GRAPHTEC FCX4000 SERIES User manual

USER’S MANUAL
MANUAL NO.FCX4000-UM-151
FCX4000 SERIES
CUTTING PLOTTER

i
TO ENSURE SAFE AND CORRECT USE
•To ensure the safe and correct use of your machine, read this manual thoroughly prior to use.
•After reading this manual, keep it in a handy location for quick reference as necessary.
•Do not allow small children to touch the machine.
•The following describes important points for safe operation. Be sure to observe them strictly.
Conventions Used in This Manual
To ensure the safe and accurate use of the machine as well as to prevent human injury and property
damage, the safety precautions provided in this manual are ranked in the three categories described below.
Their display and meaning is as following. Be sure to gain a full understanding of the meaning of them before
reading the Manual.
DANGER
This category provides information that, if ignored,
is highly likely to cause fatal or serious injury to the
operator.
WARNING
This category provides information that, if ignored, is
likely to cause fatal or serious injury to the operator.
CAUTION
This category provides information that, if ignored,
could cause injury to the operator or damage to the
machine.
Description of Safety Symbols
The symbol indicates information that requires careful
attention (including warnings). The specic point requiring
attention is described by an illustration or text within or next
to the symbol.
The symbol indicates an action that is prohibited. Such
prohibited action is described by an illustration or text within
or next to the symbol.
The symbol indicates an action that must be performed.
Such imperative action is described by an illustration or text
within or next to the symbol.

I
Preface
Thank you for choosing a Graphtec FCX4000 Series cutting plotter.
The FCX4000 Series cutting plotters employ a digital servo drive system to achieve high-speed and high-
precision cutting.
To ensure high cutting quality and optimal productivity, be sure to read this User's Manual thoroughly prior to use.
Notes on this Manual
(1) No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by
any means, without the prior written permission of Graphtec Corporation.
(2) The product specications and other information in this manual are subject to change without notice.
(3) While every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information, please contact your sales
representative or nearest Graphtec vendor if you nd any unclear or erroneous information or wish to make
other comments or suggestions.
(4) Not with standing the stipulations in the preceding paragraph, Graphtec Corporation assumes no liability for
damages resulting from either the use of the information contained herein or the use of the product.
Registered Trademarks
All names of companies, brands, logotypes, and products appearing in this manual are the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Copyright
This User's Manual is copyrighted by Graphtec Corporation.

II
Special Precautions on Handling Blades
Sharp cutter blades are used with this plotter. Handle the cutter blades and plungers with care to prevent bodily
injury.
The cutter blade must be discarded correctly according to local regulations/laws.
Cutter Blades
Cutter blades are very sharp. While handling a cutter blade or cutter pen, be careful to avoid cutting your ngers
or other parts of your body. Promptly return used blades to the cutter case provided.
Blade tip
When the case is completely lled, discard the used blades together with the case.
Cutter Plungers
The tip consists of a sharp blade. Be sure not to extend it too far. Moreover, when you are not using the cutter
plunger, make sure that the blade is fully retracted.
Cutter blade
After Mounting the Cutter Pen
After the power has been turned on, and during operation, do not touch the pen tip. It is dangerous.

III
After Turning on the Cutting Plotter
During operations, immediately after completion of operations, and when setting the cutting plotter functions,
the pen carriage, Y bar, and other parts which are not xed, may move suddenly. Do not let your hands, hair, or
clothing get too close to the moving parts or within their range of movement. Do not place any foreign objects in
or near these areas either. If your hands, hair, clothing, or the like get caught in, or wrapped around moving parts,
you may be injured and the machine may be damaged.
Machine Caution Label
The following Warning Label is located on this cutting plotter. Please observe all the warning on the label.
Precautions for electrostatic panel
If you accidentally cut the electrostatic panel surface, you may get an electric shock.
In this case, contact your sales representative or nearest Graphtec vendor.
Although you may feel rubber smell, it is not a malfunction of the product. As you use it, the smell gradually
reduces.
There may be the bloom on the surface of the electrostatic panel. In this case, wipe the panel surface gently with
a dry, soft cloth.
Be careful not to adhere the neutral detergent to the panel surface. If it adheres, electrostatic adsorption is
decreased or lost.

