Gerber Scientific & Allen Datagraph Plotters & Lasers
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Design Mart works with Hyatt's Graphics (www.hyatts.com) to offer plotters and cutters from Gerber and Allen Datagraph as well as lasers from Allen Datagraph. We also offer seminars and tutorials for beginners.
All New Impact Etcher - Starting at $13,750! What is Impact Etching? All Impact Etchers are available with Design Mart monument sales brochures, catalogs and computer images. Please visit our Books & Brochures page to learn more about these valuable sales tools and matching image files.
There are three types and sizes of Impact Etchers available: You'll find helpful information in our Impact Etcher brochure at http://www.hyatts.com/pdf/SIGNGraniteImpactEtcher.pdf . Laser Engraving vs. Impact Etching Laser Engraver What is the largest size stone that can be etched? Design Mart and Hyatt's Graphics hosted the annual Boot Camp on March 13th & 14th. These two one-day sessions provided opportunities for attendees to learn more about lasers and how they can be used for monument applications. (Click here to watch the Allen Datagraph laser in use.) This year's Boot Camp was held in Elberton, Georgia, at the offices of Design Mart. Ray Marsh, Allen Datagraph, taught an informative session on the features found in the image editing and prep application that ships with the laser. Mike Elliott, Allen Datagraph, demonstrated the operation of the laser as participants got a close-up look at the laser in action and asked questions. Participants got a preview of the new Memories Etched in Stone brochure, catalog and digital library that comes with each laser system. 10:00 Welcome & Introductions If you missed this year's Boot Camp and would like more information on laser or stencil systems please contact Ron Clamp at rclamp1@pbtcomm.net or 803-894-4807. Click image or click here to watch laser video. We offer a variety of machines with photos as well as retail monument brochures and catalogs. Systems import a variety of photo formats, and four models are available with a Y range up to 48" and a X range from 48" - 144". Processing speed is 3 square inches per minute and 150 DPI - 300 DPI resolution. The laser itself is a class IV laser and comes with 2 Mb RAM expandable to 8 Mb. Systems start at $39,975. For information on financing, shipping, and training, please email or call us today. Please email d-mart@designmart.com or call 800-736-7455 for more information. hosted by Design Mart & Hyatt's Graphics Boot Camp 2007 returned to Elberton, Georgia, after being held at Niagara Falls in 2005. This year's Boot Camp featured two sessions with 74 participants representing 41 companies from 17 states. The two-day event, hosted by Design Mart and Hyatt's Graphics, included Friday's instructional sessions on Gerber's Omega application with Design Mart monument designs and fonts, and Saturday's sandblast class and quarry tours. Elaine Andrews, of Design Mart, led the Basic Course that covered essential monument design techniques using Gerber's Omega, while Charles Owens, of Gerber Scientific, led the advanced hands-on course highlighting some of Omega's new features. Mike Fernandez, of Design Mart, also demonstrated the new Color Kit II for adding color to drawings created in Gerber - as well as the new, user-friendly, Monument Designer point-of-sale software. Miles Supply, of Elberton sponsored a break area with refreshments during Friday's instructional seminars. Allen Datagraph and Gerber plotters were on display, and special offers from Gerber included upgrades to Omega with an additional free Work Station version of Omega. Saturday, Ronnie Brown, of Miles Supply, led tours of a local quarry. Saturday morning also included a sandblast class, conducted by Ron Clamp and hosted by Dixie Granite. Participants were able to see how the work done during the Friday classes could be applied to the stencil and stone. Friday night, many of the participants dined in historic downtown Elberton and attended a free movie at the Elbert Theatre. Response to the training facilities, course content, and tours was overwhelmingly positive, and we are looking forward to more Boot Camps in the future. If you are interested in future events, please email or call Design Mart. We'll be glad to place you on our snail-mail and e-mail lists. Getting Started Click here to visit the Price & Order page, or call (800) 736-7455 to order or ask questions. For additional information on our Gerber Omega Tutorial, technical support, or Gerber systems, please call our studio toll-free at 800-736 7455. The plotter display by Allen Datagraph and equipment display by Miles Supply were also well attended. As always, attendees reported that they learned new short cuts, helpful tips, and were able to find new ways to be more productive. Attendees also participated in sandblast classes Saturday as well as a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Blue Sky