SmartLF Cx 40 Large Format Scanner Range

Classic best seller
The SmartLF Cx 40 is our classic best seller

Launched in 2006 the SmartLF Cx 40 is Colortrac's biggest selling large format scanner range. With their classic straight through media path, these scanners are reliable, tried and tested high performers providing fast, high quality scans, copies or e-distribution of wide format maps, site plans, engineering drawings, blueprints, architectural renderings and many other technical documents for many thousands of satisfied customers world-wide.

The SmartLF Cx 40 is an innovative 40" wide format scanner range ideal for the needs of AEC, CAD & GIS professionals and office users in any size of enterprise. Using high quality Contact Image Sensors (CIS) of 600dpi true optical resolution, the SmartLF Cx models provide exceptional high speed monochrome and greyscale scans. Two very affordable color models offer a cost-effective choice of fast or express scanning speeds. All come with Colortrac's best-in-class CIS colour image quality built-in.

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Main specifications

There are three SmartLF Cx 40 large format scanner models with performance levels and features optimized for different applications. If your requirements change, the m and c models can be upgraded at your premises quickly and easily using our simple scanner upgrade process.

Scanner Model Image Width Max Media Thickness Optical Resolution (dpi) Scan Speed (in/sec)*
Color Mono
Cx 40 m (mono) 40"
101.6 cm
E size+
A0+		 0.08"
2 mm		 600 N/A 9
c (color) 0.75
e (express color) 3.00

* Scan speed measured at 200 dpi. The scan rate is proportional across the full range of resolutions supported by the scanner. Actual scan times will depend on host system performance. Quoted top speeds may be limited by the effective bandwidth of the USB2 and are not guaranteed for all media types.

For more detailed specifications, see the Large Format Scanner Overview.

Key features

cx40 wide format scanner
cx40 reprographics stand
  • Innovative large format scanner design utilising high quality Contact Image Sensor (CIS) technology to provide 600 dpi optical resolution (25,500 pixels, RGB triplets) and 40" image width.
  • All SmartLF Cx 40 wide format scanners capture monochrome at high speed with very sharp, clean black and white images and finely rendered grayscale reproduction.
  • Two color models offer a choice of fast or express scan speed; both come with Colortrac best-in-class CIS color image quality - built in.
  • SmartLF Cx 40 large format scanners are supplied complete with SmartLF "ready-to-run" Scan / Copy / Email software and internet upgrade server.

Scanning advantages

Whatever the application, SmartLF Cx 40 is an easy to use, customer installable scanner that provides high performance, great images and exceptional value for money - straight out of the box.


600dpi optical resolution

SmartLF Cx 40 is an innovative large format scanner design that uses the latest Contact Image Sensors (CIS) of 600dpi true optical resolution. All Cx scanner models provide

  • exceptional monochrome performance
  • very sharp, clean black and white images
  • excellent grayscale reproduction
  • high scan speeds.

For color applications there are two very affordable scanner models, offering a choice of fast or express scanning speeds. Both come with Colortrac's best in class CIS color image quality - built in.

Cx 40 is designed to provide fast, high quality scans, copies or file distribution of large format maps, engineering drawings, blueprints, site plans, architectural renderings and many other technical documents. These 40" wide format scanners are ideal for AEC, CAD and GIS professionals and office users in any size of enterprise.

Extra sharp fine image detail, optimized image sensor calibration

Due to the close proximity of the sensor to the original, CIS based scanners produce extremely sharp, finely resolved panchromatic monochrome and color images that are especially suited for technical document scanning and copying. Accurate CIS calibration is achieved with Colortrac's Dynamic Normalisation Application (DNA) using 16-bit super-sampled data to analyse and set the appropriate dark and light levels. To maintain optimum factory calibration the scanner automatically monitors and adjusts the CIS color temperature to guarantee the best possible image reproduction. Color images are scanned using 48-bit 'primary point digital data capture' or 16-bits for monochrome, with the best 24 and 8-bits selected as image data respectively. This improves shadow and highlight detail, with better differentiation of the 256 tone levels possible.

