Gerber Inkjet Printer Owner's manual

Gerber CAT | UV

™

Ink Jet Printer

Owner’s Guide

ii

Gerber CAT | UV Print Modes

Imperial Metric

Print Modes

PRINT

SPEED

Foot

2

/ Hour

*

Minutes to Print

4 x 8 Foot Board **

PRINT SPEED

Meter

2

/ Hour *

Minutes to Print

3 x 1.5 Meter Board **

635 x 360 DPI

Performance 1 Bi-Directional 408 6 38 7

Performance 1 Uni-Directional 269 8 25 11

635 x 720 DPI

***Performance 2 Bi-Directional 165 13 15 18

Production 1 Bi-Directional 137 16 13 22

Production 1 Uni-Directional 109 19 10 27

Production 2 Bi-Directional 91 23 8 33

Production 2 Uni-Directional 67 31 6 44

1058 x 720 DPI

Quality 1 Bi-Directional

70

34 7 42

Quality 1 Uni-Directional

56

37 5 53

Quality 2 Bi-Directional

39

53 4 76

Quality 2 Uni-Directional

28

75 3 106

*NOTE: Based on Full Table Printing

** NOTE: Based on start of print to end of print within +/- 10%

***NOTE: Print mode to be released.

♦ Warranty

Please see Product Specifications for required operating environment and consult your

Owner’s Guide for required preventative maintenance procedures.

♦ Additional Documentation

Further documents, and updates to current documentation, will be available with each new

firmware release. For the most up-to-date literature, contact your Gerber Service

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representative or check the eService Document Library which can be accessed from the

Support section of the Gerber web site: www.gspinc.com

.

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 Gerber CAT|UV Ink Jet Printer. 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 Gerber Scientific International, Inc.

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.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Printed in USA

Gerber CAT|UV, GerberCAT, Cold Fire Cure Technology, FastFacts, OMEGA, Support First,

and Matched Technology System are trademarks and GSP is a registered trademark of Gerber

Scientific Products. Onyx and PosterShop are registered trademarks and ProductionHouse is a

trademark of Onyx Graphics. X-ACTO is a registered trademark of Hunt Corporation. Anticon

is a registered trademark of Milliken & Company. Firefox is a registered trademark of Mozilla.

Microsoft, Internet Explorer, Windows, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 are

registered trademarks of Microsoft in the USA and other countries.

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FCC Compliance

Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible

for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A

digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide

reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a

commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency

energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause

harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area

is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the owner will be required to correct the

interference at their own expense.

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

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Contents

Quick Print Checklist...................................................................................................................9

Chapter 1: Introduction........................................................................................................... 10

In this manual.........................................................................................................................................11

Conventions used in this booklet ........................................................................................................11

Safety information .................................................................................................................................12

Electrical...............................................................................................................................................12

Ink handling and disposal.................................................................................................................12

Printer ventilation...............................................................................................................................13

Personal precautions ..........................................................................................................................13

UV lamp precautions .........................................................................................................................13

Technical support ..................................................................................................................................13

Additional sources of information ...................................................................................................14

Chapter 2: Product Overview ................................................................................................. 15

UV bulb technology...............................................................................................................................15

UV ink technology.................................................................................................................................16

Storing inks and materials....................................................................................................................16

UV ink storage.....................................................................................................................................16

Material storage ..................................................................................................................................17

Gerber CAT | UV control panel ..........................................................................................................17

Main control panel..............................................................................................................................18

Auxiliary keypad ................................................................................................................................18

Control Panel keys..............................................................................................................................19

Exploring the printer's menu system ..................................................................................................22

Status..........................................................................................................................................22

Setup..........................................................................................................................................22

Calibration ................................................................................................................................23

Maintenance..............................................................................................................................23

The Gerber CAT | UV web pages .......................................................................................................23

Powering the printer .............................................................................................................................24

Sleep/Idle mode ....................................................................................................................................24

Emergency Stop .....................................................................................................................................25

Chapter 3: Setting up the Gerber CAT | UV ......................................................................... 27

Networking your Gerber CAT | UV printer .....................................................................................27

Setting fixed (static) network addresses ..........................................................................................27

Setting the IP Address and Subnet Mask of your computer.........................................................29

