There are different types of cutting plotter software is developed for printing pattern marker. HPGL is the best driver to plotters correction of garments patterns and markers. Cutting plotter software has moving direction of the plotters nozzles correct. Output the width correction graphic file and measure the output line length in mm with the accuracy to 0.1mm. Subtract the standard length of 1,000mm and enter the result together with the sign into the width correction box.
If the measured value is less than the standard length of 1,000mm, enter a negative number, otherwise, a positive number (“+” sign can be omitted) into the box. See the Figurer below:
Plotters Correction in Width
Ploter Correction in Length:
It is types of paper-feeding direction. Output the length correction graph and measure the output line length in the paper-feeding direction in mm with the accuracy to 0.1mm of ploter. Subtract the standard length of 1,000mm and enter the result together with the sign into the length correction box. If the measured value is less than the standard length of 1,000mm, enter a negative number, otherwise, a positive number (“+” sign can be omitted) into the box. See the Figure below:
Plotter Correction in Length
The above two corrections should be made after the rectification of butt jointing, misplacement and nozzle clearance.
Ploter Correction in Butt Joint:
Output a test graph first by hpgl driver 70. If the case as shown below appears between two adjacent scans, enter a positive number (“+” sign can be omitted) in the butt-joint correction box in mm with the accuracy to 0.1mm. The value can be an approximate visual value (usually within 0.50mm) which should be accurate enough to avoid overlaps and gaps. The test image should be long enough to satisfy the accuracy requirement.
If the case as shown below appears between two adjacent scans of ploter, enter a negative number in the butt-joint correction box in mm with the accuracy to 0.1mm. The value can be an approximate visual value (usually within 0.50mm) which should be accurate enough to avoid overlaps and gaps. The test image should be long enough to satisfy the accuracy requirement.
This correction should take it as a reference to make the accuracy meet the requirement in the X direction (paper-feeding direction) on the test graph.
Plotter Misplacement Correction by free cad Software:
Output a test graph first. If the case as shown below appears between two adjacent scans, enter a positive number (“+” sign can be omitted) in the misplacement correction box in mm with the accuracy to 0.1mm. The value can be an approximate visual value (usually within 0.25mm) which should be accurate enough to make the lines basically straight by free cad software.
If the case as shown below appears between two adjacent scans, enter a negative number in the misplacement correction box in mm with the accuracy to 0.1mm. The value can be an approximate visual value (usually within 0.25mm) which should be accurate enough to make the lines basically straight.
Adjustment by Hpgl Plotter Software in between the Nozzles:
When you install or pull out the nozzles, you may need to make adjustment in HPGL.ini file of hpgl2 software when a coupling problem or misplacement happens.
First, output a test graph. If the case as shown below appears, increase the Nozzle_distance_y value in HPGL2.ini file of hpgl2 software. This value should always be an integer less than 150 at the largest.
If the case as shown below appears, decrease the Nozzle_distance_y value. This value should always be an integer not less than 135 at least.
If the case as shown below appears, increase the Nozzle_distance_x value in HPGL2.ini file of hpgl plotter software. This value should always be an integer less than 75 at the largest.
If the case as shown below appears, decrease the Nozzle_distance_X value. This value should not be less than 70 at least.
Note: Before running the INKJET plotters save hpgl2.ini file of hpgl2 software after modification.
Plotters Correction by Cutter Plotter Software :
Plotters correction of misplacement in between nozzles by print application software
Plotters correction of joints in between nozzles.
Plotters correction of misplacements in between two adjacent scans.
Plotters correction of butt-joints in between two adjacent scans.
Width correction by print application software
Length correction print application software
This software is used to print pattern maker file
For all the above-listed corrections, use the demo graphics files we provide and a precise ruler for the measurements. Click “Ok”to save the entry. It’s not necessary to make the adjustment very often to print the file of cutter plotter software. The best way is to make a backup record by print cutter plotter software
A marker requisition form is filled and sent to the CAD department for putting a request for the marker. This form includes the details of the marker that are needed along with the size ratios. The CAD department then releases the marker to the cutting department.The HPGL Viewer software is a printer drivers program to be used specifically for different types of plotters made by various manufactures with the functions of graph browse and plotting as well as plotter parameter setting and correcting. System requirements of Hpgl viewer software: Operating system : Windows XP/Windows 2007/ Windows 2008 and Peripheral port：Parallel port. HPGL program is green software and does not need installation. Any marker program can be started by double click on HPGL.exe printer drivers.
