ACS ACS-24UHF/Eagle User manual

1
ACS-24UHF / Eagle with MTC User Manual
1
October 28, 2013
This manual is based on Make The Cut (MTC), version 4.6.1. Because of regular updates to MTC, we
recommend not printing this entire document, but rather read it on the screen or print only those pages you need
at any given time.
Features of this Online Interactive User Manual
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Print: Select pages to print to your printer. It is
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Videos: This user manual contains numerous links to online videos. Click on these green Video icons
to open either a You Tube or Vimeo hosted video and learn the topic in that particular section of the manual.
Past experience has shown that watching videos can be extremely beneficial when learning software and
cutting applications.
Where to Start
Thank you for choosing an ACS digital die cutter. Before using a blade in your new cutter, we suggest you
read Chapters 1 and 2 and watch the videos provided via links in these two chapters.
If you run into difficulties with the operation of your cutter, turn off the power and look for a solution in this
manual. Appendix B is a list of Troubleshooting FAQ’s. If you continue to have technical questions or
issues, please contact your supplier as soon as possible.
For additional cutter support, please visit our Yahoo group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Klic-N-Kut/ or
our forum at http://knkusa.com/forums/
1© 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Accugraphic Sales, Inc., All Rights Reserved

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Contents
FEATURES OF THIS ONLINE INTERACTIVE USER MANUAL .............................................................................................................................. 1
WHERE TO START ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE ACS-24UHF ................................................................................................................................................... 7
1.01 UNPACKING........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
1.02 CONTENTS OF BOX............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
1.03 ITEMS TO NOTE .................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
1.04 PARTS DIAGRAM ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
1.05 CONTROL PANEL................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
1.06 BLADES AND ACCESSORIES .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Testing Pen Holder:................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Blades Included With ACS-24UHF Purchase: .......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Blade Installation:...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.07 MAT (CARRIER SHEET)..................................................................................................................................................................... 12
1.08 ATTACHING THE ACS-24UHF BOLT-ON TABLES................................................................................................................................ 12
1.09 INSTALLATION OF YOUR ACS CUTTER AND SOFTWARE....................................................................................................................... 13
Registering Make The Cut......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Installing in Windows................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Installing on a Mac .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
1.10 CONNECTING THE ACS TO YOUR COMPUTER UNDER WINDOWS ......................................................................................................... 15
1.11 VERIFY COMMUNICATION AND TEST DRAW SHAPES............................................................................................................................ 15
1.11.1 Setup for Communication Test and Drawing ................................................................................................................................................. 16
1.11.2 Communication Test ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
2. CUTTING ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
2.01 WHAT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT CUTTING.......................................................................................................................... 21
You Have To Make Mistakes .................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
The Most Common Mistakes Made by New Owners ................................................................................................................................................ 21
Begin with Easy Materials and Easy Shapes............................................................................................................................................................ 21
Record Your Successes............................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Use the Correct Blade for the Material You Are Cutting ........................................................................................................................................... 21
Set the Blade Length/Exposure Correctly ................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Set the Blade Tip Height Above the Material ............................................................................................................................................................ 22
Adjust the Speed, Force, and Number of Passes Based on the Material and Shapes ............................................................................................ 23
Keep the Cutting Mat Clean and Sticky .................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Perform Test Cuts! .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Know Where Your Images Will Cut........................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Adjust Blade Offset.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Don’t Get Frustrated, Get Help! ................................................................................................................................................................................ 24
2.02 CUT WITH KLIC-N-KUT ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24
2.03 FORCE............................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
2.04 SPEED............................................................................................................................................................................................. 26
2.05 MULTI-CUT ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
2.06 BLADE OFFSET................................................................................................................................................................................. 27
2.07 CUT TYPE........................................................................................................................................................................................ 27
Knife Point ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 27
WYSIWYG................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 29
Print and Cut ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30
2.08 SERIAL PORT AND TEST CONNECTION ............................................................................................................................................... 30
2.09 IMPORTANT CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU CUT!........................................................................................................................................ 31
2.10 CALIBRATING THE ACS-24UHF RESOLUTION .................................................................................................................................... 31
SETTINGS FORM FOR CUTTING MATERIALS1.............................................................................................................................................. 34
SUGGESTED CUT SETTINGS FOR VARIOUS MATERIALS ON ACS-24UHF....................................................................................... 35
3. MTC BASICS.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
3.01 MAIN MTC SCREEN.......................................................................................................................................................................... 37
3.02 TOOLBARS ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
File Toolbar ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Import Toolbar........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Magic Toolbar............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 39
Node Mode Toolbar................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
3.03 BARS............................................................................................................................................................................................... 39