Viewing the current network settings.................................................................................................33

Chapter 4: Loading Inks and Materials ............................................................................... 34

Loading the inks.....................................................................................................................................34

Checking the ink level........................................................................................................................35

Replacing ink pouches when ink remains in the reservoir...........................................................35

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Replacing an ink pouch when the reservoir is empty ...................................................................37

Preparing the material...........................................................................................................................38

Choosing a material type...................................................................................................................38

Normalizing material.........................................................................................................................39

Cleaning the material .........................................................................................................................39

Loading the Flat Bed..............................................................................................................................42

Printer/graphic orientation...............................................................................................................42

Adjusting the UV shield for rigid material .....................................................................................44

Uniform Print Gap & Elimination of Gap Between Prints............................................................45

Understanding Flat Bed printing margins ......................................................................................47

Loading roll material in the Roll-to-Roll configuration....................................................................48

Using material hold-down devices for roll material......................................................................48

Using the material roller....................................................................................................................49

Loading roll material into the printer ..............................................................................................50

Using the winding unit ......................................................................................................................52

Removing material from the winding unit and printer ................................................................53

Understanding Roll-to-Roll printing margins ................................................................................54

Chapter 5: Printing Jobs on the Gerber CAT | UV .............................................................. 55

Using RIP software and profiles..........................................................................................................55

Print mode options ................................................................................................................................55

Printing a job – Instructional overview...............................................................................................56

Canceling a job .......................................................................................................................................57

Flat Bed Printing ....................................................................................................................................58

Printing on the Flat Bed .....................................................................................................................58

Printing a full bleed Flat Bed job ......................................................................................................59

Printing double-sided, full-bleed......................................................................................................60

Roll-to-Roll Printing ..............................................................................................................................63

Choosing a print mode for Roll-to-Roll printing............................................................................63

Printing a single Roll-to-Roll job.......................................................................................................64

Printing multiple Roll-to-Roll jobs in Continuous mode ..............................................................65

Automatic printer operations...............................................................................................................67

UV lamp warm-up..............................................................................................................................67

Sleep/Idle mode .................................................................................................................................67

Automatic spitting to clear the nozzles ...........................................................................................67

User-selectable modes...........................................................................................................................68

UV lamp automatic shut-off or Continuous mode ........................................................................68

Lamp Delay mode ..............................................................................................................................68

Lamp Spec mode.................................................................................................................................69

Large Field mode ................................................................................................................................70

Step Blending mode ...........................................................................................................................71

Chapter 6: Printer Maintenance........................................................................................... 72

Required maintenance supplies...........................................................................................................72

Gerber CAT | UV Regular Preventive Maintenance........................................................................74

Daily maintenance.................................................................................................................................76

Tips for Clean Heads procedure.......................................................................................................76

1) What is the purpose of the Clean Heads procedure? ................................................................76

2) How hard do I press the Anticon wipe-covered swab against the surface of the printhead nozzle

plate?.....................................................................................................................................................76

3) How can I be sure my clean was effective?.................................................................................76

4) Why do I lose nozzles? ..................................................................................................................76

Clean Heads Procedure......................................................................................................................78

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End of Day Clean................................................................................................................................82

Emptying and cleaning the waste ink tray......................................................................................83

Weekly maintenance .............................................................................................................................86

Cleaning the flat bed ..........................................................................................................................86

Cleaning the head access door..........................................................................................................86

Monthly maintenance ...........................................................................................................................87

Purging ink lines to remove air.........................................................................................................87

Six month maintenance.........................................................................................................................93

Cleaning the table rails.......................................................................................................................93

Cleaning the Roll-to-Roll grit wheels...............................................................................................93

Cleaning the Roll-to-Roll rubber drive wheels...............................................................................94

As-Needed Maintenance ......................................................................................................................95

Periodic Maintenance Process to correct angled nozzles ..............................................................95

Cleaning individual color printheads..............................................................................................98

Cleaning the roll-to-roll platen..........................................................................................................99

Cleaning the ink drawers...................................................................................................................99

Cleaning the Maintenance Shelf Mat ...............................................................................................99

Cleaning the X axis belts....................................................................................................................99

Cleaning the outside of the Gerber CAT | UV...............................................................................99

