Four Types of Scanners

There are four basic types of scanners or scanning systems to consider for high-quality printing purposes: drum, film, flatbed, and specialty.

Drum Scanners

It used to be that using a drum scanner was the only way to have a high-resolution scan made, and many photographers-artists still purchase drum scans from scanning-service providers. Using photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) instead of CCD chips, old-style drum scanners are big, finicky machines that can take up half a room, although newer, desktop models are now available. The artwork-typically a transparency or a small print-must be flexible, and it is wrapped around a clear cylinder or drum that spins while a focused light source on a track shines through or on it and onto the image sensors. Drum scanners can produce wonderfully large, high-quality images with great dynamic range and resolutions that can approach 12000 dpi. These outsourced scans aren't cheap though figure paying $50-$100+ per drum scan depending on the file size.

Film Scanners

These specialized desktop scanners have become very popular with photographers who want to do their own scanning of negatives or transparencies. Film scanners have taken over the position of drum scanners for many wanting high-quality scans. Instead of the light moving past the original on a spinning drum, here the film moves ever-so-slightly past the light source, which with many brands is a cold-cathode, mercury fluorescent lamp, or, in other cases, an array of LEDs. Depending on the price, film scanners can handle 35mm up to 4 × 5-inch sizes. Because film has to be enlarged more than prints, and also because film has a wider density range and more contrast, most film scanners have correspondingly higher optical resolutions.

A maximum resolution of 4000 dpi is standard for many desktop film scanners with others going even higher. A different type of film scanner is made by Denmark's Imacon, and their Flextight models have a unique way to handle the artwork (several models also scan reflective prints). The film is bent in a drum-like shape except there is no drum! There's only air between the sensor and the film, which is held in place by its edges. They call it a "virtual drum," and there's no need for the mounting liquids, gels, or tape that drum scanners require. The resolution is high (up to 8000 dpi, non-interpolated) and with a price tag to match. Other desktop film-scanner makers include: Nikon, Canon, Microtek, and Polaroid.

Flat bed

 Scanners

Like photocopiers, flatbed scanners are basically boxes with a flat glass plate that you put the artwork on. This can be photo or artwork prints, books, even 3D found objects like seashells. A moving CCD array travels the length of the bed scanning as it goes. Earlier flatbeds could only scan reflective art, but the newer generation can now do a decent job with transparencies and film negatives as well; these are sometimes called "dual-media" scanners. These either use an adapter or special lid construction that allows light to shine from above onto the CCD sensors, or they have special drawers with film holders built into the base of the scanner.

Speciality

 Scanners

There are other scanning systems-including such names as BetterLight, Jumboscan, and Cruse that don't fit neatly into the categories above. These are very high-end reproduction scanners used primarily by museums, universities, and research institutions. The Jumboscan by Lumiere Technology in Paris uses a unique up-to-360-Megapixel 12000 × 30000 pixel RGB or "6 band/13 band multispectral" camera with the largest CCD sensor array in the world: 78 × 195mm in size. The camera and JumboLux elliptical light projectors that sweep across the subject in synchronization with the CCD array can be aimed to scan objects on walls, floors, easels, and copytables.

Vince Martin is the writer for We Print Discs and American Recordable Media - The companies that specialize on affordable digital DVD duplication, CD printing services durable cd/dvd duplicator and other types of media products.

Understanding Transceiver Chips

Optical transceivers are integrated circuit chips that send and receive data. These optical transceivers use fiber circuits to send and receive data rather than common electrical wire. The term for routing messages through cable wire and fiber interfaces is fiber optic circuits. Central hubs are attached to end users at extremely fast speeds with these transceiver chips. An easy way to understand their function: these transceivers can connect your home and office networks as well as things like television and phone services at record times.

The quick speed of data routing rates is what makes this transceiver chip a vital technology. Tests have shown that these chips can transfer data up to 160 Gbps. In comparison, these transceivers can join you to the internet at a transmission of 1,600 times quicker than Ethernet. Production used to make these small transceiver chips involves semi-conductor materials. They are slight in size but huge in power. There is more use to this advancing technology than simply signing on to the internet. They are also useful for local and wide range networks, home and office use, and downloading motion pictures in record times.

Built by industry standards, these transceivers are physical form factors. Under the Multi-Source Agreement, all professional designers are held to the same design laws. These transceivers are grouped into support routing speeds. These transmissions range from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps, with each fiber designed to support specific speeds. 1 Gbps transceiver form factors are normally known as SFP modules and SFP modules. These special modules support rate ranges from 100 Mbps all the way to 4 Gbps. Form factors with other identities are X2, XFP and Xenpak. These optics support a speed range of up to 10 Gbps.

