Using a book scanner for non books (single sheets)?

Built a scanner? Started to build a scanner? Record your progress here. Doesn't need to be a whole scanner - triggers and other parts are fine. Commercial scanners are fine too.

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Kirtai
Posts: 10
Joined: 27 Jul 2009, 10:49
E-book readers owned: PRS-505
Number of books owned: 3000
Location: Scotland

Re: Using a book scanner for non books (single sheets)?

Post by Kirtai »

I found a simple, portable design at http://kyleakoch.com/?p=48. Just add a piece of glass with safe edges to hold things flat.
It's for an iphone but should be simple to adapt for other cameras.
tsttm
Posts: 80
Joined: 18 Jun 2009, 11:59

Re: Using a book scanner for non books (single sheets)?

Post by tsttm »

Maybe this is obvious- but i was trying to wrap my head around scanning a number of loose papers.

At first i tried putting them in the VST & flipping pages as i would a book. While i didn't have problems with distortion of the page, i found that the pages would move around (not consistent); but worse, it was slow to flip pages & make sure they were in the right place.

i then tried putting them in a binder (i'm scanning pages that are hole punched); & while i could flip quickly & the pages would be a consistent postion...the platen was really awkward with the binder rings.

Then it occurred to me that the main purpose of the platen is to force bound pages of a book to lay flat. So i simply removed the platen & scanned my pages from a binder.

The pages in general lay flat naturally in a binder, so it's no problem without the platen. And because i don't have to lift the platen, i can scan even faster.

The only thing i have to remember is to manually move the VST as needed.

Anyway, maybe this is obvious to some, but in case it's not..i thought i'd mention it.
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