Advanced 2+4 all-wheel-drive Active Paper Transport (APT)

Documents are fed side justified into the scanner from the front, over a gently curved feed tray and detected by reliable optical sensors for automatic loading. The original is transported between dual, precision ground drive rollers and dual, all-wheel-drive contour rollers with high grip rubber tyres, ensuring optimum support and accurate positioning as the document enters the scan window. There, it engages with dual, belt driven pressure rollers that actively promote a smooth passage through the scanner. APT applies constant minimum force necessary for preserving your delicate originals, while achieving the required traction and accuracy to ensure images are pin-sharp, colorful and shadow free. Access to the scan glass and pressure rollers for cleaning is quick and easy via the hinged APT.

Superior accuracy, reliability and stitch stability

One of the advantages of CIS devices is the very short image path (~13mm) between the LED light source, the original being scanned and the image pixel sensor. This arrangement provides high levels of mechanical stability for maintenance free stitch, superb accuracy and compactness. The image path in CCD scanners is normally much longer (~900mm) and the use of camera lenses introduces magnification errors, chromatic and optical distortions in the image that can need correction to achieve acceptable accuracy and color output.

On-site upgrade from monochrome to color and color to express color

SmartLF is the ONLY large format monochrome scanner available that can be upgraded to full color specification in-situ. If you require monochrome but are unsure of your need for color, buy the scanner that fits the current requirement and budget with the reassurance that you can upgrade to full color when the need arises.

Instant, high quality scans from power-on, no warm-up, so no waiting!

The integral LED light source is ready to go within 35 seconds from power-on with no warm-up or stabilisation time required. In comparison, fluorescent light tubes used by CCD scanners can take up to an hour to stabilize and the scanner may need re-alignment and re-calibration before use. SmartLF scans excellent quality images right after power-on and when not in use the scanner can be switched off to conserve energy and is conveniently ready to go - at the flick of a switch. The SmartLF Cx is friendly to our environment, using just 27 VA during operation (approximately 10% of the power used by CCD scanners) and even less, 16 VA, when on standby.

Compact, space saving design with low power consumption

SmartLF is a compact, lightweight and portable desktop scanner that will fit easily in any workplace environment. If preferred, floor stand or universal repro stand options are available that minimize the installed footprint of the scanner and position the media feed tray at a comfortable and convenient height for most users.

Low maintenance costs, plug and play USB2

Each of the 5 CIS sections are kinetically mounted in a rigid beam scanhead behind their own, chemically toughened, impact and scratch resistant scan glass. If it ever becomes necessary, any one of the 7/8" x 9" scan glass plates can be replaced in less than a minute. The LED light source has a virtually unlimited life span and the CIS should never need replacement. Colortrac included software provides users with all the maintenance applications that are required to keep the scanner in prime condition and up-to-date with the latest f/w and driver versions. A logon to Colortrac's internet upgrade server is required; this can be done locally from the scanner PC or remotely at an on-line internet access point.

SmartLF 'ready-to-run' software. Simple, easy to use and EFFECTIVE

SmartLF Scanner interfaceThis scan to file, scan to copy and scan to email software is designed for operation by non-specialist users. Simply select the inputs required using the intuitive user options, place the original in the scanner and off you go! The image is displayed on screen during scanning to provide real-time quality and image boundary checking. Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) / Still Image Interface (STI) drivers, TIFF, JPG and PDF file formats and scanner utility software with internet upgrade server is included in the basic plug 'n' play SmartLF package.

Product brochures

Cx 40 large format scanner brochure   Cx 40 large format scanner brochure   SmartLF Cx 40 large format scanner (pdf)

Cx 40 technical brochure   Cx 40 technical brochure   SmartLF Cx 40 options and full technical specs (pdf)

Cx 40 large format scanner brochure   Cx 40 large format scanner brochure   SmartLF Cx 40 large format scanner brochure (pdf)

Cx 40 technical brochure   Cx 40 technical brochure   SmartLF Cx 40 options and full technical specs brochure (pdf)