KIP 2710 Experience Anyone???

We currently have (and have practically beaten to death- though it's been
rebuilt from the ground up recently by HP) an HP 1050C plotter. Nice
quaility output, but SLOW. We have the chance to pick up a refurbished KIP
2710 for a great price (only 50,000 feet on its meter- still a baby I guess
in terms of use).

Can anyone who's used one of these things tell me if:

1. It works well for unattended plotting? Can it stack?
2. It plays well with AutoCAD- specifically in the plotting of screened 2D
Solids and screened lines?
3. It handles plot merging properly?
4. Software any good?

Thanks,

Robert

 

Don't know abouth the 2000 line of plotters (too small for us).
We have an 8000 and two HP 1050c's and the HPs only get used for color.
You will love the software. We plot to file on the server and then send colated sets to the plotter. If an Engineer or Salesman needs a set of prints they can print their own from the plot files.

 

1. Yes, as long as you have toner, paper and power the KIP2000 works fine
for unattended printing. There are several stacker options available, but
the stock machine has a wire paper-catcher. You can get about 50 pages in
the stock wire cages, our "Kip SuperStacker 300" will hold closer to 100
oversized pages before needing to be emptied.

2. Works GREAT for Acad R14-2005.

3. Yes, and this can be controlled from the .pc3 files.

4. Control software is pretty straightforward, the plt viewing utility is a
little quirky but gets the job done. We use the Autospool feature and a
simple batch file to spool .plt files right to the print unit.

Make SURE this is a 2nd or 3rd generation model, the original 2000 units
had a load of design issues. Keep a maintenance contract to cover any major
repairs, but if you plot less than 10 to 15,000 sq. ft. per month this
plotter will server you well.

Mark Evinger

 

Best investment we ever made. We used our 2000 Series printer and scanner to replace a blueprint machine, a zerox machine, and our HP 1050C (which is now used only for color output). Now more ammonia, no more unfused or poorly fused toner, no more expensive ink cartridges.

The print quality is great and easy to adjust to any preferences you have. Screening, greyscales, salced drawings all look great. Better quality than we ever had with the 1050C. We actually had to edit our AutoCAD pen settings to take into account the higher level of detail.

The software is great. Our dealer and KIP tech has been great to work with and after a somewhat large learning curve we can now edit our own software and hardware configuration files without problems.

Never dealt with a refurbished unit but I suppose it will work fine if it has been well maintained, the controller software is up-to-date, and you use the latest drivers from KIP's website.

 

Hello Robert,

The KIP 2710 is one of KIP's oldest printers, and is not the same as KIP 2000. Whileas the KIP 2000 employs HDP technology and can be configured to have 1 roll, 2 roll or 3 rolls, the KIP 2710 is a fixed 2 drawer machine. The KIP 2000 comes with an internal controller (controller inside the printer), whileas the 2710 is generally connected to an external controller. Both can use same versions of Powerprint software. In answering your questions:
1. Contact your authorized KIP dealer to check Poweprint controller's version of software. The printer comes with it's own rack for stacking. If you're missing one, another can be ordered.
2. Drivers for Autocad (R14-2005) are on the KIP America web site. Works well for screened 2D solids and lines.
3. Plot merging: If you have anything specific you'd like to try, please contact your nearest KIP representative.
4. Unattended printing available, windows printing available and CAD drivers available. Any special requirements, please email Att: Digital Support.

Thank you

KIP Digital Support / RM

 

Sorry Robert, I just saw this thread.
We have a 2710.
The controller computer OS is NT 4.0 sp6a and has a good size hard drive we
store our .plt files on.
We have had very few minor problems with it but nothing major or extra
ordinary and would highly recommend it.
Ans.
1. Yes. There's an output wire tray that will jam the printer after about 30
plots. You could set a table behind the plotter instead to accommodate a
greater quantity for unattended plotting.
2. Yes. The ability to automatically adjust shading and linetype generation
based on plot percentage size is a big plus.
3. Yes. Wipeouts plot correctly.
4. The plot management program is called Powerprint Request and the UDI can
be set up to require a Requester field, Job Number, and Description, which
is stored in an ASCII file that can be massaged in Excel for billing. Very
easy for the end users.

- Jim