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This document outlines the following things:

• A short introduction to the Secabo DTF MultiCut Pro and what it is

• What the basic workflow with the machine looks like

• How you can set up the basic workflow yourself

• Next steps for customizing your own setup
  
  

Disclaimer: This guide is provided for your convenience in addition to the official manual,
which contains important information regarding the safe operation of the machine.This
document does not replace the manual. Please refer to the official manual for safety
information.

Introduction to the Secabo DTF MultiCut Pro

At its core, the Secabo DTF MultiCut Pro is a flatbed cutter with a conveyor belt, designed to
streamline and automate the cutting process for printed roll media. It is capable of
independently feeding material from a roll and executing precise cuts with minimal manual
intervention.

This machine is particularly well-suited for Direct-to-Film (DTF) production workflows, where
large volumes of printed media require precise and repetitive cutting. By automating much of
the cutting work, the MultiCut Pro greatly reduces the time and effort traditionally associated
with manual cutting, improving efficiency and output quality.

While its primary use case is DTF, the MultiCut Pro’s versatility extends beyond this, making
it compatible with various other media types and applications.

What does a basic workflow look like?

Keep in mind that the workflow described below is just a basic setup. The Secabo DTF
MultiCut Pro is highly customizable and can be integrated into various production
environments depending on your needs.

1. Print files

Begin by using a supported RIP software to prepare your print file. When properly set up, the
print file will automatically include four registration mark points and a QR code, which the
cutter will use for alignment and identification during the cutting process.

As of writing this guide the following RIPs natively support the cutter:

• Fiery DigitalFactory (used to be called CadLINK)

• Ergosoft

• Caldera PrimeCenter

• DevStudio

In addition to that we also offer basic plugins for Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw.

2. Cut Files

The RIP software will automatically generate a matching cut file for every print file. These cut
files contain the information the cutter needs to accurately cut the printed media. Those files
are stored in a designated network folder, often referred to as a "hot folder." The Secabo
DTF MultiCut Pro accesses this folder to retrieve the correct cut files based on the printed
QR code. There is no direct communication required between the RIP software and the
cutter.

3. Printing

Print your prepared files onto a roll. You can combine multiple print jobs onto a single roll,
allowing for efficient and flexible production with mixed file types.

4. Cutting

The operator inserts the printed roll into the machine and manually positions the cutting head
over the first registration mark of the first job on the roll. Once the head is aligned, the cutting
operation can be initiated:

The machine reads the printed QR code, retrieves the corresponding cut file from the
network folder, and begins processing. From this point, the Secabo DTF MultiCut Pro will
autonomously handle the cutting of the entire roll.

You got the machine in front of you - What now?

Now that you understand the basic workflow, it's time to set up and configure the machine for
operation. This section will walk you through the required key steps by providing a summary
for each step in addition to specific references to our manual.

You can find the latest documentation here:

• Manual

• RIP Information

1. Unboxing and assembling

In almost all cases the machine will arrive partially assembled in a protective heavy duty
wooden box by a freight forwarding company. You have to get the machine out of its box,
assemble its stand and mount it on there. Once assembled you have to connect the machine
to the included vacuum pump (data cable and vacuum tube) and provide power to both.

Please refer to page 9 of the manual (“Unboxing and setup”) for more information.

2. Testing the machine

Every machine ships out with a test sheet on its working area. You can use this to make sure
the machine is working properly after assembly. The instructions on how to do this are
printed on the test sheet itself.

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3. Connecting the machine to the network

In order to access files on a network folder the machine requires a network connection. It
supports both Ethernet and WiFi. In general an ethernet connection over wire is more
reliable than WiFi, but since we’re only dealing with tiny amounts of data WiFi will also work
fine in most cases.

Please refer to the manual:

• Page 26 (“IPv4 Config”) for ethernet setup

• Page 25 (“WLAN Config”) for WiFi setup

4. Setting up the network folder

Now that the machine is connected to your network it is time to set up a network folder that
will hold your cut files. Ideally you do this on the same computer that also runs your RIP, but
this is not a requirement. In any case, the computer or server providing the network folder
needs to be reachable by the cutter - So either make sure they are in the same network or
you have proper routing set up.

