hs AXXIS Operations Manual Manual Version 2.3 November 2014 Congratulations on your new purchase! Copyright Allen Datagraph Systems Inc. - All rights reserved. 56 Kendall Pond Road Derry, NH 03038 603-216-6344 www.allendatagraph.com 01 All products made in The United States. All specifications are subject to change.
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Thank You for Selecting an Allen Datagraph Product At Allen Datagraph Systems, Inc. (ADSI), we are committed to serving you, our customer. Our goal is to provide you with competitive, quality products and services to meet your needs. Customer input is of great value to Allen Datagraph Systems, Inc.; therefore, we encourage any comments or suggestions. The instructions contained in this manual are intended to ensure the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of your machine.
Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liabilities ADSI Digital Finishing Systems are warranted free of defects in both materials and workmanship. Should any part of this equipment be defective, it will be repaired or replaced, at the option of the manufacturer, at no charge for parts or factory labor for a period of one (1) year from the date of installation. All warranty services are performed at the ADSI factory.
Specifications System Data: Contour Cutting Max Frame Length Max Input Roll Diameter Max Output Roll Diameter Recommended Roll Length Web Width Cutting Technology User Interface Test Cut Function Full HPGL vector cutting compatible with SMARTMark opto-electrical line sensor 14 inches | 35.5 cm 8 inches | 20 cm 8 inches | 20 cm 500 feet | 153 meters 4 - 8.5 inches | 10 - 21.
Items Shipped Unassembled from Machine An accessory kit is shipped with the equipment in the crate. These items are required for operating the Axxis HS finisher. The tools included in this kit are specifically sized for the machine and should be stored nearby for easy access.
Table of Contents 1.0.0 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08 1.0.1 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08 1.0.2 Site Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09 1.1.0 Installation of Axxis HS Digital Label Finsiher .
1.0 Introduction The Axxis HS Digital Label Finisher is shipped assembled, however it must be properly unpacked, installed, and set up to run prior to operating. This manual will guide you through each of these processes. 1.0.1 Safety For your own safety, read this instruction manual before operating the equipment. Knowledge of the machine’s components and specific hazards will minimize the possibility of accidents and injury. Wear proper clothing.
1.0.2 Site Preparation The following are guidelines for preparing the customer site for installation of the ADSI equipment. Location: 1. Provide a sturdy level area for equipment weighing 200+ lbs. 2. Provide adequate clearance around the machine to allow easy access for inspection and maintenance. 3. Ensure there is an appropriate power source and ethernet connection nearby. Power Requirements: Use of a HIGH QUALITY surge protector or uninterruptible power supply is REQUIRED by ADSI.
3. 1.0.2 Site Preparation Figure 2: Fuse Block Access Reverse the position of the fuse block so that the desired voltage will appear in the fuse block cover. Fuse Block Cover Voltage shown “right -side10 amp Fuse for 115V system Changing the Fuse Configuration (continued): up” will show when the 5 amp Fuse for 230V system fuse block cover is on opposite side Figure 2: Fuse Block Access replaced. 3. Reverse the position of the fuse blockofsothethat desired voltage appear 3.
1.1.0 Installation of Axxis HS Digital Label Finisher 1.1.1 Setup Finisher The i-Tech Axxis HS Finisher is a tabletop label finishing device. Once removed from its crate, place the unit on a table that can support 200+ Lbs (90 kg). PLEASE USE CAUTION WHEN LIFTING: The system weighs approximately 200 lbs. (91kg). Do Not lift system by the unwind/rewind mandrels. 1.1.2 Connection to PC Do not connect the Axxis HS finisher to the computer until isntructed to do so by the installation CD. 1.1.
1.2.0 Setting up your label job Files are created to add registration marks and cutting paths to label artwork. Once this is done, a “cut file” is created using Allen DirectCut to send the information to the Axxis HS Digital Label Finisher when the media is processed through it. 1.2.1 Explanation of SmartMark The SmartMarkTM for ADSI i-TECH cutters is an optical registration system that ensures accurate cutting of pre-printed graphics.
The figure below shows how the elements of the label file looks with the die-line and registration mark added. NOTE: Die-lines are created using “no fill” stroke lines. It does not matter what the stroke weight of the line is. 8. Once the die-line has been put in the file, center the label artwork and the cut lines (die-line) within the center of the art board. 9.
11. Click the pen tool (set its properties to a no fill stroke line) 12. Hold the Shift key down and click on the SmartMark™ at its top left corner, then on its top right corner, and then on its lower right corner. This will create a line for the registration cut, which establishes the “cut zone”. 13. Toggle the die-line layer to hide its visibility. 14. Save the work as an “eps” type file. 15. Print the created SmartMarks onto the roll paper containing the artwork.
1.2.3 Multiple Registration Marks Multiple registration marks are generally created when the print itself is skewed or if the labels require intricate cuts. It may be advantageous to use a skew or scale registration mark when multiple labels are created and cut in a single frame. “Skew” and “Scale” marks are created in the same manner as the original registration mark but located as follows: 1.
1.2.4 Creating the “Cut” File for the Finisher In “Registration Mark Placement and File Creation”, a file was created to add a registration mark and a defined cutting path to the label graphics file. The next step is to export or “send” this file to the finisher using the Allen DirectCut program. 1.2.4.1 Creating Plot File with Adobe Illustrator 1. Open your label-cutting file (as created above) using Adobe Illustrator. 2. Open the layer window.