Preparing a printer that will not be used for up to two weeks......................................................100

Steps for preparing the Gerber CAT | UV for two weeks of idle time .....................................100

Steps for restarting the Gerber CAT | UV after two weeks of idle time...................................100

Shutting down the printer for more than two weeks .....................................................................100

Steps for shutting down the Gerber CAT | UV ...........................................................................100

Steps for restarting the Gerber CAT | UV ....................................................................................100

Steps for shutting down your Gerber CAT|UV...........................................................................101

Steps for restarting your Gerber CAT | UV..................................................................................108

Chapter 7: Gerber CAT | UV Web Pages ............................................................................. 117

Accessing the Gerber CAT | UV web pages....................................................................................117

Home page............................................................................................................................................118

System Status page ..............................................................................................................................119

System Settings page...........................................................................................................................120

Changing the printer name .............................................................................................................120

Changing the System Log Level .....................................................................................................120

Numeric units....................................................................................................................................121

Language............................................................................................................................................121

Lamp Delay .......................................................................................................................................121

Lamp Spec Mode ..............................................................................................................................121

Large Field.........................................................................................................................................121

Step Blending ....................................................................................................................................121

Network Settings .................................................................................................................................122

Using Static Settings .........................................................................................................................122

Other settings ....................................................................................................................................123

Job Status page .....................................................................................................................................123

Diagnostics page ..................................................................................................................................125

Version Information .........................................................................................................................126

View System Log ..............................................................................................................................127

View Satellite Log.............................................................................................................................128

Sensors................................................................................................................................................129

Configuration Info page...................................................................................................................131

USB Test page....................................................................................................................................132

Statistics..............................................................................................................................................133

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Error History page............................................................................................................................134

Calibration web page ..........................................................................................................................135

X Gantry Adjustment .......................................................................................................................136

Calibrating the location of a printed image (Print Pos Offset Front and Side) ........................137

Calibrating Image Quality...............................................................................................................139

Update page..........................................................................................................................................144

Loading firmware upgrades............................................................................................................144

Contacts web page...............................................................................................................................147

Chapter 8: Troubleshooting.................................................................................................. 148

Printer issues ........................................................................................................................................149

Printer will not turn on ....................................................................................................................149

Printer is stuck on “Gerber” screen at power-up .........................................................................149

Printer is stuck on “Check the Shelf” screen.................................................................................149

Printer is stuck on “Warming” screen ...........................................................................................149

Job will not print ...............................................................................................................................149

Winder does not roll up the material.............................................................................................150

Material jams when printing...........................................................................................................150

Quality of printed output ...................................................................................................................152

Missing nozzles.................................................................................................................................152

Banding in the flat bed prints..........................................................................................................152

Banding in roll-to-roll prints ...........................................................................................................153

Missing or angled nozzles ...............................................................................................................153

The print is blurred...........................................................................................................................155

Smearing or fading in the print.......................................................................................................155

Color balance is different between software and print ...............................................................156

Small text quality is poor.................................................................................................................156

The ink forms small puddles on the print.....................................................................................156

Image easily scratches off the material ..........................................................................................156

Print is not cured...............................................................................................................................157

First few inches (50-100cm) of the job is not curing .....................................................................157

Job data errors ......................................................................................................................................158

Data errors, interruptions, and pauses during printing..............................................................158

Job Status & Common Printer Messages ..........................................................................................159

Error Messages.....................................................................................................................................162

Running the control panel screen test...............................................................................................165

Checking network connections..........................................................................................................165

Pausing a job due to data starvation .................................................................................................166

Restoring Factory Default Settings....................................................................................................166

Printer Menu Tree – Rev A Version .................................................................................... 168

APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................. 169

Yearly Maintenance Requirements ...................................................................................................169

General site requirements...................................................................................................................170

Size and weight.................................................................................................................................170

Ambient conditions ..........................................................................................................................170

Power requirements .........................................................................................................................171

Printer orientation.............................................................................................................................172

Locating the serial number..............................................................................................................172

Computer and software requirements...........................................................................................172

Index .......................................................................................................................................... 174

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Quick Print Checklist

After you have setup your Gerber CAT|UV for the first time, use this checklist

to help guide you through the steps required for getting the machine ready for printing.

Refer to the page numbers provided next to each step for more information.