Mausoleum at Buffalo's Forest Lawn Cemetery Sunday. Design Mart's studio uses a number of solutions for point-of-sale and manufacturing/sandblasting. We currently offer two types of new plotters: Gerber's GS750 and Allen Datagraph's 536. Computer Hardware and Software Requirements: OMEGA 2.6 is compatible with Microsoft Windows® XP, 2000, or Vista®. OMEGA 2.6 will NOT LOAD on Windows 98 or Windows ME. Windows XP, XP Professional 64, and 2000 Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit1 OMEGA CP = Pentium IV™, with 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB highly recommended 2 GB of available hard disk space minimum, 20+ GB highly recommended OMEGA LS = Pentium IV, with 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB highly recommended 2 GB of available hard disk space minimum, 20+ GB highly recommended OMEGA CS = Pentium III, with 256 MB minimum, 512 MB highly recommended. 1 GB of available hard disk space minimum, 10 GB highly recommended OMEGA PS = Pentium IV, with 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB highly recommended. 2 GB of available hard disk space minimum, 20+ GB highly recommended. These are the recommended minimums. Stronger processors and more memory (2x minimum or more), and additional hard disk space will improve performance, especially when working in data intensive operations such as scanning, working with images and import/export. The available hard disk space requirements do not reflect the actual hard disk size, which may be anywhere from 10 GB to 80 GB or more. 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor2 1 GB of system memory Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (min.)3, Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel 40 GB of hard disk capacity with 15 GB free space DVD-ROM Drive4 Audio output capability Internet access capability 1. At this time, Windows Vista 64-bit does not support OMEGA parallel port usage. See the Windows operating system compatibility chart on the page 8. 2. Processor speed is specified as the nominal operational processor frequency for the device. Some processors have power management which allows the processor to run at lower rate to save power. 3. If the GPU uses shared memory, then no additional graphics memory is required beyond the 1 GB system memory requirement; If the GPU uses dedicated memory then 128 MB is required. 4. A DVD-ROM may be external (not built into the system). Windows operating systems compatibility: At this time, Windows Vista 64-bit does not support OMEGA parallel port usage. Therefore you cannot perform Copy-to-USB parallel security key upgrades or communicate with a GERBER EDGE or EDGE 2 printer via a parallel port when using Vista 64-bit. Gerber recommends that you use Vista 32-bit or upgrade to a GERBER EDGE FX which communicates via an Ethernet cable. Alternately, you can render on a Vista 64-bit system and output to a GERBER EDGE or EDGE 2 using a separate OMEGA Plot Station installed on a Windows XP or Windows 2000 computer. The following chart details compatibility. Windows XP 32 Windows XP 64 Windows Vista 32 Windows Vista 64 Design Composer and other design functions. Create and save PLT files. OK OK OK OK Rendering GSPPlot rendering of SPL files. OK OK OK OK Output EDGE via parallel cable or off-the-shelf USB-to-Parallel cable OK OK OK NO. Use a separate Plot Station on a system NOT using Vista 64-bit. EDGE 2 via parallel cable or GSP custom USB-to-Parallel cable OK OK OK NO. Use a separate Plot Station on a system NOT using Vista 64-bit. EDGE FX (Ethernet only) OK OK OK OK Plotters via serial port OK OK OK OK Plotters via Radio Shack® 26-183 USB to Serial Cable OK Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested To confirm system requirements please visit http://www.gspinc.com . For those who are just starting, we offer Omega LS* and a selection of monument art and fonts including: $2857.31 discounted 25% from list price of $3809.75 Call for current prices. (Prices do not include shipping and handling or training.) Technical Support Field Service Customer Service FastFacts GSP Website![]()
Impact Etching is a revolutionary technology, designed for use in the Monument Industry. The image is created by a diamond-tipped needle hitting the stone. The Etcher's controller changes the strength and frequency of hits to achieve required characteristics of the image. The etching head is driven by a precision German-manufactured 3-D linear drive with a gap sensor that automatically maintains an optimal distance between the needle and stone - allowing processing of uneven surfaces. The result is an image that is as close as as possible to the original, and has the quality of etching performed by the artist, for a fraction of the cost.
How does it compare to laser?
Impact Etching does not require stone to be ideally black, level or flat. Since it is similar to hand etching it penetrates stone much deeper than a laser, which burns the surface of the stone.


