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 Product Review 
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Adhesive Backed Bond
Here’s a product that has been around for a while, but few know about. I find it humorous to walk into a place and watch a couple of highly paid individuals spray adhesive on foam core then attempt to "stick" their print to the board. Not only will this make you loopy, but it's also the hard way to do things.
Our adhesive bond (also available in satin or gloss finish) has a removable liner with a repositionable adhesive. This means if you need a little adjustment, you are not doomed. After a couple of hours the bond is fairly permanent. The 40# bond has a water resistant coating and can handle most images.
The cost has gone down dramatically -- compare a 36"x75' roll for $125 (makes 35 2'x3' displays) to the cost of sending one display out to be mounted or the hassle of spraying your own board!
The process is much easier and better than using spray cans. However, if this is to be a permanent or outdoor display, send it to the professionals.
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Spring Time:
So spring break has come & gone. Did we still keep our New Year's resolutions? Well, there is always next year.
I was recently speaking with one of my comrades in the industry and shortly into the conversation I came to the realization that we at CAD Supplies are blessed with outstanding clients. I'll admit that I frequently tell people how much I like our clients and Austin, but it wasn't until recently that I fully understood what this meant. Austin has more loyalty, integrity, and professionalism than other cities. As we already know, it is good to live in Austin. I am deeply appreciative and humbled by the loyalty and support we receive. Thank you for your business!
On another note, I would like to clear up the issue with our inkjet vellum. Some of you noticed that the vellum had changed. The quality was not up to our normal standards. Our vendor for vellum changed and we did not do the proper research. I have listened and corrected the problem. The latest vellum works quite well. I greatly appreciate the patience and understanding while we resolved this issue.
Now, go out and enjoy that beautiful spring day!
Chris Epstein
President
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Employee Profile
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Cari Springfield
Everyone who has been doing business with us has certainly talked to my #1 employee -- Cari Springfield. Well, I have been doing profiles on all of my new employees and got my longest, "not oldest" jealous. Actually, Ms. Cari Springfield would rather stay out of the limelight, but she went on vacation and I had a deadline.
Cari has worked with me for 10 years now. Neither of us can remember the exact date, but give us a break, that was 10 years ago! (She did get a watch for ten years of service). Cari was with me in the early years when it was just us two. She'd take the order and run up the invoice while I got it pulled and delivered. We still marvel at how we kept it together back then.
Cari too can play in our house band; she plays the acoustic guitar. She doesn't perform professionally, but she may if it was a Beatles tune. She might be the biggest Beatles fan in this fair town. It does make Xmas shopping easy!
So, I thank Cari for 10 years ... and here's to the next 10!
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Company Profile:
I have worked in this town for 12 years and I am still amazed by the interesting companies located right here in Austin. Just the other day I discovered a client (yes, an existing client) that produces an alternative to AutoCAD. I didn’t even know there was an alternative to AutoCAD. Martin Newell in California founded Ashlar-Vellum in 1988. In 1999, they packed up and moved to Austin.
Their signature product Graphite is fully functional CAD design software. Nick Slaughter, their national sales manager, likens it to "The ease of CADlite with the power of AutoCAD." After watching a short demonstration I can attest it is a viable alternative. The program is very easy to learn and use. The tools are streamlined for ease of use, yet the features are still available.
Perhaps its most vital feature is the AutoCAD compatibility. AutoCAD files can be directly opened in Graphite & Graphite files can be saved in AutoCAD formats. Integration and communication between programs remains strong. Even the way the program "thinks" is different, but appears simpler.
Graphite has the second largest installed base behind AutoCAD with 400,000 users. This is not some fringe program that nobody uses. Their software is the backbone of industrial design schools. Bob Gurr, the designer of the Jurassic Park Dinosaurs as well as Treasure Island in Las Vegas, has used Graphite since the very beginning.
Ashlar-Vellum also has several companion products to round out its offering. Xenon is a conceptual modeler, Argon-introduction to Surface & Solid Modeling; Cobalt is the 3D Design product. Essentially, if you do cad design, they have a product for you.
Ashlar-Vellum offers a two-week fully functional trial version. The full product is $995. Mr. Slaughter assures me there is plenty of technical support to get people started. Since they are in Austin, I’ll bet we can get that personal service we have always craved from AutoCAD.
BUY - SELL - TRADE
Due to the recent rebirth of the newsletter, there are not many active listings. Please email information on plotters, blueline machines, or other surplus items you would like to buy and/or sell. Please include the preferred email address for replies. CS2 does not warrant or endorse any listings. There is no fee to place an ad.
HP DesignJet 500 42" Plotter
This used item is for sale without warranty. Usage has consisted of about three (3) rolls of 42" and two (2) rolls of 24" paper for government documents downloaded from the Internet. We paid $3000 for it 18 months ago. Please contact Gary Nelson at gnelson3@austin.rr.com with any inquiries.
Dietzgen 636S $FREE
We have an old machine that does not appear to be repairable. :In case anyone is looking for parts, it's free to a good home. If you might be able to make use of it, please give me a call. We do not know what may (or may not) be wrong with it, just that it does not work. This appears to be an engineering copier -- 8.5x11" to 36x48". Please contact Janet Sone of Balcones Systems Corp. at (512) 708-8444 or at janets@balconessystems.com.
Omnitrak 120 Diazo
Looking For A Used Blueline? Contact Kim Nelson of Roper Interests at (512) 342-8811 or kknelson@aol.com.
Barely used 42" model $2500 OBO
PKiely@avat.com, Peter Kiely of Avatech, (512) 407-8811
The NovaJet PRO 600e Series delivers exceptional color print quality at production-level speeds. Available in 42"-wide (108cm), the ENCAD NovaJet PRO 600e includes a 500ml extended ink system and an integrated feeder/take-up mechanism with built-in dryer that makes unattended printing easy. The dual ink lines allow you to quickly switch between ENCAD's diverse ink sets. You'll never have to worry about the cartridges running dry during a job, just refill on the fly. In addition, a unique prime-free cartridge system makes installing cartridges a simple, clean process. In fact, in one hour you can expect to produce 93 sq. ft. (8.6 sq. m.) of a standard photo-realistic image in draft mode, and 29 sp. ft. (2.7 sq. m.) of the same image in the photo mode at 600 dpi!
HP Displaymaker 5000 $8000 obo
ef@rsdadvertising.com, Eric Fisher of RSD Advertising, (512) 302-0794 x 104
Colorspan, 8 color, Partially used inks, 4 indoor, 4 outdoor.
HP DesignJet 800 $4500 firm
charles.sesco@cox-internet.com, Charles Standifer, (512) 869-5460
New condition, first plot December 2000, approximately 300 plots run, 42" carriage, color, model #C7780B.
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