The network folder is created using basic Windows functionality and requires no additional
software. Please refer to page 73 of the manual (“Setting up the network share”) for detailed
instructions.

When properly set up, you can access files within that folder on the computer right from the
cutter. You can quickly test this by creating a folder (for example the required “qrplt” folder) in
the network folder and see whether that appears on the DTF cutter:

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5. Setting up your RIP (or installing the plugins)

Now is the time to configure your RIP to automatically create the required print markup and
generate cut files for you. Alternatively you can also use the included plugins for Adobe
Illustrator or CorelDraw.

For RIPs please refer to the previously linked “RIP Software Information”. Please note that
this document might not include instructions for all supported RIPs. You can always refer to
the manual of your RIP for detailed instructions on how to set up cutting devices.

If you want to start with the included plugins for Adobe Illustrator / CorelDraw please refer to
the manual:

• Page 32 - 34 outlining the installation instructions

• Adobe Illustrator

  • Page 35 - 43 outlining the creation of files in DTF mode

  • Page 44 - 54 outlining the creation of files in Standard mode

• CorelDraw

  • Page 53 - 62 outlining the creation of files in DTF mode

  • Page 63 - 71 outlining the creation of files in Standard mode

What are operating modes (DTF Mode / Standard Mode)?

At this point you will have your first contact with the printed markup that is required for the
DTF cutter. Essentially the machine supports two modes of operation that differ slightly:

Standard Mode: Used for traditional non-transparent media, such as sublimation paper. The mark points are black.	DTF Mode: Used for transparent DTF media. This is likely the mode you want to use at all times. The mark points are white.

Standard Mode: Used for traditional non-transparent media, such as sublimation paper. The mark points are black.	DTF Mode: Used for transparent DTF media. This is likely the mode you want to use at all times. The mark points are white.
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Please note: The preview of mark points in your RIP / when using the plugins might be
misleading. Some of them always display them in Standard Mode while others don’t seem to
display them at all (white marks on white background). Refer to pages 12 + 13 of the manual
for more information.

6. Cutting your first job

At this point you should have everything you need to execute the basic workflow:

• A basic understanding of what the Secabo DTF MultiCut Pro is and how it works

• A fully assembled and running machine

  • Connected to your network via ethernet or WiFi

  • Able to access a networked folder

• A computer with a properly configured RIP / installed plugins

  • Generating the proper markup for your prints

  • Dropping cut files into the networked folder

Please refer to page 75 of the manual for information about how to start jobs.

Something doesn’t work - What now?

Even with proper setup, you might encounter certain pitfalls during operation. This section
will guide you through some of the most common challenges you might face and how to
address them effectively.

The machine won’t scan QR codes

Please take a close look at the error message provided by the machine to narrow down the
list of possible issues.

Machine reports “QR File Acquire FAILED!”

This message indicates that the machine successfully read the printed QR code but
encountered an issue when attempting to retrieve the corresponding file. This could mean
that the machine was unable to connect to the network folder, or the required file is missing
from the folder.

You can validate this yourself:

• Scan the QR code with your phone to obtain the file name the machine is looking for

• Take a look at the network folder (using the file browser on the machine)

  • There should be a file called “<scanned-code>.plt” (lowercase!)

  • This file needs to be inside a folder called “qrplt” (lowercase!)

If you've confirmed that the file is present, the issue may be related to network connectivity.
Try scanning the QR code again to check if the problem persists. Additionally, switching from
WiFi to a wired Ethernet connection can improve stability and resolve network-related
issues.

Machine reports “QR Code Recognise FAILED!”

This message indicates that the machine was unable to read the printed QR code.
Unfortunately, several factors can cause this issue. In this section, we will go through the
most common causes and how to address them.

