Wide Format Imaging

Paradigm Imaging Group has unveiled its new Supra wide-format multi-function scanning, printing, and copying station. Earlier Paradigm released its EIS (Express Imaging Station) Ultima, Flex and Solo as its high-end scanning, printing and copying system and the Quatra as the entry level copying system. With the new Supra priced at $16,995, Paradigm is addressing the very competitive mid- to high-range segment of the multi-function color copy station market.

The new Supra, available by the time you read this, includes:

• A Canon iFP700 36-inch printer,
• A Graphtec SK200 36-inch color scanner,
• Paradigm's Rocket scanner and printer controller,
• ImageFLOW scanning, printing and copying software,
• A combined stand for the scanner, printer and rocket controller with keyboard and monitor and
• One year on-site service in the USA and Canada.

Paradigm has designed the Supra 36" scan, print & copying system to meet the needs for the AEC, CAD, GIS, archive, reproduction and office markets, and has aggressively priced the full color all-in-one solution. The closest competitive solution is priced well over $20,000 (MSRP), plus the Supra comes standard with one-year on-site service in USA and Canada.

The Rocket Controller

Paradigm's Rocket controller is the glue that makes the scanner and the printer work together as a coherent solution. The Rocket controller is a pre-configured PC running the Windows XP professional power by a 3GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with 1GB memory and 80GB hard disk. It has a built-in CD-RW and DVD-ROM combo drive and connects through a 100MB fast Ethernet. It includes a mini keyboard with touch pad and a 17-inch LCD monitor.

Getting Set Up

The combined ERGO stand for scanner and the Rocket controller is easy to setup. The ERGO stand comes in two cardboard boxes with a well-documented assembly instruction. The setup took me about 20 minutes. On top of that, you must setup the Canon printer and the Graphtec SK200 scanner. The Graphtec SK200 scanner sits on the table-top and the printer slides under the scanner stand. You can adjust the angle height and tilt of the Supra stand to accommodate other printers, touch screen and keyboard.

Within an hour, the full Supra system was ready to use. The Graphtec SK200 scanner, weighing in at only 53lb, is light compared to similar scanners. The Canon ImagePROGRAF iFP700 printer weighs 86lb. Although there are several hardware components to be installed, it will be easy enough for most users to complete. The EIS Supra has a foot print of only 59x77x36 inches and weights 249 pounds.

Driver and Utility Installation

The Rocket controller is preloaded with Windows XP Professional, scanner and printer drivers and the ImageFLOW application that runs the show. The only tasks left for you are to connect the Rocket controller to the Ethernet and finalize scanner and printer setup, including calibrating them. The Rocket controller is available with other combinations of scanners and printers.

SK200 Scanner & Calibration

For optimal scans, you must calibrate your new scanner before use. The Graphtec SK200 scanner comes with a black and white point and a color calibration sheets. Color calibration is a quasi-automated process: after scanning the color calibration sheet you mark six reference points on the sheet to make sure that the calibration utility knows the exact locations of each of the 1,080 color patches. The scanner calibration process is smooth and should not present any problems for customers. I completed basic calibrations in less than five minutes.