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Q: |
What does EPC stand for? |
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A: |
They are the initials
of Owner and President Edward Patrick Curley. So, every machine leaves
with his name on it! |
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Q: |
How big is
EPC? |
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A: |
EPC Labs,
Inc. maintains a 20,000 square foot facility in Danvers, MA and employees
approximately 20 people. Ed is 5'10" and approximately 175 lbs. |
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Q: |
Where is Danvers,
MA? |
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A: |
20 miles north of Boston,
Massachusetts. |
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Q: |
When was EPC
Labs, Inc. established? |
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A: |
1967. We are celebrating
our 30th Year in Business. |
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Q: |
What's an "EPC"? |
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A: |
The name "EPC" has become synonymous with graphic recorders
or lines scan recorders. Before tape drives, MOs, or exobyte tapes
the graphic recorder was the recording device.
Today, the Thermal Graphic Recorder or TGR is mainly referred to
as the continuous gray scale printer for side-scan sonars, sub-bottom
profilers and data acquisition systems.
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Q: |
Why are EPC
products so good? |
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A: |
For over 30 years EPC
has been dedicated to the design and manufacturing of mainly one product,
graphic recorders. |
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Q: |
Why would I
want to purchase an EPC. |
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A: |
Several reasons come to mind.
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1. |
Durability:
Many of the EPCs manufactured over 25 years ago are still running
in the field today. The recorders have also been specifically designed
for the harsh environment of offshore use. |
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2. |
Support: EPC supports every machine it ever built. This includes
the first machine we manufactured 30 years ago! We also boast a
network of over 40 agents world-wide competent in technical support.
EPC also has comprehensive on-line support as well as a dedicated
staff.
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3. |
Compatibility:
The EPC recorders are the most versatile and commonly interfaced printer
in the industry. They have been interfaced to all the major side-scan
sonar, sub-bottom profiler and data acquisition manufacturers in the
industry. |
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4. |
Price: For
durability, longevity, support and compatibility, there is no better
value. |
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Q: |
Is there a
sales representative in my territory? |
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A: |
EPC has over 40 sales
representatives world-wide. |
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Q: |
Can I buy directly
from EPC? |
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A: |
Yes, but we
recommend buying from the sales representative for local support. |
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Q: |
What is delivery
on a new EPC? |
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A: |
Delivery is usually anywhere
from STOCK to 30 Days ARO. |
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Q: |
Do I have to
use EPC paper? |
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A: |
Yes, unauthorized paper
can damage the thermal printhead. |
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Q: |
What happens
if I put unauthorized paper or film into my EPC? |
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A: |
Certain models only operate
with EPC paper and film. EPC voids the warranty on recorders using
unauthorized mediums. |
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Q: |
Why does EPC insist of
using their paper? |
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A: |
1. |
EPC quality
controls and extensively tests its printing mediums to assure users
the sharpest resolution and highest quality printing. |
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2. |
The use of
unauthorized paper is the number one reason thermal printheads fail
in the field. 3. Poor print quality and constant printhead failure
due to bad paper reflects poorly on EPC Labs, Inc. |
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Q: |
Paper is paper,
isn't it? |
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A: |
No, the synthetic
film EPC authorizes is a proprietary grade available only from EPC
Labs, Inc. |
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Q: |
What are the lengths of
the rolls? |
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A: |
GSP-1086 paper 150ft/46m
GSP-1086 film 129ft/36m
9800/9700/9600/9500/9200 paper 300ft/91m
9800/9700/9600/9500/9200 film 230ft/70m
9701/9701VT paper 300ft/91m
9701/9701VT film 230ft/70m
8200/8300/8400/8800 paper 300ft/91m
8200/8300/8400/8800 film 230ft/70m
8700 paper 180ft/55m
8700 film 150ft/46m
1600/1900 80ft/27m
2200/3200/4100/4603/4800 80ft/27m |
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Q: |
How long will a roll last? |
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A: |
It depends on the scan rate, line per inch and length of roll.
