Sign Business and Digital Graphics Show Booth #733 TEMPE, Ariz.--Sept. 19, 2003-- Today, Mutoh America Inc., a worldwide leader and manufacturer of large format commercial inkjet printers and plotters, announced the introduction of the Ultima series of multi-purpose cutting plotters. The Ultima series of cutting plotters consists of two models, the Ultima 850 and the Ultima 1400. The Ultima features a built-in laser-based optical sensor, which automatically detects registration marks on inkjet printed adhesive back vinyl, enabling the user to perform contour cutting of pre-printed signs and decals effortlessly. Combining the Ultima with Mutoh's Falcon Outdoor series of inkjet printers creates the most affordable, easy to use print and cut solution on the market today, without the compromises of combination print & cut offerings. To accurately contour cut images, simply insert a rectangular box around the images in the image file, print the image, then place the printed image into the Ultima cutter. The optical sensor will automatically scan the rectangular box and transmit the measured data to the software included with each Ultima. The software quickly interprets the data to determine image position and begins contour cutting in seconds. Fast, easy, affordable, contour cutting of images with the added benefit of being able to cut standard vinyl signs while your images are printing, at cutting speeds of up to 39 inches per second. Ultima cutters are equipped with adjustable grid rollers to allow for different media widths. Scraps can be accommodated to 4 inches wide. Maximum media/cut width is 33/24 inches for the Ultima 850 and 55/47 inches for the Ultima 1400. Each Ultima is equipped with a solid drag knife blade and can cut a variety of media, from standard vinyl to screen film and sandblast material, up to 1 mm thick. In order to guarantee optimum cutting results with various materials, cutting force is adjustable from 20-450g. The Ultima friction feed grip rollers are precision matched during assembly, enabling accurate long-length tracking. Cutting speed is adjustable to 39 inches per second, with a maximum acceleration of 3G. The Ultima even has a convenient, detachable, 4x16 character LCD display for menu selection and media loading convenience. All Ultima cutters feature Mutoh's award-winning motion control and reliability and include a stand, media collection basket, roll support system, Mutoh's e-pos (electronic positioning) technology and a 1-year warranty. Easy Sign, a full sign cutting software package for vinyl signs and contour-cutting is also included. The Ultima cutters are PC and Mac compatible and come standard with an integrated USB interface for easy connectivity and fast, reliable data transport. Mutoh is offering special pricing when an Ultima is bundled with a Falcon Outdoor. The Ultima 850 bundled with a 46-inch Falcon Outdoor is $17,995 and $19,995 when bundled with the 62-inch Falcon Outdoor. The Ultima 1400 bundled with a 46-inch Falcon Outdoor is $21,995 and $24,995 when bundled with the 62-inch Falcon Outdoor. The Ultima can also be purchased standalone, pricing starts at $3,995 for 850 and $7,995 for the Ultima 1400. The Ultima begins shipping in October 2003. The Ultima cutter will be shown for the first time in the United States at the Sign Business and Digital Graphics show in Long Beach, Calif., Sept. 18-20, 2003. Visit Mutoh at booth #733.