LARGE FORMAT SCANNERS

It is generally accepted that the future of both storage and printing is digital. In case of text, it means scanning followed by conversion using optical character recognition. The development of large format scanners was impelled by the need for converting large drawings and images into digital format, as required in digital archiving, image acquisition, and customized reproduction. Other applications were realized in the areas of digital conversion of manuscripts, traditional art and fabric designs. Typical image widths range from thirty-six inches to forty-two inches, though widths of up to sixty-two inches are commercially available. Such scanners usually use several small format sensors to increase the format width and are available in color as well as black and white. The former are more expensive and are used only for more demanding tasks than ordinary data entry.

Charge-coupled device (CCD) has been traditionally used to capture the image. The earlier method of three-pass scanning, which used a different color filter for each pass, is being replaced by the single-pass method. A relatively new imaging technology using contact image sensors (CIS) is becoming popular for low-cost applications requiring less power and no warm-up. Though CCD scanners have a wider color gamut and a larger dynamic range, CIS scanners have better resolving power and higher geometric accuracy. This makes scanners using CIS ideal for digitalizing technical documents. These scanners are also more compact and easy to carry. However, owing to its better chromatic accuracy and better depth of field, CCD technology retains better image quality near an open spine and is thus suitable for scanning books, portraits, and paintings.

The choice of a large format scanner naturally depends on the application in mind, which dictates the type of the scanner, imaging technology, permissible thickness of the medium, resolution, width of format, speed, etc. Some of the leading manufacturers of large format scanners are Colortrac, Oce, Contex, Altek Corporation, ACTion Imaging solutions, ANAtech, CST, Vidar systems, and WideCom.

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USED LARGE FORMAT SCANNERS

For many who want to install a large format scanner, a used one will do as satisfactorily as a brand new one and at a much lower cost. Consider an engineering firm that does all its design in CAD. It might still want to convert some of the older drawings, or those obtained from other sources, to digital form. A used scanner obtained from an authorized dealer with a warranty and maintenance contract would fulfill this need much more economically than a new scanner, since the application does not require the latest models. But an art museum, library or a reprographic center may opt for a new machine with the best resolution and image quality.

When going for a pre-owned scanner, care must be taken to ensure that the machine is compatible with computers and operating systems that are used today. For example, some of the old Contex DOS-based scanners use a proprietary interface card that is no longer available. Some of the old models will need frequent repairs, and the parts for it will no longer be available. So it is always good to opt for scanners with a maintenance contract also included in the buying price. If the scanner is for temporary use, then the re-sale value should also be considered when making a choice.

The major attraction in buying a used scanner is the lower cost involved; but this should not be at the expense of quality. Buying from reliable vendors who are authorized by the manufacturers themselves ensures quality. Contex, Vidar, Graphtec and ACTion Imaging are some manufacturers who facilitate the re-sale of their used scanners. Re-sale involves repairing the old scanner and making required modifications to suit the present need. Standard accessories are also made available. When buying used scanners, it is always advisable to buy it from a dealer near you, since that will make the repair and maintenance easy, whenever necessary.

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LARGE FORMAT SCANNER PRICES

Large format scanners are commercially available in a wide range of prices from very low to very high, depending on the quality, speed, resolution, format width, imaging technology, manufacturer, and so on. Color scanners are much more expensive than black and white scanners. For example, while Calcomp offers basic black and white and gray scale scanners at $9,900, their color scanners start only at $12,000 and the higher end models are very expensive (above $30,000). Some of the high-quality scanners, like the Cruse reprographic scanner, are intended for use in libraries and museums only.

Fujitsu offers large format gray scale duplex scanners with 400dpi optical resolution for document scanning, at around $17,500. Excellent quality, large format color scanners usually cost above $15,000, though monochrome or gray scale scanners are available for even $10,000 and more. Chameleon Tx 36" color scanners from Contex, however, cost only $11,900. Microtek ScanMaker 9800XL large format scanners are available at relatively low prices. Colortrac also makes large format color scanners at prices lower than $10,000.

It should, however, be noted that the cheaper is not always the better choice. A scanner meeting the requirements of the application in hand should be chosen so as to strike a balance between long life and low cost. While choosing document scanners, their duty cycle should also be considered to achieve maximum economy. It is often better to pay a little higher price for trusted brands of scanners with good record of after-sales service, than to go for relatively obscure manufacturers and run the risk of pre-mature break down.