IV
About the words and phrases in this text
• In this instruction manual, the word "plot" refers to operating the machine and using either the plotting pen or the
cutter plunger to cut.
• In this instruction manual, the word "media" refers to paper, roll media, sheet media, or marking lm.
Prior to use
Be sure to read the attached TO ENSURE SAFE AND CORRECT USE prior to use. Otherwise, it may cause an
unexpected accident or re.
Precautions when using the curled media
If the media oats, secure the four corners using a drafting tape.
When the media is oating, if the plunger tip (cutter blade or ballpoint pen) has contact with it, it can affect the
nish quality.
Or, the cutting plotter body might be damaged.
Please x the warping of the media, or do not use the warped media.

V
Installation Space
Please secure a space for installation as according to the below illustration.
CAUTION
• Leavesufcientspaceforoperationsinfrontofandbehindthecuttingplotter.
• Wheninstallingonadeskorthelike,pleaseuseadeskwithsufcientstrength.Shakeofthedeskatthetimeofoperation
canaffectthenishquality.
100mm
500mm
600mm 600mm

VI
WARNING
The United States Federal Communications Commission has specied that the following notice must be
brought to the attention of users of this product.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation
of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.
USE SHIELDED CABLES
To comply with FCC Class A requirements, all external data interface cables and connectors must be
properly shielded and grounded. Proper cables and connectors are available from GRAPHTEC’s authorized
dealers or manufacturers of computers or peripherals. GRAPHTEC is not responsible for any interference
caused by using cables and connectors other than those recommended or by unauthorized changes or
modications to this equipment. Unauthorized changes or modications could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.

C-1
CONTENTS
TO ENSURE SAFE AND CORRECT USE.........................................i
Preface ....................................................................I
Notes on this Manual ..........................................................I
Registered Trademarks.........................................................I
Copyright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I
Special Precautions on Handling Blades .......................................II
Cutter Blades ...............................................................II
Cutter Plungers.............................................................. II
After Mounting the Cutter Pen ..................................................II
After Turning on the Cutting Plotter............................................III
Machine Caution Label......................................................III
Precautions for electrostatic panel............................................III
About the words and phrases in this text.......................................IV
Prior to use................................................................IV
Precautions when using the curled media ......................................IV
Installation Space...........................................................V
WARNING..................................................................VI
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT ...............................VI
USE SHIELDED CABLES......................................................VI
Chapter 1: Product Summary
1.1 CheckingtheAccessories..............................................1-2
Accessories ...............................................................1-2
1.2 Nomenclature ........................................................1-3
1.3 ConnectingtotheComputer............................................1-4
Chapter 2: Preparing to Cut
2.1 PreparationofCutterPlunger...........................................2-2
Cutter Plunger Nomenclature ...................................................2-2
Structure of Cutter Plunger .....................................................2-3
Adjusting the Blade Length....................................................2-4
2.2 AttachingaTool ......................................................2-5
Attaching a Tool ..............................................................2-5
Removing the tool ............................................................2-6
2.3 HowtoUsetheControlPanel...........................................2-7
Indicator Lamp ...............................................................2-7
Control key..................................................................2-7
Reading the Screen (LCD)......................................................2-8
Contents of Operation from Menu Screen .........................................2-10
Contents of Operation from [COND/TEST] Key ....................................2-11
2.4 LoadingtheMedia ...................................................2-12
2.5 ConnectingtothePower..............................................2-13

