The Different Types of Scanners: An Overview of Functions and Capabilities
Scanners are invaluable for digitizing documents, photos, film negatives, and various other physical media into digital files. Since their commercial release decades ago, scanner technology has continued advancing in terms of features, speed, image quality, and versatility.
Today there is an extensive range of scanner types to suit diverse needs. By understanding key distinctions between the various categories of scanners, individuals and organizations can determine the best solution for their specific applications. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of different scanners available and how they are used across industries.
The History and Evolution of Scanners
While the first primitive scanning device patented in the 1860s, commercial scanners as we know them today originated in the 1950s and 60s. The development of this technology coincided with wider advancements in computing.
Early scanners were initially slow, expensive, and produced low resolution images. However, by the 1970s scanners gained adoption for data and text capture. In the 1980s and 90s, higher resolutions, faster speeds, versatile functions and falling prices drove mass popularization of scanners.
From early fax machine based scanners to today’s sophisticated book scanners and industrial 3D laser scanners, ongoing innovation continues to expand scanner capabilities. Integrated software, built-in networking and image enhancement further elevation functionality.
Understanding The Main Types of Scanners
There are five essential categories of scanners designed for varying applications. Choosing the optimal scanner depends on factors like the physical condition, size, volume and final output format of original materials to digitize.
- Flatbed Scanners
The most common scanner type, flatbed scanners feature a flat transparent surface upon which materials are placed facedown for scanning. An automated moving optical array passes beneath this glass to capture an image.
Flatbed scanners accommodate loose pages, open books, fragile items between protective glass plates and even small 3D objects. However limits on scanning area dimensions restrict capacity for larger originals.
Advantages:
- Gentle non-contact scanning method protects delicate documents
- No strict page size limits
- Thicker items can be scanned unlike sheetfed scanners
- Scanner lids block ambient light for improved scan quality
- Scans both sides simultaneously with dual scanning arrays
Disadvantages:
- Larger units require more desk space
- Not practical for scanning high volumes quickly
- Restricted maximum scan areas on consumer models
Common Uses:
- Archiving books, magazines, photos
- Graphic design, desktop publishing
- Healthcare, education, office settings
- Legal and government digitization projects
Recommended Model: Canon CanoScan LiDE 300 Scanner
- Sheetfed Scanners
Sheetfed scanners offer highly efficient high volume scanning through automated paper feeding mechanisms. Multiple pages stacked in trays are fed through rollers into the unit for individual scanning at fast speeds.
Widely employed for archiving business, medical, legal and other records, sheetfeds generate high productivity. However limitations around paper weight and fragility should be noted.
Advantages:
- Extremely time efficient for high document volumes
- Compact desktop design with small footprint
- Many offer sizable input capacities up to 80 pages
- Advanced models have fast processor and software
Disadvantages:
- Pages fed through rollers are more prone to rips or tears
- Restricted paper weights may exclude thicker stock
- Smaller maximum scan dimensions
Common Uses:
- Business records management
- Forms and survey processing
- Accounting departments
- Medical records digitization
Recommended Model: Fujitsu ScanSnap IX1600 Wireless Scanner
- Handheld Scanners
Compact handheld scanners are manually swept over text or images for on-the-go digitization. Models include:
Pen scanners: Resemble writing pens with internal cameras capturing content.
Wand scanners: Lightweight batons with built-in sensors to detect and store information.
Portable scanners: Larger handhelds featuring simple document feeding slots.
Smartphone apps now also utilize phones’ embedded cameras for basic scanning needs.
Advantages:
- Maximum portability for mobile information access
- Suitable for small volume occasional scans
- Captures data from books or areas unsuited to flatbed models
Disadvantages:
- Very slow scanning compared to automated options
- Image quality limitations with smaller sensors
- Difficult to achieve uniform scans sweeps
- Not practical for high document quantities
Common Uses:
- Capturing quotes, recipes, product codes etc
- Students studying off-site
- Insurance claim assessments
- Healthcare workers’ patient consultations
Recommended Model: Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Scanner
- Drum Scanners
Drum scanners utilize photomultiplier tube sensors and precision-engineered mirrors to capture incredible detail from photographic negatives or transparencies. The media is secured onto a glass cylinder ‘drum’ which spins at high speed during the scan.
While drum scanning creates superior results, substantial cost and training needs limit adoption mostly to media outlets, photographic archives and galleries. Modern CCD (charged coupled device) scanners offer more accessible alternatives.
Advantages:
- Extremely fine detail and color depth capture
- Archival-level digitization ideal for historical assets
Disadvantages:
- Considerable cost in unit price + installation
- Steep learning curve for operation
- Size and specialist calibration requirements
- Limited mainly to film/slide scanning
Common Uses:
- Newspaper, magazine and book publishers
- Art galleries and photography studios
- Cinema post production
- Creating photographic references or reproductions
Recommended Model: Primescan D7100 Professional Imaging Drum Scanner
- Specialized Scanners
Beyond ubiquitous office equipment, extremely advanced specialty scanners fulfill unique niche roles across diverse industries. Types include:
Wide format scanners: Oversize engineering documents like blueprints, maps and schematics need extra-large scanning areas.
3D laser scanners: Complex laser sensors meticulously map real-world environments, machinery or objects to create detailed 3D models.
Book scanners: Mass digitization workflows in museums, universities or libraries employ sophisticated book scanners with special cradles and page turning apparatus to carefully image collections.
Advantages:
- Tailored precision design to suit industry needs
- Cutting edge image quality and features
Disadvantages:
- Narrow applications can limit wider utility
- Very high hardware costs in certain categories like 3D scanning
Common Uses:
- Historical archives and libraries
- Healthcare product design
- Manufacturing and industrial design
- Crime and accident forensic scanning
Recommended Model: WideTEK 36DS Wide Format Scanner
Latest Innovations and The Future of Scanning Technology
While traditional categories of scanners perform the bulk of everyday document digitization, cutting edge models are breaking conventions. Portable battery-powered scanners offer unbound mobility for fieldwork usage. Networked all-in-one printer scanner units save space in home offices.
Artificial intelligence also promises to revolutionize functionality through machine learning that continually improves scan quality, text recognition and processing speed over time. Democratized mobile scanning through smartphones helps fulfill convenience expectations of younger generations.
The trajectory of changes also suggests 3D scanning systems may become more compact and affordable for small business applications like product design or customized manufacturing. As the world continues digitizing information critical for modern life at exponential rates, scanner technology strives to keep pace through constant innovation.
Conclusion
Scanners form the vital bridge between the analog and digital worlds by enabling access to information locked within physical documents, photos and materials. Selecting the right scanner depends foremost on correctly identifying key application requirements and limitations. From portable convenience to industrial precision, modern scanners offer digitization potential suitable for seemingly endless needs.
Understanding capabilities of the common scanner types outlined here allows for informed investments in the optimal model to best facilitate information management objectives. Technical specifications will continue advancing rapidly to streamline digitization demands across sectors. But the fundamental functions empowering scanners’ role as indispensable data conversion tools look certain to remain integral well into the future.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©FabrikaSimf/Shutterstock.com.
Recommended Scanners:
Canon CanoScan Lide 300 Scanner
Fujitsu ScanSnap IX1600 Wireless Scanner
Epson WorkForce ES-50 Portable Scanner
