MUTOH Kona Application Manual

Application

Guide

Mutoh CutServer and

Print and cut

Application Guide Kona / Kona apparel

AP-75381 - Revision 1.3 3

Copyright notice

Mutoh Belgium nv reserves the right to modify the information contained in this manual at any

time without prior 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 CutServer in combination with the Mutoh

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 Belgium nv.

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.

20 June 2011

Published: Mutoh Belgium nv, Archimedesstraat 13, B-8400 Oostende, BELGIUM

www.Mutoh.eu

Application Guide Kona / Kona apparel

4 AP-75381 - Revision 1.3

Dear Customer,

The Mutoh Kona / Kona apparel drag knife cutting plotter is designed to be one of the most

user-friendly and versatile cutting plotters in the market.

As a stand-alone cutting plotter, the Kona / Kona apparel can cut and plot designs onto vinyl

and paper as required.

In combination with an inkjet printer, the Kona / Kona apparel cutting plotter is ready for

contour-cutting of pre-printed 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.

On the one hand Mutoh offers “flagship” solutions, in which the complete workflow is

integrated in one software package: designing, ripping, printing, contour cutting and

stand-alone cutting. These flagship solutions are the latest Mutoh editions of EasySIGN

Power Pack and Scanvec-Amiable PhotoPRINT DX.

On the other hand, Mutoh also offers a “Workflow Integrity Solution” that keeps an existing

workflow largely intact but still introduces the flawless bar code option that behaves as a

unique job ticket along the print & cut process and minimizes errors. The workflow integrity

solution allows that the jobs are still designed, ripped and printed with the customer's existing

software packages. The sticker layout, bar code generation, cutting and contour cutting are in

that case handled with the standard Kona / Kona apparel in-the-box EasySIGN Power Pack

and the Mutoh CutServer.

In the following pages of this application guide the installation of the CutServer, the print and

cut workflow and some hints and tricks are captured.

Note

 Please find the Kona / Kona apparel Installation CD as support for this manual

in-the-box.

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Table of contents

Chapter 1 Compatibility overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1.1 Cutter drivers and Mutoh software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1.2 RIP software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chapter 2 Installing CutServer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2.2 Installing Mutoh CutServer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

 Install the CutServer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

 Create and set a hot folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

 Backup the machine settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2.3 Details about Mutoh’s CutServer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

 Main window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

 Menu items. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

 Toolbar icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

 Available connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Chapter 3 Setting up your print and cut software. . . . . . . . . . 37

3.1 EasySIGN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

 Update EasySIGN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

 EasySIGN driver installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

 Configuring EasySIGN for the CutServer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

 Synchronise your CutServer hotfolder in EasySIGN . . . . . . . . . . . 41

3.2 Scanvec Amiable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

 Configuring Scanvec Amiable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

3.3 Mutoh Grip + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

 Installing a Kona driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

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Chapter 4 Contourcutting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

4.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

4.2 Different alignment methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

4.3 Which alignment method to use? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

 Automatic alignment method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

 Manual alignment method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

4.4 Bounding box details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

 Hints, tips and recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

 Bounding box specifications

(without bar code, no cutserver application required) 54

4.5 Scanning routing of bounding box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

4.6 Kona / Kona apparel keyboard features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

 Automatic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

 Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

4.7 Print and cut with EasySIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

4.8 Print and cut with Mutoh Grip (+). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

4.9 Print and cut with Scanvec Amiable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Chapter 5 Cutting through. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

5.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

5.2 Setting up your cutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

 Tools necessary on a Kona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

 Tools necessary on a Kona apparel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

 Toolswap settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

 Through cut settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

5.3 Through cutting workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

5.4 Through cutting with EasySIGN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

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 Convert shapes to cutthrough lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

 How to plot and setup your design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

5.5 Through cutting with Mutoh Grip (+). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

 Convert shapes to cutthrough lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

 Verify automatic detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

 Cutthrough tool configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

5.6 Throughcutting with Scanvec Amiable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

5.7 Poster trimming workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Chapter 6 Handling curled media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Chapter 7 Hints, tips and tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

7.1 How to create a cut contour around your images . . . . . . . . 101

 For vector images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

 For bitmap images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

7.2 How to connect your Kona / Kona apparel to your network 116

 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

 USB to network sharing box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

 Quick installation procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

 Make the following connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

 Software and driver installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

 Connecting your Kona / Kona apparel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

 Verify the new connection in your cut software / CutServer . . . . 121

 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

7.3 Did you know. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

 Print and cut workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

7.4 Frequently asked questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

 Mutoh CutServer related FAQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

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Application Guide Kona / Kona apparel

Compatibility overview

Chapter 1 Compatibility overview

1.1 Cutter drivers and Mutoh software

Please find below an overview of the available drivers and software packages for the Kona cutter.