Used large format scanners of good quality can be obtained from authorized dealers at costs that are as much as 20% less than that of new ones. Used Contex Chroma Tx 40 scanners costing $19,900 are obtainable with all the standard accessories for $15,920 from IDEAL. The same dealer offers many other Contex scanners at reduced prices, with limited a warranty and maintenance contract.

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LARGE FORMAT SCANNER PLOTTERS

The original idea behind scanning an image is in many cases reproducing it. This requires a plotter or a printer in addition to the scanner. Scanner/plotters, which have plotting facilities in addition to scanning, are growing in popularity today. Their main advantage is in the uninterrupted workflow from image acquisition to reproduction. They also result in saving workspace. Total self-sufficiency of the unit is another remarkable feature. They are available in color as well as black and white, with good accuracy and high image quality. Copiers are also available with optional scanning and plotting facilities. The main field of application of scanner-plotters is in reproducing engineering drawings, graphs, charts, figures and other documents. Cartographers and city planners have great use for scanner/plotter with good optical resolution. The resolution of both the scanner and the plotter are usually chosen to be the same except in cases where enlargement is required.

Though flatbed scanners are more popular, drum-type scanner/plotters are also in great demand due to the virtually unlimited length of medium they can handle. The plotter is usually of ink-jet type. They have an excellent resolution and can reproduce a very wide range of colors on paper.

The chief drawback of a scanner/plotter is, however, the reduced flexibility of operations. For example, if any one of the scanner and the plotter develops a complaint, then both will have to go out of use. Again, since the weight of the combined unit will be about twice that of the individual units, transportation for repair and maintenance also costs more.

HP DesignJet 815MFP large format scanner and plotter is one versatile scanner/plotter commercially available. It has a resolution of 2400x1200 dpi, handles paper up to 42 inches wide, and prints at a speed of thirty-six square feet per hour. KYOCERA Mita's KM- 4840W is a large format copier with optional plotting and scanning facilities. Screen and Contex are among other leading manufacturers.

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LARGE FORMAT PRINTER WITH SCANNERS

Large format printers are a very convenient and often indispensable tool in producing hard copies of digitalized images such as technical drawings, paintings, maps, and office documents. It is an important part of electronic document management, in which the first step is scanning. So it is, in many cases, desirable to have printers with scanning capabilities. This need is all the more evident when it is required to produce enlarged images from drawings stored on microfilm. The conversion of actual drawing into microfilm requires a scanner with medium resolution. But when a microfilm is being scanned, it must be done at very high resolution so as to have good image quality in the print and to show the details in an enlarged copy. The printer is generally of inkjet type. UV curable inkjet printing is a relatively new technology in printing.

HP DesignJet 815 MFP is a printer-scanner with a resolution of 2400x1200 dpi. This makes it suitable for scanning microfilms as well as for any other scanning purpose, and it handles even thick, rigid media. It is designed to handle CAD output, GIS and graphics. It is capable of scanning and printing both color and black and white images. The printer is of thermal inkjet type. It can manage widths of up to 42 inches and media as long as 50 feet.

Epson Stylus DX4800 is another all-in-one color printer, scanner and copier. It can give a resolution of up to 5760x1440 optimized dpi on qualified media. It is a fast printer capable of producing as many as 20 pages per minute. The scanning area is 216mm x 297mm. The printing width is also not very high, but the quality is excellent. The scanner has a maximum resolution of 1200dpi and a scanning speed of 30msec per line at this resolution. At lower resolutions of 600dpi and 300dpi, it gives better speeds of 15msec per line and 10msec per line, respectively.

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LARGE FORMAT FLATBED SCANNERS

Flatbed scanners, also called desktop scanners, are undoubtedly the most versatile and the most widely used of all large format scanners. They can scan pages of a book without having to detach the pages. They are also found to be economical for scanning dried botanical specimen. The medium does not move in the flatbed scanner, unlike in the case of a drum type scanner, and so the scanning speed is not limited by the medium-feed speed, which also rules out any chance of the original getting damaged at the feed rollers. The thickness of medium is also adjustable in a flatbed scanner. However, they require a large table size, and the scanners are not easily carried around. Also, though many small images may be scanned simultaneously in a large format flatbed scanner, the resolution for scanning very small images (such as 35mm film) is often insufficient. Flatbeds with resolution of up to 600dpi (dots per inch) will perform satisfactorily in digitalizing photo prints, paintings and art documents. Scanning film may require up to 2400dpi to show the details in an enlarged print. Flatbeds are not as efficient as drum scanners when it comes to working with long textiles. But for the vast variety of applications, they are the best choice.