GRANITE-CP IMPACT ETCHING MACHINE 15.7 X 23.6
The Granite Impact Etcher from Economical Solutions Corp is a non-laser, easy-to-use and reliable etching machine. Made from German mechanical components, it is the only diamond etching machine in the US market. It utilizes automatic gap-tracking technology to eliminate focusing and the need to level the stone. This compact, portable unit can be positioned on the stone, and will etch up to a 15.7 x 23.6 inch image area.
GRANITE-SR IMPACT ETCHING MACHINE 25.2 X 29.9
The Granite Impact Etcher from Economical Solutions Corp is a non-laser, easy-to-use and reliable etching machine. Made from German mechanical components, it is the only diamond etching machine in the US market. It utilizes automatic gap-tracking technology to eliminate focusing and the need to level the stone. This mid-sized, floor unit is capable of etching an image up to 25.2 x 29.9 inches.
GRANITE-SX IMPACT ETCHING MACHINE 25.2 X 48.8
The Granite Impact Etcher from Economical Solutions Corp is a non-laser, easy-to-use and reliable etching machine. Made from German mechanical components, it is the only diamond etching machine in the US market. It utilizes automatic gap-tracking technology to eliminate focusing and the need to level the stone. This large, floor unit is capable of etching an image up to 25.2 x 48.8 inches.
• Can engrave wood, leather, plastic.
• Burns very thin upper layer of the stone.
• Works best on perfectly black stone. Yields substandard results on non-black
• Laser machines are complex and have many subsystems: electronic, mechanical, optical, cooling, and fumes removal.
• Requires stone leveling procedure. Stone has to be perfectly flat and level against the machine’s plane.
• Requires manual focusing and/or gap setting to ensure proper distance between the laser tube and stone.
• Has to be used in lab-like environment with stable temperature. Changes to temperature can cause gas leaks from laser tube and can significantly reduce tube life.
• Output of laser tubes changes with ambient temperature and depends on proper cooling.
• High price for high-end models. Questionable reliability for low-end models.
• Most laser machines leave image preparation to the user. This causes frustration and substandard results.
GraniteTM Impact Etching Machine
• Can only engrave stone, glass, metal or other hard materials - designed specifically for monument builders.
• Physically hits stone with diamond “needle", creating images that are as close as it gets to manual etching.
• Can be used on any stone of any color, regardless of imperfections the stone may have.
• Has only 2 subsystems: electronic and mechanical, and has fewer components for higher reliability.
• Stone does not have to be perfectly flat or level. Machine has the tracking head that follows the surface of the stone; set-up time is minimal.
• Has automatic gap setting mechanism.
• Designed for your workshop and its environment.
• Price that every monument shop can afford. Pays for itself in a matter of months. Assembled from German-made linear drives. Rugged industrial-grade
welded frame.
• Comes with Image Editing Service that will prepare images for etching. Editing done manually by artist will ensure perfect quality that your clients will like.
There is no relation between the size of the stone and type of the machine you use. You can put the portable Granite-CP™ model over any monument, regardless of its size. Stationary models Granite-SR™ and Granite-SX™ can work on stones as large as the distance between the machine’s legs on the longest side.
Granite-CP Impact Etcher
• 15.7" x 23.6" Image Area
• Portable and can be positioned directly over the stone.
Granite-SR Impact Etcher
• 25.2" x 29.9" Image Area • Mid-range floor model
Granite-SX Impact Etcher
• 25.2" x 48.8" Image Area • Large floor model![]()
Boot Camp 2009





Boot Camp Course Syllabus/Schedule
10:00 – 10:15 Introduction to Etching
What is etching?
When did it start?
The beginning:
Electric hand-etching tool demonstration
Hand etching display
Laser etching:
Early laser etching:
Scanning hand-drawn sketches. The good, the bad, the ugly.
Scanning hand-drawn scratchboard art.
Applying color by hand.
Laser etching from digital photos
Realism
Time and $ savings
Applying color by laser (sublimated ink)
10:15 – 10:30 Selling Etchings - What your sales team needs to know.
How to address durability/longevity issues with clients
Using awards and community projects to build confidence. See examples from Memories Etched in Stone (public safety, veterans, and historical markers)
Guarantee?
File preservation and future refinishing
Sandblast of essential lettering with etched images
Etched portrait tiles added to traditional monuments
Assisting clients with selection
Your client can't by it if she can't see it.