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Menu Bar................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Sel. Properties Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Main Bar .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Layer Bar................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Tab Bar...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Page Bar ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 41
Status Bar.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 41
3.04 VIRTUAL MAT ................................................................................................................................................................................... 42
3.05 ZOOMING AND PANNING.................................................................................................................................................................... 43
3.06 OPENING MTC FILES........................................................................................................................................................................ 44
3.06.1 Opening a New File/Project ........................................................................................................................................................................... 44
3.06.2 Opening an Existing MTC File ....................................................................................................................................................................... 44
3.06.3 Previewing Thumbnails for Existing MTC Files.............................................................................................................................................. 45
3.07 SAVING MTC FILES.......................................................................................................................................................................... 46
3.08 OPENING BASIC SHAPES................................................................................................................................................................... 47
3.09 SELECTING,MOVING,AND DELETING SHAPES.................................................................................................................................... 47
Selecting.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Moving....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Deleting ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49
3.10 CUTTING,COPYING,PASTING,DUPLICATING...................................................................................................................................... 49
3.10.1 Cutting to the Clipboard ................................................................................................................................................................................. 49
3.10.2 Copying Shapes and Copying to the Clipboard ............................................................................................................................................. 49
3.10.3 Pasting from the Clipboard............................................................................................................................................................................. 50
3.10.4 Duplicating - Duplicate ................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
3.10.5 Duplicating –Nested Duplicate ...................................................................................................................................................................... 51
3.10.6 Duplicating –Rotated Duplicate..................................................................................................................................................................... 53
3.11 UNDO/REDO .................................................................................................................................................................................... 54
Undo.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 54
Redo.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 55
3.12 LAYER BAR ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 55
3.13 RESIZING,ROTATING,SLANTING,AND WARPING ................................................................................................................................ 58
Resizing..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 58
Rotating and Slanting................................................................................................................................................................................................ 59
Warping ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60
3.14 CHANGING COLOR,TEXTURE,AND LINE STYLE .................................................................................................................................. 60
Changing Color ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Changing Texture...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 61
Removing a Texture.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 63
Changing Line Style .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 63
3.15 OTHER SHAPE MANIPULATIONS......................................................................................................................................................... 63
Alignment .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 63
Center Alignment....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 64
Outer Alignment ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 64
Edge Alignment ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 65
Spacing ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 66
Mirroring and Flipping................................................................................................................................................................................................ 66
4. IMPORTING AND EXPORTING............................................................................................................................................................. 68
4.01 ACCESSING THE IMPORT OPTIONS..................................................................................................................................................... 68
4.02 IMPORTING FROM THE ONLINE MTC GALLERY.................................................................................................................................... 68
4.03 IMPORTING SVG, SVGZ FROM YOUR COMPUTER .............................................................................................................................. 69
4.04 IMPORTING AI, EPS, PS, PDF.......................................................................................................................................................... 70
4.05 IMPORTING SCUT, SCUT2, WPC, GSD........................................................................................................................................... 71
4.06 IMPORTING TTF, OTF FONT FILES.................................................................................................................................................... 71
4.07 IMPORTING FROM LETTERING DELIGHTS ............................................................................................................................................ 71
4.08 IMPORTING RASTER FILES (JPG, BMP, PNG, ETC.)........................................................................................................................... 73
4.09 ACCESSING THE EXPORT OPTIONS.................................................................................................................................................... 73
4.10 EXPORTING TO BASIC SHAPES .......................................................................................................................................................... 73
4.11 EXPORTING TO MTC GALLERY.......................................................................................................................................................... 74
4.12 EXPORTING AS SVG......................................................................................................................................................................... 74
4.13 EXPORTING AS EPS/AI OR PDF........................................................................................................................................................ 75
4.14 EXPORTING AS A RASTER FILE .......................................................................................................................................................... 75
4.15 USING WINDOWS COPY/PASTE ......................................................................................................................................................... 76
Adobe Illustrator ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 76
Inkscape .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 77

