By Melissa Donovan
Part 2 of 2
Wide format scanners offer certain industries, for example architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) and computer aided design (CAD), a high-quality, compact way to capture important documents. Depending on the business, there is a need for either a multifunction printer (MFPs) that can scan, copy, and print; or a standalone scanner.
Here, we look at some of the newest wide format scanning systems.
The AZTEK Digital PhotoLab 2054 from Aztek, Inc. is a 54-inch standalone scanner ideal for large format scanning photos, color posters, color architectural sketches, maps, drawings, and fine art professional media. The device scans up to 0.6-inch thick originals at speeds of up to three inches per second (in/s) at 2,400 dpi.
The newest versions of Canon Solutions America’s ColorWave and PlotWave series are both available with third generation optional Scanner Express III. Both offer contact image sensor (CIS) technology with Color Image Logic Technology at a scan resolution of 600×600 dpi. Copying rates are up to 31.9 feet per minute (fpm), B&W scanning is up to 47.9 fpm, and color scanning reaches up to 15.7 fpm. The devices are available in various widths and handle media at a maximum thickness of up to 0.03 inches.
Colortrac’s SmartLF SG series of standalone scanners are ideal for scanning computer aided drawings, blueprints, or any other wide format document. Using a charged coupled device (CCD) scanner, the series includes both 36- and 44-inch devices. Thanks to CCD, the scanners capture a wide gamut with the ability to see detail in dark and light areas. Scan speed is 13 in/s at 200 dpi.
Contex’s latest products include the new HD Ultra X 42- and 60-inch standalone scanners. They are packed with new hardware and software technologies, maximizing the quality of the image being scanned and the throughput speed of the scanner. Powered by NextImage scanning software it offers scanning, archiving, image management, and real-time large format copying all from one simple, convenient, and intuitive interface. All of the scanners connect to any large format printer and in many cases use the native print driver of the printer, greatly increasing the efficiency and accuracy of the printing system.
The newest MFP to the Epson product line is the SureColor T5470M, a 36-inch single-roll MFP with an integrated scanner. It features a small and compact design making it easy for small and mid-sized offices to add this printer without having to sacrifice a lot of space. The SureColor T5470M includes an integrated 36-inch CIS scanner that featuring a dual angle lighting system to eliminate any creases or fold marks in documents, along with an RGB filter to help preserve highlighter data from the document. The scanner has the capability of scanning documents up to 36 inches wide and up to 600 dpi with scan speeds up to 4.5 in/s for color documents and 7.5 in/s for B&W documents.
In May 2019, HP Inc. announced the new HP DesignJet T1600 and T2600 MFPs, HP DesignJet XL 3600 MFP, and the HP PageWide XL 3900. Both the HP DesignJet T1600 and T2600 offer printing speeds of up to 170 A1 sheets per hour. Scanning capabilities include the ability to capture changes with background removal, skew, and quick sets. The HP DesignJet XL 3600 MFP is a 36-inch device that is ideal for line drawings, maps, orthophotos, presentations, and renderings. Its scanning capabilities are up to three in/s color at 200 dpi. Copying is put to six in/s color at 200 dpi. Powered by pigment ink, the 40-inch HP PageWide XL 3900 is equipped with a two rolls and expandable four rolls.
KIP America offers the KIP 2300 high-productivity scanner. Equipped with Real Time Thresholding Technology for high-speed data processing, image quality is delivered with bright white LED light sources for illumination and 600×600 dpi image capture resolution. Color scan speeds are rated at up to 30 fpm and monochrome at up to 60 fpm.
In Conclusion
These are just some of the available wide format scanners. Whether you are a print service provider considering offering scanning services or part of the AEC and CAD industry looking to bring these capabilities in house, there are many options available.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, Standalone and MFP.
Feb2020, Digital Output