The main interface of hpgl printer drivers will appear as below:
HPGL2 and HPGL Viewer
2. Menu Description of Hpgl Viewer:
This section describes the program menu items of hpgl software are stated one by one briefly.
2.1. File Menu of Hpgl2 Software:
Open：Read and display hpgl/hpgl2 graphs. Close: Close the hpgl2 image being displayed currently. Plot: Plot the hpgl2 image being displayed currently. Resume Plot：Similar to “Plot” but continue the plot from the position of last stop. Exit：Stop the program.
2.2. View Menu of Hpgl Software:
Enlarge：Enlarge the image display scale by one time. Reduce：Reduce the image display scale by one time. Fit：Display the full view of the image. Zoom：Set image display percentage.
2.3. Tools Menu of Hpgl Software:
Auto Plot ： Automatically monitor a designated directory to plot the files (including the files added later) in it one by one. History：Check the plot history.
2.4. Language Menu of Hpgl Software:
English：Shift the language of the software to English.Simplified Chinese：Shift the language of the software to simplified Chinese.
2.5. Configuration Menu of Hpgl Software:
Plot Configuration：Configure the graph-related parameters. Plotter Configuration：Configure the plotter operational parameters.
2.6. Help Menu of Hpgl Software:
User manual：Display this manual. About：Software version and other information.
3. Plotting Setting in Hpgl File System:
This section describes hpgl file in detail the usage of the hpg12 software functions including the seven topics of language setting, plot setting, graph display, plotter setting-up, automatic plot and plotter rectification.
3.1. Setting Language
Click “Language” menu of hpgl file and select the desired language in the three popped-up menus. Click the corresponding submenu.
3.2. Setting Plot:
Click “Configuration” menu “Plot Configuration”. The below dialog box will appear. You can set the plot size and default line thickness in the dialog box. There are three ways to set up the plot size:
Hpgl File System
3.2.1. First Way:
The first way is to set the size by the PS instruction of the file. However, not all the graphics files output by the cad software have a PS instruction.
3.2.2. Second Way:
The second way is to select it automatically by the contents of the file. It will automatically find the coordinates range which all the plot instructions reach and set a rectangular outline border as the frame for displaying and plotting the graph.
3.2.3. Third Way:
The third way is to set the size by the user. In general, you should not select this method because it may cause voids to the graph or waste paper.
3.3. Default line Thickness:
The larger the line thickness you select, the thicker the lines will be and the faster the ink will be consumed. When the plot file is closed, the line thickness setting will be reset to 1 so that the next plot will not be affected.
4. Displaying An Image
Before this step, make sure you have made proper selection in the step to set the plot. Plot setting usually only needs to be made once. Just some special graphs need plot setting to be redone.
Click “ File” menu than click“Open” to pop up the dialog box and select the graphics file required as shown below:
After image selection, the image can be seen in the main window of the program. The default scale is to fill up the space in Y direction, i.e. the direction of the width because the plot width will remain unchanged in most cases but the length could be very long. To change the image display scale, use the four submenus under “Display” menu. When a new image is opened, the last graph will be closed automatically.
5. Plotter Setting for Pattern Making Software File
Click “Configuration” menu than click “Plotter Configuration”. The below dialog box will appear:
Hpgl2 file system
Plot Configuration contains the setting-up of rectification, translation, interface, memory and plotting behavior.
5.1. Rectification Setting:
This option has been set up by the manufacturer before ex fatory delivery and usually needs no modification. If it really needs a modification, please see “Plotter rectification” in pattern making software chapter.
5.2. Translation Setting:
When the cad software output an image, the coordinates of the image in the direction of width (Y direction on the screen) are relatively far off the origin. In that case, if plotting begins from the origin of the direction of width, the image may not be fully plotted.
The red box shows the space that can be printed out. As per the width of the image, it should have been printed out entirely, but it’s not fully printed out because the cad software outputs the image too far off the origin of the direction of width (the low frame of the red box in the above figure).
Translation setting is to make the settings to translate the image downwards for full printout. There are two ways:
5.3. Automatic Translation:
The program checks the width of the image and the coordinates offset. When the width of the image is inside the plotting range but the coordinates offset is too large, it will automatically translate the image to the place near the bottom before plotting.
5.4. Manual Translation:
The downward translation of the image will be designated by the user. If part of the image can not be seen due to the translation. The software will prompts:
Because manual translation is only needed for a very few plots, the value of manual translation will be rest to 0 whenever the current graph is closed.
