Uninet iColor LF-600 User manual

USER MANUAL
Uninet LF-600
Digital die cutter for sheet labels
this product is certified:

iMark DIGITAL CUTTING SOFTWARE
The iMark software for the Gemini needs to be downloaded from our websites
www.dpr-srl.it / www.dpr-llc.com (section: GEMINI - download software)
Execute the installation’s program iMark-setup.
The setup’s program requires various conrmations for the installation of the program.
On some computers you could be asked the system administrator’s password to execute
the installation, in the case you do not have this information; contact the technician who
administrates the system.
During the installation, the iMark program icon is created on the desktop and a shortcut
in the Windows Start Menu.
INSTALLATION OF THE iMark SOFTWARE
This software has been designed to e󰀨ectively cut sheet labels.
There are also functions for the management of cross cut and hatch.
Allows users to import AI and EPS format les.
All les have to contain two reference marks.
The dedicated video camera connected to the software detects the crop mark in a fraction
of a second and adapts the cut path to the inclination and distortion of the print.
The software runs with the operating systems Windows 7, 8, 10.
Most of old Windows XP computers can be used, but not all of them.
The camera is connected to the computer through a USB port.

CUTTING PLOTTER START UP
After you turn on the cutter, you have to do the following:
1. Check and adjust the right pinch rollers position to adapt at the paper width.
2. The left pinch roller is in a xed position and doesn’t have to be moved, otherwise you
would receive an error message on the display of the plotter.
3. The relocation of the pinch roller must be made with the lever lowered.
4. Lift up the lever to engage the rollers.
5. Press Button #2 on the plotter’s control panel to activate plotter.
Left pinch roller Right pinch roller
Button #2 for the
reading of the sheet
Power button on
the left side
Adhesive cut position
Cross cut position
Lever raised engages
the pinch rollers
Lever lowered
releases the pinch roller
The blade holder can be
inserted in two dierent
positions

CABLE CONNECTIONS AND AIR ADJUSTMENT
The regulation of the vacuum force and the blowers speed are intended to avoid that more
than one sheet is picked up by the suction cups.
The adhesive paper does not require any attention, you can leave the blower speed at
minimum.
For thin or porous papers, it may be necessary to decrease the aspiration pressure
rotating counter clockwise.
If paper cardboards are not lifted by the suction cups you can increase the vacuum force
by rotating the suction adjustment counterclockwise.
The connections of the usb cable do not follow any given position, the mini usb cable ts
only in the side connector.
Main power supply
Calibration of Mini-USB
cable to the computer
suction vacuum
Side blowers adjustment
Mini-USB cable to the
computer
123
1. Internal USB
2. USB cable to the cutter
3. USB cable to the camera
Bottom view
Left roller should always
be on the lefmost position
Right roller
moves accordingly
with the paper width
Knob for setting
the paper width guides
Keep loose and
don’t press down
on the paper
Knob for setting
the paper width guides
Feeder power button
The position of the feeder changes
depending on the paper width
Front view

PINCH ROLLER POSITION
After adjusting the paper guides width with the knob, you have to insert manually one
sheet in order to verify the position under the pinch rollers.
Position the left and right pinch rollers to correspond with the width of the media. Adjust
the pinch rollers so that they are positioned above both the media and the grit rollers.
Position the pinch rollers within the grit roller position guides ensures that they are above
the grit rollers.
These settings have to be made with the plotter lever lowered.
Remove the sheet and lift up the lever to complete the operation.
An adhesive on the left gives an indicative position
for the border of the feeder for some formats.

iMark SOFTWARE PANEL LAYOUT
The iMark software allows to handle all the functions for the automation of the digital
cutting process.
It can import files saved in AI format from Adobe Illustrator and EPS format from
CorelDraw. Several options are available to set the proper cutting parameters.
Specifc parts of the software panel are dedicated to the optical camera and the
mechanical movement of the feeder.
1
3
5
6
4
7
8
9
10
2
1. Current camera view.
2. Last optical measurement shot.
3. Calibration commands.
4. Common commands area.
5. Preview area.
6. Status bar.
7. Compensation tool.
8. Special color panel. Active when a
magenta line is used on the graphics le.
9. Die cutting panel.
10. Mechanical movement adjusting.

