Valiani Astra 120 User guide

VALIANI Astra
Use and Maintenance
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INDEX
CONFORMITY STATEMENT 2
PREFACE 4
1 INTRODUCTION 4
1.1 W ARRANTY CONDITIONS 4
2 WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS 5
2.1 G ENERAL TERMS 5
2.2 S AFETY STANDARDS 6
3 GENERAL INFORMATION 6
3.1 M ACHINE DESCRIPTION 6
3.2 T ECHNICAL DATA 6
3.3 I NSTALLATION AND TERMS OF USE 7
3.4 T RANSPORTATION 7
3.4.1 Transportation and handling instructions 7
4 INSTALLATION 8
5 USE/OPERATION 10
5.1 M ACHINE USE 10
5.2 S ETTING THE BLADE DEPTH 11
5.2.1 Bevel Cutting 12
5.2.2 Changing the blades 12
5.3 M AINTENANCE AND REPAIR 13
6 FAULT FINDING/ERRORS 13
7 SPARE PARTS 16
MANUAL DELIVERY LETTER 25

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CONFORMITY STATEMENT
Constructor : VALIANI
Via delle Regioni 305/307/309 – 50052 Certaldo FI ITALIA
Manual mat (mountboard) cutter machine denominated ASTRA.
I FRANCO VALIANI undersigned owner of the manufacturing company declare under
my own responsibility that the machine to which this manual refers complies with:
- Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery (D.L. 17/2010).
Certaldo, FI December 2001 Stamp and Signature

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Preface
The assembly, use and maintenance standards that are described in this manual will ensure the machine’s best
long lasting performance.
We suggest you to read and follow the instructions carefully before starting the machine.
We are available to offer you all the assistance that you may require and we also wish to remind you that the non-
observance of the instructions included in this manual will entail the loss of warranty.
The company reserves its right to carry out modifications in order to improve machine functioning.
For further details or any problem, please contact our company
CEE standards
This manual has been written in accordance with the regulations of the CEE DIRECTIVE 89/392-91/368-93/44-
93/68 as indicated in the machine design definition, the use instructions are an integral part of the machine.
The criteria used for writing comply with the regulations of the EN –192 EUROPEAN STANDARD and in
particular, point 1.7.4 89/392 "USE INSTRUCTIONS" (instructions, general requirements and nature of the
instructions).
THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN THIS MANUAL ARE ADDRESSED TO THE USERS
The instructions reported in this manual are important for your safety. They are
identified differently according to the risk factor.
ATTENTION ! This type of warning indicates a recall to the implementation of safety practices, or it calls attention
to unsafe behaviors that could cause personal injury.
Identification plate

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Machine user obligations
Legislative decree N°626-Implementation of directiv e 89/391 CEE regarding the improvement of workers’
safety and health in the workplace
Art.5
Workers’ obligations
Point 2
2b) Workers must use machinery, equipment, tools, dangerous substances and compounds, means of
transportation and work equipment, as well as safety devices, correctly;
2c) they must use the protective devices placed at their disposal correctly;
2d) they must immediately inform their employer, the manager or appointed head of the malfunctioning
deficiencies of the means and devices listed in points b) and c), as well as of other possible dangerous conditions
that they discover, endeavoring, in the case of an emergency, within their area of expertise and possibilities, to
directly eliminate or reduce such deficiencies and dangers, informing the workers’ safety representative;
2e) they must not remove or modify the safety, signaling or control devices without authorization;
2f) they must not carry out operations or maneuvers on their own initiative that are not within their area of
expertise or that might place their own safety or that of other workers at risk;
1 INTRODUCTION
Astra was conceived and produced by Valiani as a manual matcutter for matboard of varying thickness from 1.25
mm to 3mm. It is extremely easy to use and entirely manual.
1.1 Warranty conditions
Our Company guarantees that its products are built in an efficient manner and that they do not have defects in
manufacturing and materials.
This warranty is valid for a year starting from the date of purchase, if the “Warranty coupon” is sent filled out in its
entirety within 10 days from the setting at work of the machine. The warranty is limited to free of charge
replacement or repair of the part which, within the above-mentioned time, shall be returned to us free of charge
and if we find it to actually be defective in materials and/or manufacturing. Any other direct or indirect damage is
not included in the warranty. In particular, the failure of our products whenever their lack of or defective operation
can be attributed to incorrect installation or to negligent or improper use is not included in the warranty and is not
our responsibility (except for replacement or repair of defective parts under the terms and conditions mentioned
above). The manpower necessary to carry out the part’s removal and reinstallation (or equivalent credit) is not
included in the warranty. Before returning goods to VALIANI, contact our offices for authorization.
VALIANI will supply the spare parts whenever technical assistance is requested. Transfers, board and lodging for
the personnel used and fees per hour will have to be paid separately.
N.B.: the descriptions and illustrations in this manual are solely suggestions. For more
detailed information, please contact our sales office. VALIANI reserves the right to make
modifications to the products that it deems necessary at any time and without warning.

