GRAPHTEC F-Mark Mounting instructions

Software manual
F-Mark software manual_E03

iMark software panel layout ...........................................................................1
Graphics file design ......................................................................................2
Layers for printing ......................................................................................3
Layers for Cutting ......................................................................................4
Save file for Cutting ......................................................................................5
Crop Marks position and Cutting area ................................................................6
Open a file for Cutting ......................................................................................7
Status and error messages ...........................................................................8
Basic operations and settings ...........................................................................9
Precautions before cutting ...........................................................................11
Print and Cut alignment ...........................................................................12
Calibration of the F-Mark ...........................................................................13
Compensation .................................................................................................17
Die Cutting .................................................................................................18
Special color panel ......................................................................................20
Special color “Plain Cut”
:half cuts to magenta lines and black lines ..........................................21
Special color “Plain Cut”
:half cuts to magenta lines and perforation cuts to black lines .........22
Special color “Dashed line”
:perforation cuts to magenta lines and half cuts to black lines .........23
Special color “Dashed line”
:perforation cuts to magenta lines and black lines ...............................25
Special color “Blade Creasing” ...........................................................................26
Mechanical movement ......................................................................................28
More options .................................................................................................29
Setting to save the parameter values of the iMark software ...............................32
CONTENTS

- 1 -
iMark software window layout
The iMark software allows to handle all the function for the automation of the digital cutting
process.
The install software in on the CD do not need to install any driver , the CE6000Plus is
detected automatically.
For further details refer to the F-Mark Setup Userʼs manual.
The iMark software contains several parameters, most of them are used to set the proper
parameters for the different cutting mode.
Specific parts of the iMark software panel are dedicated to the optical camera and the
mechanical movement on the feeder.
１
２
３
４
５
６
７
８
９
1０
1１
1.Current camera view . 7.Special color panel.(Active when a magenta line is
2.Last optical measurement shot. used on the graphics file.)
3.Calibration commands 8.Die cutting panel.
4.Common commands area. 9.Compensation.
5.Preview area. 10.Mechanical movement adjusting of F-Mark.
11.More options(other functions)
6.Status bar.

- 2 -
Graphics layer:Layer on which only the label design are drawn.
When cutting labels with iMark software, it is recommended to create separate layers for each
graphics as shown below.
Graphics file design
Cut contour layer:Layer on which only contour shapes to be cut by F-Mark are drawn.
Crop Mark layer:Layer on which only crop marks are drawn.
When printing a label with printer, save the file the Graphics layer and Crop Mark layer enable
and print it.In this case, if save or print a file with Cut contour layer enabled, the cut contour
image will also printed, disable the Cut contour layer.
When cutting the contour of the labels with F-Mark, enable the Cut contour layer and Crop
Mark Layer and save the file name separately from the file name to be print.
These can be done with the function of enable and disable layers of Illustrator and Corel
Draw.
If edit a file saved in PDF format with and Illustrator or Corel Draw, the outer frame may
automatically generated as the border of the page. This outer frame is unnecessary for label
printing and label cutting and may cause of problem of iMark software, please delete it.

- 3 -
Layers for Printing
When printing a label with printer, save the file the Graphics layer and Crop Mark layer enable
and print it.
In this case, if save or print a file with Cut contour layer enabled, the cut contour image will also
printed, disable the Cut contour layer.

- 4 -
Layers for Cutting
When cutting the contour of the labels with F-Mark, enable the Cut contour layer and Crop Mark
Layer and save the file name separately from the file name to be print.
Disable the Graphics layer.
If using the “guidelines” function, hide the guidelines or delete it before saving the file.


- 5 -
Corel Draw Export
To save the cutting contour graphics with the Corel Draw, exporting it to EPS format.
When exporting,enable the check box of “Selection only ”, and select the contour and crop
marks and save them.
When saving cutting graphics with A3,SRA3,Extended A3,
save the graphics in horizontal (landscape) view.
iMark software is not necessary to use specific line widths or specific colors when creating
cutting line.
Make sure to set the crop marks at the bottom of the graphics.
iMark software supports all versions of Illustrator and Corel Draw.
iMark software the magenta lines will be treated specially.
Save file for Cutting
When saving cutting graphics with A4,
save the graphics in vertical (portal) view.
Adobe Illustrator export
To save the cutting contour graphics with the Illustrator,
enable the Cut contour layer and Crop Mark layer and save
with Illustrator 8 format.
When naming the cutting contour graphics file,
save it as a file name different from the printing graphics
file name as in the example below.
E.g. Printing graphics file:Label:ai
Cutting graphics file:Label_Contour.ai
NOTICE
iMark software cannot be load the file name of 2byte
characters,use the file name of alphabet and number.