C-2
2.6 AbouttheInitialSetupScreen .........................................2-15
2.7 SelectingToolCondition..............................................2-16
LCD Display ..............................................................2-16
Selecting the tool condition number ............................................2-16
Setting the Tool Condition .....................................................2-18
Setting the Tool .............................................................2-19
Setting the Creasing Mode ...................................................2-20
Setting the Speed ...........................................................2-23
Setting the Force ............................................................2-24
Setting the Acceleration.......................................................2-25
Setting the Assign Tool .......................................................2-26
Adjust the Blade Length.......................................................2-27
2.8 RunningCuttingTests................................................2-28
Cutting Test ................................................................2-28
To make 1 cut with set value..................................................2-28
To make 3 cuts with set value and ±1 of set value .................................2-29
Conrm the Results of the Cutting Test ...........................................2-30
Adjustment of Offset ........................................................2-30
Adjustment for Half Cutting...................................................2-30
Adjustment for Cutting Out ...................................................2-30
Adjustment When Using Plotting Pen...........................................2-30
Adjust the Blade Length (Blade Length Adjustment by the cutting plotter) ................2-31
2.9 DisplayCuttingArea.................................................. 2-34
Chapter 3: Basic Operations
3.1 RaiseorLowertheTool................................................3-2
3.2 MovetheToolCarriage.................................................3-3
Move in Steps Manually........................................................3-3
Continuously Move Manually....................................................3-3
Setting of Step Movement Distance ..............................................3-4
Move Away the Tool Carriage ...................................................3-5
Change the Cutting Condition (Condition No.) ......................................3-6
Reset (Revert to the initial state when the power was turned on.)........................3-6
3.3 SettingtheOriginPoint................................................3-7
When Coordinate Axes Rotation are Set...........................................3-8
Setting Origin Point When HP-GL is Set ...........................................3-9
3.4 SettingtheCuttingDirection...........................................3-10
3.5 StopCutting ........................................................3-12
Pause and Resume Cutting ....................................................3-12
Stop Cutting ................................................................3-13
Chapter 4: Convenient Functions
4.1 SettingsforCutting ...................................................4-2
Setting Cutting Area...........................................................4-2
Setting Mirror ................................................................4-4
Set the enlarge/shrink scale (Scale) ..............................................4-5
4.2 Copy(DuplicateCutting)...............................................4-7
When Cutting Data Has No Registration Mark .....................................4-7
When Cutting Data Has Registration Marks.......................................4-9

C-3
4.3 DualConguration...................................................4-12
Selecting the user ...........................................................4-12
Chapter 5: ARMS (AdvancedRegistrationMarkSensingSystem)
5.1 OutlineofARMS......................................................5-2
Shape (Pattern) of the Registration Mark ..........................................5-2
Scan Range Necessary to Sense the Registration Mark ..............................5-3
Position of the Origin Point and the Registration Mark ................................5-5
Cutting area when adjusting the regisitaration mark ..................................5-6
Automatic sensed of registration mark position......................................5-6
Media That Registration Mark Cannot be Sensed....................................5-7
5.2 SettingandAdjustmentofARMS........................................5-8
Setting MARK SCAN MODE and Numbers ........................................5-8
Setting Shape (Pattern) of Registration Mark ......................................5-13
Setting Distance Adjustment Between the Registration Marks .........................5-15
Setting Registration Mark Size .................................................5-17
Setting Mark Distance ........................................................5-18
Setting Offset Between the Registration Mark and Cutting Origin Point ..................5-20
Adjusting for the Registration Mark Scan Position ..................................5-23
Adjust After Plotting the Adjustment Registration Mark .............................5-23
Sense the Registration Mark for Adjustment on the Media and Enter the Value. . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Adjusting the Sensor Level ....................................................5-29
Setting the registration mark automatic sensing ....................................5-31
Setting Speed of the Registration Mark Scan ......................................5-32
Setting the Scanning Method When Registration Marks are Scanned ("ISM"/"NORMAL") ...5-33
Setting Scan Step When Registration Marks Are Scanned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-34
Manually Adjusting the Sensor Level (Threshold Value) ..............................5-36
Test the Registration Mark Sensor ..............................................5-38
5.3 SettingthePositionUsingARMS.......................................5-40
Adjust with 2 POINTS ....................................................... 5-40
Adjust with 3 POINTS ........................................................5-42
Adjust with 4 POINTS ....................................................... 5-43
Adjust Automatically. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Adjust Manually ............................................................ 5-46
Chapter6:ManualPositionAdjust
6.1 OutlineofManualPositionAdjust .......................................6-2
Setting of MARK SCAN MODE and Number of Adjustment Marks ......................6-2
6.2 ManualPositionAdjust ................................................6-3
Chapter 7: Setting Regarding Cutting Quality
7.1 Tocutthecornerofthickmediasharply..................................7-2
Outline of Tangential Mode .....................................................7-2
Setting the Tangential Mode ....................................................7-3
Setting the Length of Overcut ...................................................7-4
Setting the Initial Down Force ...................................................7-6
7.2 SettingtheStepPass..................................................7-8
7.3 SettingtheOffsetAngle...............................................7-10

