Page 311 - Encyclopedia of Business and Finance

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Facsimile Reproduction

• In 1974 the first international fax standard was set
by the United Nations allowing for fax messages to
be transmitted at a rate of one page every six min-
utes. Special paper that was light sensitive was
required for these early fax machines.
• The first laser printer was introduced by IBM in
1975. This process of copying used light lasers and
improved both the process and the product.

Reprographic technology of the early twenty-first
century involves using fax machines, copiers, printers,
scanners, digital cameras, and other digital-related equip-
ment in conjunction with phones and computers to
reproduce pictures, sounds, and other images electroni-
cally and on paper. As a specific reprographic method is
refined, its quality improves and propels the reprographic
process forward to a higher level and a future with endless Combination copier, fax, scanner by Xerox®. Machines like
this one have multiple document reproduction capabilities.
boundaries supported by ongoing research.
PHOTOGRAPH BY KELLY A. QUIN. THE GALE GROUP.
FAX MACHINES
Fax machines have emerged as an essential piece of com- functions desired in an easy and efficient manner, and
munication equipment to be used both personally and offer service information as well. Copiers use toner car-
professionally because of their convenience and efficiency tridges that need to be replaced when the toner powder is
in transmitting specific types of information. Fax used up.
machines are unique in that they can make or transmit
exact copies of words, pictures, graphics, or other types of
PRINTERS
pictorial media electronically via phone lines. Most fax
machines can produce plain paper copies, but it is not A printer is an essential piece of reproduction equipment
advisable to consider using a fax machine as a replacement to accommodate information printed via a computer.
for a regular copier machine because of cost. Printers vary in price depending on the features desired.
The three most commonly used types of printers are ink-
jet printers, bubble-jet printers, and laser printers.
COPIERS
User-friendly copiers are standard pieces of equipment for
Ink-Jet Printers. Ink-jet printers are among the most pop-
reproduction and provide a wide array of capabilities.
Copiers are sold by a wide variety of vendors who offer an ular types of printers used because of their affordability
and performance. Ink-jet printers operate by spraying
array of products and services to meet individual needs.
small amounts of ink on paper to create images. Ink-jet
When selecting a copier for possible lease or purchase,
printers use small replaceable cartridges that come in both
individual features and individual needs should be major
considerations. The cost of a copier is determined by the color and black and white.
model selected and the options desired. Prices range from
a few hundred dollars to more than $100,000. Bubble-Jet Printers. Bubble-jet printers are somewhat
The number of copies that can be produced in a similar to ink-jet printers in that with a bubble-jet printer,
minute is an important feature. Ease of use in loading heat that is created with tiny resistors vaporizes the ink
paper is also important. Paper is usually loaded in the into a bubble. The formed bubble then ejects from the
front of the machine using one or more paper tray config- print head onto the paper.
urations. Most copiers are capable of producing two-sided
copies as well as copying books or bound documents Laser Printers. Laser printers operate using the concept of
without distortion of the copy. Most copiers also provide static electricity, which allows electricity to stick to a
an option that allows copied material to be enlarged or device inside the printer called the drum, which in turn
reduced in scale within certain percent increments. creates electrostatic images. As paper moves through the
All copiers have a push-button digital control panel printer, the electrostatic images are coated with a black
that provides the user with the opportunity to select the powder called toner, similar to that of a copier which pro-

288 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE, SECOND EDITION