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Large Format Scanner News and Views

Large format scanner news, views and reviews written as we see it. No kow-towing, no bull, no holy cows. Just good advice on wide format scanners for CAD.

Recent articles and latest industry press releases
Selected large format scanner articles

Recent articles and latest industry press releases

LARGE FORMAT SCANNER TRADE SHOWS

IRgA 2011 Conference Disappoints and Dies in Las Vegas

IRgA gambles and loses

The recent IRgA Conference and Trade Show, for many years THE reprographics event, suffered a fatal absence of visitors in Las Vegas. During the course of the show, the organisers announced that the 2011 event was to be the last ...

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INDUSTRY NEWS:

Contex introduces wide format ISIS drivers for EDM / EDC market

Contex ISIS Support

Contex, the leader in large format scanning and imaging solutions, has announced that its popular XD and SD wide format scanners now support the ISIS standard interface as used in the electronic document capture market ...

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INDUSTRY NEWS:

Xerox to stop selling wide format products in North America by end-2011

Xerox WF 6604 / 6605 with SmartLF

Xerox, the Connecticut-based household name in document imaging, is pulling out of the wide-format equipment business in the USA and Canada. Europe and developing markets willl be unaffected.

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DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT:

Historic Bletchley Park WW2 spy files to be digitized with HP's help

Bletchely Park.

Bletchley Park, the outstanding British counter-intelligence operation of WW2, one vital to Allied success, is having millions of archived documents, maps and photographs digitized with HP's help.

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NEW 24" SCANNER:

Colortrac's unique front exiting SmartLF Ci 24 brings new benefits to desktop scanning

SmartLF Ci 24 with stand

The practical new Colortrac SmartLF Ci 24 is the first A1 / D-size desktop scanner with a front exiting media path. Unlike scanners with rear-exiting media, it occupies no more desk space than its footprint. It can be used in the tightest corners of crowded offices, on cluttered desks, even on shelves.
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RASTER TO VECTOR BLOG:

Are A2 / C-size scanners available at affordable prices for CAD and CNC work?

A2 / C-size scanners

Our blog, Raster to Vector Auntie, looks at today's available mid-range A2 / C-size scanners. Are these very expensive devices suited to CAD and CNC work? Do a new generation of aggressively priced A1 / D-size and A0 / E-size scanners offer greater value - and a better CAD / CNC solution?
Read more ...

OEMS:

Xerox badges the Colortrac SmartLF Ci 40 large format scanner!

Xerox WF 6604 / 6605 with SmartLF

The recent release of Xerox's Wide Format 6604 and 6605 Solutions shows that Xerox has quietly entered into an OEM agreement with Colortrac to badge its SmartLF Ci 40 large format scanner.
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VIDEOS:

Soon, on a big screen near you .... Colortrac large format scanning and copying videos.

Colortrac large format scanning videos

Colortrac Limited has produced eleven short videos with an average run-time of under three minutes suitable for viewing on your PC. They cover the basics of day-to-day large format scanning and copying using Colortrac SmartLF scanners and ScanWorks and CopySmart software.
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AWARDS:

CCD (charge coupled device) inventors awarded 2009 physics Nobel Prize.

Hubble Telescope uses CCD technology

Forty years after two American scientists, Willard Boyle and George Smith, working at Bell Labs invented the first CCD (charge-coupled device) digital optical sensor, they have been awarded a half share in 2009's physics Nobel Prize. Their invention of CCD optical imaging sensors has made large format scanning, digital cameras and the Hubble Telescope possible.
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NEW SCANNER:

New 24" Contex XD2490 offers price, performance and pedigree

Contex-XD2490

Contex, the Danish large format scanning and imaging solutions leader, has announced the XD2490, a fast, new, exceptionally low-priced, 24" wide large format scanner capable of capturing A1 / D-size technical documents and maps in monochrome, greyscale and color.
Read more ...

LARGE FORMAT SCANNER

Installations and Applications

ISIS - Image and Scanner Interface Specification Standard:

Goddess ISIS

ISIS is typically used to capture office documents on A4 / legal size and or A3 / B-size scanners. Colortrac is the first large format scanner manufacturer to support it. Most other manufacturers support TWAIN. The UK's Allied Images explain ISIS and its benefits.
Read more ...

