performance 4-11

4.7 Adjusting the Cutting Force and Offset 4-12

4.8 Adjusting the Blade Depth 4-13

5. – Maintenance

5.1 Cleaning the Cutting Plotter 5-1

5.2 Cleaning the Grid Drum 5-2

5.3 Cleaning the Pinch Rollers 5-2

6. – Trouble Shooting

6.1 Non Operational Problems 6-1

6.2 Operational Problems 6-2

6.3 Cutting Plotter Computer Communication Problems 6-3

6.4 Software Problem 6-4

6.5 Cutting Quality Problem 6-5

Appendix – Speciﬁ cation A

Quick Menu I

Advanced Troubleshooting II

Optional Items VI

Equipment Speciﬁ cation VII

Table of Contents

1.1 Checking supplied items

Please check carefully whether you have received all the items listed below. If you

found any item missing, please consult your local dealer.

Standard Item Quantity

Cutting Plotter 1

Stand Set (Only for Panther PII -132S/101S/76S

• 1 Piece of H-shape stand

• 2 Pieces of stands

• 1 piece of stand beam

1

Flexible Media Support System & Accessory Box 1

Items 132S/101S/76S 61

1 set of Roll Media Flange (2 pieces) • •

1 set of Roll Holder (2 pieces) • •

1 set of Roll Holder Guide Bushes (4 pieces) • •

1 set of Roll Holder Support (2 pieces) • •

24 pieces of M6 screws •

1 piece of M5 L-shape hexagon screw driver • •

1 piece of M6 L-shape hexagon screw driver • •

4 pieces of Hold Plugs •

1 set of Desktop Support Brackets (2 pieces) •

4 pieces of Plastic Foot •

4 pieces of M4 screws •

12 pieces of M6 screws •

1 piece of M4 L-shape hexagon screw driver •

Accessory Bag 1

• 1 piece of User’s compact Disk

• 1 piece of AC power cord

• 2 data cables (1) RS232 Serial (1) Centronics printer cable

• 1 set of Blade Holder Assembly

• 1 piece of Blade

• 1 piece of Paper Slitter

• 1 piece of Cutting Pad for Vinyl cutting

• 1 Coil of Cutting Pad for paper cutting

• 1 piece of Tweezers

• 1piece of Water-based Fiber-tip Pen

• 1 exacto knife

1. Your Sign Cutting Plotter

1. Your Sign Cutting Plotter 1-1

1.2 Front View of Panther (Figure 1-1)

Pinch Rollers – Holds the

media during cutting.

Grid Drums – move the media

back and forth during operation.

Tool Carriage –

performs the cutting

with the installed

blade and pen.

Control panel – consists of 14

control keys and 1 LED and 1

LCM showing messages and

menus.

Slitter Groove – sheets

off the extra media eas-

ily along this groove.

Platen – provides the

surface for holding and

supporting media while

performing cutting.

Teﬂ on Cutting Strip – provides

the protection of blade when the

blade is cutting.

Figure 1-1

1. Your Sign Cutting Plotter 1-2

1.3 Back View of Panther (Figure 1-2)

Lever – Raises or lowers the

pinch rollers.

Figure 1-2

Figure 1-3

1.4 Whole View of Panther (Figure 1-3)

Roll Holder – Holds and

supplies the roll media

for cutting.

Roll Holder Guide Bushes –

Keeps the roll media in place when

media is pulled from the roll.

Roll Holder Support–

Supports roll holders.

Stand– Supports the

cutting plotter body.

H-shape Stand – Supports

the cutting plotter body.

1. Your Sign Cutting Plotter 1-3

Stand Beam – Stabilizes

the body for larger cutters.

1.5 Left Hand Side of Panther (Figure 1-4)

1.6 Right Hand Side of Panther (Figure 1-5)

Figure 1-4

Figure 1-5

Power Switch – On when switches to [I]; Off to [O]

Fuse – 3 Amp.

AC Power Connector – used to insert the AC power

cord.

Serial Interface Connector (RS232C) – used to connect

the cutting plotter to a computer through a serial interface

cable.

USB Connector – used to connect the cutting plotter

to a computer through a USB cable. (Only available

with windows drivers)

Parallel Interface Connector – used to connect the

cutting plotter to a computer through a parallel interface

cable.

1. Your Sign Cutting Plotter 1-4

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.

Enter Key: used to set item, registers the immediately preceding input value.

Pause/Resume Key: temporarily halts cutting in process or continues.

ON/OFF LINE Key: used to stop the cutting job or aborting the change of the setting.

Cut Test Key: executes a cutting test for verifying the blade force and offset are correct.

Data Clear Key: used to abort the data being received.

Tool Select Key: used to select tools and set the conditions.

Misc. Key: used to selecting items mentioned in Chapter 4.

Speed Key: used to selecting the cutting speed, up-speed, and cutting quality.

Force Key: used to select the cutting force.

Offset Key: used to adjust the setting value of the blade offs.

1. Your Sign Cutting Plotter 1-5

2. Installation

2.1 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.

• The machine can be approached easily from any direction.