1 Check the Ink Level by pressing the Ink Level key on the control

panel

(Replace ink pouches if necessary).

2 Clean the heads (When LED is lit before printing).

3 Prep the material

(Normalize and clean for best results).

4 Select material type if equipped with the Roll-to-Roll option (Roll-to-

Roll (Single or Continuous) or Flat).

5 Load the material

(Flat Bed or Roll-to-Roll).

6 Adjust the UV shield for rigid material or adjust the material hold-

downs for roll-to-roll material.

Using your selected RIP software

7 Open, adjust, and arrange your image(s).

8 Select the appropriate material profile and page size.

9 Select one of the available print modes.

10 Send the job to the printer.

11 Press Run Job to begin printing your job.

12 UV Lamp warm-up

(If lamps are not to proper temperature).

13 Job will begin printing.

p. 19

p. 78

p. 39

p. 38

p. 42 or p. 48

p. 44 or p. 48

Consult RIP

software

instructions

p. 56

p. 15

p. 56

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Chapter 1:

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Gerber CAT|UV™, an outdoor-durable, UV-cured ink jet printer

with flat bed and optional roll-to-roll capabilities. The Gerber CAT|UV’s versatile printing

methods allow shops to meet diverse customer needs. For applications that require printing on

flexible materials, such as banner, vinyl, and backlit materials, shops can print via the roll-to-roll

configuration. The printer has a generous flatbed which accommodates large jobs with ease. It

can print on rigid materials such as foam board, corrugated plastic, polycarbonate, expanded

PVC, aluminum, or MDO, as well as flexible materials such as banner, vinyl, and backlit. In

addition, you have the option of printing full-bleed.

The Gerber CAT|UV

produces all kinds of durable outdoor or indoor graphics on a wide

variety of materials which meet the following standards:

♦ Maximum rigid or roll material width is 64" (1.6m/162.6cm).

♦ Maximum rigid material thickness is 1" (25.4mm).

♦ Maximum rigid material length for the roll-to-roll configuration is 120" (3m/304.8cm).

♦ Maximum rigid material length for the flatbed-only configuration is 100"

(2.5m/254cm).

♦ Maximum rolled material thickness is 0.030" (0.76mm).

♦ Minimum rolled material width is 24" (61cm).

♦ Minimum sheet size is 12" x 12" (30.5cm x 30.5cm).

The Gerber CAT|UV printheads use multiple-drop technology to provide vivid colors and an

expanded color gamut. The printer has several print modes to maximize throughput or quality.

The printing rate varies based on the selected print mode and the chosen material profile (as

determined by the RIP software). For best results, use Gerber-qualified materials. For the most

current information available, see gspinc.com/applications.

Gerber’s exclusive GerberCAT™ ultraviolet ink set includes four colors – Magenta, Cyan,

Yellow, and Black, which achieve an outstanding color gamut and brilliant hues. The cationic

inks are cured using Gerber's proprietary Cold Fire Cure™ technology. This low energy, low

temperature cure creates a mechanical bond between the ink and the substrate, providing better

abrasion resistance and eliminating adhesion loss which can occur with vinyl graphics. The

low-temperature cure also greatly expands the range of materials that can be printed by the

Gerber CAT|UV. Heat sensitive plastic, vinyl, fabric, and paper-based materials can be printed

using Gerber's Cold Fire Cure and GerberCAT inks without concern over ink adhesion or

material damage.

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In this manual

The following chapters introduce you to the Gerber CAT|UV, describe the printing process,

and show you how to maintain your printer for maximum quality output.

Chapter 1: Introduction provides details on how to use this manual and important customer

service and safety information.

Chapter 2: Product Overview provides details of the general product features and requirements

and describes the control panel and menu structure as well as the startup sequence.

Chapter 3: Setting up the Gerber CAT|UV directs you in setting up the Gerber CAT|UV to run

on a network and other user-controlled options.

Chapter 4: Loading Inks and Materials directs you in loading the Gerber CAT|UV ink and

installing both flexible and rigid materials.

Chapter 5: Printing Jobs on the Gerber CAT|UV describes how to print on either flexible or

rigid material with RIP software.

Chapter 6: Printer Maintenance details cleaning and purging of printheads as well as the daily,

weekly and monthly maintenance procedures.

