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The Everest weighs 44 pounds and measures 9.5" H x 9.5" W x 15.35" D. Front controls are bare minimum, consisting of one button (motorized tray open/close) and four indicator lights (error, disc present, active, power). Computer connection on the back is limited to a single USB port, and an 8-pin connector allows attachment to compatible disc autoloading systems. Consumables are conveniently changed by opening the side of the unit and sliding out the appropriate carrier.
re-transfer printing process
The Everest is the product of a long and involved development collaboration between Rimage and Alps Electric, an electronic component manufacturer best known for digital photo printers and as parent of car audio notable Alpine Electronics.
Employing Alps' proprietary "Micro Dry" technology, the Everest is classified by Rimage as a thermal "re-transfer" printer. Also referred to in the printing industry as "intermediate transfer," re-transfer systems are more commonly used to decorate everything from fabrics (r-shirts) and ceramics (mugs) to metal (signs) and plastic (identification cards). To accomplish its task, the Everest uses two separate consumable items, an ink ribbon-monochrome black, Cyar/Magenta/Yellow (CMY), or CMY/White (CMYW)-and a transfer film, in its multistage printing process. The first step involves applying heat (from a thermal print head) and pressure (from a roller) to deliver solid-colored resins from the ink ribbon, advancing between its supply and take-up spool, onto the similarly configured roll of intermediate transfer film. CMY and CMYW ribbons contain separate panels for each colored resin and the transfer roll advances and rewinds for as many passes as are necessary to form the image.
Once the transfer roll contains the completely assembled image, labeling takes place by pressing the roll to the surface of the disc. Through the combination of heat (from a halogen lamp) and pressure (from a roller the resins on the transfer roll are conveyed to the surface of the disc as a sliding tray moves the disc past the fuser assembly. During the process, the transfer film also surrenders layers that bind and protect the resins resulting in a completely smooth, water-proof, and extremely durable laminated finish.
printing quality
In addition to their permanency, Everest [abets are photo-realistic, akin to those created by offset printing. Putting conventional thermal transfer and commercial silkscreen production to...