Journal of Audiovisual Media in Medicine
ISSN: 0140-511X (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ijau19
User's review of the Canon Colour Copier R. E. Lund To cite this article: R. E. Lund (1992) User's review of the Canon Colour Copier, Journal of Audiovisual Media in Medicine, 15:1, 13-16, DOI: 10.3109/17453059209051378 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/17453059209051378
Published online: 10 Jul 2009.
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Date: 16 March 2016, At: 12:25
Journal of Audiovisual Media in Medicine 1992; 15: 13-16
User's review of the Canon Colour Copier R. E. LUND
Downloaded by [ECU Libraries] at 12:25 16 March 2016
The ability to link the new Canon Colour Laser Copier to a computer opens up new boundaries of data manipulation. A report from the user's point of view, describes a system comprising the copier with computer input, slide scanner and flat copy capacity. Information is given on the types of materials produced, the types of users, the cost of purchase and maintenance, and the potential for generating profit. La possibilite de relier le nouveau Canon Colour Laser Copier a un ordinateur permet de nouvelles limites aux manipulation de donnees. Ceci est u n rapport d'utilisateur, decrivant un system comprenant le Canon Colour Laser Copier connecte a un ordinateur, un lecteur de diapositives et ayant la capacite de photocopier n'importe quel original. Le type de materiel produit, le type d'utilisateurs, le coOt a I'achat et a I'entretien ainsi que la possibilite de profit sont rapportes dans cette com m u n icat ion.
In April 1991, the Pathology Photography Laboratory at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine purchased a Canon Laser Colour Copier, Model 500 (Canon, New York, USA), with a film scanner, central processing unit and Macintosh computer (Apple Computer Company, California, USA) (Figures 1 and 2). The Canon Model 500 is a fourcolour additive copier which builds all colours from layers of magenta, cyan, yellow and black. The film scanner scans a 35-mm slide or a film negative at 3300 DPI, and converts the image into digital electronic data that are then stored in the central processing unit for manipulation. The central processing
Raymond E . Lund, R B P , FBPA, AIMI, Assistant Professor, Pathology and Art as Applied to Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205, U S A
01992 Butterworth-Heinernann Ltd 0140-51 lX/92/010013-04
La facilidad de conectar la fotocopiadora Canon Laser color a una computadora, ofrece nuevas posibilidades para la manipulacion de datos. Un reporte desde el punto de vista del usuario, describe u n sistema que incluye una fotocopiadora con computadora conectada, diapositiva de escaner y capacidad de copia. Da informacion en el tipo de material producido, tipo de usuarios, el costo de compra y mantenimiento y el potencial para generar ganancia. Die Fahigkeit der neue 'Canon Colour Laser Copier' mit einer Rechner zu verbinden offnet neue Moglichkeiten fur Daten Behandlungen. Dieser Bericht aus suchtpunkt der Benutzer beschreibt ein System die aus ein Photokopier mit Eingabe aus einer rechner, Dia 'Scanner', 'flat copy capacity' besteht. lnformationen uber produzierte Unterlagen, Art des Benutzer, Ankauf und Instand haltung Kosten und die Moglichkeiten Gewinne zu machen ist besc h rieben.
unit collects all the data from the film scanner, the copier's flat-image scanner, and computer-tape storage. The computer can rework data from one or more of the sources into new images, and then send them back to the copier to be printed in colour or black-andwhite (Figure 3). Choosing a copier
The decision on which colour copier to buy was difficult. Since the laboratory must recover all its costs, price was the first consideration. Could the copier generate enough income to pay for the equipment, operator and maintenance, as well as the cost of its own replacement, in 5 to 6 years? The price per copy would have to be set below that of the outside competition, to ensure a high volume of use. Before deciding, t h e laboratory staff evaluated many copiers. The Canon was the most expensive system seen -
the total cost of the copier with film scanner, central processing unit and computer was 70000 US dollars. The Canon was chosen for the following reasons: 1. Copy quality. The Canon produces better copies, both colour and blackand-white, than any other machine on the market today. From a distance of 3-4 feet, people usually have difficulty distinguishing the original from copies. 2. Versatility. The Canon offered many more functions than the other copiers evaluated. While it is impossible to describe here all the Canon's features, these are some of the ones most useful to the laboratory: (1) The copier can take 8 %11~inch and 11 x 17 inch paper; (2) Copies can be reduced to 50%, and enlarged to 400%, each in increments as small as 1%; (3) Images can be rearranged on the page, flipped, and copied as
Downloaded by [ECU Libraries] at 12:25 16 March 2016
mirror images; (4) The proportions of an image can be stretched or squeezed; (5) The operator can add and alter colour and texture - even changing a photograph into a line drawing; (6) Several images can be composited, and text added; (7) Images from all sources can be ‘tiled’ at enlargements of up to 400%, and
in register. As an example of what the system can do - a user might scan in images from several sources (e.g. flat copy, a slide, and data from a computer disk), then bring all the images simultaneously to the computer screen, re-arrange and re-work the images, feed the new image back through the central processing unit
Figure 1. Canon colour copier with film scanner (all figures were produced on the Canon colour copier).