C-4
7.4 SettingtheDistanceAdjust............................................7-12
7.5 SettingCutLine .....................................................7-14
7.6 SettingtheInitialBladeAnglePosition..................................7-18
7.7 SettingsforOFFSETFORCE...........................................7-20
7.8 SettingtheOverlayCutFunction .......................................7-21
7.9 SettingtheToolOffsetAdjust..........................................7-23
Chapter 8: Settings Regarding Cutting Time
8.1 SortingtheCuttingData ...............................................8-2
8.2 SettingtheToolUpMove...............................................8-4
8.3 SettingtheToolUpSpeed..............................................8-6
8.4 SettingtheToolUpHeight..............................................8-8
Chapter 9: Setting Regarding Interface
9.1 SettingtheInterface...................................................9-2
USB Interface................................................................9-2
Network (LAN) interface .......................................................9-2
RS-232C Interface ............................................................9-3
9.2 ClearingtheBufferMemory ............................................9-4
9.3 I/F(LAN).............................................................9-5
Set the DHCP ..............................................................9-5
Set IP address, Subnet Mask and Gateway .......................................9-7
9.4 WhenConnectingtheRS-232CInterface.................................9-10
Switching Setting Numbers ..................................................9-10
Changing and Storing RS-232C Settings ........................................9-11
Chapter 10: Setting Regarding Operation Environment
Related to Menu Display ......................................................10-2
Display Language Setting (LANGUAGE SELECTION) .............................10-2
Setting the Display Length Unit (LENGTH UNIT) ..................................10-3
Related to Plotter Environment .................................................10-4
Enabling/Disabling the Beep Setting (BEEP FOR KEY OPERATION) .................10-4
Setting the force (SWITCHING XY FORCE) .....................................10-5
Setting the position key low speed (POSI. KEY SPEED + SLOW KEY) ................10-6
Setting the position key high speed (POSI. KEY SPEED) ...........................10-7
Setting the display of the position key (TOOL POSITION)...........................10-8
Setting the pause key (PAUSE/MENU KEY SETTING) .............................10-9
Setting the user key (USER KEY SETTING) ....................................10-10
Setting the draft mode (DRAFT MODE)........................................10 -11
Chapter 11: Settings of Controls from Computer
Related to Command Processing ...............................................11-2
Setting the Command (COMMAND)............................................11-2
Priority of Tool Condition Selection (CONDITION PRIORITY) ........................11-3
Enabling/Disabling the Condition Select Command (TOOL SELECT COMMAND)........11-4
Related to GP-GL Command...................................................11-5
Setting the Step Size (GP-GL STEP SIZE).......................................11-5

C-5
Enabling/Disabling the ' : ' and ' ; ' Commands (COMMAND ' : ', ' ; ') ..................11- 6
Moving the Pen While Raised or Lowered in Response to the 'W' Command
(COMMAND 'W')...........................................................11-7
Related to HP-GL Command ...................................................11-8
Model ID Response (HP-GL MODEL EMULATED) ................................11- 8
Setting the Circle-Command Resolution (CIRCLE RESOLUTION) ....................11-9
Chapter12:OfineOutput
12.1 OfineOutputfromUSBMemory.......................................12-2
12.2 OutputwithaBarCode ...............................................12-4
Chapter 13: Maintenance
13.1 DailyMaintenance....................................................13-2
Daily Maintenance ...........................................................13-2
Storing the Cutting Plotter .....................................................13-2
13.2 ReplacingCutterBlade ...............................................13-3
13.3 CleaningtheCutterPen...............................................13-5
13.4 ReplacingtheCutterPlunger ..........................................13-6
13.5 SettingtheAlarmforDegreeofWear(BLADEWEARALARM)...............13-7
Chapter 14: Troubleshooting
14.1 Troubleshooting.....................................................14-2
When the Plotter Does Not Operate After Turning the Power On .......................14-2
When It Does Not Work Right ..................................................14-3
When the Cutting Result is Not Good ............................................14-4
Error Messages in GP-GL Command Mode .......................................14-5
Error Messages in HP-GL Command Mode .......................................14-6
ARMS Error Messages .......................................................14-8
Other Error Messages .......................................................14-11
Caution Message...........................................................14-14
14.2 PrintingtheSettingoftheCuttingPlotter...............................14-15
14.3 PlottingtheTestPattern..............................................14-17
14.4 PlottingtheCUTTINGPRO ...........................................14-19
14.5 ConrmingtheCuttingData ..........................................14-21
14.6 PlottingtheSampleCutPattern.......................................14-23
14.7 SelfDiagnosticTest.................................................14-25
Reading the Error Message...................................................14-26
Appendix
A.1 MainSpecications ...................................................A-2
A.2 Supplies............................................................ A-3
Supplies ................................................................. A-3
Option ................................................................... A-3

