SERVICE GUIDE BOOK

Model : GX-500/400/300

Revision 1.00 _ Oct. 4th, 2006

Roland DG Corporation

Chapter 1 : Technology
Contents . . .
1. Outline
2. New Design
3. Back Light LCD
4. Interface
5. Main board
6. Switching Power Supply
7. Cutter Holder
8. Tool Carriage
9. Print & Cut Function
10. Consumables
11. Options
12. Application
13. Specifications
14. Additional Information

Chapter 1-1 : Outline

GX-500/400/300 are new cutting models of CAMM-1 PRO series.
GX-500/400/300 are almost the same as CX-500/400/300.
USB and SERIAL interface have been installed.
Crop Mark Sensor has been installed.
Roland CutStudio has been bundled.
All parts used in the GX-500/400/300 meet the RoHS
Directive.

Comparison with CX-500/400/300

GX-500/400/300

CX-500/400/300

Instruction system

CAMM-GL III (part of mode 2)

CAMM-GL III (mode 1 and mode 2)

Crop mark sensor

Yes

No

Max. number of the Crop

Mark that can be detected

4 points

2 points

Mode for detecting

the Crop Marks

SENSOR MODE
TOOL MODE
MANUAL MODE

MANUAL MODE

Bundled software

Roland CutStudio with plug-in

Dr.STIKA PLUS and Roland CutChoice

I/O interface

USB 1.1(bi-directional)/RS-232C

USB1.1(uni-directional)/Centronics

Cutter Holder

XD-CH2

XD-CH3

Panel keys

Back Light Color for LCD

MENU, ENTER, TEST, ORIGIN, CURSOR,

PAUSE, FORCE, MEMORY, PENFORCE(slide
volume), SPEED, SHEET CUT
White

MENU, ENTER, TEST, ORIGIN, CURSOR,

PAUSE, FORCE, PRESET, PENFORCE
(slide volume), SPEED, SHEET CUT
Orange

Chapter 1-2 : New Design

GX-500/400/300

CX-500/400/300

Chapter 1-3 : Back Light LCD

Color of Back Light LCD
Orange
White
CX-500/400/300

Orange

GX-500/400/300

White

Chapter 1-4 : Interface

USB Interface Rev.1.1 (Bi-directional)
GX-500/400/300 can communicate with PC through the USB
port.
** USB Interface on CX-500/400/300 (uni-directional)

Serial (RS-232C)
For the Legacy computer users, the Serial port is ready.
CX-500/400/300

USB

GX-500/400/300

Parallel

USB

Serial

Chapter 1-5 : Main Board

New Main Board
Main Board has been changed because of the following reasons.
1) Change of interface
2) To meet RoHS
CX-500/400/300

GX-500/400/300

Chapter 1-6 : Switching Power Supply

New SW Power Supply
In rare case with CX-500/400/300, SW Power Supply was damaged because of
the fiber dust which the fan sucked in and SW Power Supply became a high
temperature. SW Power Supply has been changed not to turn the fan while
standing by in order to prevent this problem.
CX-500/400/300

GX-500/400/300

Chapter 1-7 : Cutter Holder

XD-CH2
Bundled Cutter Holder has been changed from XD-CH3 to XD-CH2.
CX-500/400/300
XD-CH3 Resin Blade Holder
with the blade extending
function
For Cutting the general
Vinyl Sheets for Sign.

GX-500/400/300
XD-CH2 Aluminum Blade Holder
with the blade extending
function
Wider range of materials
can be cut
- High rigidity
- It can apply more
pressure which enables
to cut harder materials.

Chapter 1-8 : Tool Carriage

Crop Mark Sensor_Same as GX-24
Crop Mark Sensor has been added to the Tool Carriage.
Crop Mark
Sensor

Front view of the Tool Carriage.

Bottom view of the Tool Carriage.

Crop Mark
Sensor Board
Crop Mark
Sensor

Chapter 1-9 : Print & Cut Function

Crop Mark
4 Point Crop Marks Function is supported on the GX-500/400/300 to
read and align the positions of the printing and cutting images by
reading the crop marks automatically.

Crop Mark

Tool Mark

Print & Cut Function_Crop Marks

3 Modes for detecting the Crop Marks

** These modes can be switched in the USER MENU.
MODE

SENSOR MODE

TOOL MODE

Detecting
Marks

Crop Marks

Tool Marks

Detecting
Points

Detecting
with.

4 points

Crop Mark
Sensor
(Automatic)

4 points

4 points
MANUAL MODE

Tool Marks
3 points

Alignment
Tool
(By manual)
Alignment
Tool
(By manual)

Application
(Cutting through..)

