- LightJet
LightJet is a trademark of Océ Display Graphics Systems, a division of Océ N.V. (the company that acquired Cymbolic Sciences, Inc.) for a process of printing digital images to
photographic paper and film, and for the corresponding hardware.Ordinary silver-covered photographic paper is fixed on an internal drum, where three
laser s simultaneously expose the paper (or Duratrans) with red, green, and blue light. The print is then processed using traditional photochemical means.Whereas
xerography and inkjet printing employ ahalftone process to reproduce digital images on paper, LightJet is a truecontinuous tone process.Posterization and banding are therefore absent from LightJet prints.LightJet printers and film recorders are used by a number of high quality printing firms (located in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South Africa) and is available via the internet. Most deliver a final product printed on
Fujifilm Crystal Archive or Kodak Endura paper in sizes up to at least 4×10 feet (Thompson).The original LightJet image recorder was introduced at PMA in
1995 . The first version of the product was the LightJet2000, a three-laser continuous-tone film recorder (the selling price was US$195,000). Its maximum image size was 11×14 inches. The LightJet2000 largely replaced the Fire1000 film recorder.The LightJet5000 large-format printer was introduced at PMA in
1996 . The product produced continuous-tone photographic prints and Duratrans up to 50×50 inches. In1997 a version capable of printing images as large as 50×100 inches was introduced.The Oce LightJet430 50" x 120" photo laser printer was introduced in
2000 . The 76" x 120" wide Océ LightJet500XL printer was introduced in2002 .Many individuals contributed to developing the LightJet and bringing it to market, including: Dale Benjamin, Tim Crandall, Rolf Dekleer, Dave Fraser, Robert Heath, Alex Holowko, Larry Kiser, Raymond Xue, Larry Hsu, Dana Husband, Con Verburg, Derek Montgomery, Karen Neufeld, Didier Primat, Neena Rahemtulla, Alastair Reed, Jeff Rittichier, Fred Robinson, Horst Schaaf, Ken Smith and Dan Whittle.
External links
* [http://www.oceusa.com/lightjet/ OCE USA]
* [http://www.nga.gov/gemini/glossary.htm Continuous tone definition]
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