Digital Color Laser Printers

Colex is the distributor of Polielettronica equipment in the USA

Laser-Lab 20x32

 

 

  

 

 

 

The LaserLab is a 50x80 cm (20''x32'') photographic color laser printer designed as an integrated laboratory, linked to an RA4 paper processor.

The machine offers high performances: the lasers prints a 50x80 cm (20''x32'') in only 10 seconds.

There is no idle time between the loading of the image and its print.

After giving the print command, the paper is

loaded in the drum

exposed

inserted in the paper processor

all in less than 25 seconds.

With RA process of 3 minutes and 30 seconds, the first print is obtained in less than 4 minutes, with a productivity up to 70 square meters per hour, without compromises for the quality.

The computer monitor is calibrated to match the print.

Any image file loaded into the computer is displayed on a 18'' monitor and if necessary, adjusted (in real time) in color, density and contrast.

This system allows high quality and high productivity without paper waste.

The LaserLab high print quality in terms of color saturation and brightness, together with its high printing speed, make it unsurpassable.

Thanks to its 16 bit per color DAC (total 48 bit) the print quality has an exceptional tone continuity.

 


LaserLab internal view

 

Main features

The LaserLab printing resolution is 254 dpi continuous tone (equivalent to 3000 dpi or more in a dithered system like an ink-jet printer).

Direct connection with a 100 m/hr (65''/min.) or an optional 150 m/hr (98''/min.)

Paper format: minimum 10x15 cm. (4''x6'') - maximum 50x82 cm. (20''x32'').

Printable image of any size (even one pixel).

The LaserLab has the same paper box and cutting group as used in our VideoLab.

The LaserLab is mounted on anti vibration supports.

The paper processor and the fan group are totally separated in order to eliminate any kind of vibration.

The laser group is mounted on a removable deck located under the printing section, to allow an easy and fast maintenance.

The electronic unit is located at the base of the machine.

The paper is cut to the correct size before exposure, similar to our VideoLab machines.

The paper is transported to the printing area and kept in position by a vacuum inside the exposing chamber (patented).

After paper advancement to the correct position, the laser exposes the image via a 30,000 rpm rotating mirror located over an air suspended slide moved by a linear motor.

This particular configuration, without contact, minimize any kind of vibrations: maximum print sharpness !

The exposure time for the maximum size (around 1 square meter) is 10 seconds, plus the small time for transporting the paper into the buffer section.

The red, green and blue laser lights are modulated at over 6MHz, regulated by motorized variable neutral density filters.

The RGB lasers are merged to form a single beam of light collimated into the fiber optic.

The light at the end of the fiber optic is checked by a photometric system for chromatic balance (maximum black level).

The laser light is transferred to the rotating mirror by a special self-focusing fiber optic that assures the absolute stability, not only of the spot diameter for the blue, green and red colors but also the exact spots overlapping (convergence) without lasers re-calibration for beam pointing drifts or thermal drifts.

After completing of the exposure the paper is transferred to a buffer section where it will be processed at the maximum speed: 166 cm/min. for a 100 m/h processor or 250 cm/min for a 150 m/h processor.

The next exposure can starts immediately without any dead time: so doubling the productivity!

The printer is managed by a state of the art personal computer (always in evolution).

UPS for printer section and workstation (included)

Printing media : photographic paper (digital type), rolls must be winded with the emulsion outside

 


ImageLab Toolbar

 


Some functions of ImageLab

 

Software

Complete and integrate working environment running under Windows 2000 with a visual interface based on the Windows standards.

Reads over 40 image formats like: TIFF, JPEG, Targa, BMP, PBM, Macintosh PICT, .PNG, .RAS, .SGI, PhotoCD, Postscript included.

Can open multiple images.

Before printing, the software allows the operator to modify, luminosity, contrast and gamma and cross color, for any single color or density.
The preview of the result is displayed in real time, it does not matter if the image size is over 300MB

Reference value of the correction are printed on the edge of the image.

Cropping of the images, as in our Videolab, is possible.

Image manipulation through most important filters: sharpen, smooth, blur, median, convert to gray and others

Adjustable monitor preview, calibration of monitor image to match it with the result on photographic paper.

All image adjustments and cropping functions are performed using the Mouse-Wheel technology.

Full automatic print management.
Auto-print function from remote workstations connected in local area network.

The software automatically packs images (multiple copies of the same image or different images) on a single print.
Example : you can have 8 images in 20x25 size on a 50x80 print or 25 images 10x15 on a 50x75 print.