Finland's M-Files recommended as an affordable EDMS solution by UK's Allied Images

M-Files - Finnish EDMS software

The South African distributor of Colortrac SmartLF large format scanners recently asked us if we could recommend a low cost viewing, indexing and filing system. In trying to find a solution, we asked Allied Images, Colortrac's UK & Ireland distributor, what it would recommend. "M-Files" was the instant answer.
Read more ...

Deskan 7 scans historical Australian newspapers and town plans

The Deskan 7 captures precious images safely

Valuable Australian art, like "Ghost Gum", above, painted by Albert Namatjira, the best known Aboriginal painter, can be safely scanned with the "built in Brisbane" Deskan 7. This Aussie large format scanner has now given the Wauchope Historical Society a way to safely scan valuable but fragile newspapers and town plans.
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Lebanese Parliamentary elections use Colortrac large format scanners to capture votes

Colortrac SmartLF Ci 40m large format scanners capture Lebanese ballot papers

As part of an European Union initiative, 26 40" wide Colortrac SmartLF Ci 40m monochrome technical document large format scanners were purchased to capture ballot papers in the recent Lebanese elections. Why, we wonder, did they not use fast, high volume A4 - A3-size document scanners?
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NO BULL: Scan Speed Part 2

Contex redefines large format scanner productivity in raw "drawings per hour"

Contex's attempt to provide a more meaningful test of large format scanner scan speed is welcome. However, we are concerned that by only using raw scan speed as the measure of "productivity", it has pinned its star to lo-res speed rather than productive scanned image quality.

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NEW GENERATION SCANNERS:

Colortrac's fast new SmartLF Gx+ Series redefines large format color graphics scanning.

Colortrac's new SmartLF Gx+ large format scanner

With true 1200 dpi optical resolution, true instant-on LED lighting, true ENERGY STAR compliance and fast Gigabit Ethernet data transfer, Colortrac's 6th generation SmartLF Gx+ large format CCD scanners make the older, slower, more expensive, fluorescent tube color graphics scanning solutions from Contex and its OEMs - GTCO Calcomp, HP, Oce and Vidar - look as out-of-date as a CRT TV in today's high definition, flat-screen HDTV world.

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NEW LARGE FORMAT SCANNER:

Paradigm Imaging announce Graphtec's newest large format scanner, the SK280.

Paradigm's new EIS Supra with new Graphtec SK280 large format scanner

California's Paradigm Imaging has announced a new Graphtec large format color scanner, the SK280, which is included in their enhanced new EIS (Express Imaging Systems) Supra wide format scan-print-copy system. The Graphtec SK280 succeeds the SK200 which it replaces in the OEM market.

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REVIEW:

Colortrac SmartLF Ci 40 large format scanner

Colortrac Ci 40 large format scanner

The SmartLF Ci 40 is Colortrac's fourth generation large format CIS scanner. The use of a single large solid roller or drum allows documents to uniquely exit at the front. We evaluate it with Colortrac's ScanWorks scanning software.

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NEW LARGE FORMAT SCANNER:

Océ launches 36" high resolution wide format colour scanner

New Oce CS4236 wide format scanner

The new Océ CS4236 is aimed at AEC, CAD and GIS users in small offices and organisations. Océ claim that the price and performance of this 36" wide format scanner, their first with 1200 dpi optical resolution, is well-suited to the needs of this market.

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NEW WIDE FORMAT SCANNER:

Image Access introduces its first CIS wide format scanner

New WideTEK 36C CIS wide format scanner

Image Acces, the German large format scanner manufacturer, claims technical advances make the new WideTEK 36C the fastest CIS device with the best color accuracy available today. It's also their most affordable option yet! ...

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PRESS RELEASES:

Signal / Noise Ratio

Press Releases
Hsssss!

2011

UK: 24th May
Colortrac launches four new Professional MFP solutions:
MFP solutions based on SmartLF wide format scanners. Read more ...

