Cutout Maker 1800 visit www.variquest.
Copyright This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. No portion of this manual may be copied or reproduced by any means without the prior consent of Brady Worldwide, Inc. While every precaution has been taken in preparation of this document, Brady assumes no liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions or by statements resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.
Standard Warranty Brady Worldwide, Inc., through its Varitronics® business unit, warrants the equipment and accessories comprising the VariQuest™ Cutout Maker1800 will be free from defects in material and workmanship for one (1) year from the date of customer purchase. Original serial number must appear on product. Removal of serial numbers will void this warranty and any equipment and accessories that have been altered or modified in any way and are not as originally purchased will void this warranty.
Safety Information The instructions in this manual have been labeled with various types of caution and warning messages. The symbols preceding these messages indicate information that must be followed to avoid damage to property or injury to users of the Cutout Maker or people in the vicinity of the Cutout Maker.
• Connect The Cutout Maker to a 120V power source ONLY. Connecting to a power source of any other voltage may result in fire or electrical shock. • Do not damage, crease or fold the power cord. Altering the power cord, placing heavy objects on it or allowing it to become damaged, creased or folded may result in fire or electrical shock. • Do not connect the Cutout Maker to a two-way or multiple-way extension cord. Doing so may result in fire or electrical shock.
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Table of Contents Copyright ...........................................................................................................................ii Trademarks........................................................................................................................ii Standard Warranty............................................................................................................ iii Safety Information.............................................................................
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1 Cutout Maker Features, Accessories and Materials This chapter provides an overview of the VariQuestTM Cutout Maker1800 features, accessories and materials.
Cutout Maker Features • The Cutout Maker is designed to allow even first-time users to quickly produce high quality cutout shapes from sheets of construction paper and other available materials. • You can easily create single or multiple cutouts using VariQuestTM Design Center Software. • A two-button control panel with an LCD display is provided for controlling the Cutout Maker and displaying status and error messages. • Choose from a variety of types and sizes of materials.
System Accessories The Cutout Maker comes with a Maintenance Kit that contains: • Blades (5-pack) • Blade/Chad Removal Tool • Tweezers • Tool Storage Pouch Upon completion of the registration form, the customer will receive a 20-credit Shape CD.
Cutout Maker Materials Use of material other than that specified for use with the Cutout Maker may result in poor cut quality and damage to the blade. There is no direct correlation between paper weight and the classification of paper as “light weight” or “heavy weight” among manufacturers of construction paper. Due to the large variation of paper classifications, VariquestTM Cutout Maker Paper is defined as listed below.
2 Cutout Maker Components and Specifications This chapter shows the locations of the major VariQuestTM Cutout Maker 1800 components and provides detailed system specifications.
Cutout Maker Components Perspective View 1 2 3 Gantry Cover Open No.
Side View 2 1 No.
Control Panel The control panel provides buttons to manually start and stop cutter operation. Pressing the GO button starts the cutter when all the software selections are completed and the LCD display indicates a "Ready" condition exists. Pressing the stop button retracts the cutter blade and pauses the cutter operation. Pressing the GO button restarts the cutter operation from the point at which it paused.
Specifications Cutout Maker 1800 Technical Data Sheet Output • • Maximum cutout size: 11-1/2” x 17-1/2”; up to 2’ x 3’ when tiling Minimum scrap size: 4” x 6” (101.6 mm x 152.4 mm) Machine • • • • • • • Display: 4 line, 16 characters LCD graphical display Cutting speed: up to 6” per second (simple shapes) USB port: 1 Dimensions: 33” W x 21.5” D x 12.5” H Weight (machine only): 41.
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3 Getting Started This chapter provides instructions for unpacking and setting up the VariQuestTM Cutout Maker 1800. Keep this guide near the Cutout Maker so it can be available for reference.