As an example, a GBIC module is employed with one end plugged into an Ethernet port and another end that connects a fiber optic patch cord with a fiber optic network. The fiber optic network and Ethernet data is transformed by this type of transceiver. This optic is grouped by its optical wavelength, transmission rate, power and working distance. They are a hot pluggable which allows a port to be moved from one type of external interface to another easily.

Xenpak modules are another transceiver example. Created within the MSA Agreement, these pluggable fibers were built by standards developed by Agilent Tech and Agere Systems. Functioning in multimode and single mode optical fiber, and copper lines, there is a wider range of these modules. This 10G transceiver fiber module is the broadest in size, and contains a dual SC fiber interface. A typical copper line has a max span of 15 meters, while multimode fiber line works up to 300 meters.

You will continuously see further developments of fiber optic interfaces that will continue to improve their rates and power abilities, linking you to networks and entertainment sources faster. With the continuous support of the Multi-Source Agreement, this technology will remain at the forefront of the industry.

FluxLight was founded in 2003. Our focus has been on providing quality fiber optic interfaces, SFP modules, GBICs, and related products for local and wide area networking products. We stock optical transceivers from top vendors. FluxLight is convinced the path to success is through excellence and customer service. Our customers are our number one priority. We know you have many choices of where to buy so we do our best to provide the best SFP and GBIC products, at the best prices with the best possible support.

CD Printers Maintenance Tips

If you've purchased a CD/DVD printer for your business, then you need to know how to maintain it. To get your money's worth and to ensure that the printer continues to operate properly for a long time, you must keep it in perfect working order.

One of the primary concerns that arise after equipment is purchased is how to stay on top of routine maintenance. Like any other piece of equipment, a thermal disc printer also needs attention at regular intervals. In the case of leading thermal CD printers like the Teac Auto P-55/550 or for systems like the Apollo PA7-T PC-Connected Print Station with P55 Thermal Printer, or indeed other similar printers and systems, proper maintenance is an absolute necessity in order to maintain near perfect print quality.

The service required on a thermal CD/DVD printer depends mainly on the model. This can be explained better by looking at a specific printer as a case study. The TEAC P-55 is one of the most popular models on the market, so it's a good case in point as an example to better understand the nuances of maintaining a printer.

The P-55 thermal disc printer comes with four different ribbons and a number of auto loading platforms. These features provide for a variety of choices when it comes to customizing the functionality of the printer to suit specific work or business requirements. The P-55 thermal disc printer can be setup as an auto loading printer or as a manual-feed printer. When combined with a base unit, it becomes part of a full disc burning and printing system. But all this versatility also means more maintenance! However, breathe easy, as it is an easy task.

According to TEAC, the manufacturer of the P-55, for maintenance purposes, these parts of the printer need to be cleaned, and very thoroughly:

* Thermal Print Head needs to be cleaned

* The Platen Roller must be cleaned

* The Guide Plate Roller also requires cleaning

This should be carried out at regular intervals, in fact every time the ribbon is changed. And when should you change the ribbon? After every 500 prints.

Maintenance can also be made much simpler with a P-55 printer cleaning kit. Always use the cleaning products that are specific to that piece of equipment. In the P-55 printer cleaning kit, you get the cleaning solution, applicators, and most importantly, precise step-by-step instructions on how to clean each part of the printer. If you have the impression that the cleaning kit may be expensive, consider that it is a small amount to pay to keep a piece of equipment that cost you more than $7500, in good working order!

Using the P-55 printer as an example of the maintenance procedure carried out on a thermal CD/DVD printer, we have tried to show how to keep a printer in good working order and how often maintenance needs to be carried out. For all thermal printers like the P-55, there are similar components that require regular cleaning.

Regardless of whether your system is one like the Apollo PA9-P PC-Connected Print Station with the Pro IV Thermal Printer or the CopyPro Lightning 300 Prinstation with the PowerPro IV Printer, all manufacturers recommend cleaning the print heads and the rollers every time the print ribbon is changed, which varies from 500 to 2000 prints depending on the brand and model. Many of the manufacturers also recommend cleaning the platen roller periodically, especially if print quality issues arise.

Usually, you get a printer cleaning kit with the purchase of a new thermal CD printer, along with printer ribbons, transfer ribbons etc. The kit makes keeping your printer in perfect working order a breeze, giving you maximum results from your investment.

The writer is a technical consultant with Octave Systems, the leading suppliers of CD DVD printers and duplicators.