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From CAD User AEC Magazine  Vol 20 No 01 - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2007

John Bennett, of Allied Images, looks at the largest large format scanners from Colortrac…

Colortrac, the world’s leading supplier of CIS large format scanners and scanning software, has announced the latest addition to its extensive range of scanners - SmartLF Gx 42 series. The range, which will be distributed in the UK and Ireland by Allied Images, feature s the latest 1200 dpi optical resolution CCD technology and is designed to provide fast, high quality scans, copies or file distribution of large format photographs, satellite images, artwork, graphic designs, posters and any other documents that require a wide colour gamut and high dynamic range. SmartLF Gx 42 range is already shipping from Colortrac’s UK production line.
These 42” scanners will also capture accurately the finest details of maps, engineering drawings, blueprints, site plans, architectural renderings and many other technical documents in monochrome or colour at resolutions from 100 up to 9600dpi. Original images can be captured off media from 6”, up to 48”, wide by any length. The GxT versions provide motorised thick media scanning of mounted originals up to 0.8” (20 mm) thickness.

There are three versions of the SmartLF Gx 42 scanner; monochrome, colour and express colour. Any model can be upgraded on-site quickly and easily by email allowing customers to buy the right scanner for their current project with the peace of mind that they can enhance the scanner should the need arise.

Graham Tinn, Colortrac’s Managing Director said, “SmartLF Gx 42 is the first Colortrac product to feature our innovative, miniaturised digital camera unit (DCU) 1200 dpi CCD imaging technology. It will be followed by further releases in the near future to completely renew our CCD scanner line-up.”

Imaging System

At the core of SmartLF Gx, Colortrac has developed a revolutionary, ultra-compact digital CCD camera unit (DCU) that ‘re-writes the book’ of wide format scanner design. Each DCU is a self-contained assembly with mirrors, 10,800 pixel quadri-linear CCD and micro lens with coated optics & IR filter. Approximately 6” x 7” x 1.5”, the DCUs are capable of scanning images at 1200 x 600dpi optical resolution and capture 48-bit colour or 16-bit pan-chromatic monochrome data. The modular DCUs allow Colortrac to build scanners of smaller size and footprint, low weight, very stable camera stitching alignment and lower cost.

The imaging system at the heart of the SmartLF Gx 42 consists of five DCUs, a total of 216,000 pixels in the scanner.

Active Paper Transport (APT) for safe and secure media handling most large format scanners use a spring loaded paper hold-down strip to keep originals in contact with the scan glass and thereby in focus, stitch and adequately lit. If the pressure is too light, folded or crumpled documents scan poorly; if too heavy then delicate originals such as newsprint may get trapped and not scan at all. Instead, SmartLF Gx uses a driven hold-down roller to ensure consistent glass contact and reliable throughput of all types of media, from thin paper to the heaviest Mylar. Access to the scan glass and hold-down roller for cleaning is quick and easy via the hinged APT assembly.

Models and Scan Speeds

There are three Gx42 models available with standard and thick media options. The Gx 42m / GxT 42m captures wide dynamic range of black & white photographs and CAD drawings at speeds up to 6 inches per second (ips). The Gx 42c / GxT 42c adds wide colour gamut scanning to the 42m with colour scan speeds up to 0.75 ips. Finally, the Gx 42e / GxT 42e adds express wide colour gamut scanning at speeds up to 3 ips.

Standard Software

The scanner is supplied with SmartLF a simple to use, multi-purpose software application (scan / copy / email) that allows any user to scan to JPEG, TIFF and PDF. You can also copy to any windows printer and email alongside any Microsoft compatible email client.

Optional Software

There are a number of optional software packages for users who require more advanced facilities than those provided by SmartLF. These include ScanWorks a scan-to-file software for power users, CopySmart a scan-to-print software for large format users and ISIS an industry standard scanner interface for connection to enterprise Electronic Data Capture and Electronic Data Management systems. Also, Colortrac has certified a number of third party software applications supplied by independent vendors under the CLASP (Colortrac Limited Approved Software Product) program.

Allied Images Managing Director Steve Morin said, "Colortrac’s SmartLF Gx CCD imaging technology produces excellent images with a wide colour gamut, high dynamic range and excellent resolving power at surprisingly affordable prices which makes them ideal for professional service providers & reprographics bureau, copy-shops, graphic arts, design, mapping, survey & GIS professionals in any size of enterprise."

www.allied-images.com

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