Unpacking and Positioning the Cutout Maker Unpacking the Cutout Maker The Cutout Maker and accessories are packed in a cardboard carton with foam padding for protection during shipment. Carefully unpack the items and keep the packing materials. If you need to ship the Cutout Maker in the future, repack the system as shown below. Cutout Maker Cardboard Foam Packing Material It is recommend that 2 people lift the Cutout Maker from the box due to the weight of the unit.
Positioning the Cutout Maker To ensure proper functioning of the Cutout Maker on a work space, allow adequate space around the system as shown below.
Setting up the Cutout Maker Connecting the Power Cord Always connect the power cord to the Cutout Maker before inserting the plug into a wall socket Never operate the Cutout Maker in an area where it can get wet Connect the power cord to the Cutout Maker. Then insert the power plug into a grounded threeprong wall socket: 1. Set the power switch to its “0” (OFF) position. 2.
Connecting to the VariQuestTM Design Center 1000 or a Personal Computer Important! Use the USB cable supplied with the Cutout Maker to connect to the VariQuestTM Design Center 1000 or a PC. The USB cable complies with FCC “Rules and Regulations,” Part 15 for Class A Equipment using fully shielded six-foot data cables. Use of longer cables or unshielded cables may increase radiation emissions above the Class A limits.
Connecting to a Personal Computer The Cutout Maker provides a standard interface for connecting to a computer (USB connector). Connect one end of the cable provided to an available USB connector on the computer, and connect the remaining end to the USB connector on the Cutout Maker. Power up the Cutout Maker and the computer, and install the VariQuestTM Design Center Software.
4 Operating the Cutout Maker This chapter provides instructions for operating the Cutout maker.
Loading Material on the Cutout Maker Before loading material on the VariQuestTM Cutout Maker 1800, you must choose the appropriate material type in the VariQuestTM Design Center Software. This software is installed on the VariQuestTM Design Center 1000 or on your PC. When you select the material type in the software, the Cutout maker adjusts the output settings (blade depth, force and cutting speed) accordingly.
Typical Operating Sequence Important: The VariQuestTM Cutout Maker 1800 can be used only with the VariQuestTM Design Center Software. The VariQuestTM Design Center Software is installed on your VariQuestTM Design Center 1000 PC. See the separate manual for VariQuestTM Design Center Software user information. After you have set up the cutout materials as described in “Loading Material on the Cutout Maker” on page 4-2, the Cutout Maker control panel will display instructions similar to the following example.
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5 Maintenance This Chapter describes the periodic maintenance procedures required during normal operation of the Cutout maker.
Maintenance Summary Maintenance Occurrence Reason for Maintenance Description Clean mat with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) Weekly or as needed Material to be cut moves while being cut. Use IPA and a lint-free cloth. Turn power off. Apply IPA to cloth and wipe. Mat should be slightly tacky when rubbed with the bare hand. Change blade Monthly or as needed Cut-outs exhibit an unacceptable amount of tears. Turn power off, lift gantry cover, rotate cutter head, eject blade, insert new blade, turn power on.
Replacing the Cutting Blade 1. Set the power switch to 0 (OFF) to turn the machine off. Power Switch 1 (ON) 0 (OFF) 2. Open the gantry top cover, locate the blade holder/motor assembly and move it toward the middle of the gantry tack. Blade Holder/Motor Assembly (Position in center of track) Gantry Top Cover Open 3. Rotate the blade holder 90o towards the front of the unit to gain access to the blade.
4. Press blade release button at the rear of the blade holder to expose the blade. The cutter blade protrudes from the blade holder slightly even when retracted. Take care to avoid contact with the blade. Personal injury or equipment damage may result if the blade is touched. Blade Release Button When the button is pressed the blade is released and protrudes from the blade holder as shown 5. Press the blade removal tool (shown below) over the blade and remove the blade from the blade holder.
6. Carefully position the blade in the blade holder and insert it until only 1/4 inch of the blade protrudes from the holder. The cutter blade protrudes from the blade holder slightly even when retracted. Take care to avoid contact with the blade. Personal injury or equipment damage may result if the blade is touched. Position blade in blade holder 7. Set the power switch to 1 (ON) to activate the electromagnet that draws the blade into its fully seated position within the blade holder.