GRAPHICS FILE DESIGN
It is advisable to organize the graphic design in dierent layers:
- One or more layers for the main graphics.
- One layer for the contour.
- One layer for the markers.
Before sending the file for printing you have to enable the graphics layer and the
marker layer.
Before you save the file for cutting you have to enable the contour layer and the
marker layer.
The most common error is to print all the layers including the contour layer that make the
prints unusable in most of cases.
Similar commands are available in Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw to enable and disable
the layers.
On the pictures in this page there is an external frame that shows the border of the sheet,
the frame was not designed and saved.
When you open in Illustrator or CorelDraw a le in PDF format, very often you find
an external frame on the graphics, you have do delete it to operate correctly with the
iMark software.
Graphics layer
Markers layerCut contour layer

LAYERS FOR PRINTING
In this example, the main graphics layers and the markers layer are active.
The cut contour layer is disabled. This drawing is ready for printing.
LAYERS FOR CUTTING
In this example, the main graphics layers are disabled.
The cut contour layer and the markers layer are active.
This drawing is ready for cutting.
If you used the guidelines, remember to hide or remove them before saving.

SAVE FILE FOR CUTTING
The graphics must be saved in horizontal (landscape) view.
You do not have to use a particular thickness
or color for the cut prole.
The lines in magenta color are treated
separately on iMark software.
The black marks must be objects at the
bottom of the graphics.
You can create the files in every version
of both Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw.
To save in A.I., see below:
Adobe illustrator export
In Adobe Illustrator, you have to save the
cut path and the black-marks in illustrator 8
format.
This le is for cut contour only, save it with
a di󰀨erent name to the main le containing
the full graphics.
e.g. complete graphic le: acme_labels.ai
cut le: acme_labels_contour.ai
Corel Draw Export
From CorelDraw you have to export in EPS
format.
You can export by using the option ‘Selection
only’ to save the contour and markers only.
Note the black mark minimum positions on the next diagram

BLACK MARKS POSITION AND CUTTING AREA
Minimum distance from the front side
0.79” (20mm) for adhesive cut
0.98” (25mm) for cross cut
Minimum distance of
the black-mark from
the front side 1.57”
(40mm)
Minimum distance of
the black-mark from the
rear side 0.79” (20mm)
The cutting path can even
touch the upper and rear side
at a distance of about 0.40”
(20mm) is preferable
Minimum distance from
the bottom side 0.24”
(6mm)
Black-mark square 0.16” (4mm).
Feeding direction

OPEN A FILE FOR CUTTING
The minimum distance between the black
mark and the printed graphics is 5mm
(0.2”).
If the graphics is too close to the black-mark
you can get the error: “Marker not found”.
Most of digital printer can print up to
5mm (0.2”) from the border of the sheet,
we suggest a minimum distance of 6mm
(0.23”) between the black mark and the
bottom border of the sheet.
1. The “File Open” button is placed centrally on the software panel.
If a file in AI format has not been saved in Illustrator 8 format you get the message:
“Graphic file not saved correctly”
2. The “First Marker” value is the distance between the side of the left marker to the
border of the sheet. This setting accepts a tolerance of about 5mm (0.2”), if the value is
completely wrong the first marker does not stop in a central position under the camera. In
that case you get the error: “Marker not found”
3. The button “Open last jobs” is a shortcut to open the last file used in a previous
session. The name of the last file, when available, is listed.
1
2
3
5mm minimum from the graphics
6mm minimum from the bottom border
First marker distance

