FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2007

Graphtec America, Inc. Introduces the New FC7000MK2 Series High Performance Cutting Plotters

Graphtec America, Inc. of Santa Ana, California, announces its new FC7000 Mark 2 series Cutting Pro™ high-performance cutting plotters for sign makers, graphic artists, auto-aftermarket professionals, countertop installers and other related users. This series carries newer drive technologies than previous models, enabling users to obtain up to 50 feet guaranteed tracking. As with its predecessor the FC7000 series, it includes the ARMS ­ Advanced Registration Marks System. This system adjusts for several types of potential print distortions, allowing for accurate contour cutting of printed images and decals. The new FC7000MK2 series is available in five model configurations: FC7000MK2-75 30”, the FC7000MK2-100 42”, the FC7000MK2-130 54”, the FC7000MK2-160 64” and the series newest size: FC7000MK2-60 24”. Maximum compatible media widths for each model are 30.3”, 36”, 48”, 60”, and 72” respectively.

New manufacturing technologies, along with the latest engineering advancements, have allowed Graphtec to make an unprecedented move forward in the industry. High performance features have been added to the new series yet its competitive pricing remains competitive. The FC7000MK2 series includes a plug-in software for Adobe® Illustrator® and CorelDraw®. Each unit includes standard floor stands and dual media catch basket for dust-free, continuous long length and/or repetitive job operations, The FC7000MK2 series will be sold in the worldwide market through established distribution channels commencing July 2007.

FC7000MK2 Features:
The FC7000MK2 series features a maximum cutting speed of 58.5 in/sec, 4.0G maximum acceleration, and 20 to 600g selectable cutting forces, allowing users to process diamond grade, high-intensity reflective film, sandblast resist rubber, automotive window & paint protection films, self-adhesive vinyl, Amberlith™ and Rubylith™, among other media types. With the world’s fastest throughput performance and superb accuracy, the new FC7000MK2 series accommodates the most demanding cutting and plotting projects and provides users with the versatility needed for a wide variety of applications.

For producing decals in the print and cut operation, the ARMS Advanced Registration Marks System can read multiple registration mark patterns to obtain accurate contour cutting with any potential types of distortion created during the printing process. This especially benefits those who have need for contour cutting of longer prints. The ARMS system is designed to compensate for media mis-alignment, material expansion/contraction, and the common media shifting that occurs during the printing process. These intelligent features assure users of unsurpassed accuracy and reliable operation for even the most intricate die/contour cutting applications.

Other features specific to the FC7000MK2 series includes a special cross-cut function, which cuts across the entire width of your material, delivering a clean finish to every job. As with it previous model the FC7000, the FC7000MK2 has a user-friendly control panel that includes an improved key panel design for quick and easy operation. A large 20-digit x 4-line illuminated LCD menu display and icon-labeled controls provide effortless operation and simple navigation of setup menus. Eight commonly used function controls are directly accessible on the control panel for user efficiency, including instantaneous Hold (pause), Cutting/Plotting Conditions, Axis/RMS Alignment, View, Position, Copy, Test Cut and New Origin.

Eight user settings provide an instant recall of pre-programmed setup conditions. 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.

The new FC7000MK2 series is compatible with a variety of sign-making 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 FC7000MK2 series cutting plotters.

The FC7000MK2 series also incorporates all of the features and well-acclaimed functions that made the FC7000 series so popular, such as the LED Positioning System, SmartFeed™ media tracking, sophisticated tangential emulation algorithms, tool soft-landing intelligence, multiple copy production, image rotation, mirror effect and design scaling.

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 switch between test plotting and cutting operations by eliminating the need for manual replacement of tools/pens. A pouncing tool is available for applications requiring the pouncing of paper patterns with various perforation intervals.

Neal Baessler, product planning manager states, “The newly designed mechanisms such as the baskets, will give our customers the added confidence in this product by guaranteeing long tracking that is needed for unattended cutting workflow”

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.

Accuload™, Cutting Pro™, and SmartFeed™ are trademarks of Graphtec Corporation All other trademarks acknowledged as being the property of their respective owners.

Graphtec America, Inc.
11 Vanderbilt
Irvine, CA 92618-2067
Phone: 949-770-6010 x 1119
E-Mail: nbaessler@graphtecusa.com
Website URL: www.graphtecusa.com