Recently, a UK-based company, GDS, published an article comparing the HP T520 plotter to a Canon TM-300.
They are spot-on in showcasing the differences between the two printers and how the Canon TM-300 is a much more cost effective solution than the HP.
Here are some key takeaways.
Speed is always of the essence in construction. The faster companies access and share their plans, the more they increase their earning potential.
Despite the expansion of digital workflows, there is still an explicit need for architects, engineers, and contractors to use physical drawings.
Therefore, the right equipment is crucial. This is why AEC companies should really consider a Canon plotter with a built-in hard drive.
Even though the new Canon TX plotters have only been released for a few months, many initial orders were placed and a flood of new TX 3000 and TX 4000 printers have quickly been installed in the field. Likewise, some very encouraging feedback has come back from both other dealers and users alike regarding their performance of these new Canon machines.
Canon recently announced the release of their updated entry-level “Le-Series” plotter/scanner systems. Built on the same technology and success of the preceding L24 and L36 models, the new L24e and L36e offer a variety of significant upgrades, of which you should take note.
If you work in AEC - architecture, engineering, or construction, you know how you handle construction drawings has changed dramatically over the years. In the old days, print shops printed and distributed bid sets to general contractors and subcontractors.
Almost all plans are shared electronically via email or some online planroom. This has resulted in a drop in demand for large-volume printing. Traditional reprographic shops have been hit hardest by this change. But wide-format printing is not dead; it has just shifted.
Canon recently unveiled their new wide format plotter scanner—the L-Series. It comes in two versions, the iPF670 MFP L24 (24-inch plotter/scanner) and the iPF770 MFP L36 (36-inch plotter/scanner). Both of these units provide basic print and scan-to-copy functions at a very affordable price. The overall functionality of the L-Series is a bit scaled back from the more robust M40 model, but if your wide-format needs are basic, it may be a great option to consider.
Everyone knows that as soon as you buy the latest tech gizmo, it is already outdated. Just look how fast new smart phones are released. This concept appears to dissolve, however, when printers are involved, especially wide-format printers. It is amazing how some companies will hang on to their wide-format equipment for years. Eventually though, the time will come there is no other option. You need to upgrade your plotter. If that is the case, here a few things to keep in mind.
The Canon Large Format Solutions Division has recently announced the latest expansion of their award winning imagePROGRAF Large-Format Multifunction Printer line with the new iPF MFP L Scan-to-Copy/File series. The two models that comprise the new L-Series are the 36-inch iPF770 MFP L36 and the 24-inch iPF670 MFP L24. The new L-Series complements the current iPF MFP M40 imaging system line by providing a product that offers basic scan-to-copy capabilities at an affordable price. Developed to be easy-to-use, the new L-Series Scan-to-Copy/File systems are expanding the market by putting Large Format multifunction capabilities within reach of small offices, low volume and entry level users. Together, the two iPF MFP series give Canon an unrivaled breadth of large format scan-to-copy/file solutions.
When choosing a new wide-format plotter system, there are many factors to consider. Is it easy to use? What is the print speed? What is the print quality? Is it durable? The research company, Buyers Laboratory LLC (BLI Labs), has conducted an independent study comparing two top models, the Canon iPF780 large-format printer and the HP Designjet T920 ePrinter. The study was a series of stringent tests to compare device performance and to report on the strengths and weaknesses of the two products. See how they compare regarding large format plotter reviews in the following categories:
Visual communication is vital to many types of businesses. Retail, Education, and Petroleum (Oil & Gas) are three wildly different industries that rely on the similar ability to communicate through posters, charts, and maps. Technology has made it so that producing even complex posters is as simple as clicking “print.” But, ultimately, hardware is what yields the final results and having the right hardware remains the biggest challenge, until now.
Historically, aqueous ink jet plotters have been used primarily for technical and general printing. The term “aqueous” itself refers to the water-based properties of the ink. This is the type of print process you are thinking about regarding ink jet printing, no matter if it is large or small format. But, aqueous ink comes in two flavors—dye and pigment. They are designed mostly for indoor application, but you can use them form some outdoor printing in a pinch.
One of the most frustrating problems you can experience with ink jet printing equipment is printhead failures. While printheads can fail for a variety of reasons, it is important to remember that they are “wear” items that will eventually fail. It is just the nature of the beast.
When talking with clients, I often use the analogy of a car’s brake pads. Eventually, they will wear out and have to be replaced.
Brian Kennard
Dawn Higgs
Donnie Schopp
Kevin Vaughan
Rick Hiller