How to use a cutter/trimmer equipped with OPOS Xtra?

The following features, which were previously included in the legacy VisualCut, GrandCut, and Trim-o-Matik options, are now included in annual CalderaRIP subscriptions and perpetual licenses with CalderaCare.

Partners and resellers should consult the Partners Portal for details; end-users can find information on our website.

Summa's Optical Positioning System (OPOS) helps align cutting and trimming jobs. This article explains how OPOS Xtra works and how to configure it in CalderaRIP.

How OPOS Xtra Works

OPOS Xtra builds on OPOS XY2 to compensate for irregular media deformation along the length of a print. It is particularly useful for small sticker jobs. The workflow uses additional horizontal lines between sets of registration marks to detect changes in print curvature:

Source: Summa

For more information, see: Summa - OPOS Registration marks

Set Up an OPOS Xtra Cutting Job

These instructions apply to devices equipped with OPOS Xtra: Summa S Series (One, Class 2, and Class 3 with up-to-date firmware) and HP Latex Plus.

1. In CalderaRIP, open your printer's Print Module and go to Page Setup:

    

2. Open the Marks tab and enable Trimmers feature. Then, select the OPOS Xtra trimmer:

     Info

   Bleed is enabled by default. In this example, it is disabled to simplify the setup.
   To add crop marks or annotations, click the   button and enable Allow additional marks.
   Starting with CalderaRIP V17.2, you can add color or white ink under trimmer marks to improve detection on non-white materials. Learn more.

   
    

3. In the S&R tab, select Standard or Textile:

     Info

   OPOS Xtra is available only for Step and Repeat with rectangular nesting. It does not work with Contour Nesting.

   
    

4. Open the Cutting tab, enable Enable cutting contour, and select your cutter.
   
   
   Roll-to-Roll drivers for OPOS Xtra-equipped cutting devices:

   HP Latex Plus OPOS Xtra Summa OPOS Xtra Summa PostNet (old)

   Summa S2 PostNet (panelling) Summa S3 OPOS Xtra Summa S3 PostNet

   For more information, see: How to install a roll-to-roll cutter?.
    

5. (Optional) Click Tools and enable Use custom margins to adjust the size of the horizontal marks or the spacing between them.

     Good to know

   Starting with CalderaRIP V17.3.1, the left and right barcodes are disabled for OPOS Xtra workflows. They are ineffective with these devices and can cause marks to overlap.
   - In new installations, these barcodes are disabled by default.
   - If they were enabled before updating to V17.3.1, they may still appear enabled, but their controls are unavailable. Click Apply to deactivate them and remove the existing settings. Repeat this process for presets used by QuickPrints or Workflows.

   

Recommendations and Limitations

• OPOS Xtra is not recommended for images larger than 500 mm.
• For non-white media, the background setting defaults to 0. Leave a white margin of at least 10 mm to help the cutter detect the registration marks and avoid failed cutting jobs.

• Printing white ink under and around marks has limitations with some layering methods. If you encounter a problem, try the settings below:

  Settings for Printing White Under and Around Marks

  Cutting tab:
  1. Expand the registration mark settings.
  2. Enable the background and select white in the color picker.
  
  
  White tab:
  1. Select the "Use a Spot Color" method.
  2. Select "Print Marks".
  3. Select "Generate even if empty" at the bottom of the tab.
  
• To use OPOS Xtra, enable the OPOS Xtra trimmer in the Marks tab and select the appropriate cutter driver in the Cutting tab.
• For HP users:
  • In the Cutting tab, select HP Latex Plus OPOS Xtra, not HP Latex Plus or HP Latex Cutter, for the OPOS Xtra workflow described in this article. 
  • For multilayer sandwich jobs, also review the multilayer Print and Cut limitations. These should be considered alongside the OPOS Xtra mark settings described here.
• Use the Page Setup Preview to check the position of the OPOS Xtra lines. Adjust the margins or media size as needed, and test the setup before sending the job to the cutter.
• If unwanted edge marks or barcodes appear, open Page Setup > Cutting tab > Tools and check the mark and barcode settings.