Scanner Innovation – the Wide Format Duplex Scanner

Image Access Announces World’s First Wide Format Duplex Scanner at the DMS Expo 2009

Image Access from Wuppertal, Germany presents the first wide format duplex scanner at the DMS Expo in Cologne. The WideTEK 36 DS is the world’s first wide format scanner for duplex digitalization of newspapers and other double-sided printed documents. The very compact WideTEK 36 DS needs only four seconds to scan the front and back sides of a newspaper page (at 200 dpi). This scanner offers considerable advantages to press clipping services, libraries and archives who, until now, had no choice but to use complicated multiple step solutions to digitalize newspapers.

The large format duplex scanner WideTEK 36 DS scans documents up to 36 inches (915 mm) in width. The idea of double-sided scanning in one production step primarily means less production effort: The document no longer needs to be flipped over and scanned again on the other side. The scanners feature two camera boxes, both consisting of three CCD systems,  integrated into upper and lower part of the device – only few centimeters from each other. The WideTEK 36 DS captures both sides of the newspaper at the same time. As a final step, the software separates the scanned document into four single images, capturing the left and right sides on the front and back of the newspaper – everything in one step.

The entire scan process – from scanning, image processing up to image display – can therefore be considerably reduced. This is especially important for press clipping, in order to deliver the actual press analysis even earlier/faster.

“The greatest challenge in the development and construction was to integrate the more extensive mechanics and additional camera and light units into the device without enlarging its dimensions. The duplex scanner is only 13 centimetres larger than the compact WideTEK 36”, said Thomas Ingendoh, President and CEO of Image Access.

The scanner is equipped with two processor units; this allows an extremely fast data throughput. All image processing is executed directly inside the scanner. This results in high scan speed and excellent scan quality.

All of the other proven technologies found in Image Access scanners are also included in this new device. The scanner is based on the patented Scan2Net® technological platform, which allows device operation independent from a PC and from any operating system, with minimum installation work. At the heart of the device is the unique camera and illumination system, outfitted with high quality CCD cameras and long-lasting LED lights. The complete camera optics is integrated in a hermetically sealed housing. Once optimally adjusted, it remains stable, dust-free and maintenance-free. The patented stitching procedure and the optical resolution of 1200 x 600 dpi guarantee uncompromising scan results. Illumination with white LEDs is exceptionally energy-saving and delivers a constant color temperature over the entire lifetime of 50,000 hours. The scanner is ready for operation immediately after powering it on. The low number of consumables makes the product practically maintenance-free.

Users can operate the scanner in various ways: with a standard web browser via the web-based user interface or as a walk-up system, using the built-in touch screen. For scanning large quantities of documents, the software Batch Scan Wizard provides many helpful functions for increasing productivity. Producers of special applications can easily integrate the scanner into their software application – like all the other WideTEK scanners.

About Image Access:
Image Access is a leading manufacturer of wide format scanners and the only manufacturer covering market segments with planetary, sheet feed and flatbed scanners. In the company’s two locations, Wuppertal and Boca Raton, Florida; Image Access has a staff of over 70 employees, most of whom work in the development and production location in Wuppertal, also the company’s headquarters. www.imageaccess.de

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