Which EuroCUT version runs with which Windows version?

Error message: Invalid code or after each program start the code must be entered again

The program must be executed once with aministrator rights. Click with the right mouse button in the program menu on EuroCUT and select "Execute as administrator".

Note: Don't change anything on the given activation data resp. license data.

The cutter cuts the first characters neatly and then starts to draw indefinable curves. 

With serial activation of the cutter, this is a typical buffer overflow problem and occurs if the protocol for the serial transfer is not set correctly. Most cutters are activated with the following parameters with a serial data transfer: bits per second: 9600, data bits: 8, parity: none, stop bits: 1, protocol resp. flow control: hardware

The output size on a Mimaki cutter does not correspond with the configured size but is more than twice as big.

The Mimaki cutter of the CG series is delivered ex works with a plot resolution of 0.025 mm even if they can work with a resolution of 0.01 mm and do so internally. The drivers of EuroCUT are set to these „device”-resolution because the cutters can be activated faster and more accurate.
For the adjustment of this plot resolution you switch on the cutter, press the < button at the control panel and after the cutter has measured the roll you press the function key until "interface" appears in the display. Then, you press the ENTER key until you reach the menu item "Stepsize" and then the ^-button. The display now shows „0.01”. Confirm the selection with ENTER and END.

The output size on my Graphtec cutter does not correspond with the configured size but is more than twice as big.

Setting the step size:

In the GP-GL mode it is possible to set the minimal distance of the cutting knife's path to one of the following widths: 0.01 mm, 0.025 mm, 0.05 mm or 0.1 mm. The default setting is 0.1 mm. This value must be changed, if your program's driver uses another step size.

Step 1: Switch into the command mode "GP-GL".

Step 2: Press the enter key; the menu step size appears.

Step 3: Press , key to select the desired value (0.100 mm, 0.050 mm, 0.025 mm, or 0.010 mm) and confirm with enter key. Press (NEXT) or (PREV.) to undo your selection.

Step 4: Press (PAUSE) key in order to cancel the PAUSE mode.

Problem: The size entered in the software and the output size of the objects do not match.

Solution: Calibration must be performed on the connected cutter. Calibration means: checking and, if necessary, changing the values stored in the driver to the values you have measured.

Method:

Activate the following dialog in the Settings / Standard Settings / Output Devices... menu.

Clicking the Calibrate button opens the Calibrate Device dialog.

Now carry out the calibration step by step.

Step 1: Specify the size of the rectangle to be output. Get the cutter ready for output. Start the output by clicking on the Rectangle button.

Step 2: Weed the rectangle and measure it with a ruler. Enter the measured values in the Length (X) and Width (Y) fields under Measure (Step 2). Then click on the Calibrate button. The new values are now entered into the driver.

Note: You can repeat this process. The maximum accuracy to be achieved depends only on the connected device. Low-cost devices often only achieve an accuracy of +/- 0.5 mm. Professional vinyl cutters achieve an accuracy of ≥ +/- 0.1 mm.

My computer provides no serial COM port, but a USB port. How can I connect my cutting plotter, which provides only a serial interface?

In this case there is a computer accessory called - USB serial adapter-  that provides one or more serial COM ports on one USB port.

Note: Not all adapters offered work properly, especially the use on 64-bit operating systems is sometimes not free from errors. It may be that different adapters must be tried.

Which resolution should be used when tracing to get a good tracing result?

You should use the optical resolution (i.e. 600 dpi) of the scanner if you have qualitative good templates. Please consider not confusing this with the highest possible resolution as most of the scanners can transfer nowadays a resolution more than twice as high (interpolated). This may be a quality advantage for scans of photos but it is not convenient for the tracing. Very small originals (i.e. logos on business cards) should first be enlarged with a photocopy machine and then scan. With bad originals you should use a smaller resolution.

a. First check if you have selected the correct cutter driver and the correct port: for example <device name> at COM2 in the EuroCUT cutting dialog

b. COM connection: Check if the parameters of the port are set correctly. To do so, call up the system control of Windows. In the device manager, select the corresponding connection, for example: COM.

Popular standard parameter are: Baud: 9600, data bits: 8, parity: none, stop bit: 1, protocol / flow control: hardware

The settings in the system control and at the cutter must be identical otherwise no or only faulty data transfer will take place.

c. USB connection: Check if the correct USB driver is installed for the device. The settings are in the Windows device manager under USB controller. The USB driver for the cutting cutter must be entered in this list otherwise no activation is possible.
If the USB driver does not appear there, install it from the delivered data carrier of your device.

d. Original cable: Check if you use the original cable recommended by the manufacturer. If this is not the case, there might be bigger problems during the data transfer. EuroCUT „communicates” during the data transfer with the cutter so that missing or faulty connected data cable with the cutter lead to input or output errors.