Chapter 7: Gerber CAT|UV Web Pages describes the onboard web interface program that can

be used to check on the printer's current status and ink status, to view or change system and

network settings, view message logs, assist in diagnostics, and to install new firmware.

Chapter 8: Troubleshooting highlights potential printing problems and provides possible

solutions. The Messages section list common messages that may display on your control panel

screen and their meaning.

Menu Tree provides a visual layout of the Gerber CAT|UV printer's menu.

Appendix includes General Site Requirements and Yearly Maintenance Requirements.

Conventions used in this booklet

The following conventions are used in this booklet:

WARNING: A warning statement contains information which, if not followed,

could result in electrical shock hazard.

CAUTION: A caution statement contains information which, if not followed, could

result in personal injury or equipment damage.

NOTE: A note contains important information that affects the successful completion of a task.

TIP: A tip contains a suggestion to make your task easier or to remind you of something that

may appear elsewhere in the booklet.

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Safety information

Electrical

WARNING: Observe these safety precautions to avoid possible electrical shock

hazard when using the Gerber CAT|UV.

♦ Use the correct power cord; do not use a damaged power cord.

♦ Use an outlet with a ground terminal or electric shock can occur.

♦ Turn printer off and unplug it from the power source before servicing.

♦ Unplug any communications cables before servicing.

♦ Never open covers affixed by screws unless directed by Gerber service personnel. Doing so

may result in electric shock or damage to the printer.

♦ Remove any electrostatic charge from your clothing or body by touching a metal part of the

printer before servicing. Electronic components (such as memory) may malfunction if

exposed to electrostatic charge.

♦ Industrial rubber mats are required under and around the printer if it is installed on

carpeting.

Ink handling and disposal

CAUTION: Observe these general safety precautions when operating the Gerber

CAT|UV

Ink Jet Printer.

CAUTION: Use impervious gloves to protect your hands. Nitrile gloves of no less

than 8 mils have proven impervious for one hour of exposure. Gloves should be

disposed of after one hour of exposure time. Wear safety goggles to protect your

eyes.

♦ Do not use inks other than GerberCAT inks. Using other inks will void the warranty and

will damage the printer.

♦ Consult the GerberCAT ink MSDS for proper handling, disposal, and safety

recommendations. Also consult local laws and regulations.

♦ Do not open ink pouches. Ink could get on your skin or in your eyes.

♦ When handling ink pouches and waste ink, be careful that the ink does not get on your skin

by wearing impervious nitrile gloves. If it does, wash your skin with soap and water for 15

minutes. Seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

♦ If your clothing comes in contact with uncured ink, remove any contaminated clothing

and wash them separately with soap and water.

♦ If ink gets in your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes with copious amounts of water for at

least 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately.

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♦ Dispose empty ink pouches, waste ink, wipes, and used swabs according to local laws and

regulations.

Printer ventilation

CAUTION: Observe these general safety precautions when operating the Gerber

CAT|UV

Ink Jet Printer.

♦ Do not obstruct printer exhaust fans.

Personal precautions

CAUTION: Observe these general safety precautions when operating the Gerber

CAT|UV

Ink Jet Printer.

♦ There are two emergency stop switches located on either end of the gantry. Press either

switch to immediately shut down the UV lamps and abort printing.

♦ Be careful when reaching into the printer to open the maintenance shelf, or swab the

printhead. The UV lamp assemblies and interior surfaces of the printer may be hot.

♦ Be careful not to pinch fingers in drawers, pinch wheels, and material feed system.

♦ Use caution when lifting heavy rolls or pieces of material.

UV lamp precautions

UV WARNING

Exposure to UV light can be dangerous to eyes and skin and should be avoided.

Never operate the Gerber CAT|UV with any of the covers removed.

Never operate the printer with the rubber light shields (flaps) missing or damaged.

Contact Gerber if any of the rubber light shields (flaps) need to be replaced.

Technical support

If you have questions regarding using, maintaining, or troubleshooting the Gerber CAT|UV

please contact your Gerber distributor or Gerber Service.



phone: 800-828-5406 / 860-643-1515, ext. 8602

fax: 860-871-3862



e-mail: [email protected]

www.gspinc.com

Chapter 1

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Additional sources of information

Gerber FastFacts™ provides answers to technical and service questions. FastFacts are available

on the Gerber web site: www.gspinc.com under “Support.”