Max. Length

Roland
CutStudio

1500mm

Software
other than
Roland
CutStudio

1600mm

Print & Cut Function_Crop Marks

1. SENSOR MODE
4 Crop Marks will be detected by Crop Mark Sensor automatically when sending
the cutting data through Roland CutStudio.
Note :
Set the media so that the Crop Marks
are aligned with the Cutter Protection
before sending the cutting data.
Crop Marks

Cutter Protection

3. Crop
Mark3

1. Crop
Mark1

4. Crop
Mark4

2. Crop
Mark2

Print & Cut Function_Crop Marks

2. TOOL MODE
This mode is for the glossy media & the media with laminate film which the
machine can not detect the Crop Marks. In this mode, the Tool Marks should be
detected with the Alignment Tool before cutting.

3. Tool
Mark3

1. Tool
Mark1

Adjust the tip of the

Alignment Tool here.

4. Tool
Mark4

2. Tool
Mark2

Print & Cut Function_Crop Marks

3. MANUAL MODE
This mode is used when using a software other than Roland CutStudio.
In this mode, you can select the way for detecting the Crop Marks, [4-POINT
START] or [3-POINT START] in the User Menu.
3-POINT START

4-POINT START

3 Tool Marks are detected with the

4 Tool Marks are detected with the

Alignment Tool.
More-speedy operation

Alignment Tool.
More-precise alignment

Print & Cut Function_Crop Marks_Manual Mode

In this MANUAL MODE, it is necessary to set some values to the machine

before detecting Tool Marks.
1. Select
[MANUAL]
2. Select
MODE.
[BASIC SETTINGS].
3. Set the distance (X &
3. Set the
Y) between Tool
[BASIC SETTINGS].
Marks.

4. Set the distance (X &

Y) between the origin
point for the cutting
and the origin point
for printing.
Normally, set at [0
mm].

Print & Cut Function_Crop Marks_Manual Mode

In this MANUAL MODE, the Tool Marks should be detected with the Alignment
Tool before cutting.

3. Tool
Mark3

1. Tool
Mark1

Adjust the tip of the

Alignment Tool here.

4. Tool Mark4
When [4-POINT START]
is selected.

2. Tool
Mark2

Print & Cut Function_Crop Marks_Manual Mode

Comparison with the other Cutting Machines

Items

Number of the Crop Marks

the machine can detect

MODE for detecting the

Crop Marks

GX-500/400/300

CX-500/400/300

GX-24

4 points

Supported

Not Supported

Not Supported

3 points

Supported

Not Supported

Supported

2 points

Not Supported

Supported

Not Supported

SENSOR
MODE

Supported

Not Supported

Supported

TOOL
MODE

Supported

Not Supported

Not Supported

MANUAL
MODE

Supported

Supported

Supported

Chapter 1-10 : Consumables

Parts Name

Blade

Blade Holder

Life Expectancy
The Blade tip is broken.
Uncut areas remain even when Blade force is raised 50 to 60 gf.
Cutting traces are not smooth unlike before.
The vinyl layer peels away at the cutting details or the corners from the backing paper.
The Blade tip becomes worn.
The end of the cap for Blade Holder becomes worn.
The blade can not rotate smoothly even if you clean the cap for Blade Holder.
The stitch cut problem happens even if you clean the cap for Blade Holder.

Cutter Protection

There are many scratches on the Cutter Protection.

Separating Knife

The sheet cannot be cut well.

MOTOR

Determine if it should be replaced based on MOTOR TIME in the Service Report,

the motor sound heard while printing the report and the customer's interview.
Replacement Cycle : 1,500 hours

Consumables

[Motor Time] in the Service Mode.

Total working time and Total reset times of each motor can be displayed in the
service mode. *Those parameters can be checked by SERVICE REPORT.
Ex. [Motor Time] for GRID MOTOR
The working time of the Grid Motor.

Reset the working time of the Grid

Motor.

T : Total working time of the Grid Motor.

R : Total reset times of the Grid Motor.

Chapter 1-11 : Options

z Blade
ZEC-U5022 [normal type bundled in GX-500/400/300]
ZEC-U5025 [high durability for reflex/fluorescent sheet]
ZEC-U3017 [for cutting small characters]
ZEC-U1715 [for cutting sandblast stencils]

z Cutter Holder
XD-CH2 [bundled in GX-500/400/300]
XD-CH3 [For Cutting the general Vinyl Sheet for Sign]

z Roll Hangers
HS-500 [for GX-500]
HS-400 [for GX-400]
HS-300 [for GX-300]

z USB Cable
2m [bundled in GX-500/400/300]

Chapter 1-12 : Application

Application

CX-500/400/300
Dr.STIKA Plus
Roland CutChoice

GX-500/400/300
Roland CutStudio
(Including PlugIn)

Roland CutStudio

CutStudio Specifications
Plug-in function
Adobe Illustrator 9/10/CS/CS2
Corel DRAW 10/11/12/X3
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
Minimal requirement
Drive: CD-ROM
Display: 16bit high color
RAM: 128MB recommended
HD requirement: 10MB

Roland CutStudio

Print & Cut using Crop Marks with Roland CutStudio.