STATUS AND ERROR MESSAGES
If you get the message “Cutter o line!” it means that the cutting plotter is not available at
all. Then turn on the plotter and make sure that the USB cable is connected to proceed.
If you get the message “Load Media” it means that the cutting plotter is connected but it is
not ready to use, there is the message “Load media” on the display of the plotter.
You have to raise the media lever and press button #2 on the cutting plotter panel.
When “Cutter ready” is displayed the “Cut Test” and “Start” buttons are enabled.
After you have loaded a file for cutting, on the status bar changes and there you find
the name of the current job and the status of the cutting plotter.
When you press the button “Cut test” or “Start” and you get the message error: “ddcutter
not connected”.
You have to turn on the switch of the feeder, and check that the green light on the switch
is on. If you continue to have this message check the USB connection.
The error message “Could not run Graph” is possible if the camera is not connected to
the computer. You get the same error if you try to run more sessions of the software.
When you check the USB connection you have to verify that the camera is connected to
the USB hub and the USB cable is properly connected on the computer and on the hub
side. The same error is possible if you try to open multiple sessions of the software.

BASIC OPERATIONS AND SETTINGS
1. The camera brightness adjustments may be useful when operating on critical luminosity
condition.
2. Fine adjustment of the cut position, the values are in tenth of millimeters.
3. This is the maximum cutting width it depends on the position of the push rollers on the
cutting plotter.
4. The “Cut blank labels” option allows to cut without reading the black marks. You have
to put the black marks on the graphics even though they are not read.
5. The “Pause” button stops temporarily the job you can press the same button that
become “Resume” to continue the job.
6. The “Cut Test” button allows to cut a single sheet for test, allows you to adjust the cut
force and the alignment between the graphic and the cut path before you execute the
work.
7. The “Cut force” value sets the pressure of the blade on the cutting plotter.
8. The “Start” button launches the work and counts the labels cut on the “Count” box.
9. If you select the “Enter copies” option you can enter the number of copies to execute
on the “Copies” box.
2
2
6
7
8
5
3
4
1
9

It is strongly recommended to use the “Cut test” button before the automatic execution of
the work.
You may check the cut alignment and the cutting force.
Since the blades is consumed gradually during the work, you have to set a cut force for a
neat cut of the adhesive media.
You should verify that the label peel to perfectly and that the blade has just slightly
pressed on the liner.
When you are cutting hundreds or thousands of sheets, remember check the cut quality
when you put a new load of sheets on the feeder.
When the blade is new the cut force setting for an adhesive media may vary from 6 to 9.
If you set a force higher than 14 you get an message warning when you press “Cut test”
or “Start” : Cut force too high - Continue ?
It is an informative message, you can press “OK” to continue.
If you are using a standard adhesive media, when you exceed a cut force of 14, it is time
to replace the blade or at least to check if you have a spare one to replace soon.

PRINT AND CUT ALIGNMENT
The Y adjustment next to the preview allows you to set
the vertical position of the cut line
By increasing the Y you move the cutting upwards.
By decreasing the Y you move the cutting downwards.
The X adjustment allows you to set up the horizontal
position of the cut line
By increasing the X you move the cutting rightwards.
By decreasing the X you move the cutting leftwards.
The change of position is in tenths of a millimeter. The
adjustment is necessary the first time you install the
cutter.
When you press the “Start” button the values are
memorized and the following adjustments start from
a “zero” value.
Small variation can be inserted also during the
processing; every variation will be eective from the
next sheet.
i.e. In case your plotting job is
0.5mm lower than your desired cut
job, enter 5 on the Y box to move it
higher.
The “Calibration” button allow a cut-peel-measure procedure to find the proper
alignment between printed graphics and cut path. You have to insert manually one
of the black adhesive sheets provided.
Lower the media lever, insert manually the sheet , rise the lever and press the key #2 on
the panel.
If the black adhesive sheets for the calibration procedure were not available you can print the file caliblack.pdf available
among the sample files.
The sheet must be in a central position
between the push rollers.
You can align it with the edge of the
feeder to keep it straight.