A simple formula for number of hours per roll is:
Scan Rate (in seconds) X LPI X 12 X Length of Roll (in feet) divided
by Seconds per Hour
EX: For a one second scan rate at 150 lines per inch and a 150
foot roll of paper, figure:
(1 X 150 X 12 X 150)/3600 = 75 hours per roll
(assuming user is not repeating any lines of data)
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Q: |
How should I store my
records. |
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A: |
The thermal
paper is effected by UV light, so it is best tostore in a cool dark
place. |
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Q: |
What is the average life-time
of a thermal printhead? |
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A: |
The EPC thermal printheads
have a mean time between failure (MTBF) rate of 30,000 hours or 6
kilometers of paper. |
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Q: |
How should I maintain
my printhead? |
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A: |
You should
clean your printhead isopropyl alcohol after every roll of paper. |
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Q: |
Can I still
get my old electrographic recorder fixed? |
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A: |
Yes, EPC still
services all the older EGRS. There is a flat minimum rate of $750.00 |
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Q: |
Can I still
buy electrographic paper and stylus belts? |
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A: |
Yes, EPC still sells UNIT
SUPPORT KITS (USKS) for the EPC EGRS. |
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Q: |
Can I purchase
stylus belts separately? |
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A: |
Yes, although
it is more cost effective to purchase belts and paper together as
a USK. |
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Q: |
What stylus
belts, paper or USK does my EPC take? |
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A: |
Please refer to USK chart |
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Q: |
Do I receive
cabling with my new EPC? |
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A: |
No, every new EPC is provided
with a roll of thermal film or paper, line cord and Operators Manual. |
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Q: |
How much do
manuals cost? |
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A: |
All EPC manuals cost US$100.00 |
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Q: |
Do I need
an RMA# when returning a printer repair or part? |
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A: |
Yes, contact EPC at sales@epclabs.com
for an RMA# prior to shipment. |
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Q: |
Does it matter
how I ship my EPC? |
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A: |
Do not ship your EPC with
a roll of paper in the paper feed chamber. This can damage the machine.
Use Transport Case or original packaging. |
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Q: |
Who pays for
shipping if my EPC is under warranty? |
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A: |
EPC pays shipment one
way, customer pays one way. |
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Q: |
How long is
my repair under warranty? |
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A: |
EPC warranties
replaced parts for one year. Printheads are warranted for only 90
days. |
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Q: |
Does EPC charge
for estimates? |
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A: |
No, estimates are free
of charge (except for electrographic recorders where there is a minimum
cost of $750.00) |
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Q: |
How much does
a recorder or case of paper weigh? |
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A: |
Please check our weights
& measurements chart. |
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Q: |
What are payment
terms? |
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A: |
Varies customer to customer.
Typically: NET 30, Cash in Advance or Letter of Credit. We do now
also take credit cards. |
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Q: |
To establish
NET 30 payment terms, how many references do I need to provide? |
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A: |
Four vendor plus one bank
reference. |
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Q: |
Do you accept
credit cards? |
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A: |
Yes, Master Card, VISA,
DISCOVER, and American Express. |
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Q: |
Is there a
prompt payment discount? |
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A: |
No, but we appreciate
prompt payment anyway. |
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Q: |
What about
quantity discounts? |
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A: |
There is typically
a 3% discount for 5-9 recorders. Contact sales@epclabs.com |
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Q: |
Is EPC on
the GSA schedule? |
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A: |
No |
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Q: |
Is EPC considered
a SMALL, LARGE, MINORITY OWNED, etc. business? |
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A: |
EPC is considered a SMALL
business. |
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Q: |
What's the
difference between a GSP-1086-0 and GSP-1086-2? |
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A: |
GSP-1086-0 has a parallel
and RS-232 I/O.
GSP-1086-2 has two analog channels, parallel and RS-232 I/O. |
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Q: |
What's the
difference between Model 9800 and 9802? |
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A: |
EPC stopped
manufacturing the Model 9800 in 1993. At that time, we incorporated
a new thermal printhead, microprocessor board, control board and cabling.
Because of the changes the series moved from 9800 and 9801 to 9802.
The Model 9802 is also capable of 64 shades of gray vs. 16 shades
for the 9800. |
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Q: |
Can I upgrade
my 9800 to a 9802? |
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A: |
No, this procedure would
be cost prohibitive. |
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Q: |
What are all the current
models? |
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A: |
Model 9802
(two analog channels, parallel, RS-232 (IEE-488 optional)
Model 9602 (specially designed for STN)
Model 9503 (GPIB)
Model 9502 (GPIB)
Model 9205 (parallel)
Model 9204 (4 bit TTL)
Model GSP-1086-2 (two analog channels, parallel & RS-232)
Model GSP-1086-0
(parallel & RS-232) Model ADS-640 Acquisition Display System |
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Q: |
What do the
model numbers indicate? |
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A: |
All 9XXX models are 20" TGRS, (1086 is 10"). The second
number 9502, 9204 connotes interface (GPIB, parallel, etc.) Last
digit refers usually to revision, Ex. 9802.
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Q: |
What does GSP-1086
stand for? |
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A: |
Gray Scale Printer, 10
inch display, 486 processor. |
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Q: |
How does EPC
determine model numbers? |
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A: |
It used to
involve a bottle of Jack Daniels in an informal "marketing meeting".
Today, it is a process of what numbers haven't been used yet. |
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Q: |
What about
Military Standards? |
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A: |
Certain models
have passed MIL-STD-810D, MIL-STD-167/1 and MIL-STD-16400. Optional
modifications provide EMI/RFI compliance with MIL-STD-461 and 462. |
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Q: |
Is EPC ISO
9000 certified? |
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A: |
Not yet, EPC expects ISO
certification this year. |
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Q: |
What about
the CE Mark? |
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A: |
Certain models have passed
CE Certification. Contact sales@epclabs.com
for details. |
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If your questions has
not been covered or if you would like to add your own questions, please
contact sales@epclabs.com. |
