Duty Cycle -- It's a term that is normally related to office copiers or desktop printers. It usually refers to the maximum number of pages that a particular printer can produce in a month.
So, it is common to see a number like 20,000 or 60,000 when looking at those specs.
But, how does the term “duty cycle” relate to wide format printers?
When construction projects approach completion, a Punch List is one of the final activities that must be conducted.
Essentially, this is a list of repairs and incomplete work items remaining at the end of a project that must be finished by specialty contractors to address and fix, before the project is completed, plan submittals are completed, and the project is handed over to the building owner.
According to the Business Directory, this is the definition of a Punch List:
A listing of items requiring immediate attention before finalizing a construction project. It is a document listing work that does not conform to contract specifications, usually attached to the certificate of substantial completion. The contractor must correct the punch list work before receiving payment.
The topics of a punch list can be wide-ranging. For example, door adjustments, flooring issues, electrical problems, and damaged wood trim are all potential items in a punch list.
For decades, this has happened via a manual paper/pen process that is slow, tedious, and marred with potential communication problems.
Luckily, now, software applications, like Bluebeam Revu, provide a way to quickly and easily complete a punch list and keep every stakeholder up to speed, in real time.
Architectural design is something that is constantly evolving. One ever-changing aspect, that has completely redefined the design-build process, is BIM software (Building Information Modeling).
This is achieved through a variety of different software applications, all of which promote the absence of paper.
But, there are still plenty of opportunities where companies need to print construction plans - and color is absolutely crucial when printing 3D images from BIM.
Leave it to Canon to raise the bar when it comes to producing new ultra-high quality wide-format printers.
And the new breed doesn’t disappoint. In fact, the new Canon PRO Series is turning heads with a multitude of new technologies that are completely different from anything else in the competitive field.
Although designed for professional photography and other digital artwork, there are plenty of situations where one of these photo printers would fit nicely.
See 9 reasons why the Canon PRO 2000, 4000, and 6000 printers will exceed your expectations.
In 1597 Sir Francis Bacon declared that "knowledge is power." Back then, the known world was a lot smaller, and he was only armed with a handful of books.
Today, anyone with an internet connection can get a mountain of knowledge, with a single mouse click.
This is easily showcased by the amazing amount of geographical information instantly available through Google Maps or Google Earth.
Both of these applications operate as web-based conglomerations of data sourced from both data and images, sourced from satellite imagery, aerial photography, and GIS.
But, if you need a way to actually print this data in the form of GIS maps, aerials, or images, you need a printer that is fully capable of handling the task.
Poster printing used to be a privilege reserved exclusively for high-end commercial print shops. Sure, they do good work, but it is expensive - especially if you are printing signs, book covers or posters on a regular basis.
But, changes in technology have not only made poster creation much easier, it has made it more accessible to everyone.
Today, if you can click a mouse, you can print some amazing posters with Canon equipment and software. See how.
Lately, a recurring question has come up with my construction clients regarding the comparison of Bluebeam Revu and PlanGrid.
Since many companies are looking for ways to become more paperless, both of these applications have become quite popular as digital workflow choices with Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC).
But, which one is better? If a company is looking to take their wide-format workflow digital, which one should they choose?
Honestly, this question has a lot of moving parts, so the answer can be a bit dynamic. But, let’s dig in and take a look at the comparison of PlanGrid vs Bluebeam Revu.
Do you want your large format prints to really pop, be durable, and resist fading?
Usually, the solution is as simple as using the right kind of ink and media for the project.
In fact, the secret to printing awesome large format photos or graphics is often found in the chemistry of the ink, and not just the paper or printer technology.
Recently users of Bluebeam Revu Version 2018 have experienced some problems with the application rendering images on screen. This has manifested as showing blank pages, scrolling issues, etc.
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.
As cool as onscreen, interactive maps are, sometimes you just need a high-quality printed one to deliver the "wow factor" to that you need for your presentation.
But, when it comes to printing maps, many companies often a turn to their standard 4-color CAD plotter for this task. Too bad they don't realize that this is not be the best choice for the job.
This is because printing maps or aerial photos require much more dynamic performance than basic plotters can provide.
Learn the key points that you should consider when researching a map plotter - here are a few important aspects to keep in mind.
Despite the adage, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, people aren’t dogs. Humans are resilient creatures who are capable of constantly learning and changing.
This is evident today in the construction industry. It is a profession that is changing at lightning speed, but many “seasoned” professionals still make up the ranks.
Technology-wise, construction has changed more in the past few years than in the previous fifty. Given the influx of new talent, digital workflows have become both more accepted and commonplace.
Older baby boomers need to keep pace with change and embrace it. And, one of the tools that help them easily transcend paper to digital is Bluebeam Revu. Check out the three things that Baby Boomers love the most about Bluebeam software.
Before diving in to the three specific functions that older users find valuable, let’s go over what Bluebeam is exactly.
If you are in the market for a new wide format plotter, obviously there are many things to consider.
The usual suspects are price, functionality, and specifications. But have you given any thought to overall productivity?
Be careful when comparing makes and models, because the plotter spec-sheet doesn’t always tell the whole story.
When searching the best plotter for GIS map printing, it’s important to look at all of the factors surrounding your print needs. Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, is a computer system that allows you visualize all kinds of large, quantitative data.
That is why GIS data is typically displayed on maps. But, because GIS information usually revolves around big data, printing those files can be much more demanding than a typical CAD file; there is a lot more information to process.
In fact, some GIS files can easily exceed the 100MB file size. So, in order to find the best plotter for GIS printing, you really need to know all the aspects of the source file and the expectations of the final product.
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.
Adrian Hutchens
Dawn Higgs
Donnie Schopp
Kevin Vaughan
Rick Hiller