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!!! ATTENTION !!!
COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS COUPON WITHIN 10 DAYS FROM
INSTALLING THE MACHINE.
WARRANTY COUPON AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE MANUAL
Model _______________________ Serial
N°__________________________________________
Company______________________________________________________________________
Street_________________________________________________________________________
Z.I.P. Code________________________City__________________________________________
Date of Purchase_____________ Retailer
Signature
The owner declares that he/she accepts the warranty conditions, that he/she has verified that the
machine operates correctly and that he/she has read and understood this manual in its entirety.
WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS
1.2 General terms
This instruction manual aims to help the reader become acquainted with the machine and
learn how to use it for its intended purpose.
It also contains important advice for safe, cost saving use.
The operators must comply with all the regulations included in order to avoid dangers and
therefore use the machine in a reliable, safe, time saving and long lasting way.
This manual is to be kept near the machine and available for the operators and for whoever
uses the machine, such as personnel that is in charge of commissioning, transportation,
cleaning, ordinary maintenance interventions, disposal of process residuals, checks and
inspections.
The user must check the machine at least once a day (at the beginning of the cutting
operation) in order to determine errors or variations that can endanger safety and stability
(evaluating the performance of the machine while it is operating); he is therefore also obliged
to inform the persons in charge.
It is also mandatory to follow the use instructions described below.
The machine is equipped protection devices that improve safety conditions: their removal (total
and/or partial), tampering or disassembly is absolutely forbidden.
However the machine has a residual risk due to the blades located on the cutting head.
Be extremely careful especially when cleaning.

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The manufacturer declines all responsibilities due to damages caused by any arbitrary
modification carried out on the safety devices and on any part of the machine structure.
Besides the instructions included in this manual, the user is also obliged to comply with current
safety standards.
1.3 Safety standards
Attention: the non-observance of the safety standards can jeopardize machine safety
and therefore cause accidents to persons and/or damage the machine.
1. The machine is to be used by trained personnel.
2. Personnel in charge must carefully read the instructions for use before using the machine.
3. The machine is to be used only for the intended use.
4. Do not carry out repairs or additional maintenance, part replacement or machine
modifications without having been previously authorized by the manufacturer.
5. For repairs use only spare parts that are explicitly authorized by the manufacturer.
6. The operator is in charge of checking the efficiency of all the protection systems foreseen
before use.
7. The machine has been designed and manufactured in accordance with all the safety
regulations. However, it is always necessary to avoid hazardous behavior that can be
dangerous.
2 GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 Machine description
The machine described in this manual is the Astra mat cutter for cutting a various types of
matboard form 1.25 mm to 3 mm thick. Please respect this value in order to avoid breaking the
cutting head and putting safety at risk.
The machine is supplied with measuring stops, and an easy to use blade holder to help you
set up the cut.
The cutting head slides on four ball bearings which glide on two sturdy non-warping tempered
steel tracks constantly cleaned by two small brushes placed beneath it.
2.2 Technical data
Machine technical data:
Work surface in aluminum Astra 120
Astra 150 1200x800 mm / 47.25“x31.50” 1500x1000 mm / 59.00”x39.37”
Dimensions (X.Y.H.)
VOLUME Astra 120
Astra 150 1500x500x120 mm / 59.05”x19.68“x4.72” 1800x500x120 mm / 70.86“x19.68“x4.72”
Weight Astra 120
Astra 150 Ca Kg 26 / 57.2 lbs Ca Kg 30 / 66 lbs
Cutter Cutting head with 45°and 90°