Press the “Calibration” button
When you press “Cut Marker” the plotter
cuts a small square.
Remove the small square adhesive to
expose the white liner
Press the ”Read Marker” button to read the
calibration values
When you press “Set” you store the values
that are specic for the camera installed on
your plotter.
When you have finished you can
remove the calibration sheet you have to
rise the media lever, press the key #2 on
the panel then you can cut a sample sheet
to check the alignment.

COMPENSATION
With the XY adjustment, you can reach the maximum precision on the bottom part of the
print.
The digital prints are in most cases effected by some distortions, the optical detection
of two black marks, on our system allows an high precision near the black marks,
while some supplemental setting is useful to compensate other distortion on the print.
The distortions are often constant for each printer.
The L parameter sets the cut position in the upper left area.
The R parameter sets the cut position in the upper right area.
The “Height parameter” expands the cut path on the height.
The measurements are in tenths of a millimeter.
You have to cut a test sheet and check the distance between the cut and print on the
upper part. The parameter Width expands the cut path on the width and is used when you
cut without the detection of the black marks.
In the picture the cut path on the upper part of the print is too low and shifted to the right on
the upper right corner. In this case you have to set 2 on the Height box and -6 on the R box.
L R
High
Width

DIE CUTTING
You can make the die cutting on cardboard. Indicatively
the usable paperweight goes from 120 to 350 grams
(35 to 80 lbs). Thinner or thicker papers can be tested
to verify the usability.
To use the die cutting you have to move the blade
holder in the outermost position.
In this way, the blade works over the specic groove
when it perforates the sheet.
The “Cut Length” parameter identies the measure
where the blade perforates completely the paper.
The “Attach” parameter is the part where the blade
rises without cutting.
The values are expressed in tenths of a millimeter, in
the following example, the stretch of the die cutting is
35mm, and the bridge attach is 0,3mm.
Select the “Enable” check box for die cutting.
To modify the parameters you have to disable the die cut then make the modications.
Select “Enable” again to conrm.
The speed has to be set on a low value range, from 5 to 15, so you do not stress the
blade too much, it will not inuence the speed of use with the adhesive cut, that remains
unchanged.
It is preferable to use two passes, it allows you to use a lower cut force (below 20); you
get a cleaner cut and less blade wear.
After any changes you have to press “Cut Test” for the first sheet, it allows you to check
the cut quality and it sets all the parameter on the plotter.
If you have to cut thin cardboard, leave 3 or more centimeters between the push roller
and the cut path so the remaining paper is strong enough to transmit the movement of
the sheet.

SPECIAL COLOR PANEL
The “Special Color” panel allows a separate management for the lines in magenta color
on the graphics le.
When you use the pure magenta outline in your graphic it is recognized by the
iMark software and the “Special color” panel is enabled, on the preview it is drawn in
magenta while all the other colors are drawn in black.
The MAGENTA color is cut before the rest of the graphics, Speed and Cut force are
settled separately.
The special color can be processed in different
modes: Dashed line
Plain cut
Blade creasing
If used as Dashed line you can set the spacing. Cut
Length is the section of the line cut by the blade. The
gap is the part of the line where the blade rises up.
In this sample a dashed line is cut on a label for a
fruit jam jar.
It allows to rip easily the label when opening.
For this job enable the Die cutting option and place
the blade holder on the outermost position so you can
avoid to damage the cutting mat.
The dashed line is used as folding line in a couple of
boxes. It is cut before of the die cut.

SPECIAL COLOR ‘PLAIN CUT’
When the “Special color” is used as “Plain Cut” you cut adhesive paper the blade works
along the cutting mat you have to fine adjust the cut force to avoid to damage to the
cutting mat.
This kind of job could be otherwise worked in two phases:
First cut the label contour,
then reinsert the sheets on the feeder,
move the blade holder on the die cut position
The small labels with magenta contour are cut
rst.
Then the die cutting pass allows to separate
the sheets.
MOST IMPORTANT:
The Magenta Lines must be 100% MAGENTA.