Re: Printing 3-D

[P3D Michael Kersenbrock <michaelk@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Has anyone seen output from the Alps "micro dry" printer?  I think the model
> is MD-2010.  It's only about $400, but its color output is supposed to be
> comparable to dye sub.  It uses a new printing technique that isn't laser or
> ink jet.  It's an array of micro-fine heating elements that fuse the color
> to the paper (any paper works fine) at, I think, 300 x 600.

That technology sounds a lot like the one that comes from Toshiba (or was
it Hitachi? no I think it was Toshiba) that has been licensed out to more
and more companies.  I know Panasonic has come out with some printers.  I've
recently done a little research on video printers for my wife's office.  Panasonic
has a computer-connected version of the printer technology.  Each company has
it's own buzzword-name.  It works with special paper that has three
layers of dye, and the process (in a one-paragraph web site description) sounds
a lot like color film/paper technology except that the physical mechanisms are 
completely different in terms of how to "expose" each layer, etc.

VERY special paper, obviously -- but no ribbons, ink, etc to replace!  I can't be
sure about Alps "micro dry", but it does sound very similar.  The ones with this
process I've seen make only smaller prints though (4x6 or so as I recall).

Mike K.

P.S. - The new 1440dpi epson printer family has a much cheaper version than the
       model 800, but still has the 1440dpi printing.  The 800 is supposed to be
       MUCH faster printing than the older epsons (which I have one of).  I'd still
       rather have a Tek dye-sub in case anybody was thinking of giving me a
       new printer.  :-)  :-)  :-)


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