new here, thinking about a book scanner

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davidlandin
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by davidlandin »

bsbob wrote:According to this post on Amazon, the Powershot A1XXX series use double A batteries.
Have you read the other topics specifically about cameras? I'm afraid it isn't my area of knowledge, but there are specific threads about this subject. I am sure you could ask for help on any of those.

David Landin
bsbob
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by bsbob »

Some progress. I think I'm back to the A1400s...

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catal ... it-ack-800
AC Adapter Kit ACK-800
-- Includes a compatibility list.

which looks like it comes with this... Or connects to this. Some of the ACK-800 kits I'm seeing say this is included.
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catal ... er-dr-dc10
DC Coupler DR-DC10
bsbob
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by bsbob »

Looks like it should work.

I went with the Powershot A1400.
bsbob
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by bsbob »

Cameras are ordered. I guess now I have to actually build this thing.

Looked at pvc pipe around here. It's all white. I don't see any black.

White pvc pipe could be roughed up with sandpaper, then painted with matte black paint.

Questions...
What size pvc pipe? 3/4" looked pretty sturdy. Around 2-3 feet it starts to bend. But if it's square of pipe that should make it stronger (I think). 1/2" might even work then. And actually -- I need to check the model -- but it won't be 2-3' straight along the sides. Those have T piece in there I think.

I was wondering if gluing was necessary. Might make it easier to take apart later. Probably glue eventually -- So, what type of glue?

And what type of paint? Is roughing it up with sandpaper and then painting it the way to go? Or do you just paint it and that's good enough? Would the paint flake off?


And then I was thinking about the platen.... I do have one piece of glass off a scanner someone threw away. But why not get a non-reflective piece of acrylic (or whatever it would be) and have it bent? ie Get it done "the right way" and be done with it, never have to replace/upgrade it?


Prices on pvc pipe and joints was a lot less than I expected. I put something together with large pvc pipe before that was more expensive. The narrow stuff doesn't look bad at all. I was thinking the pricey part is the cameras, and that's already taken care of now. If I did want a larger structure, it shouldn't be a huge cost to make something completely different/larger for that.
bsbob
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by bsbob »

how to paint pvc pipe
http://www.wikihow.com/Paint-PVC

Looks like there's 'flat black' instead of matte black.
http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion-for-plastic/

http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K02519000- ... atte+black

It's probably available at a hardware store too.

Hm. Some of the Amazon posts say several coats. That's fine. I'm wondering if it should be sanded a bit after it's painted too to remove reflections. And if sanding like that would make it look like crap. Looking like crap but being non-reflective is probably ok though. :lol:
bsbob
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by bsbob »

pvc pipe notes/info...

how to determine the size of pvc pipe?
http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-PVC-Pi ... -a-Project

https://flexpvc.com/PVCPipeSize.shtml

http://www.instructables.com/answers/ho ... 12quot-14/
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/info-pipesizes.html
At least it's not just me asking...
"All pvc piping is measured on the inside diameter (ID)."
-- So it's determined by the inside diameter.



Unknowns/questions...

Copper pipe -- It was next to the pvc pipe. Is there something better? Aluminum pipe?

For the horizontal pivot part, would a threaded metal rod be better? Attach bolts on the far ends to really secure it? Otherwise, what hold the metal rod in place and prevents it from moving from side to side?

What about using narrow, but thicker pvc pipe? Narrow to make it smaller and keep it looking nicer possibly. And just get some kind of thicker-walled pvc pipe? Except for the extra expense.... cpvc was about 2-3 times as expensive as regular pvc I think.
bsbob
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by bsbob »

:o Reality... Hoping the pvc structure, platen, paint, etc. isn't too expensive. Those cameras and adapters were over $200.

Fortunately the software should be free I think.

PVC pipe... That stuff looked cheaper than expected... Maybe $50 for pipe and paint, etc.

Which would put the total price around $300. I can live with that. To have the option to copy any book within a certain size range. "Rip" a book essentially.
bsbob
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by bsbob »

Hm.

Saw this. Just a glance at the beginning...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dSJG433Gp8
BC100 Book Capture System

Why are the Landin/counterbalance model cameras attached to the rocker arm? Couldn't they be attached on arms on the sides? As long as the camera stays in position relative to the planten/book....

(Very off note -- The guy on this video really looks/sounds like Jimmy Kimmel and Vince Vaughn's lovechild. I think it's the voice. I'm cracking up now.)

I need to watch this video better. The base part looks very familiar....
bsbob
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by bsbob »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dSJG433Gp8
BC100



Impressive machine.

The platen moves like the Landin model I noticed. Helps to position itself/the book I guess.

Probably for accurate focusing -- The camera is fixed on the Landin model. If the spine is thicker on a book, it's going to move. This BC100 camera might need adjusting I would think, esp. with how precise it is. On the Landin model, the camera and planten are always in the same position. If the book is thick, it will adjust under the platen.

The video mentions precise focusing, etc. I was starting to think about that more. The tape measure 'wings' on the Landin model probably help to fine tune the focusing a bit if the camera itself can't get to a certain level of precision. If the camera increments are too big, just move the whole camera on the tape measure wing a bit.

Cutting out post processing in the video sounds interesting. The Landin youtube series has one on 'Yet another...' software. YACW? camera wizard? I'm blanking... If I can take the pics without having to crop them afterward, that would be even better. The Landin video didn't make it look like too much extra work to crop though. Still if one step like that could be removed.

Multiple triggers sounds like a good idea. I'm probably not doing that but it sounds worthwhile in terms of ergonomics.
bsbob
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Re: new here, thinking about a book scanner

Post by bsbob »

Thinking lights and platens....

Where to get a plexiglass or acrylic (or whatever) platen? Something that someone could bend to 90 degrees for me. And then be done with it. Or would I need the edges cut a certain way, rounded, or taped off?

And lights... LED, halogen?, tungsten?
I want something that just plugs into a standard outlet. I don't want to mess with wiring.
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