The cutter reports „buffer overflow” or does not cut the whole job

This is often because of an incorrect setting of the used protocol of the serial (COM) port. In most cases it is sufficient to set the protocol respective the flow control of the port to hardware.

Fonts are present in the font list, but are not displayed on the working sheet.

Select the font(s) you want to install in the Windows Explorer, then right-click and select the Install for all users option.

Important note: This operation cannot be performed in the Font folder. The fonts must be first copied into another folder and the installation process must be carried out from the "other" folder as described above.

The automatic welding of script fonts does not work as expected

The success rate with the automatic welding increases clearly if the letter spacing is reduced from 100% to 99.9% or even 99%. This results in the fact that two nodes that lie mathematically exactly on top of the other can be slightly moved so that they can be "identified" as two dots.

Indication: Another possibility is the modification of the kerning in the Fontmanager for Adobe fonts with which problematic kerning pairs can be edited.

With the construction of logos or signets often circle segments are needed. They can be created as follows with the help of node editing function.

• draw a circle with the wanted radius or diameter
• mark all nodes with the node tool
• double click on the origin
• select separate

Afterwards, all circle segments are available and can be selected with the arrow tool. 

Data import from Apple computers in EuroCUT

When exporting Apple data you have to pay attention to some settings to have a perfect data export. All popular Apple compatible illustration and graphic applications can export EPS data. (Illustrator, Freehand, …)

1. For the contours, as line width only hairline (0.01 mm) must be entered.
2. No fillings should be transferred.
3. All texts must be converted to graphical objects. (text in curves)
4. Grouped or combined objects must not be available. (break up before)
5. Especially with the Freehand-export the export filter for the Illustrator-format must be selected.
6. As file name extension .eps should be used and you should not use umlauts as ü, ä, ü.

a) The foil is clamped too loose

Consequence: the knive moves the foil during the cutting and the contour is not closed completely.

Remedy: when inserting the foil pay attention that the foil is clamped evenly and does not undulate.

b) The speed is too high

Consequence: small foil parts especially serifs and counters are unscrewed.

Remedy: reduce speed and lower the pressure.

c) The tool pressure is too high

Consequence: the release paper is also carved, character parts are unscrewed and parts of the release material get stuck at the characters. The weeding of the foil gets more difficult.

Remedy: reduce pressure and correct the depth of the knife if necessary.

d) The tool pressure is too low

Consequence: foil and adhesive were only partly cut through. The weeding is possible only with difficulty or not at all.

Remedy: increase the pressure and correct the depth of the knife if necessary.

e) The knife is set too deep

Consequence: foil, adhesive and release material were cut. Foil cannot be used any more.

Remedy: correct the setting of the depth of your cutting knife.

f) The knife is used up

Consequence: only the foil and not the adhesive is cut through.

Indication: when using standard foil the using up of the knife is little. When using reflection or sandblast foil the using up is much higher.

Remedy: use new original knife.

g) The characters were unscrewed

Consequence: The weeding border is possible only with difficulty. The unscrewed parts stick to the foil and cannot be detached any more.

Generally is presumed: the smaller the font size the thinner the foil must be; the adhesive force of the gluten is higher.

Remedy: reduce the speed and if necessary the tool pressure until this effect does not occur any more.

h) The release paper is also cut

Consequence: the release material sticks to the foil. The weeding is possible only with difficulty or not at all.

Remedy: correct the setting of the depths of the cutting knife and also reduce if necessary the tool pressure.

Error message: Cannot open interface!

Check first, if your cutter is listed in the Device Manager (Control Panel / System / Device Manager). If not, reinstall the device driver as described in the plotter manual.

Check then, if the USB port for your cutter is selected in the EuroCUT Device Settings. You'll find the Device Settings window in the Settings / Common Settings / Devices menu.

Note: A USB cable should be no longer than 5 m without booster.

Error message: Waiting for response... Cannot open interface...

Check, if your plotter is set on the device language DMPL. If the cutter is set to HPGL, read out via cable is not possible.

Error message: "Error for CreateFile"

This error message is given out, if the access right Write for the program folder of EuroCUT is not set.

Relief: Enable write rights for the program folder.