--- Tony Eros <tony.eros_at_machm.org> wrote:
> I started playing with fiche scanning using an Intel QX3 microscope.
What a cool idea. I've seen them in the stores, but for $100, I've
resisted the temptation.
> The results are mixed, but tempting. I've put some sample images here:
>
> At the 60x magnification, it takes about 9 images to capture a single
> frame from a fiche.
That's a lot of work. If I were even going to consider a microscope, I'd
also consider a motorized table to move the image around.
> I like the resolution, but need to find a way to expand the field of
> view.
Bigger optics.
I used to work for a company that produced the motor platform, the ISA
control boards and the scanning software for a company that made "remote
microscopes" - imagine a device that resembles a reflecting telescope,
but less than 2' long. It could resolve a 1mm^2 patch into a frame of
512 pixels by 512 pixels and could be moved around in a box several
inches on a side. We sold it as an inspection system that could zoom
in on defects. Customers used them to inspect hypodermics, optical
glass (to map the flaws to cut around them) and more.
No, I don't have one - the systems were $30K each. The company I worked
for closed when the optics maker stopped paying invoices. We got the
layoff notice on Monday evening (called at home); the company closed on
that Friday.
In any case, a back-lit fiche and a "remote microscope" might do the
trick, should you run across one. In the meantime, a scanning frame
with mechanical stops might be the simplest thing to do. If you have
a broken fiche reader, you might be able to find a way to mount your
microscope head where the mirror and screen go, and use the fiche holder
and positioning tray as is.
-ethan
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Received on Fri Feb 15 2002 - 21:06:51 GMT