OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Table of Contents

1. Safety precautions..........................................................2

1.1 Safe using methods....................................................2

1.2 Definition of warning symbols..........................................2

2. Standard accessories.........................................................5

3. Product Structure Diagram....................................................6

4. Installation & Setup..............................................6

a. Floor stand....................................................6

b. Installation and use......................................................7

c. Power connection..........................................................7

d. Serial RS232 cable and USB cable connection...............................7

e.1 USB Printer Mode .................................................................8

e.1.i Software Setup Guide for USB Printer Mode ….................8

e.2 Virtual COM USB.................................................................8

e.3 RS232 Serial COM ...................................................8

f. SD Card (Secure Digital Memory Card)..........................................10

g. Media installation.......................................................13

h. Knife setting and adjusting..............................................13

i. Drawing pen installation.................................................14

5. Operating instructions.......................................................14

a. Control Panel illustration...............................................14

b. Off-line/On-line........................................................15

c. Media and carriage positioning ...............................................15

d. Adjusting speed and pressure...........................16

e. Pause function..........................................................16

f. Setting the origin.....................................................16

g. Media test strip debugging..............................................17

6. Flexi software installation.................................................17

a. Flexi operation..........................................................20

b. Automatic cruise edge (optional).........................................22

1. Safety precautions

Please follow the instructions with the signs below, to ensure correct use of the vinyl cutter and prevent damage.

1.1 Safe using methods

WARNING Improper operation can possibly result in a life hazard or damage of equipment.

CAUTION Improper operation can possibly result in a life hazard or other objects.

1.2 Definition of warning symbols

WARNING

Do not use a power source that does not meet the rating voltage, otherwise fire or electric shock can occur.

If smoke or unpleasing smell comes out of the machine, or it makes any noise please do not continue using it - it may result in a fire or electric shock.

Do not pull the plug out when the power is on to avoid damaging the machine.

Make sure electrical grounding when it is working. Otherwise it will electric shock and machine can’t work normally.

Don’t detach, repair or reconstruct the machine, otherwise fire and electric, or life hazard may be result in.

CAUTION

Don’t pour liquid or drop metal into the machine, they can cause fire.

Don’t touch the knife top with your finger to prevent injury or perspiration of knife head.

Do not damage or replace the supplied power cable. Do not (excessively) bend, pull, bundle the power cableor place weight on it. Otherwise the power source may get damaged and even fire or electric shock may occur.To unplug the power cable, please hold and pull the plug instead of the cable. Pulling the cable may result in electric shock or fire.When operating the machine, do not place your hand on the capstan to avoid injury.

Place the machine on a stable surface, otherwise the machine may fall and get damaged.To unplug the power cable, please hold and pull the plug instead of the cable. Pulling the cable may result in electric shock or fire.Do not operate in case of storm or lightning to preventdamaging the machine.

2. Standard accessories

The following accessories should be included in the package, please contact the seller if anything is missing.

Part QTY Picture

Power cable 1

USB cable 1

RS232 cable 1

Blade holder 1

Blade 3

Pen 1

Warranty Card 1

Driver CD 1

3. Product Structure Diagram

1. Platform 2. Cover 3. Control Panel 4. Carriage 5. Blade holder 6. Pinch roller group 7. Trim strip 8. Upper cover plate 9. Power socket and switch 10. RS232 serial port, USB port, SD interface

4. Installation & Setup

a. Floor standWe only supply a floor stand for HW1200 and HW630. It is standard equipment for HW1200, but optional for HW630.

Remove from the packaging box all parts of the stand, turn on the party bag, and assemble the stand as illustrated in the above image. Place the cutter on the stand after assembling, aim at and install spiral shell, then lock with the screw.

b. Installation and Use

1 Place the cutter in a clean and spacious place, and make sure there is 30 cm space around the cutter.2 Notes on cutter placement (Do not place in any of the following places)— A place exposed to direct sunlight

— A place that is unstable— A dusty place— A place where temperature or humidity can vary significantly

c. Power connection

Check the voltage of the electrical connection and power supply before you connect the cutter’s cable.

d. Serial RS232 and USB cable connection

- Connection options (plug only one at a time)

Note: You only need to use either a RS232 serial cable or a USB cable for connecting your computer with the cutter (unlike above pictures where both are connected for illustration purposes).

- Connected After connecting RS232 serial port, use COM1 port to transfer out on it directly.

e.1 USB Printer mode setup

before connecting the SMURF to the computer, do the following:

1. Press "MODE" several times until "PRINTER" and "VIRTUAL COM" appear on the panel.2. Press UP or DOWN arrow so that there is a "Y" next to "PRINTER".3. Press "RESET" to reset the machine.4. Now the machine should respond from the USB001 port.