USA: 24th May.
Contex to demo wide format scan-to-print at Ricoh Convergence Expo:
Affordable Scan-to-Print is an emerging trend. Read more ...

USA: 23rd May.
Paradigm releases enhanced imagePRO HD Plus 42-inch scanners:
Offers increased speeds and other user benefits. Read more ...

USA: 17th May.
Kodak announce new release of KODAK Capture Pro Software:
v3.1 brings additional efficiencies to EDM / EDC Scanning. Read more ...

UK: 16th May.
Allied Images offer FREE A4 scanner with every Colortrac SmartLF sold:
A variety of Special Offers are available to UK buyers. Read more ...

USA: 6th May.
Contex takes to the AIIM Road to Show EDM / EDC solutions:
Spring tour stops in Dallas, San Francisco & Denver. Read more ...

USA: 5th May.
Kodak shows document management solutions to government:
InformationWeek’s Government IT Leadership Forum 2011. Read more ...

USA: 26th April.
Contex to demo wide format scanning, printing at IRgA, ISA Expos:
Collaborates with HP, WYNIT and National Azon. Read more ...

USA: 21st April.
Graphtec CSX300 wide format scanner wins WFI Top Product 2008 Award:
Voted Top 24 inch+ scanner for second year in a row. Read more ...

USA: 6th April.
Image Access claims its first CIS wide format scanner is the fastest!:
See the new 36" WideTEK 36C at IRgA, April 27-28, 2011. Read more ...

USA: 6th April.
Paradigm Imaging introduces the Enhanced Flex MFP System:
New MFP based on Graphtec SK280 36” color scanner. Read more ...

USA: 21st March.
Contex launches wide format scanning solutions for EDM/ECM markets:
Announces ISIS drivers for large format scanners. Read more ...

USA: 17th March.
Contex to demo EDM/ECM wide format scanning solutions at AIIM Expo:
Participates in EMC Captiva's Passport Program: Read more ...

UK: 9th March
Colortrac release multi-language SmartWorks Pro scanning software:
SmartLF scanning sofware now available in 10 languages. Read more ...

USA: 9th March.
Contex wide format scanners available on Promark's GSA Schedule:
Makes it easy for resellers to sell to US government: Read more ...

Denmark: 8th March.
Top wide format scanner manufacturer had "sound uptake in 2010":
Contex sees "25% revenue growth" over 2009: Read more ...

USA: 4th March.
Paradigm releases Triton eco-solvent wide format printer:
Expands range of outdoor sign printing options. Read more ...

UK: 24th February.
Xerox Colour MFP gives Small Businesses a 'Big Edge':
Three new small format printers and an MFP from Xerox. Read more ...

USA: 23rd February
Contex collaborates with HP at Graphics of Americas show:
Visitors can learn to Scan, Copy, Print on Booth #216. Read more ...

USA: 21st February
Paradigm releases Phaser XES Series wide format outdoor printer:
First fruit of collaboration with Florida's SID Signs. Read more ...

Germany: 21st February
Image Access exhibits wide range of solutions at CeBIT 2011:
German manufacturer offers "full product palette". Read more ...

USA: 7th February
Paradigm Imaging expand into new HQ and distribution center:
New location near Orange County's John Wayne Airport. Read more ...

USA: 1st February
Graphtec America expand into new HQ and distribution center:
New location near Orange County's John Wayne Airport. Read more ...

USA: 26th January
Paradigm Imaging signs distribution agreement with SID Signs:
Wide format scanner distributor enters sign market. Read more ...

PEOPLE:

Who's Who? And New Appointments in Wide Format Scanning!

Read more ...

UK: 23rd August
Mark Stockwell rejoins Colortrac as Support & Product Specialist

Denmark: 4th August
10 year anniversary: Jacob Bendix, Sales Director, Contex A/S

USA: 30th July
Chrissy Vogel joins Paradigm Imaging

UK: 27th July
Robert van Brakel joins Colortrac as SmartLF Marketing Manager

Denmark: 15th July
Aage Snorgaard appointed new CEO of Contex Group

LARGE FORMAT NEWS:

Large Format Scanner Industry Round-Up

Large Format Scanner Industry Round-Up

CONSOLIDATION:
Image Access acquires worldwide Bookeye sales channel

Image Access consolidate

As the only scanner manufacturer to offer planetary, flatbed and sheet fed scanners, Image Access used different channels to market its products. Now, by acquiring the rights to sell its own Bookeye scanners, it plans to get its eggs to market in its own basket.
Read more ...