- 6 -
The minimum distance between the crop mark and the printed graphics is 5 mm.
If the graphics is too close to the crop mark you can get the error:ʻMarker not foundʼ
Most of digital printer can print up to 5 mm from the border of the sheet, we suggest a minimum
distance of 6mm between the crop mark and the bottom border of the sheet.
Feeding direction
Minimum distance from the front edge to cutting line
Adhesive cut:20mm
(Recommended value:30mm)
Die cutting :25mm
(Recommended value:35mm)
Minimum distance from the top edge to cutting line
5mm (Recommended value:15mm)
Minimum distance from the rear end to cutting line
5mm (Recommended value:15mm)
Minimum distance from the front edge to
the crop marks:40mm
Square Crop Marks 4mm
Minimum distance from the rear end
to the crop marks:20mm
Minimum
distance
from the
bottom end to
the crop
marks :6 mm
Crop Marks position and Cutting area
Spacing between printed graphics
and Crop Marks
Minimum 6mm from the bottom end
Minimum 5mm from the graphics

- 7 -
Open a file for Cutting
１
２
３
1:The “File Open” button is load the Cutting data file into the iMark software.
If the cutting data file not saved in Illustrator 8 format, message of “Graphic file not saved
correctly” is displayed.
2:For the “First Marker” input the distance
from the front edge of media to the leftmost
crop mark. The of this value is about 5mm.
If the inputted value for the “Fist Marker” is
extremely different or the crop marks is not in
the center of the camera, the message “Marker
not found” will be displayed.
3:When press the “Open last job” button, the
cutting data file that used be last time is
displayed.
When available is reported beside.
“First Marker” distance

- 8 -
When loading the cutting data file in to the iMark software,
the directory in the computer of the loaded graphics file is
displayed in the Status bar.
When “Cutter off line”is displayed, the CE6000 is not
available. Make sure the power of CE6000 is on, and USB
cables are connected correctly. For details, refer to F-Mark
Setup Userʼs manual.
When “Load Media”is displayed, the CE6000Plus is
connected but preparation of CE6000Plus is not finished.
Rise the Set Lever of CE6000Plus, then press the”2”button
on the control panel of CE6000Plus. For details, refer to
F-Mark Setup Userʼs manual.
When “Cutter ready”is displayed, “Cut Test”
and “Start”button are available. Cut operation is possible.
When select “Cut Test” or “Stat”button,”F-Mark feeder off or
not connected software protection not connected” is
displayed,and F-Mark does not work.
Make sure that the the power of F-Mark is on, and USB
cables are connected correctly. For the details, refer to
F-Mark Setup Userʼs manual.
When “Could not run graph”is displayed the USB cable of
camera is may not connected to the USB Hub or multiple
application softwares are may running on the computer.
Make sure that the USB cable of the camera is connected
correctly and close the application softwares other than
iMark software.
Status and Error messages

- 9 -
Basic operations and settings
1.Brightness adjustment of the camera:when using media with high reflectance, adjust the
brightness of the camera by this button.
NOTICE: Do not use “Auto” button.
２.Adjustment of cutting position:Cutting position can move in X and Y direction by each
inputted value.
Input units:0.1mm, E.g. 1=0.１mm.
３.“Cutter width” is displayed the width of Push Roller of CE6000Plus.
４.“Pause”:When press “Pause” to stops the cutting. Pressing “Pause” button once, display is
changes from “Pause” to “Resume”. When press the “Resume” to restart the cutting.
NOTICE:
If press the “Pause” button during the cutting, the cutting will be stopped when the
current cutting is completed.
５.“Cut Test”:When press the “Cut Test” to starts one sheet of cuts.
NOTICE:
Make sure that the adjust the cutting position and cut force by performing the “Cut
Test” before continuous cutting.
The inputted values and changed parameter values are reflected when “Cut Test” is
performed.
１
2
3
4
5