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KNK Studio/ ACS Studio ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 77
5. WORKING WITH TEXT .......................................................................................................................................................................... 78
5.01 THE TEXT AND FONTS TAB................................................................................................................................................................ 78
5.02 OPENING FONT FILES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 79
5.03 ADD TEXT GROUP ............................................................................................................................................................................ 79
Rotating Text ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 80
Splitting Text.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 81
5.04 CREATING A CONNECTED LETTER TITLE ............................................................................................................................................ 82
5.05 INCORPORATING DINGBAT SHAPES INTO A TITLE ................................................................................................................................ 83
5.06 WELDING TITLES IN IMAGINATIVE WAYS............................................................................................................................................. 83
5.07 FITTING TEXT TO THE OUTSIDE OF A SHAPE....................................................................................................................................... 84
Wrapping Text around A Circle ................................................................................................................................................................................. 84
Wrapping Text Half-way Around the Top and the Bottom of a Circle ....................................................................................................................... 85
5.08 FITTING TEXT TO PATHS ................................................................................................................................................................... 87
Closed Path in Bézier Warp ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 87
Open Path in Bézier Warp ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 88
5.09 CREATING AN OVERLAY TITLE AND WELDING TEXT TO FRAMES........................................................................................................... 89
5.10 STENCILING LETTERS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 91
5.11 OPEN PATH FONTS (OPF)................................................................................................................................................................ 92
6. TRACING................................................................................................................................................................................................ 93
6.01 RASTER VERSUS VECTOR ................................................................................................................................................................. 93
6.02 FINDING EASY IMAGES TO TRACE...................................................................................................................................................... 94
6.03 PIXEL TRACE.................................................................................................................................................................................... 94
6.03.1 Pixel Trace Method ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 96
6.03.2 Alpha Trace Method....................................................................................................................................................................................... 98
6.03.3 Palette Trace................................................................................................................................................................................................101
6.03.4 Color Trace...................................................................................................................................................................................................105
6.03.5 Color Scans Trace........................................................................................................................................................................................ 110
6.04 MANUAL TRACING .......................................................................................................................................................................... 118
Importing an Image for Manual Tracing ..................................................................................................................................................................119
Manual Tracing Using the Bézier Curves and Straight Line (Pen Tool) .................................................................................................................120
Flip/Mirror and Weld to Complete Symmetrical Shapes .........................................................................................................................................123
7. EDITING................................................................................................................................................................................................ 124
7.01 SEPARATING AND COMBINING SHAPES ............................................................................................................................................ 124
Split ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 124
Break .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................125
Join.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 125
Layer .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................126
Blackout...................................................................................................................................................................................................................127
7.02 SHAPE MAGIC ADVANCE PART 1: THE SIMPLIFY FUNCTIONS............................................................................................................. 128
7.02.1 Auto Simplify Paths ......................................................................................................................................................................................128
7.02.2 Auto Simplify Path........................................................................................................................................................................................128
7.02.3 Smooth & Simplify........................................................................................................................................................................................128
7.03 SHAPE MAGIC ADVANCE PART 2: DETAILS....................................................................................................................................... 129
View Path Detail ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 129
Nodes on Mat.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 130
7.04 SHAPE MAGIC ADVANCE PART 3: THE PATH FUNCTIONS .................................................................................................................. 130
Flatten Paths ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................130
Thin Paths ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................131
Fuse n’ Weld ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................132
Reverse Paths.........................................................................................................................................................................................................132
7.05 SHAPE MAGIC ADVANCE PART 4: TILER........................................................................................................................................... 133
7.06 NODE MODE TOOLBAR ................................................................................................................................................................... 135
7.07 EDIT THIS PROJECT NORMALLY (SELECT TOOL)............................................................................................................................... 136
7.08 MEASURE SHAPE LENGTHS AND ANGLES (MEASURE TOOL).............................................................................................................. 136
7.09 SLICE SHAPES AND LINES (KNIFE TOOL).......................................................................................................................................... 138
7.10 ERASE SECTIONS OF PATHS (ERASER TOOL)................................................................................................................................... 138
Erasing ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................138
Inverse Erasing (Adding to an Image)..................................................................................................................................................................... 140
Eraser or Knife? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 142
7.11 DRAW FREEHAND LINES ................................................................................................................................................................. 143