Displaying etchings through your Online Catalog (building awareness and consideration)
Providing etching ideas in your brochures (building awareness and consideration)
Using a larger image online or catalog to finalize the image and lettering treatment
What is an ideal photograph – composition. Combine photos for special effects.
Lettering:
Don't just leave it. Select new fonts.
Use your laser to add reflections, shadowing, and highlights.
10:30 – 11:00 Photo Input & Editing
Digital photos and scans
Resolution
Mode: 48 bit CMYK, 24 bit RGB, 8 bit Grayscale, and 1 bit Black & White
Basic photo editing & retouching
Brightness & contrast
1 bit black & white
11:00 – 11:15 Break & Move Outside to Laser Display
11:15 – 12:00 Laser Demonstration
Laser Care & Setup
Cleaning and proper setup
Preparing to Etch
Adjustment for varying granite and photo/input quality
Leveling and positioning
Etching
Re-Etching
Color Application
12:00 – 1:30 Break for Lunch
1:30 – 3:30
Questions & answers
Personal demonstrations
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Laser Systems

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Highlights from Monument Boot Camp 2007





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Gerber Omega Tutorial
If you missed Boot Camp 2007 you may find our Gerber Omega Tutorial helpful. Design Mart's Gerber Omega Tutorial covers many of the same topics explored in our Gerber Boot Camp. This 60+ page Word(TM) Document is fully illustrated with screen captures to show users exactly where tools are located and how monument designs can be created and changed. Topics covered in the Tutorial include:
Locating and opening Gerber Omega Composer
Exploring Composer Toolbars
Setting up tools in your workspace
Learning how to use drawing tools
Discovering polygon, radius and contour features
Editing Designs
Opening a monument
Deleting carvings
Adding carvings
Rotating carvings
Adding a border/polished margin
Combining the margin/border with a carving
Cutting lines
Adding inscription panels
Aligning inscription panels using guidelines and other tools
Lettering Panels
Adding the family name
Kerning/spacing the family name
Aligning the family name
Adding individual names and dates
Aligning and spacing individual names and dates
Fitting text to a curved path
Using Special Text & Text Effects
Enveloping, waving and other text effects
Creating Blank Monument Shapes
Creating serpentine and oval top dies
Scanning & Converting
Working with hand-drawn designs in Gerber's Omega 

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Boot Camp 2005 Training on Gerber Omega(TM)
Design Mart's 2005 Boot Camp was held at the Convention Center Niagara Falls. Instructional classes on Gerber Omega, taught by Elaine Andrews, were full again this year.

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Boot Camp 2004
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Gerber Omega Software
Gerber's Omega program allows the user to open, resize, reconfigure, letter, print and cut monument designs. Program prices usually range from $750 - $2,350 plus shipping, depending on the type of software, and any plotter bundling options or additions you may choose. Monument designs, carvings and fonts are sold separately, or they may be purchased in an introductory package with Omega.
Note: Using OMEGA with Intel®-based Macintosh® Computers: Based upon minimal GSP testing and end-user reports, OMEGA will run on Intel-based Macintosh systems that are running the Windows XP operating system. There has been minimal testing of outputting to GSP devices using this configuration. Output to the GERBER EDGE® must occur via a GSP or off-the-shelf USB-to-parallel cable. Output to plotters must occur via certain specific USB-to-serial cables. Output to the EDGE 2 must occur using a special GSP USB-to-parallel cable option. This is not an endorsement of this configuration, but is an alert as to the status. GSP Technical Support cannot support any Macintosh OSX related issues.
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Introductory Package $2,795
* Gerber's Omega LS (visit www.gspinc.com to learn more)
* D-Mart Disks III design components
* Precious Memories design series (click here and scroll down alphabetically to Precious Memories)
(Any design series may be substituted for Precious Memories.)
* D-Mart Monument Fonts for Gerber including: Classic Roman, Modified Roman Outline, Old English,
Uncial Gothic, Condensed Modified Roman, Modified Roman, Vermarco, Script, Government/Veteran Marker, Hebrew, and Russian. Visit our Software page and scroll down to the Gerber fonts.
