Press Release                                                     July, 2008

For Immediate Release

 

 

Graphtec America, Inc. Introduces the New FC8000 Series High Performance Cutting Plotters

 

Graphtec America, Inc. of Santa Ana, California, is proud to announce the new family of FC8000 series Cutting Proª high-performance cutting plotters for sign makers, auto-aftermarket professionals, and many other industry specialists needing a high-performance cutting plotter. New manufacturing technologies, along with the latest engineering advancements, have provided the most effective handling of thin window films as well as thick paint protection films.

Features include; push rollers with 3 tension settings allowing for strong
or medium media tension on both ends  of the cutting plotter and light media tension in the center—helping with media hold down while protecting the thinner media (such as window tint film) from being damaged. Additionally, Graphtec will make available an optional Automotive Film, AKZ kit, for the FC8000 series, which will include: extended media brackets and an antistatic dispensator on both the front and rear of the cutting plotter, which reduces static electricity enabling unrestricted media movement. The AKZ kit will also include a chamfer-tipped blade holder, which is an extruded tip for less contact with the media preventing jumping and accurate cutting of thin window tint.

These new features allows Graphtec to make an unprecedented move forward in the automotive industry.  The new FC8000 series is available in five model configurations: FC 8000-60 24Ó, FC8000-75 30Ó, the FC8000-100 42Ó, the FC8000-130 54Ó, the FC8000-160 64Ó.  Maximum compatible media widths for each model are 30.3Ó, 36Ó, 48Ó, 60Ó, and 72Ó respectively, which is ideal for cutting large one piece vehicle patterns and contour cutting pre-printed images from most printers. The FC8000 series is list priced at $2995 (-60), $3995 (-75), $4995 (-100), $5995 (-130), and $6995 (-160), Pricing includes plug-in software (Cutting Master) for Adobe¨ Illustrator¨ and CorelDraw¨ and a new Cutting Plotter Controller Software utility software.  This software enables controlling and editing remote functions of the FC 8000, including adjustment of plotter settings and sharing these customized settings with other FC 8000 users.  Each unit includes both a floor stand and a dual media catch basket for dust-free, continuous long length and/or repetitive job operations, The FC8000 series will be sold in the worldwide market through GraphtecÕs distribution channel commencing July 2008.  

 

FC8000 Features:

The FC8000 series features a maximum cutting speed of 58.5 in/sec, 4.0G acceleration, and 20 to 600g selectable cutting force, thus allowing users to process diamond grade, high-intensity reflective film, sandblast resist rubber, automotive window & paint protection films, self-adhesive vinyl, among many other media types. With the worldÕs fastest throughput, highest performance and superb accuracy, the new FC8000 series accommodates the most demanding cutting and plotting projects and provides users with the versatility needed for a wide variety of applications.

A newly designed wide 3 inch user-friendly interactive LCD control Panel, with Dual configuration function allows two different users to set and save their independent settings for customized jobs on a single FC 8000 cutter. Eight different settable conditions (with custom labels) that each have eight parameter settings for each of the two user settings provide an instant recall of all pre-programmed setups.  This feature improves overall efficiency and productivity for the user, allowing them to retain their most commonly used media and job type settings for immediate use on a later project.  Each of the eight settings can be programmed with the specific type of tool/pen, cutting/plotting speed, acceleration, force, tangential control and distance compensation required for a specific application, also programmed settings can be programmed remotely using the Cutting Plotter Controller Software Utility.

The new FC8000 series is compatible with Venture Shield¨ and design/illustration software.  A Windows¨ driver for PCs (compatible with Windows¨ 98, ME, 2000, XP, and now Vista¨), Controller software for remote cutter/plotter set-up and operation, and Adobe¨ Illustrator¨/CorelDraw¨ plug-in software for Macintosh¨ and Windows¨ come standard with all FC8000 series cutting plotters.

Optional features/accessories are included to maximize user efficiency, and stand-integrated media racks holding up to three extra rolls for convenient loading of media with different types, sizes, and colors. An optional second penholder benefits those users who frequently label before cutting thus eliminating the need for manual replacement of tools/pens during the same job. The FC 8000 interface is a standard USB 2.0, RS-232 serial, and new Optional Ethernet Interface allows for 1 PC to run multiple cutters.

Graphtec America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Graphtec Corporation in Yokohama, Japan.  Graphtec produces plotters, vinyl cutters, color printers, scanners, digitizer tablets, intelligent recording instruments, and data acquisition systems. Recognized as a technological leader, Graphtec has engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and service operations in Japan and the United States of America. In addition, Graphtec products are sold and serviced via business partners and distributors worldwide.

 

Contact:

 

Glenn Liebner, Product Planning Manager

Graphtec America, Inc.

1251 East Dyer Road Suite 110

Santa Ana CA 92705

949-770-6010 x 1119

gliebner@graphtecamerica.com

 

AcculoadŠ, Cutting ProŠ, and SmartFeedŠ are trademarks of Graphtec Corporation

All other trademarks acknowledged as being the property of their respective owners.