Leading manufacturers of large format flatbed scanners in the USA include ACTion Imaging Solutions (formed by the merger of ANAtech, Colortrac, and Tangent), Altek Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Purup-Eskofot Inc., and Vidar systems. Cruse provides high-end reprographic scanners with the best quality of image and admits scanning media of maximum thickness. However, it is neither intended, nor affordable, for home application. Fujifilm brings out very excellent flatbed scanners for a wide range of applications, including the digitalizing of photo prints and films. The resolution of these flatbeds is comparable with that of drum-type scanners, and the versatility is unmatched. Epson, Screen and CST are other manufacturers of flatbed scanners.

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LARGE FORMAT DOCUMENT SCANNERS

Document scanning is the first step in upgrading to electronic document management, which promises enormous storage capacity, high security and easy retrieval of office documents. Large format document scanners come in a wide variety, and choosing from them according to your need is as demanding yet worthwhile task. Most document scanners are of flatbed type. They come in color as well as black and white. Black and white scanners are much cheaper and would suffice for much of the day-to-day office document management. A duplex scanner can handle pages with one or both of their sides printed. Document scanners with video card interface are available for processing bar codes or patch codes or for increasing the quality of scans. The speed of the document scanner is an important factor and is expressed in inches per second or meters per minute; some scanner speeds are also expressed in sheets per minute. Some of the high-end document scanners also have the capability to print the documents they scan.Document scanners are rated for a duty cycle in number of pages per day. This is the number of pages that the machine is designed to handle per day and should not be exceeded in order to ensure maximum life. The parts of an overloaded scanner wear out much more quickly. So a scanner of optimum duty cycle should be chosen for maximum economy.

Though most document scanners are of the flatbed type, with the document lying stationary on a glass pane, vertical scanners, in which paper is fed through the top and moves downwards past the sensors, are also popular. Some of the newer scanners are equipped with the revolutionary iJet technology, which allows the user to take printouts from a large format printer connected directly to the scanner. It also lets the scanner be connected directly to an existing LAN without an attached host PC.

Lanier, Canon, Visionshape, Fujitsu, Vidar, ACTion Imaging, Contex, IDEAL and Oce are among the leading manufacturers of large format document scanners.

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LARGE FORMAT COLOR SCANNERS

For almost all applications in which art or beauty is given primacy, the use of a color scanner is imperative. Digitalizing of portraits, indigenous textile designs, and large paintings call for the use of large format color scanners. The particular application in question may be best suited by color scanners of either flatbed-type or drum-type scanners. The choice of imaging technology between the traditional scanner using charge-coupled device (CCD) and the less expensive alternative using contact image sensors (CIS) should also be made judiciously.

When dealing with paintings and works of art, a CCD scanner is preferred so as to obtain best image quality, uniform color, and wide dynamic range. It is also ideal for scanning whole open books to obtain an image with little or no distortion. The geometric accuracy of this method is, however, inferior to that of CIS, and hence the latter are more suitable for scanning maps, engineering drawings, etc. The CIS scanner also has better resolving power since the scanned image is of the same size as the original. The resolution of the scanner is specified in dots per linear inch (dpi). The higher the resolution in dpi, the sharper is the scanned image. However, more resolution normally results in a larger image, requiring more memory for storage. The trade-off between the two depends on the use of the scanner. For example, official maps have to be scanned with much better resolution than the embroidery on a shawl. Large Format Scanners commonly available in the market have an optical resolution in the range of 150dpi to 800dpi, which would be sufficient for most general applications. The larger the scanned image, lesser is the enlargement involved, and lower is the resolution required. Highest resolution is desirable for scanning films.

Speed is another important criterion that influences our choice; speed is usually expressed in inches per second (ips) at a particular dpi. At a higher dpi, the speed will be less. For comparison, the speeds of all scanners are usually evaluated at 200dpi optical resolution, or at half the best optical resolution it provides. Most of the commonly available color scanners have speeds less than 300ips. Thickness of the media to be scanned is yet another factor to be considered when selecting the scanner type.

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