• Keep enough space for the machine, accessories and supplies.

• Keep the working area stable, avoiding severe vibration.

• Keep the temperature between 5 and 40 (41-104oF) in the workshop.

• Keep the relative humidity between 30% and 70% in the workshop.

• Protect the machine from dust and strong air current.

• Prevent the machine from direct sunlight or extremely bright lighting.

• The machine is on a level surface.

Caution 3 Connecting the Power Supply

Check the plug of the power cord to see if it mates with the wall outlet. If not, please contact your dealer.

• Insert the plug (male) into a grounded power outlet.

• Insert the other end (female) of power cord into the AC connector of the cutting plotter.

2. Installation 2-1

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

• 4 pieces of hold plugs

Step 2

• Remove the plotter body and the accessories from the shipped carton.

• Place the stands upright on the H-stand and follow the number 1,2,3 to assemble.

(See Figure 2-1 & 2-2)

Step 3

Then, connect Part 2 and 1. Insert 4 screws into the holes on H-stand and fasten them as shown in Figure 2-2.

1 H-stand (part 1)

2 Stand beam (part 2)

3 Side (part 3)

2. Installation 2-2

Step 4

Position the stand beam perpendicularly to part 2 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.

Screws

1 H-stand

3 Stand

2 Stand

Figure 2-4

Figure 2-3

Step 5

Remove the cutting plotter from the carton. Position your stand under the plotter, and then insert the screws into

the holes on plotter’s bottom and tighten them up

as shown in Figure 2-5.

Screw

Figure 2-5

Note: The serial number for your cutting plotter is on the

underside of the machine. Record this serial number on

the front of this manual or other secure location for future

reference.

Step 6

Insert the roll holder support with the screws into the holes of the

stand, then tighten them up as shown in Figure 2-6. You could decide

roll holder support’s position by inserting into different holes.

Figure 2-6

6 Screws holes

Roll holder support

4 Screws

2. Installation 2-3

Step 7

Place two roll holders into the holes in the roll holder support (Figure 2-7)

Figure 2-7

Roll holder support

Roll holders

***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)

• 1 set of Roll Holder (2 pieces)

• 1 set of Roll Holder Guide Bushes (4 pieces)

• 1 set of Roll Holder Support (2 pieces)

• 1 set of Desktop Support Bracket (2 pieces)

• 4 pieces of Plastic Foot

• 4 pieces of M4 screws

• 12 pieces of M6 screws

• 1 piece of M4 L-shape hexagon screw driver

• 1 piece of M5 L-shape hexagon screw driver

• 1 piece of M6 L-shape hexagon screw driver (for adjusting the screws of Roll Holders)

Step 2

Put the 4 Plastic Foot under the Roll Holder Support

and insert the M4 screw into the hole of Plastic Foot

and tighten them with the M4 L-shape screw driver.

(Figure 2-3-1)

Roll Holder Support

M4 Screw

Plastic Foot

M4 screws

Figure 2-3-1

2. Installation 2-4

Step 3

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).

Step 4

Put the bottom of machine in lateral, and position the Roll

Holder Assembly beside the bottom of the machine. Then,

insert the M6 screws into the holes of Roll Holder support

assembly and tighten them with M5 L-shape screwdriver.

Like Figure 2-3-3.

Step 5

Place the 2 roll holders into the holes of Roll Holder Support (See Figure 2-3-4).

M6 screws

Desktop Support Brackets

Roll Holder Support

M6 screws

Roll Holder Assembly

Screw holes

M6 screws

Figure 2-3-2

Figure 2-3-3

Figure 2-3-4

Roll Holders

2. Installation 2-5

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. Make sure that your ﬁ ngers are away from the blade tip.

Step 1

Install blade (Figure 2-11).

Figure 2-11

2. Installation 2-6

Figure 2-10

Adjustment depth knob

Outward ring

Step 2

Push the blade to the bottom of the blade holder. (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 lm’s thickness. That is, if the thickness

of ﬁ lm is 0.5mm, then blade’s length

is properly adjusted 0.6mm and it can

completely cut through the ﬁ lm layer

yet avoid penetrating the backing.

Step 4

Insert the blade holder into tool carriage. Please note the outward ring of the holder must be placed into the

grooves of carriage ﬁ rmly (see Figure 2-14), then fasten the case (Figure 2-15)

2. Installation 2-7

Figure 2-12

Figure 2-15

Figure 2-13

Figure 2-14

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. However, once the blade is worn out and no longer provides a reliable cutting,

you should replace with a new blade. The blade is a consumable and must be replaced as often as necessary

to maintain the cutting quality. The quality of the blade affects cutting quality. So be sure to use a high quality

blade to ensure good cutting results.

2. Installation 2-8

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.

3.1 Parallel Transmission

Connecting to the Parallel Port (Centronics)

1. Connect a parallel cable to the cutting plotter and the host computer (Figure 3-1)

2. Set up the output port LPT1 or LPT2 from your software package

3.2 Serial Transmission

Connecting to the Serial Port (RS-232C)

1. For IBM PC, PS/2 users or compatibles, connect the RS-232C cable to the serial connector of the

assigned serial port (COM1 or COM2) of your host computer.