5. Verify the dropdown box between the “Cut” and “Properties” button is set to the finisher, either via USB or Ethernet. 6. Verify your Properties are set correctly for your job. (Review of properties in section 1.2.5) 7. Now hit the “Cut” button to send the cutting path to the Axxis HS Digital Label Finisher. 1.2.5 Allen DirectCut Properties Find Origin 1. Click on the properties button 2. Select Find Origin. 3. Select the type of origin you want to use.
1.2.5.1 Space Between Jobs The space between jobs tells the system how far to advance the cutting head in order to find the next frame’s Origin SmartMark. It is the distance between the last cut of the previous frame to the leading edge of the target of the next frame. This is set in the properties menu in section 1.2.5 of the manual, or in the remote panel Example: Space Between jobs with Orign SmartMark only. Example: Space Between jobs with Orign, Skew, Scale SmartMarks.
1.2.6 Webbing the Axxis HS Digital Label Finisher To web the Axxis HS Digital Label Finisher follow the steps below: 1. Power on finisher. 2. The 4 web roller guides (black thin donuts) on accumulator arms are factory set for 8.5” material. If using a different sized material, loosen the front donuts only. 3. Load label roll on to mandrel & center to the black rubber lamination roller (SmartMark towards the gear side). 4.
7. Feed media back up and over cutting bed. 8. Feed media under output accumulator & up through output nip. Confirm media is straight & lock down the output nip black lever. 9. Verify roll is square with all loops so far. 1.2.6.2 Webbing test for Axxis HS Digital Label Finisher This quick test will help ensure that the system is webbed as straight as possible. 1. Raise pinch wheels on cutting platform. 2. Make sure web roller guides (black thin donuts) are loose.
c) If material moved to gear side then move material towards gear side. To adjust hold end of material before releasing output nip black lock lever, this way the accumulator will not pull material backwards and drop to bottom. Now adjust material to gear side desired amount to square. Repeat webbing test. 5. When straight (within 1/32”), adjust pinch wheels so that each wheel is approximately 0.
1.2.6.4 Sending Cut Files to Axxis HS Digital Label Finisher 1. Launch Adobe Illustrator 2. Open label in AI (File > Open) 3. Select die-line in layers (will highlight blue) Cut or die-line is in layers dialogue box (if layers box not open, go to top menu bar & select Window > layers (confirm the ‘eye’ is in the left box to show cut line)) 4. Go to top menu bar and select: File > Allen direct cut 5.
1.3.0 Using Accessories 1.3.1 Weed Bar The Weed Bar is used when cutting medium to larger sized shapes. The bar is spring-loaded on one end and can be installed or removed without using any tools. To remove: Push the bar toward the gear side of the machine and lift it out from the operator end to release it. To install: 1. Take the o-rings from the accessory kit and install them onto the weed bar. 2. Insert the bar (spring end first) into its mounting hole on the gear side of the machine. 3.
1.4.0 Maintenance & Consumables Maintenance performed on this machine will require the tools that are shipped in the accessory kit that is received with the machine. Replacement parts and tools may be ordered using our online store at www.allendatagraph.com. 1.4.1 Fuses There are two (2) spare fuses provided with the finisher. If you have 110v AC use one 5-amp fuse. If you have 220v AC use two 2.5-amp fuses (remove the shorting clip to use two fuses). Replacing a Fuse 1.
1.4.2 Changing the Knife Blade The knife blade should be replaced when the force has been increased by more than 20 percent of the original cut force or the cut quality has degraded. The first sign of blade degradation usually occurs in the corners of the cut and may lead to poor weeding. 1. Remove the used blade a) Loosen the brass thumbscrew on the carriage tool block and remove the knife holder assembly. b) Unscrew the black tip of the Knife Holder assembly.
1.4.3 Changing the Cut Strip The Cut Strip should be replaced when the cut quality deteriorates, or when grooves/divots are observed 1. Move the knife carriage to the gear side of the cutter. 2. Clean any debris from the cut strip groove before removing the existing strip. 3. Use the Cut Strip Removal Tool, found in the white accessory box, to remove the worn strip. a) Place the hooked end of the tool under one end of the Cut Strip b) Pull up gently until there is enough material to pull up by hand.
1.4.4 Cleaning the Axxis HS Digital Finisher The regularity with which the cutter needs to be cleaned is dependent on the usage, as well as the climate and contaminants in the cutter’s environment. It is recommended that the following cleaning steps be done at least as often as indicated for each procedure. ALWAYS disconnect the power source while cleaning any part of the machine. Keep power source disconnected until the cleaning process is completed.
1.4.5 Biweekly Cleaning (continued) Rubber Nip Rollers Clean using rubber roller cleaner and a soft cloth. Adhesive build-up may be removed using the roller cleaner and gently scraping the surface. NOTE: Use a rubber roller cleaner such as the type sold in office supply stores. Avoid using isopropyl or denatured alcohol on rubber parts. Alcohol will dry and harden the rubber surfaces. Metal Rollers and Guides Inspect for dust or adhesive build up. Remove dust using a soft cloth.
1.4.8 Pinch Wheel Maintenance Pinch wheels are critical to the Axxis HS material handling performance. They should be inspected for wear regularly and cleaned as needed. This will prolong the performance & life of the pinch wheels, however, in normal use the pinch wheels will need to be replaced in time. The pinch wheels may need replacing when media does not track properly after guide alignment has been verified. For best tracking results, pinch wheels should be replaced as a SET.
