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From: SofPasuk@imagen.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.text
Subject: Re: Ricoh engines differ??
Message-ID: <454@imagen.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 2-Aug-86 19:36:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: imagen.454
Posted: Sat Aug  2 19:36:02 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 3-Aug-86 23:57:05 EDT
References: <161@uhmanoa.UUCP>
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> In comparing TeX output, using identical .tfm and .pxl files between LN03s
> and Imagen 12/300 printers, I see a clear difference in the "thickness" of
> the characters---yet they are both Ricoh engines, and as I thought I
> understood, they are both in the same write light/dark realm..
> 
> To my (uneducated) eye, the 12/300 output appears a bit too thin.
> 
> Could someone please tell me if there is indeed a significant difference
> between these two different models of Ricoh engines?
> -- 
> Bob Cunningham
> cunninghamr%haw.sdscnet@LLL-MFE.ARPA
> ihnp4!islenet!uhmanoa!bob

The IMAGEN 12/300 was based upon the Ricoh 4120, a 12 page per minute, 
"write white" print engine.  The DEC LN03 is based upon the Ricoh 4080,
an 8 page per minute "write white" print engine.

"Write white" (Ricoh and Xerox) and "write black" (Canon and Kodak) print
engines require different fonts - the "write white" fonts must be artificially
emboldened in smaller type sizes ( < 14 pt, usually).

IMAGEN does indeed provide special fonts for use on the 12/300.  It is possible
that the "thin" quality of your output is due to use of improper fonts.