2. Set up the communication parameters (Baud Rate and Data Bits/Parity) to match the setting of software

package, refer to chapter 3 – “Misc” key description.

Parallel port Serial port

Figure 3-1

3. Connecting Cutting Plotters 3-1

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.

Option 2

Most cutting software packages are able to emulate HP-GL or HP-GL/2 commands, therefore, Use DOS com-

mands like TYPE or PRINT to output your ﬁ le. As long as the ﬁ le is HP-GL or HP-GL/2 format, the cutting

plotter can output the data precisely.

3.4 Interface of Macintosh Computer

In order to operate the cutting plotter with a Macintosh computer (e.g. Power Mac), you need a MAC serial

cable and a key span OR USB PIA cable, please refer to Fig 3-2.

The cable is an optional item, which could be ordered through your dealer.

Figure 3-2

3. Connecting Cutting Plotters 3-2

3.5 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.

Mac Serial Cables /

Mac KeySpan Adapter

Mac USB PIA Cable

PC Serial Cable

PC Parallel Cable

Back of PC

Serial Port

(COM 1)

Parallel Port

(LPT 1)

Back of laptop computer Figure 3-3

3. Connecting Cutting Plotters 3-3

Monitor Connection

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

4. Operation Procedure

Power On

Firmware V-.--

Initializing ---cm

Cutter please wait

Place Media and Lower down the

lever

Roll Edge Single

Key Key Key

Sizing Media Width

Lever Up to Abort

Sizing Media Length

Lever Up to Abort

S---.- F ---.- O -.-- M

L :-----.-- W : ----.--

Top Menu

Sending data

Data in Processing Pause

Setup Resume

Force: 80 gf

OK: Enter

Speed: 72 cm/s

Select: OK:Enter

Up Speed: 72 cm /s

Select: OK: Enter

Quality: Normal

Select: OK: Enter

[ Force Key]

[Speed Key]

[Offset Key]

[Data Clear]

[Tool Select]

Use to select;

Panther II in processing

Use to select

[Pause]

Media Check

Offset: 0.275 mm

OK: Enter

Clear data memory

N: Cancel OK: Enter

1S:72 F:80 O:0.276 M

Select OK: Enter

Set Smoothing Cut

Select: OK: Enter

Over Cut: 0.00mm

Select: OK: Enter

Set Tangetial Mode

Select: OK: Enter

Pouncing 0.00mm

Select: OK: Enter

Panel Setup

Select: OK: Enter

Restore default?

Select: OK: Enter

Save parameter?

Select: OK: Enter

4. Operation Procedure 4-1

[Enter] to

enable the

setting

4.2 Setting up Menu—Panther II in off line mode

Set Smoothing Cut

Select: OK: Enter

Over Cut: 0.00mm

Select: OK: Enter

Set Tangetial Mode

Select: OK: Enter

Pouncing 0.00mm

Select: OK: Enter

Panel Setup

Select: OK: Enter

Restore default?

Select: OK: Enter

Save parameter?

Select: OK: Enter

Speed: 72 cm/s

Select: OK:Enter

Up Speed: 72 cm /s

Select: OK: Enter

Quality: Normal

Select: OK: Enter

Square Cut

Select: OK: Enter

Repeat Last Plot

Select: OK: Enter

Mark Positions

Select: OK: Enter

Press [ON/OFF LINE] switch to ofﬂ ine mode

Ofﬂ ine For System Setup

Clear Data Memory

N: Cancel OK: Enter

Force: 80 gf

i OK: Enter

Offset 0.275 mm

OK: Enter

Move Origin

X: Y:

1S: 72 F:80 O: 0.275 M

Select: OK:Enter

Auto Unrolled Media

Select: OK: Enter

Media Back & Forth

Select: OK: Enter

Paper Saving Mode

Select: OK: Enter

Set Communication

Select: OK: Enter

Select Language

Select: OK: Enter

Select Units

Select: OK: Enter

Scale Length

Select: OK: Enter

Firmware: x.x.xx

FPGA: Vx.x mm/dd/yy

Scale Width

Select: OK: Enter

[Force Key]

[OFFSET KEY]

[Data Clear]

[Speed Key]

[Cut Test]

[Misc]

[Tool Select]

[ ]

0-600 gram with an increment of 5 gf

0.000-1.000mm with an increment of 0.025mm

Speed: 3-153cm/s with an increment of 3cm/s

Upspeed: 3-153cm/s with an increment of 3cm/s

Draft, Fair, Normal, Fine, Small Letter

OverCut: 0.00-1.00 mm with an

increment of 0.05 mm

Pouncing: 0-200 mm with an

increment of 1mm

Both Expanded Mode, Length Expanded Mode, Width

Expanded Mode, Both Unexpanded Mode

English, Spanish, Italian, Deutsch, Japanese, Portuguese,

Polish, Turkish, French

Metric (cm/gf) or English measurement (feet/ounce)

4. Operation Procedure 4-2

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Panther Vinyl Sign User manual

Panther Vinyl Sign User manual

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