Introduction
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the 3M company of St. Paul, Minnesota, have entered
into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) to investigate
maps-on-demand technology to support the production of USGS mapping products. The
CRADA will potentially help the USGS to develop on-demand alternatives to lithographic maps
and help 3M to develop a series of commercial instant map-printing systems.
Joint Research and Development Program
The CRADA was begun in July 1996, and a joint effort of 16 months is anticipated for the
map-on-demand segment. The USGS and 3M may consider future cooperative activities that
could extend the CRADA timeline. The CRADA statement of work describes a six-phase
program that will investigate both ink jet and electrostatic printing technologies. The
map-on-demand CRADA deals with the following topics:
The USGS will provide expertise in map products, color replication, and the use and application of digital data and GIS's.
3M will provide most of the hardware and software used for investigation, both proprietary and commercial off-the-shelf products, and expertise in map product and printing software.
Optimization of ink jet and electrostatic printing systems for replicating USGS map products will be the primary goal of the CRADA, with optimal replication of the 1:24,000-scale topographic map as the primary focus. Thematic map products from the USGS, as well as map products from other cooperating agencies, will also be investigated. Customer assessment activities will be used to gather responses to the prototype map-on-demand product. The USGS and 3M also plan to participate in map trade shows and technical mapping conferences to showcase their progress and solicit responses during the CRADA.
Investigation of electrostatic printing systems will allow the USGS to explore the feasibility of high-productivity map-printing systems, and investigations of ink jet systems will focus on low-volume requirements for use in retail environments.
Benefits of CRADA
A long-term potential benefit for the USGS is to maintain a map inventory designed to meet the
demand for specific products while improving customer service. The partnership could
ultimately improve USGS responsiveness to our customers by creating systems that will give
immediate access to all USGS map products.
3M hopes to commercialize the map-printing systems developed under this CRADA and provide the inks, paper, and other consumables that these systems will use. Of great interest to 3M is the low-cost desktop point-of-sale system that is to be developed under phase 4 of the CRADA. The company believes there is a worldwide market for this kind of technology.
John R. Evans
U.S. Geological Survey
508 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Phone: 703-648-6285
Fax: 703-648-5939
E-mail: jevans1@usgs.gov
or,
R. Kent Stewart
3M
1101 Fifteenth St., NW.
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-331-6981
Fax: 202-331-2805
E-mail: rkstewart@mmm.com
For further information on CRADA opportunities with the USGS National Mapping Division, please contact:
Ernest B. Brunson
U.S. Geological Survey
500 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Phone: 703-648-4643
Fax: 703-648-4706
E-mail: ebrunson@usgs.gov
For information on other USGS products and services call 1-888-ASK-USGS, e-mail ask@usgs.gov, or fax 703-648-5548.
Receive information from the EARTHFAX fax-on-demand system, which is available 24 hours a day at 703-648-4888.
The address for the USGS home page is <URL: http://www.usgs.gov/>
U.S. Department of the Interior —
U.S. Geological Survey — 509
National Center, Reston, VA 20192, USA
URL: http://
egsc.usgs.gov
/isb/pubs/factsheets/fs03397.html
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