BIG BUSINESS:
Canon to buy Océ

Océ fly the flag

Canon and Océ have announced that they have reached a conditional agreement to combine their wide format printing activities through a fully self-funded, public cash offer by Canon for all the shares of Océ.
Read more ...

BUSINESS:
Océ weathers economic storm by cutting costs

Océ Financial Report Third Quarter 2009

Like most large format scanner suppliers, Océ has been struggling to sell its standalone devices in the face of an economic downturn and a very aggressive marketing campaign by Contex, its OEM supplier.
Read more ...

BRANDS:
Contex to discontinue Vidar large format scanner brand

Vidar No More

VIDAR, the oldest surviving brand name in large format scanning, is set to disappear. Beginning January 1st, 2010, all VIDAR wide format scanners will be branded with the Contex name.
Read more ...

PEOPLE:
Contex's CEO resigns

Contex flags flying

Svenn Poulsen, President and CEO of the Contex Group A/S, has resigned. His resignation follows mutual agreement with Ratos, the Swedish private equity firm which acquired the Danish developer and manufacturer of a wide range of digital imaging solutions in 2007.
Read more ...

DUPLEX SCANNING:
Image Access introduces the first large format duplex scanner

Large Format News&Crier

Image Access, the German manufacturer of WideTEK large format scanners, has introduced what it claims is the first large format duplex scanner i.e. one capable of scanning both sides of a sheet at once. The market is newspapers and all other double-sided printed documents.
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SOFTWARE:
Contex introduce Nextimage Touch

Contex-Nextimage-TOUCH-Logo.jpg

As its name suggests, Contex's Nextimage Touch is touchscreen scanning and copying software aimed primarily at the emerging MFP (multi-function peripheral) market.
Read more ...

PORTABILITY:
GEI want you to "Scan on the Run"

GEI Scan On The Run Logo.jpg

GEI WideFormat, the US distributor of Colortrac large format scanners, has released a durable aluminum carrying case designed to protect the Colortrac SmartLF Ci 40 from rough treatment and possible breakage during transport.
Read more ...

TAKEOVERS:
Kodak complete BB+H takeover

Kodak complete takeover.jpg

Kodak has completed its takeover of Bowe Bell + Howell's Scanner Division, first announced in January 2009. Will Kodak continue to focus on small format office document scanners or will it make Image Access the player it deserves to be in the large format market?
Read more ...

ILLUMINATION:

LEDs light up large format scanning's future!

White LED

Driven by the practical benefits of LED illumination, the wide format scanning industry is replacing CCD-based scanners' once standard fluorescent tubes with a white LED light source.

Read more ...

DISCUSSION:

Do A1 / D-size scanners provide a viable CAD scanning solution?

A1 / D-size Scanning

Contex's XD2490 is the first of a new generation of CIS-based A1 / D-size scanners. Its biggest downside is that it cannot scan the larger A0 / E-size drawings common in CAD. Our research suggests that some CAD users will buy it provided the price is low, low, low. We look at some issues.
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INDUSTRY ROUND-UP:

Obama's 'Buy American' policy may limit wide format scanner choice

President Obama wants a 'Buy American' campaign.

Part of US President Obama's plan to stimulate the US economy is a 'Buy American' requirement. It sounds good but there is one small problem. None of the most popular makes of large format scanner - Contex, its OEMs (Calcomp, HP, IDEAL, Océ and Vidar), Colortrac, Graphtec and Image Access - are manufactured in the USA. This leaves Xerox as the US buyer's only choice.

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SIZE MATTERS:

Probably the largest scanner in the universe!

Geofoto Scandinavia's KartoScan FB VLS

AWESOME! Geofoto Scandinavia's KartoScan flatbed scanner. Has someone had fun with Photoshop at our expense?