8. Rotate the blade holder assembly 90o back to its operating position. Operating Position 9. Close the gantry top cover on the Cutout Maker.
Replacing the Cutting Mat 1. Press the stop button twice to discontinue all cutting operations and send the gantry to its home position. Stop Button 2. Remove cutting materials from cutter bed. 3. Set the power switch to 0 (OFF) to turn the machine off. Power Switch 1 (ON) 0 (OFF) 4. Slide the gantry forward and grasp the rear edge of the protective mat. Slide the mat out from between the channels on each side of the Cutout Maker’s bed.
5. With the gantry moved forward, position the cutting mat (soft side up) so that the sides of the mat protrude into the channels on each side of the bed. Cutting Mat (soft side up) Gantry in Forward Position Channel on each side of bed 6. Guide the cutting mat forward between the channels on each side of the bed. Cutting Mat (slide forward between channels) 7.
8. With the leading edge of the mat secured, align the notches on the rear edge of the mat with the guide posts on the bed. Press the mat down to secure it in position. Rear Edge (align notches in cutting mat with guide posts and press down to secure mat) 9. Turn the machine on. 10. Ensure that the gantry returns to the home position. Gantry in Home Position NOTE: In some cases, you may rotate the protective mat to make use of surface area that is not worn.
Oil Gantry Rails 1. Lift gantry top cover. Lift cover 2. Apply a small amount of general household oil (such as 3-in-1 oil) to a clean cloth and wipe on exposed edge of upper and lower gantry rails. Note: Take care not to apply too much oil. Oil should not drip or pool. Remove excess oil with a clean cloth. Upper Gantry Rail Lower Gantry Rail 3. Close gantry top cover.
6 Troubleshooting This chapter describes how to locate and solve problems that you may encounter while using the Cutout Maker.
Troubleshooting Process Many problems can be traced to something as simple as a loose connection. Check the following before proceeding to the problem-specific solutions on the next page. Troubleshooting Tips In each problem-specific section on the next page, try the steps in the order suggested. This may help you solve the problem more quickly. Keep a record of the steps you take when troubleshooting: The information may be useful to technical support or service personnel.
Cutout Maker Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Diagnosis Action Required to Fix Cutout Maker does not work even though the power switch has been turned on. 1. Verify that power cord has been plugged in properly. 2. Verify that power switch is turned on. LCD Display does not turn on. 1. Verify that power cord has been plugged in properly. 2. Verify that power switch is turned on. Excessively loud noise. 1. Oil rails, see “Oil Gantry Rails” on page 5-10.
Cutout Maker Error Codes The following table describes the Error Codes that may appear on the control panel and corrective action required to correct the problem. Note: Error codes contain a 2nd digit that the user does not have to be concerned with. Error Codes Message Displayed Cutter stalled. Check mat for obstructions. Press stop to clear error. Error #3 or Error #4 Corrective Action 1. Verify that there are no obstructions on the mat. 2. Insert new material. 3.
Error Codes (continued) Message Displayed Job contains invalid data and cannot be cut. Press stop to clear error. Error #9 or Error #10 Corrective Action 1. Select a different object size in the VariQuestTM software on the Design Center or the Personal Computer. 2. Press STOP button to clear error. 3. Try again. 4. If the error persists, contact your dealer. Cut speed error. Select a different object size and try again. Press stop to clear error. Error #11 1.
Having the Cutout Maker Serviced If you are unable to solve the problem, you need to have the Cutout Maker serviced. Follow these steps. 1. Write a description of the problem and a checklist of the steps you took when trying to fix the problem. The information may be useful to the service personnel. 2. Contact your VariQuest™ Dealer for further instructions. 3. If instructed to do so by your VariQuest™ Dealer, pack the Cutout Maker in the original carton. See “Unpacking the Cutout Maker” on page 3-2.
© 2007 Brady Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
