Questions about Hardware RIPs (Raster Image Processors)

CRE · 27-November-03, 02:49 AM

Hey guys, a friend of mine was asking me if I knew anything about how a Hardware RIP differs from a dedicated PC running a Software RIP. I figure it's probably the same thing just with a stripped down OS and proprietary software. Is that correct? Also, if tthis is the case is the OS and software stored on an EPROM or other flash memory or just a hard drive?

Basically, is it possible to build your own "Hardware RIP"?

godfoot · 30-November-03, 08:23 AM

On our Scitex Brisque RIP at work it has hard drives and it's own proprietary software. Our Agfa Selectset 7000 imagesetter uses a dedicated PC with the Agfa Apogee Taipan RIP software.
So yeah. you pretty much hit the nail on the head.

CRE · 30-November-03, 08:26 PM

Thanks for the info, I figured as much.

How's the performance between the two? and do you happen to know what OS the Agfa's using?

Dimazz · 30-November-03, 08:35 PM

what is RIP? what does it do?

edit ::

yay 700

AntiM · 30-November-03, 09:16 PM

A RIP generally takes a PostScript or PDF file and rips it into a raster image at very high resolutions. 2400 dpi and higher. Essentially turning all data, be it a photoshop image or curved vector data such as Illustrator or type, into dots. Dots=raster. The image can then be printed to an output device such as a printer, image setter or plate maker.

Dimazz · 30-November-03, 10:14 PM

o thanks antim. what would you use it for?

AntiM · 30-November-03, 10:36 PM

Postscript laserprinters and inkjet printers on the low end. On the high end, imaging film to burn plates for printing or directly imaging plates for printing.

Where I work we use a 4 processor Scitex Brisque running a proprietary software on AIX (unix). It's hooked up to a Trendsetter plate maker. Lasers burn an image on a thin photo emulsion on a aluminum plate in the form of tiny dots. Or in our case a stochastic pattern. After running the plate through a developer and fix bath the image on the plate will hold ink. Make 4 plates, one for cyan, magenta, yelo and black inks and you can print a color image on a press.

godfoot · 02-December-03, 07:07 AM

Quote:


	Originally posted by CRE Thanks for the info, I figured as much. How's the performance between the two? and do you happen to know what OS the Agfa's using?

Personally I think the Agfa RIP is faster but the hardware and software are a couple of years newer than the Scitex RIP so it really isn't a fair comparison.
What I am looking forward to here at work is learning the new AGFA Galileo CTP (computer to plate) system we just got. My supervisor is in training for it now so pretty soon I'll have another piece of technology to master.

EDIT: Almost forgot, the AGFA is running on NT 4.0

27-November-03, 02:49 AM		#1 (permalink)
CRE Apex Tech Maniac Supreme	Questions about Hardware RIPs (Raster Image Processors) Hey guys, a friend of mine was asking me if I knew anything about how a Hardware RIP differs from a dedicated PC running a Software RIP. I figure it's probably the same thing just with a stripped down OS and proprietary software. Is that correct? Also, if tthis is the case is the OS and software stored on an EPROM or other flash memory or just a hard drive? Basically, is it possible to build your own "Hardware RIP"?

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30-November-03, 08:23 AM		#2 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta	On our Scitex Brisque RIP at work it has hard drives and it's own proprietary software. Our Agfa Selectset 7000 imagesetter uses a dedicated PC with the Agfa Apogee Taipan RIP software. So yeah. you pretty much hit the nail on the head.

30-November-03, 08:26 PM		#3 (permalink)
CRE Apex Tech Maniac Supreme	Thanks for the info, I figured as much. How's the performance between the two? and do you happen to know what OS the Agfa's using?

30-November-03, 08:35 PM		#4 (permalink)
Dimazz Sk8-Hoe-r	what is RIP? what does it do? edit :: yay 700

30-November-03, 09:16 PM		#5 (permalink)
AntiM Aqua Pimp	A RIP generally takes a PostScript or PDF file and rips it into a raster image at very high resolutions. 2400 dpi and higher. Essentially turning all data, be it a photoshop image or curved vector data such as Illustrator or type, into dots. Dots=raster. The image can then be printed to an output device such as a printer, image setter or plate maker.

30-November-03, 10:14 PM		#6 (permalink)
Dimazz Sk8-Hoe-r	o thanks antim. what would you use it for?

30-November-03, 10:36 PM		#7 (permalink)
AntiM Aqua Pimp	Postscript laserprinters and inkjet printers on the low end. On the high end, imaging film to burn plates for printing or directly imaging plates for printing. Where I work we use a 4 processor Scitex Brisque running a proprietary software on AIX (unix). It's hooked up to a Trendsetter plate maker. Lasers burn an image on a thin photo emulsion on a aluminum plate in the form of tiny dots. Or in our case a stochastic pattern. After running the plate through a developer and fix bath the image on the plate will hold ink. Make 4 plates, one for cyan, magenta, yelo and black inks and you can print a color image on a press.