HP Designjet T120 and T520 ePrinter Series - Troubleshooting Automatic Cutter Related Issues

The printer does not cut the media after completing a print job

Printer attempts to trim the media and the media does not cut well or the cutter damages the media

This document is for the HP Designjet T120 and T520 ePrinters.

Use this document when the cutter does not cut the media after completing the print job; and when the cutter attempts to trim the media and the media does not cut well, or the cutter damages the media when trimming the edge.

The printer does not cut the media after completing a print job

When the setting for the cutter is disabled either from the front panel of the printer or from the print driver settings on the computer, the media is not cut after completing a print job.

note:
The settings from the HP printer driver have priority and override the printer settings.

Step 1: Run the form feed and cut tool from the printer front panel

Use these steps to run the form feed and cut tool from the printer front panel.

From the front panel, touch the Tools () icon, and then select Form feed and cut. The media advances and then is cut across the front edge.
Examine the media edge:
- If the cutter trims the media edge properly, continue to the next step.
- If the cutter does not trim the media well or damages the media, continue to the next step, and then continue to next troubleshooting section.

Step 2: Enable the cutter setting using the print driver

Follow these steps to enable the cutter setting using the print drive.

Windows

Depending on the printer model and the driver used, choose your option to enable to the cutter.

HP Designjet Universal Printer Drive HPGL2 the option is available in Layout/Output tab.

Figure : Example of Layout/Output tab using the HP Designjet Universal Printer Drive HPGL2
HP Designjet PCL3 drive the option is available in Features tab.

Figure : Example of Features tab using the HP Designjet PCL3 Print Drive

Mac

From the Print option screen, select Finishing from the drop down list, and then uncheck the Disable Automatic Cutter box.

Figure : Example of disable automatic cutter

Image: Example of disable automatic cutter

Step 3: Enable the cutter setting from the front panel

Use these steps to enable the cutter setting from the front panel.

From the front panel, touch the Tools () icon, and then select Printer preferences.
Select Print retrieval, and then select Enable cutter.

The default setting is On.

Printer attempts to trim the media and the media does not cut well or the cutter damages the media

Using media outside of the recommended specifications or a dirty cutter assembly or path can cause the cutter to not cut well or damage the media when cutting.

Step 1: Use media within the supported specifications

Review the supported specifications of media for the printer.

Confirm the cutter is enabled.
Ensure the media is within the supported specifications.

Figure : Supported paper sizes

Try using thin media such as 80 or 90 gsm plain or coated media to verify the cutter functionality, if problem continues go to the next step.

Step 2: Inspect the cutter assembly and path

The cutter assembly and path should be without paper dust or pieces of paper.

Turn the printer off, and then unplug the power cord from the wall socket and the printer.
The cutter rests on the left side of the printer. Open the ink door to check and remove any paper pieces in the cutter assembly.
Move the cutter assembly to the right.

Figure : Cutter assembly on left side of printer
Open the printer window, and then carefully slide the cutter assembly to the middle of the printer for inspection.

Figure : Cutter assembly in center of printer
Inspect and remove any paper pieces, dust, or foreign particles on the cutter roller or cutter assembly.
Carefully check and clean the full length of the cutter path and guides.

Figure : View of cutter path
Gently move the cutter assembly back to its resting position to the far left of the printer.
Close the window, connect the power cord to the printer and the wall socket, and then turn the printer on.
Verify the functionality of the cutter.

HP Designjet T120 and T520 ePrinter Series - Troubleshooting Automatic Cutter Related Issues

The printer does not cut the media after completing a print job

Step 1: Run the form feed and cut tool from the printer front panel

Step 2: Enable the cutter setting using the print driver

Step 3: Enable the cutter setting from the front panel

Printer attempts to trim the media and the media does not cut well or the cutter damages the media

Step 1: Use media within the supported specifications

Step 2: Inspect the cutter assembly and path

Additional support options

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