Allen Datagraph 800 Plus Series Cutters

November 6, 2009

The Allen Datagraph 800 Plus Series cutters are cut only devices, and are only available if the special registration code, "CUTTING", is enabled.

Consult the cutter's user manual for information on setting the cutter's force, speed, and other available options.

Note: To insure consistent cutting, setup must be run on the cutter. Load the Allen Remote Panel for Allen Datagraph Systems. Click on "Diagnostics" and follow the instructions to perform "Calibrate to printer" and "Smartmark Setup." Whenever a change in media or print resolution occurs, you must perform a "SmartMark Sensor Setup" (see below). This Series of cutters can only use 1/4" Allen Datagraph marks. Only choose these marks when printing.

This device is a serial-only device. The COM port setting can be found by clicking on the Properties button on the Print/Configuration tab. The following window will be displayed:

Port:

Choose the COM port that the cutter is connected to. (See note below)

Note: Do not attempt to use this cutter on any COM port which is in use by the Palm HotSync Manager. If you run into any conflicts with the HotSync manager, please reconfigure it to use a different port and reboot your computer.

Alignment:

Automatic Alignment (all marks): This choice will perform skewing and scaling on the image. There must be Allen DataGraph type registration marks. Place laser as shown below.

Automatic Alignment (one mark): This choice will align the origin with one mark. There must be Allen DataGraph type registration marks. Place laser as shown below.

Manual Alignment: If there are either Allen DataGraph marks or Wasatch marks (1/4 Inch Register or 1/2 Inch Register), the driver will go through a manual alignment set up (see image below). This image will be upside down when looking at the front of the cutter. For Allen Datagraph marks, align the sensor with the outside corner of the mark. Center the sensor with Wasatch type (1/4 Inch Register or 1/2 Inch Register) marks.

When Manual alignment is set and the cut path is sent to the cutter, a window will say, "Use the joystick to move the SmartMark laser over point #1 and press Enter on the front panel.." The LED light next to the "Enter" button on the front panel of the printer will be on. Using the joystick, move the laser over the cutting registration mark #1. Press the "Enter" button on the front panel.
Warning: Do not move joystick until the red LED light next to the "Enter" button is lit.

The screen will now say to move to point #2. Once the LED light next to the "Enter" button on the front panel goes on, move the LED over cutting registration mark #2. Press the "Enter" button on the front panel.
Warning: Do not move joystick until the red LED light next to the "Enter" button is lit.

The screen will now say to move to point #3. Once the LED light next to the "Enter" button on the front panel goes on, move the LED over cutting registration mark #3. Press the "Enter" button on the front panel. The head will now move back to the 1st position.

The cutter is now set up and ready to print. Do not move the joystick or the print will become unregistered!

First point: The origin
Second point: Skew Point
Third point: Scale Point

Note: If there are Allen DataGraph marks that are not found when an automatic alignment is performed. There will be a choice whether to continue or abort the cut.

Offset Adjustment:

Use the X and Y values of the offset adjustment to fine tune the cutters offset. This is here so one does not have to go into the Allen Remote Panel to make small changes.

Device-Specific Instructions for Loading Print and then Cut Jobs

You must insert the media from the rear of the cutter. Inserting the media from the back, the cutting registration marks #1 (origin) and #2 (skew) should be on the edge of the print closest to the front of the printer.

Since the cutter cannot cut any media beyond the pinch roller nearest the control panel, align the media so that the pinch roller is over the left margin, but not over any part of the print that is to be cut.

Many devices are shipped with the paper sensors turned off. Assuming this is the case, you can press "Load" on the front panel of the printer when no media is inserted. After it finishes moving the head, lift the pinch rollers, and place the media into the cutter.

If the paper sensors are on, you will have to have media inserted before you hit the "Load" button.

After lowering the pinch roller, go back to the computer, and click on Print, then Configuration, then Properties. The properties sheet (shown above) will be displayed. Choose the correct COM port that the cutter is connected to. Choose the alignment method.

The cutter is now ready for the cut path to be sent from the Cutting Queue.

SmartMark Sensor Setup

The "Two Level Teaching Mode" will allow one to set a middle ground threshold value for the SmartMark Sensor.

Open the panel on the top of the SmartMark Sensor. There is a "Mode" button with a dial to the left. This dial is referred as the "jog" switch.
Select the "TEACH" mode by pressing the Mode Key once.
Move the LED to the background material and press the jog switch. The display will blink then the "TEACH" (yellow light) will blink. This indicates that the second point is now ready for input.
Move the sensor over the origin target you want sensed, press the jog switch, again the display will blink.
The display will either indicate the word "good" which indicates that stable sensing can be performed or "hard" indicating stable sensing cannot be performed. The threshold value setting will be displayed then the display will blink with the character "----". The incident light intensity will again be displayed, indicating that the configuration is now complete. Press the "Mode" key 5 times or keep it pressed for 2 seconds or more to return to "RUN" mode.