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Drawing Thin Lines.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 143
Drawing Thick Lines................................................................................................................................................................................................ 144
Drawing with Other Line Styles ...............................................................................................................................................................................144
7.12 DRAW BÉZIER CURVES AND STRAIGHT LINES (PEN TOOL)................................................................................................................ 145
Drawing Straight Lines ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 145
Drawing Curves.......................................................................................................................................................................................................146
Combining Straight Lines and Curves.....................................................................................................................................................................146
Fat Path and Super Smooth.................................................................................................................................................................................... 147
7.13 EDIT PATHS AT NODE LEVEL (NODE EDIT TOOL).............................................................................................................................. 147
Segment Editing......................................................................................................................................................................................................147
Node Editing............................................................................................................................................................................................................150
Applications for Node Edit.......................................................................................................................................................................................151
7.14 RECONNECTING BROKEN SEGMENTS............................................................................................................................................... 152
Using Fuse n’ Weld ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 152
Using Edit Paths at Node Level (Node Edit Tool): ..................................................................................................................................................152
Using the Drag Freehand Lines (Pencil Tool)......................................................................................................................................................... 153
Using the Draw Bézier Curves and Straight Lines (Pen Tool) ................................................................................................................................ 153
8. DESIGNING .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 154
8.01 WHERE DO ISTART WITH LEARNING TO DESIGN? ............................................................................................................................ 154
8.02 ADD BASIC SHAPES (BASIC SHAPES TOOL) ..................................................................................................................................... 154
8.03 CREATE SPIRALS (SPIRAL TOOL)..................................................................................................................................................... 155
8.04 CREATE STARS AND POLYGONS (STAR &POLYGON TOOL)............................................................................................................... 156
Star.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 157
Polygon ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................158
8.05 SHADOW LAYER ............................................................................................................................................................................. 160
Outset Shadow........................................................................................................................................................................................................160
Blackout Option....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 160
Corner Join Option ..................................................................................................................................................................................................161
Inset Shadow...........................................................................................................................................................................................................161
8.06 WELD TOOL ................................................................................................................................................................................... 162
Designing a Balloon ................................................................................................................................................................................................162
Designing a Border..................................................................................................................................................................................................162
Designing a Wreath.................................................................................................................................................................................................163
8.07 BOOLEAN JOIN ............................................................................................................................................................................... 164
Cutting One Shape from Another............................................................................................................................................................................ 164
8.08 WRAP OBJECTS TO PATH................................................................................................................................................................ 165
8.08.1 Designing a Scalloped Oval .........................................................................................................................................................................165
8.08.2 Warp Objects to Path ...................................................................................................................................................................................166
8.08.3 Live Edit Window.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 169
8.09 AUTO 4-POINT WARP ..................................................................................................................................................................... 170
8.10 CONICAL WARP.............................................................................................................................................................................. 173
Tumbler Wrap.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 173
8.11 LATTICE......................................................................................................................................................................................... 174
Latticed Circle..........................................................................................................................................................................................................174
8.12 RHINESTONE DESIGN ..................................................................................................................................................................... 175
Rhinestone Outline..................................................................................................................................................................................................176
Rhinestone Fill.........................................................................................................................................................................................................177
Additional Tips on Rhinestone Designing ............................................................................................................................................................... 177
8.13 TEXTURE SNAPSHOT ...................................................................................................................................................................... 178
Creating a Gradient Texture Fill .............................................................................................................................................................................. 179
8.14 JIGSAW PUZZLE ............................................................................................................................................................................. 180
8.15 NOTES WINDOW............................................................................................................................................................................. 181
8.16 DESIGN CONTEST TUTORIALS ......................................................................................................................................................... 183
Designing a Whale by Brigit Mann .......................................................................................................................................................................... 183
Designing a Flower by Laury Vaden .......................................................................................................................................................................185
9. PRINT AND CUT ................................................................................................................................................................................. 191
9.01 WHAT IS A PRINT AND CUT (PNC)?................................................................................................................................................. 191
9.02 WHAT IS A PNC CALIBRATION?....................................................................................................................................................... 191
9.03 PNC PROCEDURE PART 1: SETTING UP AND PRINTING .................................................................................................................... 192
Landscape Mode Option .........................................................................................................................................................................................193
Portrait Mode Option ...............................................................................................................................................................................................195
9.04 PNC PROCEDURE PART 2: ALIGNING AND CALIBRATING................................................................................................................... 198
Aligning the Laser with the Registration Marks ....................................................................................................................................................... 198