Electronic versions of this manual and other documentation are available from the eService

Document Library which can be accessed from the Gerber web site: www.gspinc.com under

“Support.” You must sign up for a free customer account to access the eService location.

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Chapter 2:

Product Overview

UV bulb technology

UV WARNING

Exposure to UV light can be dangerous to eyes and skin and should be avoided.

Never operate the Gerber CAT|UV with any of the covers removed.

Never operate the printer with the rubber light shields (flaps) missing or damaged.

Contact Gerber if any of the rubber light shields (flaps) need to be replaced.

The Gerber CAT|UV uses Cold Fire Cure UV technology to instantly and safely cure inks using

low energy and low heat. The UV lamps run the full length of the gantry (approximately

65"/165cm) and provide a very specific wavelength of UV light which cures the GerberCAT

inks. The lamps are enclosed to ensure that the user is protected from exposure to UV radiation.

The UV bulbs require a short warm-up cycle before printing if they are not at operating

temperature. When the lamps reach their operating temperature, the cooling fans automatically

turn on to maintain the proper temperature. Gerber CAT|UV lamps do not require a cool down

cycle before re-striking.

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UV ink technology

CAUTION: Use only GerberCAT inks. Substituting any other inks will void the

warranty. Each color ink pouch must be installed into the corresponding color-

coded pull-out ink drawer.

CAUTION: Use impervious gloves to protect your hands. Nitrile gloves of no less

than 8 mils have proven impervious for one hour of exposure. Gloves should be

disposed of after one hour of exposure time. Dispose of used swabs, wipes, and

gloves according to local laws and regulations.

GerberCAT cationic ultraviolet inks have very little odor and require no special ventilation.

Gerber's patent-pending, Cold Fire Cure technology dries the ink immediately and the printed

material may be handled or cut directly after printing.

Although printhead capping is not required on the Gerber CAT|UV, there is a parking station

which is used when it is not printing for extended periods. The parking station travels with the

gantry and blocks stray light from the printhead nozzle plates.

Graphics created by the Gerber CAT|UV are outdoor-durable for up to three years. However,

environment and application will determine the ultimate outdoor life span and may result in

outdoor durability of greater or less than three years.

GerberCAT inks are specifically designed for use with the Gerber CAT|UV printer. The inks

come in four colors: Magenta (M), Cyan (C), Yellow (Y), and Black (K). The eight printhead

system dedicates two printheads per ink color.

The ink is supplied in one liter pouches that are used to refill the Gerber CAT|UV ink

reservoirs. Four color-coded ink drawers contain receptacles to accept the ink pouches.

Storing inks and materials

Store GerberCAT inks and qualified materials as instructed for the best quality output when

printing. Improper storage of inks or materials will negatively effect overall print quality.

UV ink storage

GerberCAT inks have a shelf life of approximately 12 months from date of manufacture when

stored as recommended. Note the “Use by” date printed on the pouch and properly dispose of

according to MSDS.

The operating temperature and humidity range of the Gerber CAT|UV is smaller than the

storage range for the ink pouches. If ink is stored outside of the operating temperature range,

wait for the ink to normalize before using it.

♦ Temperature: 41° F to 86° F (5° C to 30° C)

♦ Humidity: 30% - 70% non-condensing

NOTE: The guaranteed term of ink is 12 months from date of manufacture when it is kept or

used without exposing air at 77°F (25°C). Note the “Use by” date printed on the pouch.

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Material storage

See manufacturer’s material-specific documentation for recommended handling and storage

requirements and/or gspinc.com/applications for Gerber-qualified materials. General material

storage and handling suggestions follow:

♦ Do not use creased, damaged, torn, curled, bowed, or warped material.

♦ Do not leave material loaded in the roll-to-roll unit of the printer for an extended

period of time. The pinch wheels may damage it, or the material may curl resulting in

misalignment, jams, or decreased printing quality.

CAUTION: When printer is set to Lamp Delay mode ON, ensure no material is present in the

roll-to-roll area or on the flatbed area, whichever is not being used, as damage may occur to the

material and/or printer hardware due to extended lamp exposure when the beam rests in these

locations.