Complete image dimension management.

Following image adjustments in our software, a very fast PCI board (developed by Polielettronica) located inside the computer, sends the data to an external board that drives the laser modulators.

16 bit of resolution for each color giving maximum gamma control without any loss of information in dark or light shadow areas.

Automatic calibration of the paper profile via autoscan densitometer. The densitometer is not included.

 


The integrated environment
that manages the LaserLab

 

Cut marks (see HS Cutting Station)

The cut marks is a system for spacing images.
It consists in a simple bar code placed between the images when they are arranged on a single print.
This bar code can be recognized from automatic cutters, that can separate the images in single prints.

The cut marks insertion is fully automatic, during the production no operation is necessary from the operator.
The size and the options of the cut marks are easily programmable from a dialog window.

 


Layout example with automatic cut marks

 

Package, calendars and cards

A simply dialog window allow to create complex multiple sizes images like Packages.
The same system can create calendars or cards.

The package or calendar just created can be connected to an Automatic print folder (AutoPrint) to get the maximum automatization of the production.

The backgrounds and text for calendars and cards are not supplied by Polielettronica.

 


Package sample

 


Card sample

 


Calendar sample

 

Printing speed

120 50x75 prints/hour on 100 meters/hour processor.

165 50x75 prints/hour on 150 meters/hour processor.

190 30x45 prints/hour on 305 mm paper and 100 meters/hour processor.

225 30x45 prints/hour on 305 mm paper and 150 meters/hour processor.

3000 10x15 prints/hour on 508 paper and 100 meters/hour processor on clusters of 25 prints each.

 

Paper processor

The processor is available in the standard 100m/h (65 inches/minute) model and in the optional 150m/h (98 inches/minute) model.

All RA4 models have a microprocessor control with the following characteristics:

Three independent developer time channels (normal, duratrans, special jobs)

Independent temperature control for developer, bleach and dryer

Dryer standby (low consumption mode)

Independent control for replenishment circulation of all three integration pumps, with ml per square meter regulation

Automatic and adjustable speed control

Quick change from chemical (waterless) to water wash

Developer, bleach and dryer overheating alarm, developer and bleach tank low level alarm and low level wash heater circuit

Replenishment-overflow group, has 30 liters tanks for replenishment and 20 liters tanks for overflow.

Alarms are incorporated for empty replenishment tanks and full overflow tanks.

 

Paper processor tanks volume (liters)

Paper Processor

Developer

Bleach

Stabilizer

Replenishment tanks

Overflow tanks

Power supply

100 m/h (65''/min.)

1 x 28

1 x 28

3 x 21

3 x 30

3 x 20

220/380 V AC - 7KW

150 m/h (98''/min.)

2 x 19

2 x 19

3 x 25

3 x 30

3 x 20

220/380 V AC - 7KW

 

Printer section power supply

220V AC, single phase with a 16Amps socket. Input point: continuous power supply unit only.

Max power peak during switching on: 3KW

Power consumption during production: 1,5KW

 

Printer heat dissipation

Blue argon ion laser cooling fan output: air flow: 250 m3/hour at 40°C

Output from transport unit: air flow max. 485 m3/hour with 6,5°C higher than room temperature.

 

Dimensions

Keep a distance of at least one meter per side from any obstacles (walls, etc.) to allow an adequate airflow and a better technical service.

Warning : machine can only be installed like shown on the picture !

 

LaserLab 20"x32" System Dimensions (mm)

Paper processor

L

H

W

L1

H1

W1

T

Full length

Full Height

Width

Body length

Body height

Body width

Desk length

100m/h

3755

2010

1100

1290

1720

900

1450

150m/h

4110

2010

1100

1290

1720

900

1450

 

 

Optionals: HS Cutting Station

HS Cutting Station is a automatic station of cut designed to increase the production of the small sizes formats of the LaserLab 50x80.

 

Optionals: Sorter

Order separation unit up to 8''x10'' format.

 

 

THE MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL AND THE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED INSIDE POLIELETTRONICA,
IN ORDER TO OFFER FAST UPGRADE AND A COMPLETE TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

Our products are subjected to constant technical improvements.
In accordingly we reserve the rights to modify them any moment with respect to the present text and illustrations.

Every product name is a registered trademark of its owner.
They are used in this publication positively for their companies.

LaserLab is a registered trademark of Polielettronica S.p.a.

 

 

 

 

© 2008 Colex Imaging Inc. All rights reserved.
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