and end up with a colour copy on 11x 17 inch paper. 3. Speed and customer costs. Although the Canon was the most expensive copier to buy, its versatility and speed allow it to do more things faster and at more reasonable cost than any other colour copier. The Canon permits the production of an initial 81/2X11 inch or 11x17 inch colour or black-and-white copy from slides, flat copy or a computer disk, within 3-5min, and then an additional copy every 26 s. Depending on the workload, the turn-round time for jobs averages 1-3 h, at an average cost to the customer of 2.50 to 3.50 US dollars per copy. In contrast, the Colenta colour reversal photographic print machine (Colenta America Corporation, New Jersey, USA) in the laboratory takes about 2 days to make a print, at a minimum cost of 10 US dollars (demand for colour photographic prints has declined since the Canon was installed). Another benefit of the Canon is that it allows the artists to prepare designs and ‘paste-ups’ faster and less expensively than by hand. 4. Maintenance. The paper and four toner bottles are changed by laboratory staff. For any more complicated maintenance, the laboratory has a Canon service contract. The staff believe that a service contract is essential for a system as complex as this. The contract price varies with the number of copies made. The laboratory’s maintenance cost averages out to 15 cents per copy and this cost is built into the per-copy price. In the first 4 months, the copier has not required any maintenance.
As of January 1992 the prices (US dollars) per copy were: 8 % 11-inch ~ paper, one copy 2-10 copies 11-20 copies 11x 17-inch paper, one copy 2-10 copies 11-20 copies 8Rxll-inch paper, four images per sheet, one copy two or more copies 11X 17-inch paper, four images per sheet, one copy two or more copies
Figure 2. Canon copier with film scanner, central processing unit and Macintosh computer. 14
3.00 2.50 2.00 4.00 3.50 3.00
6.00 4.00 8.50 6.00
Local commercial firms that make colour copies are charging 5.00 US dollars per single flat copy 8!hxll-inch image and 7.50 US dollars per 11x17inch image. Lund
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The Journal of Audiovisual Media in Medicine (1992) Vol. 1SINo. 1
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Problems with the Canon
One disadvantage of the Canon is the amount of space it requires. Space is expensive in a hospital or university. At this hospital, space is almost impossible to get at any price. The Canon copier is approximately 2m long and 1 m wide, and requires approximately 70 cm clearance in front and on both sides, and 12cm behind. The whole system requires 6 to 7m2. It also requires a constant temperature of approximately 18°C and a humidity range of 15-30%. Temperature and humidity changes degrade copy quality. The copier operator can easily learn to make flat copies and reproduce images from single slides. It takes much longer to learn computer inputting and combining multiple images on one sheet. It takes longer still to learn to combine images from several sources,
16
such as flat copy with a slide. An average operator needs 2 to 4 weeks to become proficient enough on the system to work at production speed. Customers also have a learning curve. When the copier was first installed, customers tried to have all their colour work done on the Canon. But no matter how good the copies are, the colour copier cannot replace colour photography. Customers must be educated in the copier’s best uses. The laboratory’s customers work in basic biomedical research, clinical medical research, teaching and public relations. The single biggest source of colour copier business is in illustrations for grant applications. Next, in descending order, come illustrations for research papers, poster presentations, PhD dissertations, medico-legal briefs and teaching handouts. Medical art is also reproduced for pre-publication proofing.
Conclusion
In the 4 months since the copier was installed, the laboratory has been making 60-75 copies each day. It will need to make 75-100 copies each day to recover costs. To increase business, the laboratory is sending the faculty a brochure advertising the service. The staff hope to recover initial costs within 2-3 years. Income from the fourth and fifth years will be used to upgrade to a newer model. By 5-6 years, both technology and customers’ needs will probably have changed enough to require replacement of the system. The staff hope that these needs will not change much sooner. Since the initial outlay for the copier was substantial, only time will tell whether or not the system was a good investment. Acknowledgements
The reproduction of the colour photographs in this paper was funded by Canon Colour Copiers.