Operating system

Windows XP

with SP2

Windows Vista Windows 7

Device Tool Driver / Software 32 bit 64 bit 32 bit 64 bit 32 bit 64 bit

Kona

and

Kona apparel

USB driver USB_Drivers_2_0_0.zip

CutServer 1.0.5 CutServer_setup_v1.0.5.exe

CutServer 4.1.0 -

Kona EasySign 5.16 driver Mutoh.drv

10 AP-75381 - Revision 1.3

Application Guide Kona / Kona apparel

Compatibility overview

1.2 RIP software

Please find below an overview of the most common RIP software used in combination with Mutoh printers and their compatibility with Windows, Linux

or Mac.

Bold = current version is sold by Mutoh

RIP software compatible

with Windows

Version

Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7

32 bit 64 bit 32 bit 64 bit 32 bit 64 bit

Onyx

version 6 or lower

version 7 / Onyx X

EasySign

version 4

version 5 with SP 15

Scanvec Amiable

version 5

version 6

RIP software compatible

with Mac

Scanvec Amiable

RIP software compatible

with Linux

Version

Grip (+)

2

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AP-75381 - Revision 1.3 11

Chapter 2 Installing

CutServer

2.1 Introduction

In order to use the Automated Barcode workflow, an exclusive CutServer tool is developed by

Mutoh to pass on all generated alignment plot files from your software to the Kona / Kona

apparel. All print and cut plot files are gathered into a hot folder, linked to the CutServer

queue, in which the scanning command can be given to read the ID number of your printout.

Refer to

Compatibility overview on page9

Note

 Rather than using the “Go” CutServer button, an alternative bar code scanning

sequence can be started as well. Press the Contour Cutting button on the LCD

and select your appropriate alignment system.

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2.2 Installing Mutoh CutServer

In order to use the Automated Barcode workflow, an exclusive CutServer tool is

developed by Mutoh to pass on all generated alignment plot files from your software to the

cutter.

All print and cut plot files are gathered into a hot folder, linked to the CutServer queue,

in which the scanning command can be given to read the ID number of your printout.

2.2.1 Install the CutServer

Step 1: Download the CutServer from Mutoh’s member Site

Step 2: Install the Mutoh CutServer by double clicking on the exe installation file.

Step 3: Follow the instructions of the program.

 Select Destination Location.

 Select Start Menu Folder.

 Decide whether to create a desktop icon or not.

 Install the software.

Step 4: Open the Mutoh CutServer and set a hot folder.

Refer to Create and set a hot folder on page12

2.2.2 Create and set a hot folder

To be able to display all the jobs in the queue of the CutServer, a folder need to be made on

your local hard disk. This folder should be linked to the CutServer.

Step 1: Using your windows explorer, create a new empty folder on your Hard disk. (Any

name will do, for the example we will call the folder CutServer and place it directly

under C:\) or use the default folder C:\Program Files\Mutoh Europe Nv\CutServer

.

Step 2: Start the Mutoh CutServer.

Step 3:

³Go to file and choose set directory.

Step 4: Browse to your hot folder and click OK.

Step 5: All the plotfiles gathered in this folder will now be displayed.

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2

2.2.3 Backup the machine settings

When establishing problems with your cutter, it is very useful to be able to restore previous

settings and parameters. Therefore, when a machine is connected and starting up the

CutServer for the first time, an automatic back-up will be taken from the parameters.

After clicking OK, the CutServer will show a new window. This window enables you to save

the backup with a specific name or with the serial number.

It is recommended to store your parameters frequently. All back-ups are stored in the

following folder: C:\Program Files\Mutoh Europe NV\CutServer\backup

. Be sure to give your

back up a recognizable name, including the serial number of the machine.