- 10 -
6.”Cut force”:”Cut force” is can be change the cut force of Cutting Plotter.
NOTICE:
Setable range of “Cut force” varies depending on the type of cutting plotter which
connected to the F-Mark.
CE6000Plus :1 to 38.
CE6000 :1 to 31.
7.“Cut blank labels”:When check the “Cut blank labels”, the F-Mark can cutting with out reading
the crop marks.
NOTICE
Crop Marks are not read when cutting with this mode, but crop marks are required for
data of cutting contour graphics.
8.”Start”:The “Start” button lanches the cutting. And the number of cut sheet is displayed on
“Count”.
9.ʻEnter copiesʼ:When check the “Enter copies”, it can be input the number of copies in the
“Copies”. After inputting the number of copies, performed continuous cut by “Start” button,
cutting for the number of inputted in “Copies” will start.
NOTICE
If press “Start”button without checking “Enter copies”,and start cutting,the cutting will
continue until the media runs out.
６
７
８
９

- 11 -
Make sure that the to adjust the cutting positon and cut force by performing the “Cut Test”
before continuous cutting
When using labels media, perform the test cut to confirm that the length of the cutter blade
is correct and that the label is correctly peeled off from the media.
The cutter blade gradually wears out each time media cutting. After a lot cutting, please
check the cut quality.
When the cutter blade is new the cut force setting for an adhesive media may vary from 6
to 9.
If set the cut force higher than 14, the warning message is displayed as “Cut force to
high-Continue? ”when press the “Cut Test” or “Start”. It is an informative message, press
“OK”to continue. If using a standard adhesive media, when exceed the cut force of 14, it is
time to replace the cutter blade or at least to check if you have a spare on to replace soon.
NOTICE
For the how to set the Cutter Plunger to the Cutting Plotter CE6000Plus and how to
adjust the blade length of Cutter Plunger, refer to the Userʼs manual of CE6000Plus.
Precautions before Cutting

- 12 -
Print and Cut alignment
The Yadjustment next to the preview window
allows set the vertical direction of cutting position.
Increasing the Y move the cutting positon upwards.
Decreasing the Y move the cutting position
downwards.
The Xadjustment allows set the the horizontal
direction of cutting position.
Increasing the X move the cutting positon
rightwards.
Decreasing the X move the cutting position
Leftward.
The input unit is tenth of one mm
E.g. Inputted value is 10=1mm
The adjustment is necessary the first time install the F-Mark, and when changing the media size,media
type, cut design,and disconnect the F-Mark from the CE6000, and disconnect the iMark software.
When click the “Start” button, the inputted values for X adjustment and Y adjustment becomes “0” after
saving the inputted values.
Although the values of X adjustment and Y adjustment can be input during the cutting, the inputted
values becomes valid from next sheet.
E.g. If the result of cutting is 0.5 mm below the printed image as shown below, input the 5 to Y
adjustment and move the cutting position 0.5mm above.
NOTICE
Depending on the media types and performance of equipment, the adjustment values X and Y
may not be 1=0.1mm, adjust the adjustment values of X and Y depending on the cutting result.
Cutting line
Printed line

- 13 -
Calibration of the F-Mark
Perform the calibration of the F-Mark for correctly read the crop mark.
If disconnect the F-Mark from the CE6000Plus or change the operation computer, perform the
calibration of the F-Mark from the ʻCalibrationʼ button in the iMark software.
1
Lower the “Set Lever” of CE6000Plus, and load the “Calibration Sheet” into the CE6000Plus.
Then rise the “Set Lever” of CE6000Plus, and press the “2” button on the control panel
of CE6000Plus.
“2” button on the control panel
NOTICE
If finished using the accessory calibration sheet, the print data file ”caliblack.pdf” for
calibration sheet is included in the accessory CD. Print this data to the label media for
using the calibration of the F-Mark.
２
Set the Cutter Plunger to the CE6000Plus, and press the “Calibration” button in the iMark
software.
NOTICE
For the how to set the Cutter Plunger to the Cutting Plotter CE6000 Plus and how to
adjust the blade length of Cutter Plunger, refer to the Userʼs manual of CE6000Plus.
When perform the calibration of the F-Mark, attach the Cutter Plunger to the back
side position (for Adhesive Cutting).
Set Lever of CE6000Plus
When load the calibration sheet into the
CE6000Plus, load the calibration sheet at the
center of left and right Push Roller of
CE6000Plus
If the tip of calibration sheet is aligned with the
tip of F-Mark, the calibration sheet can be load
the straight into the CE6000Plus.
Back side：
for Adhesive Cutting
Cutter Plunger

- 14 -
s
3
Press the “Cut Marker” button in the iMark software.
Then Cutting Plotter cuts small square for the calibration.
４
Peel off the small square cut by CE6000Plus from the calibration sheet so that the white
square can be see.
NOTICE
Make sure that the “Enable” in the “Die
Cutting” is not checked when performing
the calibration.
NOTICE
If the cut square can not be peeled off
well from the calibration sheet or if the
cut square cut out from the calibration
sheet, please adjust the “Cut force” in the
iMark software,
or adjust the blade length of Cutter
Plunger.
*For the how to adjust the blade length of
Cutter Plunger,refer to the Userʼs manual
of CE6000Plus.