No Windows drivers are required for this method! It is pure plug-n-play, simply send a job to USB001 from SignCut, Artcut 2009, or CorelDRAW X3/X4 CutTool plugin!

e.1.i Software Setup Guide for USB Printer Mode

1. Choose "Vicsign" as the Manufacturer2. Choose "HW330" as the Cutter3. Link to "USB001"

1. Click "Cutter" to open the cutter settings dialogue2. Choose "Vicsign" as the Manufacturer, and choose "HW330" as the Cutter model3. Choose "USB001" as the Output Device / Port

1. Install the Cut Tool. If you do not have it on the disc, you can download it here: Smurf Cut Tool for CorelDRAWNOTE: Make sure to install the CutTool to a user-writable location such as the Desktop, or else it will not function correctly

2. Insert the USB dongle into the computer before opening the Cut Tool in CorelDRAW.

Regular Cutting from CorelDRAW

1. Select the objects you wish to Cut, and click the Cut Tool plugin from the drop-down menu. Be sureto select the version which matches your version of CorelDRAW ...

2. Now click "Cut/Plot" and Select "USB001" as the Port.

3. Click "Send" to send the job to the Cutter/Plotter!

Note: IF THERE ARE NO LINES IN THE OUTPUT PREVIEW THEN PLEASE MAKE SURE THE DESIGN IS VECTOR/PATHS/CURVES. IF THE DESIGN IS ALREADY VECTOR, REINSTALL THE CUTTOOL TO THE DESKTOP OR OTHER USER-WRITABLE LOCATION.

Contour Cutting from CorelDRAW

1. Select the objects you wish to Cut, and click the Cut Tool plugin from the drop-down menu. Be sureto select the version which matches your version of CorelDRAW ...

2. Set the Outside Offset amount, and then click "Trace Contour"Note: IF THERE ARE NO LINES IN THE OUTPUT PREVIEW THEN PLEASE MAKE SURE THE DESIGN IS VECTOR/PATHS/CURVES. IF THE DESIGN IS ALREADY VECTOR, REINSTALL THE CUTTOOL TO THE DESKTOP OR OTHER USER-WRITABLE LOCATION.

3. Now click "Add Mark" to add the registration marks to the design.

4. After printing the image and inserting it into the cutter, position the pen/blade origin over the middle of the bottom-right corner mark.

5. Click "Cut Contour" and Send the Job via USB001 Port.6. After the cutter has scanned the registration marks, click the dialogue box on CorelDRAW to confirm when it has finished.

Note: If the Contour position is offset then please follow our video guide on how to calibrate the ARMS. The video can be found on the Disc that came with your SMURF cutter, or online here: http://download.ukcutter.co.uk/videos/cutters/SMURF_calibration.mp4

e.3 RS232 Serial

COM Setup:

RS232 Settings:

transmission rate: 38400Data bits D: 8Stop bit S: 1Check A: NoneFlow control L: DTR / DSRXON / XOFF

RTS / CTS (only selected third)Command Set:Initialization :: H A LO EC1 UCarrying knives go UDelimiter,At the end,Homing @Page End U FKnife pressureKnife speed

f. SD Card (Secure Digital Memory Card)

Make sure the SD Card is formatted as FAT16/FAT32 with NOdirectories/folders. Files must be placed in the root of the drive.

1. Open the software, complete the drawings and save as PLT format.Note: file names in Arabic or English cannot exceed 12 characters.

There are two ways to save as a PLT file:a. After choosing the correct model, select “FILE:” for “How is your HW630 connected to

your computer”, and click “Finish".

b. Select Send mode “Save to file”, then click ”Send” and save as PLT format when prompted.

Note: Files can be sent as PLT in Artcut and CorelDraw software.

2. Insert SD card into the cutter, press "Origin”, and use the UP▲ and DOWN▼ arrow keys to find your file. Press "Enter” to load your selected file.

Note: When removing the SD card from the cutter, please do not extract directly. Tap the SD card with your finger and it will pop out.

g. Media installation

1. Media storage and use precautions— After opening the package, store the media in a cool dark place to avoid contact with sunlight and water— Do not place the print media to erect in order to avoid edge damage— Do not fold and stack the print media— Do not use bruised, wrinkled, curled, or stained with dust medium— Do not drop or wet the print media— Need to tidy up before installation media2. The cutter can be used with a single sheet of media, or also with a roll of media.3. Main operation methods using the media

To press the pressure roller handle at the back of the machine, lift the pressure roller.

Insert the media correctly. Move the roller to cover the steel shaft claw, it can ensure the besttracking length when you allow the media away from the machine both at left and right side.

Handle the stage, and press the media.

h. Knife setting and adjusting

CAUTION

Don’t touch the knife tip with your finger to avoid injury.

1. Install the knife into the holder. Rotate the knife sheath to adjust the length of theexposed part of the knife tip. Blade holder exploded as shown below, the detail

operation are described as followed:

2. For different material, users can adjust the length of knife sheath exposed at any time.

Depress thelever ofpinch roller

Set themedia,lift thehandle,whichcontrols thepinch roller.

3. Install the blade holder into the carriage— Loosen the screw of the tool carrier— Assemble the blade holder into the tool carrier— When the tool is in appropriate position, tighten the screw.

i. Drawing pen installation

The installation method for the pen is basically the same as with the blade holder, except for adjusting the nib.