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WOODEN PALLET
Cut the plastic bands in order
to open the box.
WOODEN PALLET
PLASTIC BANDS
ASTRA 120
ASTRA 150
2.3 Installation and terms of use
The customer will carry out the installation by following the instructions in this manual.
The machine must rest on a stable, smooth surface making sure the guides are kept clean
and well lubricated.
2.4 Transportation
2.4.1 Transportation and handling instructions
Transportation can be carried out in three ways:
- by container -
- by truck-
- by air mail -
In these three cases in order to avoid damages during transportation the same type of packaging is provided.
CORRUGATED CARDBOARD BOX SECURED WITH PLASTIC BANDS ON A WOODEN PALLET OF THE
SAME DIMENSIONS.
The box contains the structure of the assembled machine, the extension and a spare blade kit .
ATTENTION! Lift the box in two people.
WEIGHT:
Astra 120 35 kg / 77lbs
Astra 150 40 Kg / 88lbs
Check the box as soon as it
arrives.
If the packaging is damaged
accept the goods on
condition.
PLASTIC BANDS

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3 INSTALLATION
1. OPENING THE BOX: Remove the filler, then the base of the machine and the extension that is secured to
the bottom of the box with tape. Make sure that the machine was not damaged during transportation, in this
case immediately notify the transportation service.
ATTENTION! Lift in two people when placing the box on an appropriate surface.
HARDENED ALUMINUM
WORK SURFACE.
CUTTER BAR
EXTENSION
ARM
Remove the blade box and
store them in a safe place,
out of people’s reach.
NETT WEIGHT:
Astra 120 26 kg / 57.2 lbs
Astra 150 30 Kg / 66 lbs
FILLER
FILLER
SPARE
BLADES KIT

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2. ATTACHING THE EXTENSION ARM TO THE WORK SURFACE: Fit the extension arm in the appropriate
slots and fasten it by turning the knob.
3. SECURING THE EXTENSION TO THE WORK SURFACE: After having connected the extension arm to the
work base secure it by placing the stopping rod it in the appropriate slot which is halfway down the aluminum
base.
N.B:. For space saving reasons you may remove the extension.
STOPPING ROD
SLOT FOR SECURING
THE STOPPING ROD
EXTENSION
BLOCKING KNOB
GUIDES

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4 USE/OPERATION
The following paragraph will explain the proper use of the machine. Please follow these
instructions in order to avoid dangerous situations. The manufacturer declines any
responsibility for damages to people or things arising from improper use of the machine.
4.1 Machine use
You make your cuts working the matboard facedown
•Place a slipmat in position with 1.25 mm to 3mm thickness in order to protect the
machine and to obtain a clean cut.
•Position the matboard and establish the border measurement 1-2-3.
•Place the matboard against stop 2and 2a.
•It is important that the matboard is aligned for its length on stop 2, this way we will be
sure that the corners will be cut perfectly.
•Make the stop 3 connect to the movable stop Cs, by means of the magnet.
•Slide the carriage until the mat blocking stop Co touches the beginning of the matborad.
•Rotate the blade support Sp until the end of its run, the pull the carriage Ca until stop 1.
•Rotate the matboard by 90°and repeat the same pro cedure for the other cuts, making sure
the magnets on the movable stop Cs connect to the stop 3which determines the starting
point of the cut.
Fig. 5.1a
2
2a
31
3
Cs
Cs
Co
Co
Sp
Ca

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4.2 Setting the blade depth
•Lift the cutter bar Ac using the lever Le and place the matboard to be cut in position up to the border Ac1
and lower the cutter bar and begin working.
•Loosen the knob Po.
•Rotate the knob Po1 place above the blade holder PI; clockwise to decrease the depth counterclockwise to
increase it.
•Tighten the bolt Po to block the blade Land obtain a straight cut.
•Rotate the blade support PI by 45°until the end of its run, so that the tip of the blade cuts about 1 mm into
the slipmat placed underneath the matboard you are cutting.
•This can be done on the 45°head as well as the 90°head.
N.B: An incorrect blade depth setting can cause errors in cutting.
Fig. 5.2a
Po
Po1
Ac
Ac
Le
L
Ac1