Lund
ISSN: 0140-511X (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ijau19
User's review of the Canon Colour Copier R. E. Lund To cite this article: R. E. Lund (1992) User's review of the Canon Colour Copier, Journal of Audiovisual Media in Medicine, 15:1, 13-16, DOI: 10.3109/17453059209051378 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/17453059209051378
Published online: 10 Jul 2009.
Submit your article to this journal
Article views: 1
View related articles
Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=ijau19 Download by: [ECU Libraries]
Date: 16 March 2016, At: 12:25
Journal of Audiovisual Media in Medicine 1992; 15: 13-16
User's review of the Canon Colour Copier R. E. LUND
Downloaded by [ECU Libraries] at 12:25 16 March 2016
The ability to link the new Canon Colour Laser Copier to a computer opens up new boundaries of data manipulation. A report from the user's point of view, describes a system comprising the copier with computer input, slide scanner and flat copy capacity. Information is given on the types of materials produced, the types of users, the cost of purchase and maintenance, and the potential for generating profit. La possibilite de relier le nouveau Canon Colour Laser Copier a un ordinateur permet de nouvelles limites aux manipulation de donnees. Ceci est u n rapport d'utilisateur, decrivant un system comprenant le Canon Colour Laser Copier connecte a un ordinateur, un lecteur de diapositives et ayant la capacite de photocopier n'importe quel original. Le type de materiel produit, le type d'utilisateurs, le coOt a I'achat et a I'entretien ainsi que la possibilite de profit sont rapportes dans cette com m u n icat ion.
In April 1991, the Pathology Photography Laboratory at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine purchased a Canon Laser Colour Copier, Model 500 (Canon, New York, USA), with a film scanner, central processing unit and Macintosh computer (Apple Computer Company, California, USA) (Figures 1 and 2). The Canon Model 500 is a fourcolour additive copier which builds all colours from layers of magenta, cyan, yellow and black. The film scanner scans a 35-mm slide or a film negative at 3300 DPI, and converts the image into digital electronic data that are then stored in the central processing unit for manipulation. The central processing
Raymond E . Lund, R B P , FBPA, AIMI, Assistant Professor, Pathology and Art as Applied to Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205, U S A
01992 Butterworth-Heinernann Ltd 0140-51 lX/92/010013-04
La facilidad de conectar la fotocopiadora Canon Laser color a una computadora, ofrece nuevas posibilidades para la manipulacion de datos. Un reporte desde el punto de vista del usuario, describe u n sistema que incluye una fotocopiadora con computadora conectada, diapositiva de escaner y capacidad de copia. Da informacion en el tipo de material producido, tipo de usuarios, el costo de compra y mantenimiento y el potencial para generar ganancia. Die Fahigkeit der neue 'Canon Colour Laser Copier' mit einer Rechner zu verbinden offnet neue Moglichkeiten fur Daten Behandlungen. Dieser Bericht aus suchtpunkt der Benutzer beschreibt ein System die aus ein Photokopier mit Eingabe aus einer rechner, Dia 'Scanner', 'flat copy capacity' besteht. lnformationen uber produzierte Unterlagen, Art des Benutzer, Ankauf und Instand haltung Kosten und die Moglichkeiten Gewinne zu machen ist besc h rieben.
unit collects all the data from the film scanner, the copier's flat-image scanner, and computer-tape storage. The computer can rework data from one or more of the sources into new images, and then send them back to the copier to be printed in colour or black-andwhite (Figure 3). Choosing a copier
The decision on which colour copier to buy was difficult. Since the laboratory must recover all its costs, price was the first consideration. Could the copier generate enough income to pay for the equipment, operator and maintenance, as well as the cost of its own replacement, in 5 to 6 years? The price per copy would have to be set below that of the outside competition, to ensure a high volume of use. Before deciding, t h e laboratory staff evaluated many copiers. The Canon was the most expensive system seen -
the total cost of the copier with film scanner, central processing unit and computer was 70000 US dollars. The Canon was chosen for the following reasons: 1. Copy quality. The Canon produces better copies, both colour and blackand-white, than any other machine on the market today. From a distance of 3-4 feet, people usually have difficulty distinguishing the original from copies. 2. Versatility. The Canon offered many more functions than the other copiers evaluated. While it is impossible to describe here all the Canon's features, these are some of the ones most useful to the laboratory: (1) The copier can take 8 %11~inch and 11 x 17 inch paper; (2) Copies can be reduced to 50%, and enlarged to 400%, each in increments as small as 1%; (3) Images can be rearranged on the page, flipped, and copied as
Downloaded by [ECU Libraries] at 12:25 16 March 2016
mirror images; (4) The proportions of an image can be stretched or squeezed; (5) The operator can add and alter colour and texture - even changing a photograph into a line drawing; (6) Several images can be composited, and text added; (7) Images from all sources can be ‘tiled’ at enlargements of up to 400%, and
in register. As an example of what the system can do - a user might scan in images from several sources (e.g. flat copy, a slide, and data from a computer disk), then bring all the images simultaneously to the computer screen, re-arrange and re-work the images, feed the new image back through the central processing unit
Figure 1. Canon colour copier with film scanner (all figures were produced on the Canon colour copier).
