The line of color printers imagePROGRAF for several years of its existence has already established itself as reliable equipment, giving high-quality prints. A few months ago, we gave one of the machines of the line - imagePROGRAF PRO-2000 - to the test network of a Moscow photo studio, and what came out of it, you can read
in this review (spoiler - were satisfied).
Almost every year, a new series is added that is significantly different from its predecessors: naturally, improving and correcting the shortcomings of the previous ones. Last year’s debut was the TX series, which includes five-color printers TX-2000, TX-3000 and TX-4000. And today we will learn how it differs from its predecessors.
Design features
The TX series has retained some of the design features of the previous PRO series. First, it is a rigid frame that reduces the likelihood of vibration when printing, and secondly, its compact dimensions. But if we compare the imagePROGRAF TX-4000 model with a similar model in the same imagePROGRAF A380 line, the first one has already become - by as much as 30 cm. This is especially important for modern offices, where every additional centimeter can matter.
- Frame
The rigid frame is made in the form of box construction. This principle is widely applied in the automotive industry, where rigidity should be combined with ease.
The print head is supported by a moving carriage, which provides a precise distance from the printed material. This allows you to accurately reproduce fine lines and fine text, which is crucial for creating CAD drawings.
- Extra roll and rewind
In addition to the compact size and rigid frame, the new series has a number of features that distinguish it from its predecessors. In many ways, this concerned ease of use. Despite its modest dimensions, all devices of the line have the option of installing a second roll with a maximum diameter of 170 mm, which is 175-200 meters of printed material. In this case, the operator simply hangs a roll, and filling the material in the truck takes place automatically with a plotter. This makes it possible to work simultaneously with two materials or two carrier sizes chosen by the plotter, based on the tasks assigned. In addition, the lower section can perform another function. We have equipped it with a multifunctional system of continuous acceptance and winding of the sealed material on a roll. Winding can be made as an image outward under lamination, and inward under trimming. - Transformer basket
Inherited from the PRO series, the TX series has an improved construction of a transformer basket with several modes of operation, adapted to different types of media and print sizes. In addition to the standard basket of standard depth, there are flat lay and adjustable depth capacities with an increased volume, and there is also the possibility of installing an inclined receiving surface to prevent possible scratches or smearing of the image immediately after printing.
As a bonus, for the convenience of users, we have provided a viewing window on the case, so that when visually tracking the print it is not necessary to lift the lid.
Printing features
- Ink properties
Special innovations have directly affected the printing process. First of all, it concerns the new series of pigment inks LUCIA TD. TX models use four colors, but use five cartridges. Color ink droplets have high surface tension. Ink with a high surface tension is less spread on the fibers of cheap loose paper, which allows significant savings on the cost of media.
Another innovation is the use of pigments. Unlike pigment inks of previous generations of LUCIA TD, they almost do not penetrate deep into the paper, leaving a layer of pigment on the surface. Thanks to this property, images are perceived more saturated, which allows even posters to be printed. Also, new inks have improved performance properties: they are resistant to wetting and abrasion. - Intermediate tanks
The ink supply system in the TX plotters is equipped with intermediate tanks. This helped solve a number of problems inherent in previous generation print devices.
Intermediate tanks give a small ink reserve when printing. Therefore, information on an empty cartridge is issued before the lack of ink affects the quality of the print. In some models of inkjet printers with a lack of ink in the cartridge, the printing process is automatically paused. Theoretically, this should not affect print quality, but in fact the color rendition is disturbed. This is not the case with our TX series plotters. The reserve in the additional tank is enough for hot-swappable cartridge.
The filling of intermediate tanks occurs when the device is first started, which immediately reduces the amount of ink in the cartridge. But in the future this is offset by the full use of subsequent cartridges. In printers, where ink is fed directly to the print head, it is not recommended to use the ink completely so that air does not get into the system. Therefore, a small amount of ink always goes to the inevitable loss. In a system with intermediate tanks, the cartridge is used all completely without residue. At the same time, the user has the opportunity to purchase cartridges of different sizes depending on his needs and what he prints. - Improved printhead and print quality control
The printhead has its own cooling system and improved nozzles. This combination contributes to faster ink movement during printing and even fill. Tests performed showed that, compared with similar imagePROGRAF plotters, TX series devices perform printing with subsequent processing 18% faster. Moreover, 15% of them fall on the speed of the printing itself, and 3% on the optimization of post-printing processing.
In the latest generations of our printers, print quality control systems are included by default. When failures of one of the nozzles are detected, adjacent nozzles compensate for the gaps that appear. Tracking and compensation take place in real time, so visually the manifestation of such failures is imperceptible.
MFP TX Series
Printing devices of basic versions of the TX series can be upgraded in the MFP. Such modularity is convenient for small offices, because the purchase of individual modules is possible in stages. Specially designed for this series is the T36 scanner, which is installed on the TX-3000 and TX-4000. Prior to this, the M40 scanner was used. Two versions of the new scanner are now available. In the basic version for the Canon T36 Scanner to work, you need to connect to an external computer. The extended version of the Canon T36 Scanner AiO already has an integrated Windows 10 computer and a 15.6 ”touchscreen monitor. Professional scanner has a high speed. So, in monochrome mode, the scanning speed is 330 mm / s, and in color mode - 152 mm / s. This is one of the highest speeds in this class.
In addition to high-speed operation, the T36 scanners received an updated SmartWorks 5.0 software with an editing function. Many operations are automatic. Thus, the skew of the image, the removal of the background and much more can be automatically performed. That is, it is enough to scan the document once, and then make the necessary correction using specialized software. This significantly saves processing time and prepress preparation of the copied document.
Print management
For a modern printer, it is not enough to make only high-quality prints. Equipment is required to work in a conversational mode so that the user can track the changing parameters in real time. Therefore, all our wide-format printers in any configuration are equipped with free Accounting tool. This tool provides a wide scope for flexible optimization of the printing process. The user receives information about the format and amount of used paper, how long the printing lasted, how much ink was spent on the print and the total cost of the print itself. Additionally, you can keep track of users with the number of completed print jobs. On the one hand, this limits the inappropriate use of printing equipment, and on the other, there is a complete and objective picture of the cost item for printing.
Finally, we want to show you the process of printing the test drawing “Cottage Plan and Elevation” (A1 format), which we shot in our office. By the way, the cost of the print came out only 8, 88 rubles.
Additional characteristics of the new multi-color imagePROGRAF plotters of the TX series can be viewed on our
official website . And, of course, ask us in the comments - we will be happy to answer questions.