Tip: Gerber recommends cleaning rigid material with IP Surface Cleaner or 99% Isopropyl

Alcohol and wiping it away evenly with a lint-free cloth. This cleans the surface and improves

the output quality of the print.

Gerber CAT | UV control panel

The Gerber CAT|UV has two control panels for ease of use: the main control panel and the

auxiliary keypad. The main control panel is located on the printhead gantry, rotates 180° and

has an adjustable viewing angle for ease of use.

Most controls needed to load material, print

jobs, and clean the printheads are located on

keys on the main control panel. The printer's

menu system which contains printer status,

calibration, and maintenance tasks is also

accessed from the main control panel by

pressing the MENU key. The printer's Menu

system is not necessary for day-to-day

operation of the Gerber CAT|UV.

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Main control panel

Auxiliary keypad

The auxiliary keypad is located near the origin of the flat bed and provides basic controls for

loading jobs and cleaning the printheads.

Y

BACK ENTER

Z

SHIFT / PAUSE RUN JOB CANCEL

CLEAN LOAD

HEADS SLEW UNLOAD

ROLL

TO FLAT INK

ROLL BED MENU LEVEL

Single z z

Cont. z

z

U

V

z

Printer Ready

Screen interface for status messages, printer

progress, and setup controls.

Navigational keys for screen interface. If the

printer's Menu is activated, these controls also

navigate through the sub-menus for printer

setup, calibration, status, and maintenance.

Operational keypad used to load material,

move the gantry, print jobs, control the

vacuums, and to clean the printheads.

Chapter 2

19

Product Overview

P83173A RevA

7/19/10

Control Panel keys

The Screen shows menus, instructions, system and

job status, and messages. An icon in the lower right

corner indicates the type of message or sub-menu.

To move through menus:

♦ BACK moves up through the menu tree

♦ ENTER moves down through the menu tree.

♦ Y Z Directional navigation keys move side to

side when text is displayed.

The SHIFT/PAUSE key is serving

as a “shift” key, being used in

conjunction with other keys as a

shortcut to initiate desired events.

Which key is present is dependent

on revision level at time of

manufacture. See table at the end

of this section.

RUN JOB begins printing the job

at the printer or the next job to

arrive if in Roll-to-Roll Continuous

mode.

The RUN JOB key also can be

used in conjunction with the

SHIFT/PAUSE key start the

NOZZLE OUT built-in test job.

The CANCEL key aborts a job

after the carriage completes the

current right to left swipe.

If the carriage is moving left to

right, the system will complete the

next right to left pass.

If the gantry is moving it

completes its current step.

If the gantry is performing large

moves at the beginning or end of

the job, it will stop at the current

location.

Once movements have been

completed, the screen shows the

Job Canceled message.

The carriage moves to the park

position.

Chapter 2

20

Product Overview

P83173A RevA

7/19/10

The CLEAN HEADS yellow LED

blinks to indicate that it has been

four hours since the last Clean

Heads procedure when the printer

is active or after two hours when

the printer is idle. Press the

CLEAN HEADS key to begin the

cleaning sequence. The gantry

moves to the front of the table and

the carriage moves to the

maintenance shelf location. Follow

the instructions on the screen. The

Clean Heads procedure timer

automatically resets and the LED

goes out when the cleaning

sequence is completed.

In addition, this key can be used in

conjunction with the

SHIFT/PAUSE key as a shortcut

to initiate the End of Day Clean

procedure.

Use the SLEW key to move the

gantry along the table on the X

axis (front to back).

Press the LOAD/UNLOAD key to

prepare the printer for loading or

unloading material. When Rigid is

selected the table vacuum is

enabled or disabled when pressing

LOAD/UNLOAD depending on

its current state.

The LOAD/UNLOAD key also

can be used in conjunction with

the SHIFT/PAUSE key to turn on

the table vacuum whenever

desired, without the gantry

returning to the home position.

For printers equipped with the

Roll-to-Roll option: When Roll-to-

Roll is selected, the roll-to-roll

vacuum is enabled or disabled

depending on its current state.

When in Roll-to-Roll mode the

user is given the option of turning

the vacuum on after the job is

received (if it is currently

disabled.)

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