Open Hardware Summit alum (and all-around awesome guy) Daniel Reetz is releasing the first version of his DIY Book Scanner kit. This is a beta run of 8 units: mostly intended to work out the kinks in the assembly instructions, but all of them assemble into working book scanners. These are similar to the prototype Dan demoed at OHS and World Maker Faire last year (his OHS talk is above, top). He writes:
The latest in DIY Book Scanner technology.
Kit includes all necessary hardware, LED lighting, bicycle-lever triggers, cables, etc. The complete hardware is pictured. These first 8 kits will have extra-special support direct from Daniel.
Kit does not include:
1. Glass
2. Paint
3. Cameras
This price includes shipping in the USA. At first, I will only ship these scanners domestically in the US so please do not order if you are outside the USA.
The ability to preserve the printed word is a valuable service, and a book scanner is something which I feel every hackerspace should have. A “book scanning day” would be a great service project for a ‘space, and would draw out members of the community that might not otherwise visit. In his own words:
“the goal is to get one within driving distance of everyone on earth, starting with hacker/makerspaces. Not everyone needs a book scanner of their own, but everyone needs access to one.”
Fun fact: Dan was one of the first guests on Ask-An-Engineer, way back in 2010, where he showed off an early prototype of his scanner!
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