You can perform the Print & Cut using Crop Marks easily with Roland CutStudio.

Place data
inside the crop
marks
Crop marks can be
added in the image
easily when you
click [Print & Cut].

1. Edit

2. Print

3. Set

4. Cut

Roland CutStudio

Plug-In Software
Lunch CutStudio directly from Adobe Illustrator/ CorelDRAW
(Plug-In Function)

Roland CutStudio_Plug-in

CutStudio Plug-in for Adobe Illustrator

This is a software plug-in that lets you send data created using Adobe
Illustrator 9/10/CS/CS2 directly to CutStudio.

CutStudio Plug-in for CorelDRAW

This is a software plug-in that lets you send data created using CorelDRAW
10/11/12/X3 directly to CutStudio.

Roland CutStudio_Plug-in

Software for Macintosh CutStudio Plug-in for Adobe Illustrator

This is a software plug-in that lets
you create and cut cutting data
using Adobe Illustrator 9/10/CS/CS2.

NOTE

It is not possible to use Roland CutStudio independently on

Macintosh. To perform cutting using a Macintosh, you first need
to have a compatible version of Adobe Illustrator

Chapter 1-13 : Specifications

Chapter 1-14 : Additional Information

z Feed Distance Display
GX PRO shows the Length on the LCD when feeding out the material
by the Cursor key after setting up the machine for Roll Media.
This function is available from Firmware ver.1.40 and above.
How To Enable : Set System SW 5th bit from left to 1.
LCD
W : 500mm
L : --------When setting up

W : 500mm
L : ---------

[ 50 mm ]

When feeding out the material

by the cursor key

Additional Information_Feed Distance Display

Similar

Functions

- AREA
This moves the material by the length to be cut before actual cutting is performed.
It is necessary to set the required material length for cutting in the Users Menu
before sending the cutting data.
- AUTO PREFEED
When cutting data is sent from the computer, the plotter will automatically execute
cutting after a 1 m feed toward the front.

AREA
AUTO
PREFEED

GX-500/400/300

CX-500/400/300

Supported

Supported

Not Supported

Supported

Chapter 2 : Adjustments
Contents . . .
1. Service Adjustment Tool (PIT.exe)
2. Firmware Upgrade
3. Crop Mark Sensor Adjustment
4. Auto Crop-Cut Adjustment

Chapter 2-1 : Service Adjustment Tool

PIT.exe
Following operations can be done easily through the USB port.
1. Receive and save Service Report.
2. Receive and save all parameters on the Mainboard.
3. Send the parameters to the Main board.
4. Upgrade the firmware.
*1.2.3. Entering the Service Mode is required.
*4
Entering the Firmware upgrade mode is required.

Ver.2.0 and above

Chapter 2-2 : Firmware Upgrade

Firmware Upgrade can be done easily with PIT.exe through the USB port.

Necessary Tool
Firmware File
PC (Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP)
* It is necessary to be installed the Windows driver for GX-500/400/300.
USB Cable
PIT.exe

How to Enter the Firmware Upgrade Mode

Turn on the power while pressing [

],[

],[

] keys.

Chapter 2-3 : CROP MARK SENSOR ADJUSTMENT

Purpose
It is design to ensure that Crop Mark Sensor detects the Crop Marks correctly
by adjusting its sensitivity.

Necessary when
1. Crop Marks can not be detected correctly.
2. Tool Carriage is replaced.
3. Main Board is replaced.

What happens if not adjusted?

The Crop Marks on the printed media can not be detected correctly.
Problem of the position error of the cutting will occurs.

Necessary Tools
- Vinyl Sheet

Size: A4 or larger
Color: Matt Black (Backing should be white.)
- Knife and Tweezers

Chapter 2-4 : Auto Crop-Cut Adjustment

Purpose
It is designed to calibrate the shifting in the relative positions of Tool and
Crop Mark Sensor.

Necessary when
1. Tool Carriage is replaced.
2. Main Board is replaced.

What happens if not adjusted?

Positions of printing and cutting images will be shifted.

Necessary Tools
- Vinyl Sheet
- Tweezers

Size: A4 or larger
Color: Matt Black (Backing should be white.)