5. Operating instructions

a. Control Panel illustration

1. Offline / pause

1. Switch from On-line to Off-line state2. Can be suspended when cutting.

2. Origin 1. Press Left◄, Right ► to move the carriage, and UP▲ to move the media, then press the ”Origin” button to clear old coordinates and set new origin.2. Press the button at online state to read SD card files. Press ▼▲ to selectfile, then press “Enter” to load file.

3. Test Text cutting effect.4. Reset Reset and clear cache memory data on main-board.5. Enter After selecting SD card file, press “Enter” button to load select file.6. Mode 1. Change “blade mode” to “pen mode”

2. MPX, MPY to adjust override.

b. Off-line/On-line

When the cutter starts or resets, it goes to online state. Press “Offline/Pause” button to switchto off-line state.While the computer is transmitting to the cutter, the cutter must be “Online”. The LCD will display the Speed and Force information as below:

Online state

c. Media and carriage positioning

When the plotter is offline, press the LEFT ◄ or RIGHT ► arrow keys to move the carriage left or right. Press the UP ▲ and DOWN▼ arrow keys to move the media feed roller forward / backward. The LCD "XY" coordinates will update accordingly with the numeric values after moving.

d. Adjusting speed and pressure

In line with local state and send the process of carving knife pressure and speed of testing, debugging speed increase speed by value increment key, key to decrease the value by value reduction, testing the pressure to increase the pressure by value increment key by numerical reduction to decrease the pressure.

e. Pause function

During cutter output, press the “Offline / Pause” button to go in suspended mode and display the coordinates of the current document.

Offline state

X-axis co-ordinate value after shift

Y-axis co-ordinate value after shift

f. Setting the origin

You can set the absolute origin of the media to the lower right corner, or any other position, by using the up/down and left/right keys to move to the preferred position. Then press “Origin” to clear the current coordinates and set the current position as the new origin for cutting.

g. Media test strip debugging

Locate the position of carriage and media, press "Test" button, the machine will automaticallycut out a square and triangle, and tear-out the test strip by hand, if can be easily opened, andnot carved through the adhesive, indicating that debugging is good, if tear-out with the associated media, you need to increase the blade pressure or adjust the knife extended tip, then continue to press "Test", the machine will automatically cut the left side of the original location of test strips, you need to do this before you testing well.

6. FLEXI software installation

Load FLEXI CD, open files and click “Autorun.exe” to install the software. Please don't connectthe dongle to the computer during installation, to avoid conflict with the dongle driver.

Click next,

Select “I agree the terms of the license agreement”, and click “Next”.

Select the installation path, click “Next”.

Now please connect the dongle to the computer, input your password and it will automatically show your User Number ID, as shown below.

Select Language, and click “Done” to complete the installation (a desktop shortcut will automatically be created).

a. Flexi operation

1. Open Flexi software, create a new file or open an existing file, and click the

cutting/draw button to send file.

2. The software will automatically open the "Add Setup" dialog box. Select brand name and model name accordingly, and click “Next”, as below:

3. Select connection method

Caution: please check and make sure the Flexi interface port is the same as shown in Device Manager, otherwise the cutter will not work.

4. Please choose the same port as the cutter output port, the other parameter is the sameas handshare agreement (above picture) show, baud rate: 38400, hardware handshake agreement “RTS” and “CTS”

5. At the screen shown above, set overcut length to 0.03cm and then click properties.

6. Set the Knife offset to 0.040mm, and the rest as shown below:

Those two ports should be the same

b. Automatic cruise edge (optional)

1. Open Flexi software, import the graphic file and click on the blank part of the image. The software will auto switch to “design centre” dialog, where you can set the cutting material size; for example, if you need to cut in A4 size material, set the size to “A4” as the picture shows below.

2. Supported formats for outer contour cutting: PSD, PNG

3. Select the image, click “effect” on the menu, then click “contour cut” and set the proper contour line from the outer image, depending on your preference, and finally click “ok” to confirm. As shown on the picture, contour line can be adjusted depending on your preference.

The size setting should be the same as the printing material size

4. Then click “effect” in menu, click “Contour Cut Mark”, SA automatically mark after cutting accuracy is the most accurate, as the picture show:

Click this item

5. Print ready files. Note: the print scale is 100%

6. Send the printed graphic to the cutter, the image needs to be put straight.

7. While Offline, move the blade to the red dot as the following picture shows, and press “Origin” (This sets the bottom right hand corner as the absolute origin). After the coordinates reset, the new origin is ready, and the output will start cutting from the new origin.

Click here

Click “cut contour” and send

8. FLEXI software will automatically pop-up the dialog below. Select the cutter brand name ”Vicsign”, and the model name/number.

9. Click “Next”. Please note: if you use a USB port connection, please open the computer’s “Device Manager” to check if the port selected in Flexi is the same as the port for the installed driver. If it is not the same, the cutter will not work.

10. The selected port should be the same as the cutting output port, and the other parametersettings as the above picture shows - Baud rate: 38400 , Hardwires: ”RTS” and “CTS”.

11. Click Send, to send the file to the plotter.

These two ports should be the

same