Before proceeding, it's important to remember that the challenge lies in the fact that the QR
code is printed, powdered, and baked in an oven, yet still needs to remain recognizable. If
any parameters in this process—such as print quality, powder application, or curing—are
incorrect, the QR code may become unreadable, causing issues from the very start.

QR code size

The machine supports QR code sizes ranging from 10.0 to 15.0 mm. Larger codes generally
improve readability and increase the code's tolerance to production variances, making it less
susceptible to issues like distortion or smudging during the printing, powdering, and curing
processes. You can change the QR code size in your RIP / plugin settings.

Environmental light conditions

Lighting conditions at the machine's location are critical for optimal operation. Ensure
consistent, even lighting across the working area, avoiding bright spots or shadows.
Minimize dynamic light changes from external sources, such as sunlight through windows,
as these can interfere with the machine’s ability to read the QR codes accurately.

You can also fine-tune the machine's camera settings to better match your lighting
conditions. Use the buttons below to adjust brightness and exposure. Generally, the machine
operates best with a slightly darker image, which helps reduce reflections from the cured
adhesive.

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Print / Transfer Quality

The print and transfer quality significantly affects the readability of the QR code after the
entire process. If the code remains unreadable despite increasing its size and experimenting
with various lighting configurations, it's time to examine your print workflow:

• Ensure that your print heads are correctly aligned, with no visible offset between the
  white and colored print heads. The QR code should appear very sharp to the naked
  eye immediately after printing and before entering the oven.

• Make sure you control how much white ink gets applied to your transfer. By default
  many RIPs just use 100%, which is way too much in many cases. In our own test
  environment we achieved high quality transfers and reliable scanning while reducing
  the amount of ink by up to 20%.

• Ensure that you are using fine-grained granulate for powdering your transfers.
  Coarser granulate can negatively impact the readability of the QR code.

• You can verify the readability of your cured QR codes by scanning them with your
  phone. For best results, place the QR code against a dark background (such as the
  conveyor belt of the DTF cutter) before scanning. If your phone successfully
  recognizes the code, the DTF cutter will likely be able to do the same in most cases.

Some QR codes still unreadable?

If some QR codes remain unreadable at this stage, you can resort to manual file selection on
the machine. Simply point the camera at the first mark point, and then use the file browser to
load the appropriate file manually. In this case, the machine will bypass the QR code and
process the file using only the registration mark points.

The machine reports “Out of work range!”

This message will be reported whenever the machine tries to reach a mark point that is
outside of its working range. Usually there are only very few issues that can cause this
problem:

• Ensure that the mark points on your print file do not exceed the machine's maximum
  cutting size, which is 600 mm x 880 mm. Ideally, keep the dimensions slightly below
  this maximum to allow for some leeway when inserting media into the machine.

• Make sure to insert the print file into the machine as straight as possible within the
  indicated working area (stickers on the machine). Inserting it at a significant angle
  may cause the registration mark points to fall outside the working range down the
  line.

The machine can’t find the beginning of the next page

If you encounter this issue, it is likely due to an incorrect value set for "Page Space" when
starting your job. "Page Space" refers to the distance between two jobs on your roll. To
measure it accurately, follow this method (which applies to both operating modes): measure
from the left side of one mark point to the left side of the next mark point:

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In the example above, we are measuring from the center of
one mark point to the center of the next mark point, which
yields a value of 20.00 mm. This is the value you need to
enter into the machine when starting a job. Keep in mind that
the value is always interred in millimeters.

Please note that 20.00 mm is also the minimum distance
required between two pages.

What if I have irregular spacing between pages?

If your production results in irregular spacing between jobs, enter the minimum spacing you
regularly encounter into the "Page Space" setting. Starting with firmware version v05v01, the
machine will automatically search for the start of the next job if it cannot detect a mark point.
Refer to page 30 of the manual for information on how to upgrade firmware. You can obtain
firmware versions for your machine at https://www.secabo.com/en/firmware/.