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4.2.1 Bevel Cutting
•Make a normal cut, setting the measurements of where you want to place the cut.
•Once you have made the cut, move the squaring arm (stop 2) until you reach the end of its run. (towards the
zero) placing the knob and the stop 2a internally.
•Take the internal part of the matboard, we turn it with the good side face up and we align it against the
squaring arm (stop 2) in this case very close to Ac.
•Make the cut, which will have a light 45°bevel of the internal matboard.
•Make the bevel cut. Secure the two matboards with adhesive tape, obtaining the desired effect.
4.2.2 Changing the blades
ATTENTION! Be very careful when changing the blade! Danger of being cut!
•Loosen the knob Po.
•Remove the blade support PI.
•Change the blade Lwhich will be held in place by the magnet Ma.
•Once you have changed the blade, reinsert the blade support PI and tighten the knob Po.
P
o
Pl
Fig.
5.2.2a
M
a
Pl
L
Po
Fig.
2
A
2

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4.3 Maintenance and repair
You must periodically carry out maintenance and minor repairs.
- clean the work surface by removing scraps at least twice a week
- Lubricate with silicone spray the sliding parts, especially the cutter bar, once every six
months.
ATTENTION! When cleaning the cutting head. Do not get too close to the blades. The
blades can cause hand injuries.
For out of the ordinary maintenance, piece substitutions and modifications you must contact
the manufacturer:
VALIANI s.r.l
Via delle Regioni, 305,307,309 – 50052 Certaldo (FI).
5 FAULT FINDING/ERRORS
The points below indicate the most common error/cause situations with relative interventions
to carry out in the case of machine malfunctioning.
For any problem other those described please contact the manufacturer.
What to do if you do not achieve a perfect cut:
1) The blade overcuts the ending point
2) The blade overcuts the starting point
3) The blade undercuts the corners

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1) The blade overcuts the ending point
IMPORTANT: Do not unscrew the nut K.
N.B. The millimetric rulers are blocked by a spring below. By exerting a slight pressure
on them we can move them and make corrections.
In this case move the stop upwards (if the stop 1 was positioned at 5cm and the overcut was
about 2mm, you will move to 5.2cm.)
You make another cut putting stop 2 at 5cm, the stop 1 at 5.2cm and stop 3 at 5cm.
If you get a perfect cut then move the ruler As1 until the indicator of stop 1reads 5cm.
If this is not the case, repeat the procedure slightly moving the value of stop 1until you achieve
perfect corners.
As1
K 2
3
1

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2) The blade overcuts the starting point
IMPORTANT: Do not unscrew the nut K.
In this case you must move the stop 3towards the top (eg, if the stop 3 was at 5cm and the
overcut was of 2 mm, you will move the stop to 5.2 cm).
You make another cut placing the stop 2at 5cm and the stop 3at 5.2.
If you obtain perfect results, you will move the measuring arm As2 until the indicator on the
stop 3reads 5cm.
If this does not occur, repeat this procedure moving slightly the stop 3until you obtain perfect
angles.
As2
K 2
3
1

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3) The blade undercuts the corners.
IMPORTANT: Do not unscrew the nut K.
In this case you will have to establish whether the error is caused by an error of the stop 1or
by the stop 3or by both.
To fix this error follow the instructions on page 22 (point one) and page 23 (point 2) moving the
stops in the appropriate direction.
6 SPARE PARTS
This manual includes tables with the list of components of the machine.
For maintenance purposes we also provide:
- Repair key
- Set of spare blades
Every part is identified by a number (also see in the reference drawing) and by a technical
code.
The customer can request a spare part by filling out the request form and sending it to
the manufacturer.
As2
K 2
3
1
As1

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MANUAL DELIVERY LETTER
Manufacturer: VALIANI
Via delle Regioni, 305,307,309 – 50052 Certaldo FI
Machine data
Type
Model
Serial #
The manufacturer delivers to …………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………..………………………….………
the above mentioned machine along with the use manual and spare parts booklet.
Date: Signature