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Adjusting the Laser Offset.......................................................................................................................................................................................200
9.05 PRINT AND CUT TIPS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 201
9.06 PRINT AND CUT SCENARIOS............................................................................................................................................................ 201
9.06.1 Cutting Multiple PNC Images on the Same Page ........................................................................................................................................ 201
9.06.2 PNC With a Contour Shape Larger Than the Printed Image.......................................................................................................................202
9.06.3 PNC With a Contour Shape Smaller Than the Printed Image .....................................................................................................................203
9.06.4 PNC With a Contour Shape Overlapping the Printed Image ....................................................................................................................... 205
9.06.5 PNC with an Inset Cut Line ..........................................................................................................................................................................206
9.07 PRINT AND CUT WITHOUT PRINTING FROM MTC............................................................................................................................... 208
9.07.1 Printing from another Program..................................................................................................................................................................... 208
9.07.2 PNC Applications with Existing Images .......................................................................................................................................................209
10. APPLICATIONS ................................................................................................................................................................................. 210
10.01 CARDSTOCK AND PAPER............................................................................................................................................................... 210
Selecting Cardstock ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 210
Settings ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................210
Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 210
10.02 CHIPBOARD.................................................................................................................................................................................. 211
Selecting Chipboard................................................................................................................................................................................................211
Settings ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................211
Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 212
10.03 VINYL .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 212
Types of Vinyl..........................................................................................................................................................................................................212
Settings ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................212
Applying Vinyl..........................................................................................................................................................................................................213
10.04 FABRIC AND FELT ......................................................................................................................................................................... 213
10.05 IRON-ON TRANSFER..................................................................................................................................................................... 214
Types of Iron-On Transfer.......................................................................................................................................................................................214
Cutting Iron-On........................................................................................................................................................................................................214
Adhering Iron-On.....................................................................................................................................................................................................215
10.06 RHINESTONE TEMPLATES ............................................................................................................................................................. 215
Designing Rhinestone Patterns............................................................................................................................................................................... 215
Cutting Rhinestone Template Material.................................................................................................................................................................... 215
Weeding and Brushing in Rhinestones ...................................................................................................................................................................216
Heat Pressing Rhinestones..................................................................................................................................................................................... 216
Extra tips on Rhinestone Applications.....................................................................................................................................................................217
10.07 DRAWING WITH A PEN OR GLUE PEN ............................................................................................................................................. 217
Adjusting for the Difference in Diameters of Tools and Blade Holders...................................................................................................................218
10.08 EMBOSSING AND SCORING............................................................................................................................................................ 219
10.09 ENGRAVING ................................................................................................................................................................................. 220
Project: Engraving a Dog Tag ................................................................................................................................................................................. 221
10.10 USING THE PUNCH TOOL .............................................................................................................................................................. 222
10.11 CAKE DECORATING ...................................................................................................................................................................... 223
10.12 ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................... 223
Wood .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................223
Craft Plastic .............................................................................................................................................................................................................223
SUGGESTED ACS-24UHF SETTINGS FOR VARIOUS ACCESSORIES1.......................................................................................................... 225
SETTINGS FORM FOR ACCESSORY TOOLS ............................................................................................................................................... 226
APPENDIX A KEY BOARD SHORTCUTS ............................................................................................................................................. 227
APPENDIX B TROUBLESHOOTING....................................................................................................................................................... 232
COMMUNICATION ISSUES........................................................................................................................................................................ 232
OPERATING ISSUES................................................................................................................................................................................ 233
CUTTING/DRAWING ISSUES..................................................................................................................................................................... 234
SOFTWARE ISSUES................................................................................................................................................................................. 235
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................................................................................................... 239

