Finger Clamps

Usage:

• Just before cutting, the CMC will do an interference check to see if any of the Finger Clamps are in the way of the current cut sequence.

• If any Finger Clamps will interfere with the cutting operation, the clamp’s LED light will turn red, the interfering Clamp(s) will be highlighted in red on the Cut Preview screen, and the user will be prompted to rotate the Clamp(s) out of the way.

• Rotate the interfering Finger Clamps 180° so that they will retract into the Board while cutting.

• The remaining Finger Clamps will clamp onto the matboard and hold it in place while cutting.

• Use the Mat Alignment Plate to support smaller pieces of matboard that are too short to be secured by at least two Finger Clamps along the bottom of the Board.

• After cutting, the Finger Clamps will disengage so you can remove the matboard.

• Rotate the Finger Clamps back to the original position.

Connections:

• The Vertical Air Clamp Rail is located on the left side of the Board, just to the right of the Gantry when in the home position.

• The two Horizontal Finger Clamps are located along the bottom of the Board.

• The Finger Clamp pressure can be set to Standard Pressure or Low Pressure with the Mat Clamp Pressure Knob on the Control Panel.

Controlled by:

• The Finger Clamps are controlled by the Air Regulator, the Air Valve Assembly located in the Gantry and the ECU/Driver Pack signals.

• The Finger Clamp pressure for the Mat Clamp Pressure Knob can be set with the Clamp Pressure Adjustment on the Control Panel.

• The Clamp Pressure Adjustment Guage displays the Clamp Pressure as it is cutting.

  • The Clamp Pressure Adjustment Guage will always display Zero (0) psi until the Clamps are activated.

• The Gantry controls the Head Z-Axis, Gantry X and Y-Axis, Head Lift/Drop, Footblock Rotation and Clamp Activation.

Troubleshooting:

• If the Clamps are not engaging:

  • Make sure that the Air Compressor is on.

  • For the Z Series, see if the Cut Preview is indicating that some of the Finger Clamps need to be rotated before it can cut.

  • Check the Air Lines to make sure they are not kinked.

  • Check the ECU connections into the back of the Control Panel, Gantry and the Computer and make sure they are plugged in tight.

  • Turn off the ECU and close the software. Turn on the ECU and restart the software.

  • For the Z Series, see if the Mat Clamp Pressure Knob on the Control Panel is set to the Low Setting.

  • For the Z Series, make sure the Clamp Pressure Adjustment on the Control Panel isn’t set too low.

  • Check the Clamp Test Button on the Actuator Valve in the Air Valve Assembly located in the Gantry.

    • The Air Valve Assembly may need to be replaced.

• The Finger Clamps are crushing the material.

  • The Mat Clamp Pressure can be adjusted with the Mat Clamp Pressure Knob on the Control Panel.

  • The Clamp Pressure can be set to a specific pressure with the Clamp Pressure Adjustment on the Control Panel.

• Nothing happens when you try to cut:

  • For the Z Series, see if the Cut Preview is indicating that some of the Finger Clamps need to be rotated before it will cut.