Setup Notes for DC3, DC4, and DC4 SX
SETUP NOTES FOR SUMMA DC3, DC4, AND DC4 SX Description: This technical note is a compilation of setup notes for the Summa DC3, DC4, and DC4 SX printers. This technical note will be periodically updated, and CADlink end-users should refer to this note for the latest information. These notes are written specifically to aid CADlink end-users in configuring SignLab for their given Summa printer. For technical support regarding maintenance and operation of the Summa Printer, end-users are strongly encouraged to contact Summa or their Summa representative.
Solutions: 1. SignLab Version To ensure proper functionality with the Summa series of printers, SignLab 7.1 build 10 or higher is required. 2. Printer Support Files The 4.x series of Summa support files must be installed to ensure proper functionality. a) In the Print and Cut Manager, go Printers menu >> Manage Printers. b) The Version column indicates the support files that have been installed. c) If the version is less than 4.x, then perform the following steps: Note: Ensure that your Internet connection is active before proceeding.
d) In Manage Printers, click the Check for Online Updates button. e) When updates are found, click the Update Printers button. 3. Stretch Factor The Stretch Factor must be enabled to ensure correctly aligned cut data. Note: Enabling the Stretch Factor is only recommended for the Summa series of printers. Modifying this setting is not recommended for other thermal devices, such as the Gerber Edge series.
a) From the SignLab Help menu, choose About SignLab. b) On the keyboard, press ‘ i ‘ to open the SignLab71.ini file. c) Locate the category that begins with [Print and Cut] and modify as follows:
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Setup Notes for DC3, DC4, and DC4 SX
[Print and Cut] Stretch Page Size=1 d) If the [Print and Cut] line does not exist, then add both lines to the very end of the ini file. e) Save and close the signlab71.ini file, and then relaunch SignLab. 4. Display Units To ensure precision printing with the Summa, the units of measurement must indicate six decimal places. a) From the SignLab Options menu, choose SignLab Setup >> Display Units. b) Set the number of decimal places = 6. 5. Scaling Factor a) From the SignLab File menu, choose Print and Cut Setup. b) On the Printer tab, tick the “Account for stretching of print” checkbox. c) Set both the Length scaling factor and Width scaling factor = 0.999344 6. Further Notes □ Note that the DC4 SX uses the same printer driver as the DC4. □ There is a Summa.pal file that should be set as the Shop Palette default. □ There is a choice of two Summa halftone.hft files that should be set as the Halftone Palette default. □ In the Summa operator manual, there is a procedure for calibrating the printer for print and cut alignment. □ To avoid the possibility of print/cut data misalignment, the print mode should only be set from within the SignLab Print and Cut Setup dialog. □ Do not use the Decals feature, due to known issue with the Summa printer. Instead, use the Repeats function for perhaps a maximum of 1-2 repeats, and then use the Summa control panel to perform further repeats (this improves the cutter alignment). □ Please take a moment to review the Scratchguard feature, which is described in the Summa operator manual. □ There is a possible “raster error” that can occur when the Optitrax color has been set to black, and a 3-color print mode has been selected. The solution is to assign the Optitrax color to cyan. For more information, refer to the Summa operator manual.
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