- 15 -
５
Press the “Read Marker” button in the iMark software, then the iMark software read the
calibration data. And press the “Set” button in the software, then the iMark software
saved calibration data.
(リードマーカー)ボタンを押して、キャリブレーションデータを読み込みます。
110
NOTICE
If “Read Maker” is performed while the
calibration sheet is reflecting by the
lighting in the room, the correct
calibration may not be performed, in this
case, please shade the camera part and
then perform “Read Maker”
NOTICE
When correct calibration is performed, the value of *90 to 120 is displayed in the “New
values Delta X” and the value of *95 to 135 is displayed in the “New values Delta Y”.
(*The values are ideal values, there are varies depending on the equipment.)
If values for Delta X and Delta Y are much different than the above ideal values,
the calibration was not performed correctly. Please calibration again.
110

- 16 -
６
Press the “X” button on the upper left on the Calibration window to close it,
and remove the calibration sheet from the cutting plotter and finish the calibration.
110
７
After calibration is finished,perform the “Test Cut” to check the calibration of the F-Mark
is correctly.
NOTICE
The calibration data is saved in the operation computer.
When change the operation computer, needs calibration with changed computer.
When USB cable connection was disconnected, needs calibration again.
When performed calibration under the strong lighting such as spotlight, calibration
may not be performed correctly.

- 17 -
Compensation
With the XY adjustment, you can reach the maximum precision on the
bottom part of the print.The digital printers are most cases affected by
some distortions, the optical detection of two crop marks, on our
system allows an high precision neat the crop marks, while some
supplemental setting is useful to compensate other distortion on the
print, the distortions are often constant for each printer.
L :The “L” parameter sets the cut positon in the upper left area.
Input units:0.1mm, Setable values:-30 to 30 (-3mm to 3mm).
R :The “R” parameter sets the cut position in the upper right area.
Input units:0.1mm, Setable values:-30 to 30 (-3mm to 3mm).
Height :The “Height” parameter expands the cut path on the height.
Input units:0.1mm, Setable values:-100 to 100 (-10mm to 10mm).
Width :The “Width” parameter expands the cut path on the width and when used cut
without the detection of the crop marks.
Input units:0.1mm, Setable values:-100 to 100 (-10mm to 10mm).
NOTICE:
Be sure to perform the “Cut Test” after inputted parameters to confirm the cut position.
In the above figure, the cutting position is shifted the upward and rightward from the printed
Position.
In this case,
inputted the -6 to “R”
and inputted -2 to “Height”.
-2
-6

- 18 -
Die Cutting
You can make the cutting on cardboard. Indicatively the usable paperweight goes
from 120 to 350 g/m2(35 to 80 lbs).thinner or thicker papers can be tested to
verify the usability.When use the die cutting you have to move the blade Cutter
Plunger in the front side of the Cutting Plotter,In this way, the blade works over
the specific when it perforates the sheet.
NOTICE:
For the how to set the Cutter Plunger to the Cutting Plotter CE6000 Plus
and how to adjust the blade length of Cutter Plunger, refer to the Userʼs
manual of CE6000Plus.
Enable :When perform the “Die Cutting”, put a check mark in “Enable”.
To change the values of “Cut Length” and “Attached”,uncheck “Enable”.
Cut Length :Length to cut with cutter.
Input units:0.1mm, Setable values:1 to 1000(0.1mm to 100mm).
Attach :Length to raise the cutter and leave it without cutting.
Input units:0.1mｍ, Setable values:1 to 100(0.1mm to 10mm).
Speed :It can be set the cut speed at “Die Cutting”.
Setable values :1 to 60 [cm/sec].
Recommended setting values :5 to 15 [cm/sec].
Pass :It can be set the number of times to “Die Cutting” repeatedly.
Setable values :1 to 3.
Cut force :It can be set the cut force at “Die Cutting”.
NOTICE: Setable range of “Cut force” varies depending on the type of
cutting plotter which connected to the F-Mark.
CE6000Plus :1 to 38.
CE6000 :1 to 31.
It can be reduced consumption of the cutter blade, if setting the “Cut Force”
less than 20 and setting the “Pass” to 2.
Cutter Plunger
Front side