general input on a setup idea

o3h1p · Post by **o3h1p** » 04 Dec 2010, 05:28

I'm thinking of putting together something along the lines of daniel's cardboard box scanner:

http://www.diybookscanner.org/forum/vie ... ?f=1&t=239

I hope I could get just-as-good results without too much building. I forsee some problems:

Setup
I would need something to mount lights

: setup.png (42.18 KiB) Viewed 8401 times

I could mount the cameras with a gorillapod:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VMzdsyU4U5g/S ... l-1024.jpg

and the lights I could even velcro, but I would need something that would act as the rack to mount these things. Any ideas?

Handle

I would like to be able to easily lift the platen off the book. I was thinking of constructing some kind of handle like this.

: handle.png (40.72 KiB) Viewed 8401 times

I think that I may have a problem with handle getting in the way of the overhang bar (I would have to move the lights to the side) and maybe the camera may have difficulties taking pictures.

I know the book liberator does something similar to this, but unfortunately I don't see any instructions on how to build it and I don't really have the tools to cut wood.

http://bkrpr.org/doku.php
What do you think?

Post by **daniel_reetz** » 04 Dec 2010, 12:09

o3h1p wrote:I hope I could get just-as-good results without too much building.

I'm sure you can do this.

o3h1p wrote: and the lights I could even velcro, but I would need something that would act as the rack to mount these things. Any ideas?

o3h1p wrote: I would like to be able to easily lift the platen off the book. I was thinking of constructing some kind of handle like this.
handle.png
I think that I may have a problem with handle getting in the way of the overhang bar (I would have to move the lights to the side) and maybe the camera may have difficulties taking pictures.

Maybe... I would be more worried about it casting a shadow on the page. That's one of the reasons I never liked the BKRPR design... I built a cruddy one in my workshop and the cameras, handles, and my arms cast a shadow on the book surface. I prefer wide-open designs, even at the cost of some space.

o3h1p · Post by **o3h1p** » 04 Dec 2010, 12:51

Wow thanks daniel. I was actually considering trying to make the bookliberator until you told me about the shadow issue and showed me these other low-budget builds. (I don't know why I missed them.) I think I have a new favorite:

http://diybookscanner.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=401

and I'll have to reconsider things. Is one light enough? Where can I buy lexan? Home Depot? And can I get custom cuts?

Thanks
jack

Post by **daniel_reetz** » 04 Dec 2010, 13:15

o3h1p wrote: and I'll have to reconsider things. Is one light enough? Where can I buy lexan? Home Depot? And can I get custom cuts?

Lexan should be available from plastics shops and hardware stores in your area. Most hardware stores will cut it for you. In Fargo I used Custom Plastics. They are excellent, a very good and knowledgeable shop. Here in LA I haven't found a shop that's as friendly or willing to help, but they do exist. Also, you can substitute acrylic for lexan, though it will scratch easier, it will be cheaper.

Sometimes you can buy acrylic/lexan scraps for a fraction of the cost. Might be worth your time to call around to plastics shops to see if they have anything in the size you are looking for.

As for one light, it might be enough. Go ahead and try one, and if you need more, buy two. For lighting I am always erring on the side of excess, but I suspect you can make do with less.

I saw your offer to liberate academic papers elsewhere... once in a while we do need that kind of help.

DIY Book Scanner

general input on a setup idea

general input on a setup idea

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