Wide-Format Digital Imaging Links
Brief History / Timeline of the Industry
- Durst announced the best known unit, the Durst Lambda 130, (50 inch wide rolls) at Photokina in 1994.
By Sep. 1998 over 250 Lambda units had been sold. The new lower priced model 50 (also 50 inch wide rolls)
was announced in Oct. 1998.
- HK Productions Ltd. of London developed the PW30, a 30 inch wide roll unit, and was taken over by
Gretag, a Swiss Company in July of 1997. Gretag developed the PW52 (50 inch wide rolls) in response to
the larger Durst Lambda 130. The PW52 was first shown in Oct. 1997. Kodak sold its minority interest in
Gretag back to the company in early 1998.
- Kodak released their own entry with a smaller format (20 X 32 inches) in 1997. The Kodak LED Digital
Printer 20P was known as Pegasus.
- Kodak signed an agreement with Durst in Feb. 1998 to market the 50 inch wide roll Durst Lambda units
(130 and 76) in the US. In Feb. 1999, Kodak also released a second generation of their earlier Pegasus
printer, now called LED II Printer 20R & 20P (now 20 X 33 inches).
- Eseco-Speedmaster showed their Digimaster Universal Imaging System (40 X 60 inches) at Photokina in
Sept. 1998.
- Gretag signed a merger agreement with Rastor Graphics (electrostatic printing, digital presses, piezoelectric inkjects) 5 Oct. 1998.
- Dice America, a company involved in digitial photography workflow development, marketing and service,
merged with Durst ACS the U.S. representative for Durst to form DDA (Durst Dice America) 11 Dec. 1998.
- Gretag purchased Cymbolic in Feb. 1999 to obtain their large format digital printer, the LightJet 5000
(accepts up to 50 inch wide rolls) and other related products.
- Gretag's products are also marketed by Ilford
Laser prints dye image which is then transferred to paper
Hi Performance Wide-Format Ink Jets
Other Technologies
- Rastorgraphics
They use electrostatic printing, digital presses, piezoelectric inkject to print large format indoor/outdoor signs and banners on vinyl and other materials. NOTE! They signed a merger agreement with Gretag 5 Oct 1998.
Labs
- DigiMatrix
This lab has or access to a Fuji PG-4000, DesignWinder, Kodak Pegasus, and a Durst Lambda. They talk some of
which unit for particular situations and costing.
- Surdex Remote Sensing/Aerial Photography Imaging Lab with excellent web site.
Articles
- "The Propriety of Commercial Remote Sensing." by Craig P. Ehrlich. Competitive Intelligence Review. Vol.10 No.1. First Quarter 1999. Major article with great number of online and other references. Specific details to many upcoming remote sensing programs.
- The Hybrid Digital Print Competes with Direct Output describes one method smaller shops can use to compete against these big (expensive) machines. Taking a high resolution drum scan of the digital image, then create a digital negative using a film recorder. Finally, use a normal enlarger. Prints were said to be superior
to the paper writer.
- Getting Digital with Your Images
- Artwork using digital printing
Patents
- 5,612,172 Writing to Photosensitive materials using modulated light beam (Kodak)
- 5,828,495 Lenticular Image Displays (Kodak)
- 5,844,663 Light Valve Printing Multiple Exposures for High Res Images (Eseco)
Trade Magazines
Organizations
Annual Reports and other Financial Reports
Photography Industry Marketing Studies
Consultants
Miscellaneous
- NASA CRSP Commercial Remote Sensing Program
- Skyline North
Well known exhibit display manufacturer with their own Durst Lambda.
- Plotting Profits from Large Formats
Graphics Arts Monthly Oct 1995
Good historical review of alternative large format printing methods.
- Bigprint Singapore site
Sample Lenticular Imaging Firms (depth and motion)
Future
Photography Industry Companies
Medical Imaging and Sample Images
Misc. Users of Large High Resolution Images
Commerce Business Daily Listings
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