Plotters

TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW

Inkjet technology is based on spraying ink onto media through tiny nozzles that move across it. Unlike vector pen plotters which physically touch pens to the media to draw the image, the inkjet nozzles never touch the media.

Mutoh's inkjet printers are raster or vector devices that are based on a unique dual, tri-chamber design. They create images by spraying ink onto invisible pixels. A TV screen or computer monitor is also made up of pixels that are turned on and off many times per second to create real-time images. Inkjet output is like a static TV screen made up of pixels that will either receive ink or not to create a desired image. The closer and smaller the pixels are placed together, the better the resolution and output quality.

HISTORY

Inkjet printers have been available since the mid-1980's, but it wasn't until about 1992 that this technology earned renewed interest. The base unit price for this technology was reduced from $60,000 to under $5,000 for either color or monochrome. Other than the expensive electrostatic printers, inkjet technology is the only other color output alternative for raster devices. Color output is accomplished by mixing primary ink colors through separate spray nozzles onto each desired pixel element.

The SpectraJet is ideal for large format plotting, signs, posters, banners, trade show display signage, and point of sale displays. It is used by CAD designers, commercial sign shops, graphic design companies, in-house corporate communications and print departments, exhibit designers and builders, and graphics-related service bureaus.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The SpectraJet Series is Mutoh's first graphics offering to the large format, digital output market. It is positioned as an affordable, short-run, large format output solution for CAD users and signmaking professionals. The 24" and 36" SpectraJets offer significant cost-effectiveness in terms of base unit costs and cost-per-print ratios. The SpectraJet is a large format color-graphic printer or plotter which operates under MicroSoft Windows or major HPGL compatible CAD programs. Image files from graphic programs including: Pagemaker, Corel, Photoshop, Word and any graphic image which is created in a Windows environment can be printed on the Mutoh SpectraJet. Files created under AutoCad and major HPGL compatible CAD programs are treated as vector plots.

KEY FEATURES

• 300 x 300 dpi Output Quality •Draft and Final Modes Supported With No Reduction in speed.

• Unique Dual, Tri-Chamber Cartridge Design.

• Special Inks Developed to Attain Optimum Color Clarity and Output Quality

• Roll-Feed and Cut-Sheet Media Options Supported

• Cut sheet or roll feed with cutter .010" Accuracy

• Draft or Quality print modes

• Roll extent mode uses only the length of media required

• Flash BIOS

• Manual Cutter Included

• Supports HP HPGL1&2 sub-set, both serial RS-232C and parallel interfaces

• Supports Full Range of Media Including : Glossy and Matte Finishes, Vinyls, Canvas, and Backlight Stock

• 4 MB Input Buffer With Replot (expandable to 32 MB)

• Additional system status information is displayed on an operator's LCD panel.

EXQUISITE COLOR TECHNOLOGY

Specializing in technological innovation for large-scale reproduction, Mutoh brings you a unique combination of accurate, vibrant colors and economical, short-run graphic and CAD printing capabilities.

Uses industry standard CMYK printing concepts Use system complete with driver or with added RIP to produce 16 million colors Ideal for natural color, photographic-type images.

COST-EFFECTIVE PRODUCTIVITY

SpectraJet saves time and consumables by quickly producing inexpensive drafts before selecting final high-quality color output. Additional system status information is displayed on an operator's LCD panel.

SUPERIOR MATERIALS

Because image quality from inkjet devices is very dependent on the ink and the media used, special inks have been developed for the Mutoh SpectraJet to create sharper output quality and optimum color clarity.

MUTOH AMERICA

Mutoh America enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a leader in the plotting and signmaking industry. For years its award-winning products were known for their large-format capabilities. The Mutoh SpectraJet is no exception. As a friction feed printer, it is capable of printing on standard cut sheet sizes from 8.5" x 11" through 36" x 24" or on rolled media ranging from 21.25" to 24.75". This makes the SpectraJet the perfect tool for organizations providing low volume poster and oversized sign runs for such uses as in-store displays, trade show booths, and outdoor signage of all types.

The SpectraJet is Mutoh's answer to the busy CAD user or sign shop in need of high-capacity printing.

As impressive as its range of printing sizes and high-capacity capabilities are, the SpectraJet's 24-bit color addressing is equally noteworthy as a valuable feature to those who want to achieve accurate, vibrant colors in their graphics. This level of color addressing makes it possible to achieve up to 16.7 million true colors. And, the SpectraJet's 300 x 300 dpi resolution (in both draft and final modes) combined with an accuracy rating of .010" provides details suitable for the types of viewing environments typical to large-format applications.

The Mutoh SpectraJet's memory buffer is capable of holding up to 4MB of information and is upgradeable to an impressive 32 MB for detail-intensive projects. HP-Graphic Language sub-sets, serial RS-232C and parallel interfaces and features ADI. It also has a 2-line, 16-character per line LCD operation panel.

MEDIA AVAILABLE

Mutoh provides a full range of media compatible with the SpectraJet. Certified media include bond, matte and gloss stock.

Power Requirements

AC supply: 100-130 VAC, 183-260 VAC, 48-62Hz

Power consumption: Idle 22 W, Maximum 42 W

Physical Specifications

D-size: 47.75" high, 51.25" (on stand) wide, 23" deep, 71lbs.

AVAILABLE OPTIONS

Printer/Plotter floor stand for the SpectraJet

Hewlett-Packard ink cartridges

Roland's LTX thermal plotters provide quick, cost-effective CAD output for large scale plots. LTX plotters are fast, accurate and maintenance free. Fully HPGL compatible. Size “D”, 200 DPI plots can be printed in less than one minute. LTX-320 “D” sale price $699, manufacturers suggested price was $9,995. Also available LTX-420 size "E" only $1159, was $12,995. Also Available: LTX 2441 “E” thermal plotters offer true 400 DPI resolution. These are Roland’s top-of-the-line thermal style HP-GL/2 compatible plotting machines, complete with vector to raster converter, 25mm/sec. speed, 2 line LCD, parallel/serial interface and autocut paper. 32 bit RISC CPU for speed, never need toner, ink cartridge, ribbons or other expendables.

Electrostatic Plotters
$ 1,995 MSRP was $39,995
Roland RSX340 (D) and RSX440 (E) electrostatic plotters produce highest quality work at a fraction of the competitors price. On-board 32 bit RISC processor achieves plotting speeds 10 to 20 times faster than pen plotters, handles long plot data 13 meters (340) and 19 meters (440), HP-GL, HP-GL/2, 2 line LCD, parallel/serial, and autocut paper roll. Roland's suggest retail price is $39,995.

Acquired from a major aerospace corporation, California Digital offers the Hewlett Packard 7475A plotter. The plotters have come out of service, but are in perfect condition. About 70 pieces of both the HP-7475A are available. The 7475A is a six pen size “B” plotter with a .001 inch pen resolution. Pen velocity: 15 ips, 1024 byte buffer, 2G acceleration. Handles paper and transparency material. Current manufacturers suggested price $2,295. plotter is RS-232 complient.

Plotters & Digitizer Stand
$ 99
Roland Digital drafting stands can be modified for use digitizers or other plotters. Unit can be used horizontally or to 80 degrees vertical. Equipped with casters for easy movement on all types of flooring. Lower shelves included. Dimensions of these solid tubular stands are 36" wide, 27" deep and 29" high. Weight 55 lbs. Originally designed for use with Roland with DPX series plotters.

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