*LS is compatible with Allen Datagraph plotters - shown below. LS/Layout Station does not drive the GS750 plotter. ![]()
HYATT'S Graphics Starter Package
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For those who are purchasing Gerber Omega, plotter systems, and D-Mart packages through HYATT'S we offer a Starter Package that includes the following:
* D-Mart Disks III ($499.00) design components & design index/notebook
* Precious Memories ($499.00) design series (click here and scroll down alphabetically to Precious Memories) & Precious Memories sales catalog. Any other D-Mart design series may be substituted for Precious Memories. The package pictured above features Seasons Cherished and Expressions of Love.
(Any design series may be substituted for Precious Memories.)
* D-Mart Monument Fonts for Gerber ($816.75) including: Classic Roman, Modified Roman Outline, Old English,
Uncial Gothic, Condensed Modified Roman, Modified Roman, Vermarco, Script, Government/Veteran Marker, Hebrew, and Russian. Visit our Software page and scroll down to the Gerber fonts.
* Miscellaneous Artwork ($1995.00) including Angels, Animals, Books, Borders, Buildings, Crosses, Emblems, Faces, Floral, Fun, Hands, Memorials, Music, Other Art, Panels, People, Roses, Scenes, Shapes, Sports, Vehicles/Transportation. Includes helpful index/notebook.![]()
Omega Upgrade ![]()
New Allen Datagraph 
Allen’s Model 536 is an industry exclusive, providing both sprocket and friction drive material handling. Its sprocket drive system is engineered specifically to meet the precision tracking demands of users processing sandblast stencil. Stencil cut quality is assured through its unique "tangential emulation" allowing the 536 to cut perfectly square corners in rubber stencil. The 536 comes equipped with Allen’s exclusive Gold Touch II cutting head, which has an unbelievable 100 steps of digitally controlled force. Gold Touch force selections are adjustable from 5 grams up to 550 grams, the most versatile in the industry! You not only get superb sprocket capability that adjusts from 15 inches up to 36 inches, but you also have the versatility of friction feeding material of all types, from 5 inches up to 36 inches wide. There’s no compromise with the 536’s full function control panel, either. All cutting parameters are easily set up using a simple 2 to 3 key sequence. The industry’s best pouncing is also standard on the 536, with 100 selections for both hole size and spacing, another Allen exclusive! The Model 536 delivers precision, reliability and high performance…whatever the application. Price $8,795. (Does not include sales tax, setup, training or shipping and handling.)![]()
Gerber(TM) Replacement 60 Degree Knife Blades - P37311B
We offer genuine Gerber(TM) replacement blades. The 60 degree blades are recommended for cutting sandblast stencil since they have a sharper angle for less resistance a tight turn. $30.00 each plus shipping and handling. These are usually in stock, but please email d-mart@designmart.com or call 800 736 7455 to check availability or order.![]()
Used Gerber GS750
We have used Gerber's GS750 plotters for years, and none of them have required any repairs or attention aside from regular maintenance and cleaning. It still cuts every day. Price $8,995. (Does not include sales tax, setup, training or shipping and handling.)![]()
NEW Gerber GS750
New Gerber GS750 plotters are available for $10,950. (Does not include sales tax, setup, training, or shipping and handling.)
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NEW Portable Allen 315 "Death Date" Plotter
Portable, high-speed 15-inch sprocket-driven stencil cutter by Allen Datagraph, for on-site final dates and monument designs. Includes a carry case, a cigarette lighter adapter cord for the cutter, and a spare 115 VAC outlet for a laptop charger. Cutter is attached to the base of the carry case and plugs into a vehicle cigarette lighter. The case also has a padded laptop computer storage area. $5,995.00![]()
Design Mart and Hyatt's Graphics:
From the Winter 2004 issue of the Elberton Granite Association's Graniteer magazine:
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Gerber offers excellent nationwide technical support and field service. If you experience any problems with hardware or have software questions please call the numbers or use the links below.
Software Related Issues
860-644-6971 or gsptech@gspinc.com
Equipment Related Issues
800-828-5406 or gspservice@gspinc.com
800-222-SIGN (7446) or cservice@gspinc.com
Fax-on-demand service available 24 hours a day - everyday - for troubleshooting, product information, etc.
Call 1-800-222-7446, select the FastFacts option, and follow directions.
Visit the website for product information, tradeshow schedules, FastFacts documents, Tip & Tricks, etc.
www.gspinc.com