5.5. Interface Setting:
Select the interface the hardware needs to connect with the PC. At present, the only mode is to connect through a parallel port.
5.6. Memory Setting:
Usually, 50K to 100K will meet the need (ex-factory configuration is 2M). In case of a large batch plot ( for example, send the plot job to the plotter before going off work and leave the plotter working with the PC not being controlled by a operator), the memory can be set to a larger value.
5.7. Plotting Setting:
This includes the setup to delete the file or not after plotting and the setup for the number of times to plot one graph. The number of plotting times will be reset to 1 when the graphics file is closed so that it will not affect the next plot.
6. Plotting by hpgl plotter
When a graphics file is opened correctly, the plotter will plotting by hpgl plotter out the opened image in the two ways, direct plot and resuming plot.
6.1. Direct Plotting:
Click “File ” menu than click“Plot” to pop up the dialog box which displays the plotting progress as below:
Plotting Setting
Click “Cancel” to interrupt the plotting and “Pause” to pause the plotting. When plotting by hpgl plotter is paused, you can click “Resume” to continue the plotting.
If an interruption is man-made or due to ink-out or other reasons, the below dialog box will appear in hpgl plotter screen when trying to re-plot the same file
The plotting interruption distance of hpgl plotter will be automatically filled in at the “Start point”. If required, the value of the start point can also be manually entered. Click “Ok” to continue plotting at the “Start point” and click “cancel” to start the plot from the very beginning.
6.2. Resume Plotting:
Click “File” menu than click“ Resume Plot” to start the function which differs from direct plot in always popping up a dialog box to have the user select the start point even if the plotting has not been interrupted. The user may have to select this function under two situations: The plotting by ploter has been interrupted but the hpg12 program cannot acquire the interruption position (e.g. the PC power is cut off) or the forepart of an image does not need to be plotted.
6.3. Auto Plotting by Pattern Making Software :
The method described above in the section Plotting by ploter can only make one plot each time. The hpg12 software also has the automatic plot function. Click “Tools”menu→“Auto Plot” to pop up the dialog box:
The job list of automatic plotting by ploter will appear when you select a folder. The files in the selected folder will be plotted one by one automatically. Pattern making software support free dxf files.
To bring forward a file in the job list, you have to interrupt the plotting by ploter of the current file, select the file to be brought forward and click on the “Move Forward” button to move it to the top of the job list. Click “Plot”to start.
To interrupt the automatic plotting by ploter click “Cancel”. If a plot is underway, you have to click the “Cancel” button in the plot progress window. The plotter plot automatically with the help of pattern making software
CAD Software means Computer Aided Design software which support dxf, dwf, dwg, HPGL2, mrk and plt file format. The design which is created by the help of computer is called CAD. Most of the IT based companies provide the customers the specific needs of their CAD sectors. Sometimes customers demand customized CAD system as they can convert the file system like pdf to dxf and dwg to pdf. [2]
Advantages of CAD System:
Reduction in waste percentage of up to 10%
Reduction in sample making time of camcad
If no seam allowance on the original pattern, double lines may occur on the converted pattern. In this example there is a green straight line and red dashed line on top of each other. Use ”delete line” function to delete the dashed line.
