By Cassandra Balentine
Part 1 of 2
When it comes to technical documents today, a digital copy is just as essential as the print. Luckily, key players in the technical printing hardware space also offer scanning capacities to support increasing digitization processes.
Many wide format scanning and multifunctional scan and print products target technical document printers. We consider wide format over 24 inches for this article.
Canon
Canon offers a variety of options for the technical printing market—specifically architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC). One such option is the ColorWave 3600/3800 series.
This is a monochrome and color printer, scanner, and copier provided in one single footprint. With its intuitive design, the ColorWave 3600/3800 color printer allows AEC professionals to utilize it as walk-up printer and produce up to 225 D-sized monochrome and color prints per hour.
The large format printing system hold ups to four media rolls and prints come out dry, cut to size, and ready to use.
Contex
In the standalone scanner space, Contex has options including the HD Ultra X in 36, 42, and 60 inches; IQ Quattro X in 36 and 44 inches; IQ Quattro in 24 inches; SD One+ in 24 and 36 inches; and SD One MF in 24, 36, and 44 inches.
All of its scanners are sold in either RGB color, grayscale, or monochrome.
Both integrated and separate scan/print bundles are available. “You can buy the large format scanner as a standalone solution or as part of a multifunction printer solution where you combine the scanner with a large format printer of your choice to form a large format copying solution,” says Sigrid Raahauge, marketing team leader, Contex.
Epson
For the wide format market, Epson offers a variety of multifunction technical printers with built in, wide format scanners. The Epson SureColor T-Series line of technical printers includes 24-, 36-, and 45-inch multifunction models with integrated high-detail scanners, and models with optional scanning attachments for easy scanning and copying of technical documents, blueprints, renderings, and graphics.
The SureColor T3170M, T5170M, and T5470M multifunction models include integrated scanners that can digitize documents up to 600 dpi and feature highlight detection to accurately scan annotated blueprints and line drawings.
The SureColor T5270 and SureColor T7270 also include optional scanner attachments. Leveraging these scanners, businesses can easily scan technical drawings, blueprints, and renderings to share with colleagues or convert them to electronic files for editing and reprinting.
The Epson SureColor T-Series line of wide format technical printers deliver a range of robust features designed to help industry professionals create stunning CAD, GIS, architectural, or engineering technical drawings.
Epson recently introduced a new line of production-class SureColor T-Series printers, including the new, compact, SureColor T7770D 44-inch dual roll printer that was designed to help businesses create outstanding quality technical documents quickly and efficiently. It prints technical drawings at production-class speeds over 1,400 square feet per hour and A1/D-size prints in as fast as 16 seconds. Leveraging UltraChrome XD3 six-color inks—including a new red ink—it creates water-, smudge-, and fade-resistant output with crisp lines and vibrant colors for graphics, signage, blueprints, and documents.
For those looking for a multifunction unit, Epson offers the 24-inch SureColor T3170M, 36-inch SureColor T5170M, and the 36-inch SureColor T5470M. These print A1/D-sized prints in 34 , 31, and 22 seconds, respectively, and the integrated scanners can digitize up to 600 dpi, as well as scan to USB drive functions for easy document sharing and team collaborations. Along with versatile print options, such as printing from tablets and smartphones, these multifunction models offer a variety of benefits to technical businesses.
On the multifunction models, the scanners and printers are integrated in one device, making it easy for businesses to scan and share documents. For the units with optional scanner attachments, the scanner comes as a second device that can be secured to the printer.
Jacob Hardin, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc., says all Epson SureColor T-Series printers range from four- to six-color ink options that can print in color or B&W for increased color gamut and smoother transitions for users looking for more versatile applications, such as graphics, GIS mapping, and posters.
HP
HP offers scanner-only solutions in the HP DesignJet HD Pro 2 42-inch Scanner and HP DesignJet SD Pro 2 44-inch Scanner.
The company also offers integrated print/scan solutions including HP DesignJet T2600 dual roll 36-inch PostScript MFP (integrated scanner), HP DesignJet T2600 36-inch PostScript MFP (integrated scanner), HP DesignJet T830 36-inch MFP (integrated scanner), and HP DesignJet T830 24-inch MFP (integrated scanner).
Printer and scanner bundles include the HP DesignJet HD Pro 2 MFP (HP DesignJet Z6 dual roll 44-inch Postscript Printer with Vertical Trimmer and HD Pro 2 42-inch Scanner) and HP DesignJet SD Pro 2 MFP (HP DesignJet T1700 dual roll 44-inch Postscript Printer and SD Pro 2 44-inch Scanner).
Additionally, Gregg Kockler, DesignJet product manager, Americas, HP Inc., points out that HP has over 20 additional HP DesignJet large format printers available ranging from 24 to 64 inches with unique features designed to fit a wide range of customers needs such as vertical and horizontal trimming, 100 page stackers, automatic paper loading, cutsheet tray options, and a suite of software to enhance printing productivity.
“We have a diverse portfolio of wide format scanning and printing options. And these options fit customers who are looking for integrated solutions and separate systems that work together,” says Kockler.
Supporting Technical Professionals
The documents required by AEC professionals are often oversized and detailed. With a distributed work model, scan and print functions that support these documents are essential.
Part two discusses in-demand features of technical document printers and scanners.
Feb2023, DPS Magazine