C-6
A.3 ExternalDimensions ................................................. A-4
FCX4000-50ES............................................................ A-4
FCX4000-60ES............................................................ A-5
FCX4000-60ES (With option stand) ............................................ A-6
A.4 MenuTree ...........................................................A-7
A.5 Defaultmenusetting .................................................A-14
INDEX ..................................................I-1

1-1
Chapter 1: Product Summary
This chapter explains how to connect this device your computer.
PRODUCT SUMMARY
1.1 CheckingtheAccessories
1.2 Nomenclature
1.3 ConnectingtotheComputer

1-2
1.1 Checking the Accessories
Accessories
Item Q'ty Item Q'ty
Power cable 1 pc. USB cable 1 pc.
DVD
• Various software
• User's Manual (pdf)
1 pc. TO ENSURE SAFE AND CORRECT USE
SETUP MANUAL
Cutter Blade Manual
1 set
Cutter plunger (PHP33-CB15N-HS) 1 pc. Cutter blades (CB15U-1) 1 pc.
Water-based ber-tip pen adapter (PHP31-FIBER)
* Plunger/Height adjustment tool.
1 set Water-based ber-tip pen (KF700-BK [1P])) 1 pc.
Cutter blade adjustment magnier (PM-CT-001) 1 pc.
* Other guide for the accessory may be attached.

1-3
1.2 Nomenclature
(10) Network interface
connector
(8) USB interface connector
(9) RS-232C interface connector
(11) USB memory
dedicated port
(1) Control panel
(5) CHART HOLD key
(6) Tool carriage
(4) Writing panel
(7) Y bar
(3) AC line inlet
(2) Power switch
(1) Control panel .................................Used to access various cutting plotter functions.
(2) Power switch .................................Used to turn the cutting plotter on and off.
(3) AC line inlet ...................................Inlet where the power cable is connected.
(4) Writing panel .................................Cutting/Plotting/Creasing work is performed on the panel.
(5) CHART HOLD key ........................Lamp lights up when the [CHART HOLD] key is pressed, you can see
that the electrostatic adsorption is functioning. Lamp is turned off by
pressing again, the electrostatic adsorption is released.
(6) Tool carriage .................................Part to drive the cutter/pen.
(7) Y bar .............................................Holds the tool carriage; moves left/right.
(8) USB interface connector ...............Used to connect the cutting plotter to the computer with a USB interface
cable.
(9) RS-232C interface connector .......Used to connect the cutting plotter to the computer with a RS-232C
interface cable.
(10) Network (LAN) interface connector ..The connector used when connecting this cutting plotter with the
network (LAN)interface cable.
(11) USB memory dedicated port .......The port that is used only for the USB memory.

1-4
1.3 Connecting to the Computer
Connect the plotter to the computer using the communication cable. Use either the USB interface, the RS-232C
interface or network (LAN) interface to connect the plotter to the computer. Select the port depending on the
specication of the software to be used and the availability of the interface port on the computer.
Please install the drive software before connecting.
Depending on the port used, use either the USB cable (standard accessories), the RS-232C cable (sold
separately) or network (LAN) cable (sold separately) to connect. Use the cables specied by Graphtec, matching
the computer that is to be connected.
Connection
1 Make sure that the power switch is turned off (“ ” side).