7
1. Introduction to the ACS-24UHF
1.01 Unpacking
Verify that you have received all contents. There is a checklist in Section 1.02. Please notify your ACS
supplier immediately if anything is missing.
Remove any plastic zip ties, foam pieces, or other packaging before turning on the ACS-24UHF.
The ACS-24UHF and other computer-connected cutters are not “plug and play” devices. Be sure to follow
the installation directions carefully and make all recommended settings before operating.
Use the enclosed pen and pen holder during at least the first day of operation as you become familiar with
operating the ACS-24UHF. Place scrap paper into the cutter and simply draw images rather than cut them.
This will prevent possible damage to the blade, mat, and cutting strip as you learn where images will cut and
the basic operating procedures.
DO NOT unplug the USB cable from your computer or from the cutter unless you first turn off the cutter.
Doing so can cause power fluctuations that, in turn, can damage the cutter.
Always turn off the ACS-24UHF when not in use. Leaving the cutter turned on for extended periods of time
can possibly damage the machine.
1.02 Contents of Box
Please verify that you have received the following items. If anything is missing, please contact your ACS
supplier as soon as possible.

ACS-24UHF Cutter

Cutting Mat

Blade Holder

Spray Adhesive for Mat

Two blades (45 degree and 60 degree)

Bolt-on Tables

Testing Pen Holder with 2 pen inserts

Screws and screwdriver for bolt-on tables

User Manual in PDF format

Power Cord, Serial Cable USB Cable


1.03 Items to Note
Power Ratings: 110-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 1.0-2.0 A
Power Supply: The ACS-24UHF’s power supply is 110V-240V. If your supply is different from this, please
use a power converter. Remove the power cable if the cutter will not be in operation for a significant
length of time.
Connecting to Your Computer: You have the option of connecting via the RS232 serial port OR via the
USB port. Your shipment contains both a USB cable and a serial cable, although your computer may not
have a serial port installed.
Blades: The blades used by cutters are extremely fragile. Do not drop or even bump the blade onto any
hard surface as they can chip easily. When not in use, retract the blade into the blade holder or remove
and cover the sharp end with the soft plastic cap.
Transporting: When transporting the cutter, move the pinch wheel levers into the upward position.
Remove the accessories from the tool tray and place in a separate bag. We also recommend retaining
the original box with the Styrofoam inserts in case you ever need to ship your ACS-24UHF.
Additionally:
oDO NOT touch or jam the plotter’s track while it is operating. If the cutter is damaged, it is the
owner’s responsibility.

