Flatbed scanners are the most common type of scanner and feature a glass surface where documents or images are placed for scanning. The scanning head moves beneath the glass to capture the image.
Key Features
Large glass surface for scanning various document sizes.
High resolution for detailed scanning.
Can scan books, photos, and delicate items.
Common Usage
Offices, homes, and schools for scanning documents, photos, and books
A is a device that converts physical documents into a digital format.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Flatbed Scanners
Pros
High-quality, accurate scans.
Suitable for a wide range of materials, including photographs, documents, and thick items like books.
Easy to use for both small and large documents.
Documents can often be automatically email or sent to network attached storage.
Cons
Can be bulky and take up desk space.
Scanning can be slow, especially for high-resolution images.
A allows you to place documents on a flat glass surface for scanning.
Handheld Scanners
Handheld scanners are portable devices that you manually move over the document or image to scan it. They are small and convenient for on-the-go use.
Key Features
Portable and battery-powered.
Ideal for scanning small areas or text quickly.
Low-resolution scanning compared to flatbed scanners.
Common Uses
Fieldwork, scanning books, barcodes, or small documents while traveling.
What is the main feature of a handheld scanner?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Handheld Scanners
Pros
Highly portable and lightweight.
Useful for scanning books, barcodes, or parts of documents.
Affordable
Cons
Can produce uneven scans if not moved steadily.
Limited scanning size and lower quality.
3D Scanners
3D scanners capture the shape and depth of objects to create a three-dimensional digital model. They use various technologies, such as laser triangulation or structured light, to generate highly accurate 3D representations.
Key Features
Scans the surface and structure of 3D objects.
Can be used in manufacturing, design, and medical fields.
Typically higher-cost, specialized devices.
Common Usage
Product design, 3D printing, manufacturing, and medical imaging.
A 3D scanner captures the physical shape of an object and creates a 3D model.
Advantages & Disadvantages of 3D Scanners
Pros
Allows for the creation of detailed 3D models.
Ideal for reverse engineering, medical imaging, and product design.
Can scan complex objects with intricate details.
Cons
Expensive and specialized.
Requires specialized software and knowledge for editing and processing.
Sheet-Fed Scanners
Sheet-fed scanners pull individual sheets of paper through the scanner automatically, making them ideal for scanning multiple documents quickly. They are often part of multifunction printers (MFPs).
Key Features
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) for scanning multiple pages.
Designed for documents, not thick items like books.
Compact compared to flatbed scanners.
Common Usage
Offices for scanning large quantities of documents quickly, and for digital archiving.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Sheet-fed Scanners
Pros
Fast scanning of multiple pages.
Compact and space-saving.
Ideal for office environments where document scanning is frequent.
Cons
Limited to paper documents (cannot scan books or irregular items).
May jam or struggle with delicate or damaged paper.
Expensive
What kind of scanner is designed for quickly processing multiple pages?
