ARMS (Advanced Registration Mark Sensing system)
ARMS is an abbreviation for Advanced Registration Mark Sensing system, which uses sensors to detect registration marks and performs the AXIS ALIGNMENT. It enables to significantly improve productivity in the Print & Cut applications that makes stickers or decals.
What is the registration mark?
The registration mark is a reference mark for the AXIS ALIGNMENT that makes precisely aligning the actual cutting line with the printed image on media. It is necessary that marks specified by GRAPTEC are printed on the media to use the ARMS.
Available functions by model of cutting plotters
| Function | FCX2000 FCX4000 | FC4500 | FC9000 | FC8600 | CE7000 | CE6000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Auto sensitivity adjust | Y | Y Support color mark | Y | Y Support color mark | Y | |
| 2. ISM (Intelligent Scan Mode) | Y | Y (Ver. 2.10 or later) | ||||
| 3. Segment area compensation | Y (X-axis) | Y (X-axis) | Y (XY-axis) | Y (X-axis) | Y (X-axis) | Y (X-axis) |
| 4. Segment area compensation (sequential mode) | Y | Y (Ver. 2.10 or later) | ||||
| 5. Auto mark detection (ver. 1) | Y | |||||
| 6. Auto mark detection (ver. 2) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| 7. 4 marks (4-point axis alignment) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 8. Multiple-mark compensation (Matrix copy) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 9. Command for ARMS | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 10. Expanded effective cutting area | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| 11. Reduce mark detection time | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| 12. ARMS copy | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 13. Axis alignment by the first mark | Y | Y | Y | |||
| 14. Hood of sensor | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| 15. Reverse side processing | Y | Y(*1) | ||||
| 16. Crop marks (*2) | Y | Y(*1) | Y | Y | ||
| 17.Reversal color mark (*3) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| 18. Supports colored marks / specialty media | Y | Y | ||||
| 19. Data Link Function | Y USB flash memory | Y USB flash memory, Server | Y USB flash memory, Server | |||
| 20. Continuous Cut | Y | Y |
- This function is supported when the cutter has the specified firmware.
- To use this function, it is necessary to set specified condition additionally on the control panel of the the main unit.
- The Roman type is available with FC9000/CE7000/FCX200/FCX4000. Cutting Master 4 can control this function with only FC9000/CE7000/FCX200/FCX4000.
- A model that supporting color mark: FC9000/CE7000.
1. Auto sensitivity adjust (Mark may not be detected due to poor printing quality or media surface.)
The sensitivity of the registration mark sensor is automatically set by measuring the reflective level of the marks of the actual media. The mark can be detected when the color of the mark has a reasonable contrast against the background. For example, a white mark can be detected on a colored background.
2. ISM (Intelligent Scan Mode) (Mark may not be detected due to poor printing quality or media surface.)
ISM incorporates a new scanning algorithm that expands the range of compatible media. ISM increases the mark scanning success, and can also detect the registration mark on textured media, such as brushed aluminum, or glossy laminated materials.
3. Segment area compensation
The 4-point axis alignment is performed for each segmented area. This is performed by reading the mark in the middle of the feeding direction for entire graphic and then cutting the entire graphic, provides high-precision alignment for long length Print & Cut applications. The cutting plotter can be configured to this condition using Graphtec software.
XY segment area compensation is avairable only for FC9000 series.
* The video uses FC9000
4. Segment area compensation (sequential mode)
The 4-point axis alignment is performed for each segmented area. This is performed by reading the mark in the middle of the feeding direction and then contour cutting is performed sequentially in each segmented area. Media movement is limited to the smaller area being cut, improving accuracy and tracking for heavier media or media that is the entire graphic, provides high-precision alignment for long length Print & Cut applications. The cutting plotter can be configured to this condition using Graphtec software
5. Auto mark detection (ver.1)
The first registration mark is automatically detected within search area; this eliminates the need to manually move the sensor near the registration mark position. It improves the operation of the registration mark searching.
6. Auto mark detection (ver.2)
Users do not need to move the sensor manually anymore to find the first mark. Also, the search area has been expanded that the sensor can detect the first mark on minus direction.
7. 4-point axis alignment
This feature compensates for any distortion in printed graphics to ensure precise contour cutting. The axis alignment using 2-point and 3-point that are faster with limited compensation are also available.
8. Multiple-mark compensation
When the design is printed with the matrix copy condition using RIP software, the action of reading the mark and contour cutting is repeated for each copy. It significantly improve productivity for Print & Cut applications. The cutting plotter can be configured to this condition using Graphtec software.
* The video uses FC9000
9. Supports ARMS control commands
ARMS can be controlled with Graphtec original software. The settings of registration marks are editable via software as well. Also, we provide SDK in response to request from users.
10. Expanded effective cutting area
In case of ARMS 4 or before, the cutting area is up to the area enclosed by the registration mark. In case of ARMS 5 or later, the cutting area is expanded to outside of the area enclosed by the registration mark. This increases the production efficiency by reducing media waste.
* The video uses FC9000
11. Reduce mark detection time
Sequence of scanning the mark is changed for significantly reducing the mark detection time. This function is available in ARMS 5.0 or later.
12. ARMS Copy
After data is sent the first time, it can be copied multiple times without a PC. It enables to improve the work efficiency of Print & Cut applications.
13. Axis alignment by the first mark
After data is sent the first time, it can be copied multiple times without a PC.
In case of ARMS 6.0 that is available on FCX2000 / FCX4000, the first four marks are scanned on the first sheet, and only the first mark in subsequent sheets. This improves productivity by shortening scan detection time. The cutting plotter can be configured to this condition using Graphtec software.
14. Hood of sensor (media holder)
The hood incorporates to the mark sensor part. It has a function of holding the media to the panel for preventing the lifting of the media. It also prevents the influence of ambient light. It can read the mark in stable.
15. Reverse side processing
Cutting and creasing of printed graphics is possible even on the reverse side of the media. This prevents any scratches or damage to the printed graphic. In case of ARMS 6.0 that is available on FCX2000 / FCX4000, operation is very simple when Graphtec software is used.
16. Supported the standard crop marks
The axis alignment can be performed using by printed industry standard crop mark for shear. Adding special marks with Graphtec software is not necessary. The Japanese type is supported on the FC2250 series, FCX2000 series and FCX4000 series. The FCX2000 / FCX4000 supports also the Roman type. In case of ARMS 6.0 that is available on FCX2000 / FCX4000, operation is very simple when crop mark information is entered within Cutting Master 4 software when it is used with Adobe Illustrator.
17. Supported reversed color mark
The sensitivity of the registration mark sensor is automatically set by measuring the reflective level of the actual media. The mark can be detected when the color of mark has a reasonable contrast against the background. For example, the mark can be detected with a white mark on a colored background, on a textured media such as brushed aluminum, or on a glossy laminated media.In case of using the Graphtec software, reversed color mark can be easily created.
18. Supports colored marks / specialty media
A wide variety of media types including holographic paper and reflective sheets are now compatible due to improvements of the ARMS sensor algorithm.
- Sensor may not be able to read certain combinations of specialty media and colored marks.
19. Data Link Function (Barcode Data Management/Continuous Cutting)
By reading the Graphtec original Barcode, FC9000/CE7000 automatically detects its linked data from PC or USB flash memory. This function is available regardless of which printer or RIP software is used.
- The USB flash memory format only supports FAT32. Please note that NTFS and exFAT are not supported.
20. Continuous Cut (Data Link function)
Barcode data management allows cutting different data sequentially by detecting the “Start Mark” of the new Barcode. Sequential Print & Cut process with roll-media is now available.
* The video uses FC9000