8
oDO NOT shake the cutter while it is operating.
oDO NOT cut any materials that have staples or other embellishments attached.
oDO NOT touch the cutter with a magnet.
oDO NOT allow small items to fall into the cutter.
oTURN OFF the cutter when not in use.
1.04 Parts Diagram
Front
Left Side Right Side
Back
Control Panel (built
into top on some
models)
Blade Carriage
Blade Holder Seat
Bolt-On Front Table
Pinch Wheel:
Total of 4
Pinch Wheel
Positioning Label:
Total of 5
Cutting Strip
Grit Shaft (beneath
Pinch Wheels):
Total of 5
Power Port
On/Off Switch
USB Port
RS232 Serial
Port
Bolt-On Back Table
Pinch Wheel Lever:
Total of 4

9
1.05 Control Panel
Online Mode Display
v = cutting velocity, mm/sec
f = cutting force (scaled from 1 to 200)
1. LCD Display
2. Test: Cuts a small test shape when cutter is in
Offline mode
3. Online / Offline Toggle
4. Menu
5. Repeat: repeats last cut when cutter is in Offline
mode
6. Pause: stops cutting
1
2
4
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Increase/Decrease
Velocity (Speed)
Increase/Decrease
Cutting Force
(Pressure)
Move the mat
forward or towards
the back
Move the carriage
left or right
Offline Mode Display
x = forward/back distance from origin
y = left/right distance from origin
Step 1: Turn on the ACS-
24UHF.
A welcome message will
flash for a few seconds when
cutter is first turned on. Then
the cutter will come to rest in
the Online Mode.
Experiment with “+” and “-“
buttons, as shown.
7. Offline Mode: moves carriage to the left;
Online Mode: increases cutting force
8. Offline Mode: moves mat to the back; Online
Mode: increases cutting speed
9. Offline Mode: moves carriage to the right;
Online Mode: decreases cutting force
10. Offline Mode: sets the Origin
11. Offline Mode: moves mat forward;
Online Mode: decreases cutting speed
Step 2: Press the Online
button.
This will change to Offline
mode. Experiment with “+”,
“-“, TEST, and Origin
buttons, as shown.
Press the Origin button to set the
origin. Note the cutter will remain in
the Offline Mode.
Press the Test button for a
small rectangle to cut at the
origin. Note the cutter will
then be in Online Mode.
Go through the
various modes on the
following pages to
experiment with the
settings and
understand each
mode.

10
Laser Mode Display
Setting Display
Us = Traverse speed (movement of carriage
when head is up)
Br = Baud rate (USB: 57600, Serial: 9600)
Set Per Display
Xp = Calibration of X scale
Yp = Calibration of Y scale
Step 3: In Offline Mode, press
the
Menu button.
The Laser display will show
and the laser can be activated.
Press the Origin button to
turn the laser light on. You
will see a red light appear
below blade carriage. Also,
the cutter will change to
Online mode. To turn off the
laser, repeat Steps 2 and 3
and then press the
Origin
button again.
Step 4: In Online Mode, press
the
Menu button.
Experiment with the “
+” and “-
“
buttons for the
Traverse
Velocity
. Change the Baud
Rate based on the connection
you are using.
Increases/Decreases
Traverse Velocity
(Up Speed) Set to 200 if
doing PNC applications
Increases/Decreases
Baud Rate
: USB:
57600
Serial: 9600
Step 5: In Online Mode, press
the
Menu button twice.
Press again to turn off the
Menu
function.
Do not change these values.
Instead, it is recommended
that calibration of the ACS-
24UHF be done from within
the software. Refer to
Section 2.10.
Pause Display
v = cutting velocity, mm/sec
f = cutting force (scaled from 1 to 160)
Press the Pause button during
the cut and the cutter will
immediate stop cutting.
As shown above, use the “+”
and “
-“ buttons to change the
cutting velocity or cutting force
and press
Pause again to
resume the cut.
…OR…
Turn off the cutter to abort the
cut.
At the end of a cut, the Repeat
button can be pressed, in
Offline Mode, to activate the
same cut again.