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Selected large format scanner articles

QUALITY SCANNING:

Creating high quality scans for raster to vector conversion

Raster to vector conversion: Using large format scanners to get good quality scans

We see hundreds of poor quality scans. Most are created on expensive large format scanners whose product literature glows with the promise of quick and easy high quality scans. However, there is no guarantee of useful results when the scanner is used inappropriately for the drawing in hand.

So, how do you create a high quality scan for raster to vector conversion? This article provides useful hints and tips to point you in the right direction.

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TRAINING:

The importance of large format scanner training!

Large Format Scanner Training

We have received 1000s of large format scanned images over the last 13 years, the majority of them of poor or worse quality.

Clearly, most wide format scanner operators do not have the knowledge, skill or time to use an expensive large format scanner effectively. There is a huge need for basic and or advanced wide format scanner training ...

Read more ...

NO BULL: Scan Speed

Phew! Some issues that need cleaning up!

We look at some large format scanner product descriptions whose benefits are diminished when properly understood.

In this issue we examine Scan Speed. Turbo modes and High Speed modes allow large format scanner manufacturers to quote high scan speeds at high resolutions BUT none mention the compromised quality of the scans ...

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SCAN-TO-PDF:

Benefits and Considerations

Scan-to-PDF

Scan-to-PDF is something that a growing number of CAD users want to do with a wide format scanner, but what exactly are the benefits of saving scans as PDF files and do these benefits extend to scanned technical drawings?

Read more ...

GREEN SCANNING:

First steps towards green large format scanners

Pollution, large format scanners, and YOU!

What does "green scanning" mean, exactly? What are ISO 14001, Energy Star, Energy Saver, RoSH and WEEE? What about the distribution carbon trail? What can be done to lessen scanning's impact on the environment? Most importantly, are the large format scanner manufacturers doing enough to ensure users get a clean, green product?

Read more ...

GREEN SCANNING:

Towards a greener technical drawing office

Green scanning with Xerox and Oce

Back in 2003 Xerox offered 7 Tips to make the workplace more eco-friendly. Today Océ offer similar green tips for the workplace. While there is little specific to large format scanning, there is good, general information worthy of the eco-friendly CAD user's consideration.

Read more ...

  

REVIEW:

Contex SD4490 large format scanner

Contex SD4490 large format scanner

The SD Series is Contex's first generation of CIS scanners and the first "true" 1200 dpi optical resolution large format scanner. We evaluate it along with Contex's new Nextimage scanning software.

Read more ...

REVIEW:

Graphtec CSX300 large format scanner

Graphtec CSX300

Graphtec have significantly modified the SK200 scanner included in various MFP systems, named it the CSX300 and released it as a standalone scanner.

Aimed at the entry-level AEC, CAD and GIS market, the CSX300 includes Scanning Master 21+ scanning software and an on-site warranty, all at a very attractive price.

Scanners4CAD investigate the CSX300 ...

IN A NUTSHELL:

All you need to know before buying a large format scanner for CAD!

In a nutshell: Buying a large format scanner for CAD

CAD users wanting to buy a standalone wide format scanner for archiving, printing or raster to vector conversion of technical drawings and maps face a growing array of choices and confusing claims.

We wrote this article, first published in MCAD Magazine (16th September 2007), to help you make an informed choice about the large format scanner that's best for you.

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SAFE SCANNING:

How to protect fragile and damaged technical drawings

Drawings need to wear protective equipment

Sod's Law dictates that if a valuable drawing can snag, get stuck, chewed up, crumpled or concertinaed in the scanner roller mechanism, it will do so perfectly.

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EXPLANATION:

Large format scanner accuracy and calibration

Large format scanner accuracy and calibration - stitching

All large format scanners scanners can produce inaccurate scans if they are not properly maintained and calibrated.

This article describes four areas where problems can occur: Colour uniformity, colour accuracy, stitching errors and dimensional accuracy. It describes what causes these problems, how different large format scanner manufacturers go about trying to avoid them and what you need to do to keep your scanner accurate.

Read more ...

More news and views ...