and end up with a colour copy on 11x 17 inch paper. 3. Speed and customer costs. Although the Canon was the most expensive copier to buy, its versatility and speed allow it to do more things faster and at more reasonable cost than any other colour copier. The Canon permits the production of an initial 81/2X11 inch or 11x17 inch colour or black-and-white copy from slides, flat copy or a computer disk, within 3-5min, and then an additional copy every 26 s. Depending on the workload, the turn-round time for jobs averages 1-3 h, at an average cost to the customer of 2.50 to 3.50 US dollars per copy. In contrast, the Colenta colour reversal photographic print machine (Colenta America Corporation, New Jersey, USA) in the laboratory takes about 2 days to make a print, at a minimum cost of 10 US dollars (demand for colour photographic prints has declined since the Canon was installed). Another benefit of the Canon is that it allows the artists to prepare designs and ‘paste-ups’ faster and less expensively than by hand. 4. Maintenance. The paper and four toner bottles are changed by laboratory staff. For any more complicated maintenance, the laboratory has a Canon service contract. The staff believe that a service contract is essential for a system as complex as this. The contract price varies with the number of copies made. The laboratory’s maintenance cost averages out to 15 cents per copy and this cost is built into the per-copy price. In the first 4 months, the copier has not required any maintenance.
As of January 1992 the prices (US dollars) per copy were: 8 % 11-inch ~ paper, one copy 2-10 copies 11-20 copies 11x 17-inch paper, one copy 2-10 copies 11-20 copies 8Rxll-inch paper, four images per sheet, one copy two or more copies 11X 17-inch paper, four images per sheet, one copy two or more copies
Figure 2. Canon copier with film scanner, central processing unit and Macintosh computer. 14
3.00 2.50 2.00 4.00 3.50 3.00
6.00 4.00 8.50 6.00
Local commercial firms that make colour copies are charging 5.00 US dollars per single flat copy 8!hxll-inch image and 7.50 US dollars per 11x17inch image. Lund
Downloaded by [ECU Libraries] at 12:25 16 March 2016
S
0
c
b
2
.$
P
b S m
The Journal of Audiovisual Media in Medicine (1992) Vol. 1SINo. 1
15
Downloaded by [ECU Libraries] at 12:25 16 March 2016
Problems with the Canon
One disadvantage of the Canon is the amount of space it requires. Space is expensive in a hospital or university. At this hospital, space is almost impossible to get at any price. The Canon copier is approximately 2m long and 1 m wide, and requires approximately 70 cm clearance in front and on both sides, and 12cm behind. The whole system requires 6 to 7m2. It also requires a constant temperature of approximately 18°C and a humidity range of 15-30%. Temperature and humidity changes degrade copy quality. The copier operator can easily learn to make flat copies and reproduce images from single slides. It takes much longer to learn computer inputting and combining multiple images on one sheet. It takes longer still to learn to combine images from several sources,
16
such as flat copy with a slide. An average operator needs 2 to 4 weeks to become proficient enough on the system to work at production speed. Customers also have a learning curve. When the copier was first installed, customers tried to have all their colour work done on the Canon. But no matter how good the copies are, the colour copier cannot replace colour photography. Customers must be educated in the copier’s best uses. The laboratory’s customers work in basic biomedical research, clinical medical research, teaching and public relations. The single biggest source of colour copier business is in illustrations for grant applications. Next, in descending order, come illustrations for research papers, poster presentations, PhD dissertations, medico-legal briefs and teaching handouts. Medical art is also reproduced for pre-publication proofing.
Conclusion
In the 4 months since the copier was installed, the laboratory has been making 60-75 copies each day. It will need to make 75-100 copies each day to recover costs. To increase business, the laboratory is sending the faculty a brochure advertising the service. The staff hope to recover initial costs within 2-3 years. Income from the fourth and fifth years will be used to upgrade to a newer model. By 5-6 years, both technology and customers’ needs will probably have changed enough to require replacement of the system. The staff hope that these needs will not change much sooner. Since the initial outlay for the copier was substantial, only time will tell whether or not the system was a good investment. Acknowledgements
The reproduction of the colour photographs in this paper was funded by Canon Colour Copiers.
Lund
