Good practices to ensure correct cutting accuracy with HP Latex Print and Cut Solution
1. Loading the substrate
Load the substrate correctly:
Sheet Format
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Rolls
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- Load from the front or the rear.
- Use “ruler” alignment marks.
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- Load from the rear.
- Use media flanges for better media advance.
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2. Use the correct knife type
HP recommends using the correct knife for each type of substrate.
Please follow the indications below, based on the substrate thickness:
Knife depth
Knife depth must be increased when using thicker types of vinyl and decreased when using thinner types of vinyl. In any case, only the knife tip should stick out beyond the knife holder, as shown in the following picture.
3. Calibrate the cutter
The OPOS sensor has been calibrated at the factory, but HP recommends doing a test to determine how well the factory-set parameters work with the material you are using. If the accuracy obtained is not satisfactory, then you should perform an OPOS calibration.
From the cutter’s front panel, select: Menu > System setup > Calibrations.
Cal. OPOS: Calibrates the distance between the knife and the sensor. Perform this calibration whenever you install a new knife. A black vinyl or a black printed area is required to do this.
Cal. Media: Calibrates the reflection levels of the marker color and the substrate color. Perform this calibration when using colored, translucent, high-gloss or reflective substrates.
IMPORTANT: Prior to performing the calibration with the cutter, a set of calibration patches need to be printed on the same material as the cutting job.
Cal. Length: Allows the length of the cut lines to be adjusted within specifications. Perform this calibration when using multiple vinyls that require match-up between them.
4. Finding the correct cutting settings for your material
The cutting presets are given for a limited number of media categories that may not include your specific substrate. The amount of wear on the knife can also affect the cutting result.
For these reasons, HP strongly recommends that you ensure the cutting settings are correct before sending a print-and-cut job.
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For Kiss cuts (contour cuts)
Menu > Knife Pressure > Test
Test current pressure and adjust. SAV layer needs to be cut through completely and the liner layer visibly scratched but not cut.
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For Cut-throughs (FlexCut)
Menu > Knife Pressure > Test
Adjust the FlexCut settings and test.
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NOTE: The FlexCut option is only reliable with simple shapes, like circles, rectangles and ovals.
5. Other tips to improve cutting accuracy
- If possible, always use the OPOS mark HP barcode.
- Set OPOS panels ON, from the cutter’s front panel:
Menu > System setup > Configuration > OPOS parameters > Panels
When ON, this option allows the markers to be read in panels; the OPOS sensor reads markers according to panel size, instead of loading them all. When set to ON, the sensor will load only two markers in the X direction when loading OPOS. Other markers will be read when unrolling the substrate.
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Reduce job sizes, e.g. fewer rows of images, and printing several copies of a job; in this manner, more horizontal bars will be printed and the OPOS sensor will be able to readjust the alignment.
- Reduce the parameter velocity to 100 mm/s; this is the speed at which the cutter will load the OPOS marks.
From the cutter’s front panel, select: Menu > System setup > Settings > Velocity
- Add top and bottom margins to the Print&Cut job: set to at least 30 cm.
The top and bottom edges of the plot can turn wavy, making it difficult for the OPOS sensor to read the HP barcode correctly and apply an accurate alignment.
With no margins
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With margins
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Please download below the extended article.