Backup the settings manually as follows:

Step 1: Be sure that the cutter is connected via the CutServer and there are no cutting

operations busy.

Refer to Details about Mutoh’s CutServer > Available connections on page 34

Step 2: Right-click on a connection and choose to take a backup.

Step 3: The “Save Backup window” opens. Here you are able give the backup a specific

name or to save the backup using the serial number.

Step 4: The CutServer automatically creates a backup file and stores it in the installation

folder of the Mutoh Europe CutServer: C:\Program Files\Mutoh Europe

NV\CutServer\backup.

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Restore the settings manually as follows

Step 1: Be sure that the cutter is connected via the CutServer

Refer to Details about Mutoh’s CutServer > Available connections on page 34

Step 2: Right-click on a connection and choose to restore a backup.

Step 3: Double-click on the backup you wish to restore.

Step 4: The CutServer asks for confirmation to restore the backup.

Step 5: The machine will reboot automatically after sending the backup.

Caution

 Never restore a parameter backup from another cutter because there are some

machine dependant parameters such as the Y-Z profile.

 When you do not have a parameter back-up, please contact our Mutoh Service

Department

Note

 It is not advised to install an old parameter backup when using new firmware.

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2

2.3 Details about Mutoh’s CutServer

2.3.1 Main window

2.3.2 Menu items

File

N° Description More info

1 Menu items Menu items on page15

2 Toolbar icons Toolbar icons on page28

3 Contour cutting files Available connections on page34

4 Available connections Available connections on page34

Menu item More info

File Refer to Menu items > File on page 15

Machine test Refer to Menu items > Machine tests on page 16

Extra Refer to Menu items > Extra on page 18

Help Refer to Menu items > Help on page 25

Menu item More info

Set Directory... Refer to Create and set a hot folder on page12

Exit Close the application

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Machine tests

1) Tracking tests

Reserved for authorized Mutoh technicians only.

2) XY-distance accuracy

The XY - Distance Accuracy tests are developed to check the actual X-Y cutting distance with

the sent vector data.

Please follow the procedure below to make the test:

Step 1: Launch Mutoh’s CutServer.

Step 2: Be sure that the cutter is connected with the Mutoh CutServer.

Step 3: Select which test to perform.

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2

Step 4: Select the appropriate connection and click on it.

 A new window appears. Do not press Next before:

 media is loaded

 a knife is loaded.

Step 5: If m

edia and a knife are loaded, click Next.

 A box is cut.

Step 6: Peel out the box.

Step 7: Measure the X length and Y width and enter them. Be sure to enter the values in

mm!

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Installing CutServer

18 AP-75381 - Revision 1.3

Step 8: If the correct values are entered, the following message appears and the test is

done.

 A new message appears warning you that an EPOS calibration is recom-

mended.

Extra

1) Choose File filters and hotfolder

As described earlier, the files in the hot folder are displayed in a queue. This folder can

include different kind of files.

Refer to

Create and set a hot folder on page12

Standard, only PLT files are displayed in the queue. However, it is possible to create cut files

via the RIP for example with another extension (e.g. CUT). These file types will not automati-

cally be displayed and should be added to the filter list as described below.

Note that the file name should be build up similar to the PLT files, which means:

 Name_alignment method_barcode.extension

 e.g. Job1_MF_14587652131.cut

Step 1: Select extra > Choose Filefilters and hotfolder.

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2

Step 2: The following screen is displayed:

Step 3: Now you can do one of the following actions:

 Select the checkbox of the file type which should be displayed.

 Add a new file type (filter), e.g. *.cut.

 Remove a filetype by double clicking on it.

 Apply your changes and close this screen.

Step 4: The filter is applied to the queue.

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2) Add/test IP address

When your cutter is connected to your local area network it is possible to add your cutter by

providing the IP address of the cutter.

Refer to How to connect your Kona / Kona apparel to your network on page116

Step 1: Select extra > Add/test IP address.

Step 2: Fill in the IP address of the cutter.

Step 3: Click on test to check the connection. Make sure that the cutter is powered ON.

Step 4: Click on add to verify the IP address or cancel this action.

Note

 In case the IP address is not found, following message is displayed:

Page is loading ...

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