The document discusses digital front ends (DFEs) and their role in controlling the data path and synchronization for industrial inkjet printers. It notes that a DFE is not the same as a raster image processor (RIP) and explores different considerations for DFE design such as capabilities, costs, performance, target markets, and development tools. The document promotes Meteor Inkjet's software solutions for DFEs and scanning.

1. Meteor Inkjet Ltd
Jonathan Wilson
Sales Director
The Industrial DFE
Where the Rubber Meets The Road

2. “A common mistake that people make when
trying to design something completely fool
proof is to underestimate the ingenuity of
complete fools”
Douglas Adams – Mostly Harmless
The Industrial DFE

3. A DFE definition:
- The Digital Front End (DFE) or Print Server is the name given to the software that
resided on or near the printer that specifically acts to control the data path, data
submission and synchronisation of data down to the print heads as well as
potentially controlling motion, pumps, valves and other activities but which
typically does not include the RIP
The Industrial DFE: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

4. - Isn’t a Raster Image Processor a DFE?
- A Raster Image Processor or RIP is not a DFE, it can form part of a DFE, its
purpose is to undertakes data conversion from a Page Description
Language (PDL) to an output format for machine consumption
(TIFF/Bitmap)
•Interpretation
•Rendering
•Screening
•Colour Management
The Industrial DFE

5. The Industrial DFE: All Things to All People?

6. The Industrial DFE: Building for target markets

7. - The DFE Continuum
Capability Cost Performance
a continuous sequence in which
adjacent elements are not perceptibly
different from each other, but the
extremes are quite distinct
MY
DFE
The Industrial DFE

8. - What is it supposed to do?
- How is it supposed to work?
- How easy should it be to use?
- How easy should it be to build?
- Written in .Net
- C, C#, C++
- Windows based
- Mac Based
- Android?
- How fast should it go
- How secure should it be
The Industrial DFE: The journey to printing

9. The Industrial DFE: Features V Performance

10. A DFE / Print Server is a multi-faceted software
engine enabling you to print successfully and
consistently
The Industrial DFE: Engineering Print

11. - Under the hood of a scanning DFE
The Industrial DFE: Engineering Print

12. software
Meteor Software Suite
Development Tools ScanEngine SDK PrintEngine SDK
Market Ready
Development Tools
Print Bar
Dev Kit
MetWave
Waveform
Editor
MetScan
Motion Control
Meteor Developer ServiceDevelopment Service
Market Ready
Applications
MetScan
MetDrop
Tuner/Optimiser
Met
Textile
Met
Ceramic
Met
Print
MetScan
3D

13. enquiries@meteorinkjet.com
www.meteorinkjet.com