Contex, the world's leading developer of wide format scanning and imaging solutions, today introduces the SD3600, a compact and lightweight 36-inch addition to the company's successful SD wide format scanner series. The SD3600 is a 1200-dpi technical document scanner for drawings, schematics, blueprints, and sketches. This is the industry's first 36-inch scanner that is completely upgradable in the field, which enables users to increase a scanner's speed or resolution, or to switch from monochrome to color, without justifying a large ROI by purchasing a new scanner. The wide format scanner also features two patent-pending CIS innovations that minimize sensor differences while a scan is in process and correct color fringing, a natural occurrence of CIS technology.

Additional features of the SD3600 include instant-on scanning and one-touch interface, which provide quick access to main features for scanning to a network and copying to a printer. A new, automatic scanner maintenance system also keeps the SD3600 scanner tuned and ready, which is ideal for highly productive scanning. The SD3600 is Energy Star-compliant and competitively priced to ensure a quick return on investment.

"Contex is a clear leader in the CIS marketplace because our scanners deliver the affordable quality and speed that businesses require," comments Jette Lundquist, Vice President of Marketing, Contex A/S. "When used either as a dedicated scanner or connected to a printer, the Contex SD3600 wide format scanner delivers an easy and cost-effective way to scan in-house, while delivering quality scans, scalability, and flexibility."

"The versatile SD3600 MFP lets us create cost-effective and space-saving 36-inch scan-to-print solutions with the leading wide format printers," Ralph Richter, CEO, The Drafting Clinic Canada Ltd., a distributor of large format imaging solutions. "The SD3600 also allows us to match the perfect scanning solution to our customer's requirements in virtually every occasion, with the added flexibility of future upgradability when required."

SD3600 with "All Wheel Drive"

The SD3600 is equipped with an "all-wheel drive" design that  provides a straight scanning path, with an optimal hold across the width of large documents to prevent image distortion. Also equipped with xDTR, Contex's exclusive extended data transfer rate technology, for enhanced performance, the SD3600 is capable of producing 324 color scans and 744 mono scans (A1) per hour. Additionally, face-up scanning capabilities help with loading documents into the scanner and allow the user see documents as they are being scanned.

The SD3600 is also available as a multi-function product (MFP). When paired with Nextimage software, a scanning, editing and enhancement tool with a broad set of printer drivers, users can easily connect the SD3600 to most office printers, copiers, or large format inkjet and LED printers. The SD's compact, lightweight design makes it space-saving and simplifies moving the scanner or MFP to different locations or workstations.

Details in Drawings

The wide format scanner provides precise, accurate images with a high optical resolution of 1200 dpi and 48-bit color capture. Its 16-bit black-and-white capture brings out detail and depth in any drawing. The SD3600 black-and-white adaptive threshold technology works simultaneously on foreground, background, edges, and other aspects of the original document to produce a copy that is as clean and clear as the original.

Contex scanning solutions can be purchased from authorized resellers worldwide. Visit www.contex.com/SD3600 for more information.