Colortrac SmartLF Gx/GxT Range Installation and Operating Instructions
PAS161 P/N: P002168 Colortrac Ltd © 2008
7
11. SWITCHING ON THE GX/GXT CCD SCANNER
SmartLF Gx/GxT can now be switched on. The liquid crystal text display (LCD) will
light up and after a few seconds will display the word ‘
Initialising
’. After about 35
seconds or so the display will change to the words
Scanner Warmup
. After a
further 90 seconds the model number and firmware level of the scanner will be
displayed. Paper can be loaded during the Warm-up period.
If a document is loaded the display will change to the word ‘READY’
Start up Windows XP Professional / XP Home or Windows Vista (when released) on the connected computer that will
be used with SmartLF Gx/GxT. Wait for Windows to finish loading.
FOR MORE DETAIL ON MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS
FOR OPTIMUM SMARTLF GX/GXT PERFORMANCE SEE APPENDIX 1.
12. ESSENTIAL SCANNER OPERATING PROCEDURES
1. FOR BEST RESULTS ALWAYS SWITCH ON YOUR SCANNER FOR AT LEAST 1 HOUR BEFORE USING
2. ALWAYS NORMALISE YOUR SCANNER BEFORE SCANNING
3. PERIODICALLY CHECK YOUR SCANNER (WHEN WARM) FOR OPTIMUM STITCH ALIGNMENT
The SmartLF Gx/GxT scanner uses two fluorescent tubes to illuminate the scanning document. Like most fluorescent
systems the light intensity produced changes significantly during the first 2 minutes and can take up to 60 minutes to
reach full brightness and become completely stable. Also in a similar way to domestic fluorescent tubes the lamps in
the scanner have a limited useful life as they lose brightness with age and must be replaced - usually after about 1 year
of continuous operation. To offset the effects of tube ageing it is important to normalise (or calibrate) the scanner at
regular intervals. This will restore the maximum white levels obtainable across the scanner’s optical width even though
the actual brightness of the tubes may have decreased slightly or become uneven. Never expect full colour
performance from the scanner before it is properly warmed up or if it has reached its optimum temperature but not been
normalised for some time.
WHY NORMALISE?
If the scanner is not normalised regularly image brightness may be incorrect or appear uneven across cameras
(camera imbalance). If a recently normalised scanner still produces uneven scans it is probably not at its peak running
temperature and should be left to stabilise. The warming-up process may take longer in colder operating
environments.
Locate the Normalisation Target
The Normalisation and Stitch targets for SmartLF are
shipped in a single paper wallet inside the scanner box.
The normalisation target is the plain white sheet of
paper and must be used matt side down in the scanner.
DO NOT USE THE GLOSSY SIDE TO NORMALISE YOUR Gx/GxT
SCANNER