Seam allowance
Zoom in to see the double lines. If needed move one of the lines to see which one is correct/ not dashed
Zoom
Visualize all points
Use ”decrease point” function
If needed – decrease more points manually
Some points need to be re-characterized to get the same shape as the original
After decreasing points check the pattern carefully
After decreasing points Compare the shape with original pattern
After decreasing points Zoom in actual area when comparing shape
After decreasing points Marry with neighbor pieces to check lines
After decreasing points Measure
Compare pattern piece with reduced points on top of original pattern piece
Zoom in actual area when comparing shape
Adjust the line to match original pattern shape exactly
Pattern piece with reduced points on top of original pattern piece must have exactly the same shape
Use ”marry” function to check that neighbor pieces still have smooth continuous lines when ”sewn together”
Dwg to Jpg :
There are many tyeps of file format found about cad – computer aided design software name as dxf, dwf, dwg, HPGL2, mrk, iba, plt etc. Generally dwg to jpg file conversion is very essential for designers. All manufacturer have develop their own file format of CAD for the machines. They have developed also common types of file format of CAD as it can be compatible with other machines. Bellow shown some file system with brand. [1]
DWG View
Extension
Brand
.IBA
Pattern File Lectra
.MDL
Pattern File Lectra
.VET
Pattern File Lectra
.PLX
Marker File Lectra
.PLA
Marker File Lectra
.PDS
Pattern File Optitec
.TMP
Pattern and Marker File Gerber Accumark
.MRK
Marker File Optite
.DSP
Marker File Optite
.HPGL
Plot File
.PLT
Plt file format for plot
.DXF
Drawing Exchange Format
.AAMA
American Architectural/ Apparel Manufacturers Association, similar file with DXF
Lectra file system Machine parameter’s File system:
This element is used to locate the name and place of a machine parameter’s file system. At User rank, this element cannot be input or modified : the original parameter’s of the plotter will be used (TRAPARAM file system). At Master rank, it is possible to input the name of a machine parameter’s file system to be used, to describe a original machine parameter’s
Visualise Point
Lectra file system Garment or Marker Parameter File system:
This element is used to locate the name and place of a part, garment or marker parameter’s file system . At Master rank, it is possible to input the name of a parameter file system to be used, or to describe it by original in the library parameter’s. At User rank, this element cannot be input . If no original file system name has been described, the original parameter’s of the TRAPARAM file system will be loaded. The operator can modify the value of some parameter’s. If a original file system name has been described at Master rank, the values contained in this file system will be used, and the modifications made by the user in the geometry, text and operating parameter’s will have no effect. The Param.file system line is used to describe the name and place of a parameter file system. The input principle is identical to the one described for the name and place of the machine parameter’s file system. For plotting parts, as soon as a parameter file system is associated to a part to be plotted, it is automatically associated to all lines of the batch.
Sew Together
Lectra file system Referenced Text Library:
This element is used to locate the name and place of the library where are stored the text file systems, which contain the text to be plotted in a part. The name of the file system is referenced in the part file system with the CAD software. A parameter line is used to describe the name and place of the referenced text library. Input directly the access path or double-click on this line to display the selector. A original value can be allocated to this library in the library parameter’s. This element cannot be visualised in the work list.
Text Library
Lectra file system Information File system:
This element is used to locate the name and place of the “Label” file system to be used. This file system describes the nature and presentation of the informationrmation which will plotted inside each form according to the selected operating mode. These file systems (Part information , Marker information, Garment information) can only be created by a Master rank user. The Information file system line is used to describe the name and place of the label format file system. The input principle is identical to the one described for the name and place of the machine parameter’s file system. A original value can be allocated to this library in the library parameter’s. This element cannot be visualised in the work list.
HPGL:
HPGL was the primary printer control language used by HP plotters. It later became a standard for almost all plotters.HPGL2 is the extendded version of HPGL [1]
HPGL File System
HPGL2:
The original HPGL language of CAD did not support the definition of line width. Production of the first inkjet plotters, line width for the pens specified within the HPGL files had to be set at the printer so it would know what line width to print for each pen, a cumbersome and error-prone process. After developing HPGL2, definition of line width was introduced into the language and allowed for elimination of this step. [1]
HPGL2 File System
What is a Dxf File?
DXF stands for Drawing eXchange Format. It is possible to convert from dxf to pdf. Since its initial release in 1982, there have been many changes to the DXF file format specifications.
IBA and DXF – same shape but more points in DXF
DXF more safe for the shape
IBA and mdl sometimes need to check for additional information
Important to check if there is any text information in other file types
DXF File System
DWG Support HPGL2 :
DWG format is a binary file format used for storing two and three dimensional design data and metadata. In addition, DWG vieweris supported non-natively by many other CAD applications. There are some software available in market of dwg to pdf converter, dwg viewer. [1]
DWG File System
Dwf Viewer:
Design Web Format – DWF is a secure file format of dwf viewer developed by autodesk for the efficient distribution and communication of rich design data to anyone who needs to view, review, or print design files. [1]
DWF File System
Plt Viewer:
The PLT file format system run by plt viewer which is stands for Auto CAD plotter Document. The Autodesk Auto CAD program uses plt viewer for the vector graphic plotter files created using the specified program. [1]
PLT File System
[1] Engr. Kh. Mashiur Rahman, Garments Auto Machine Technologist, Web: www.autogarment.com, Email: autogarments@gmail.com, Cell: +88 017 92 52 53 54 [2] Md. Shakhawat Hossain Sujan, Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering, City University of Bangladesh (4th year)
