This chapter should be read prior to the installation of the scanner, so that
setup will be efficient and operation reliable. It should also be used as a
guide when moving the system to a new location, be it across the building or
across the country. It is much easier to prepare the site in advance and have
a smooth installation process, than to attempt to install the equipment and
make changes as problems are discovered.
Room Layout
Careful planning should be done to decide where the scanner system will be installed, and preparations may need to be done to properly accommodate the new equipment.
Choose a location that will not leave excessive space between the scanner and the next permanent object (wall, partition, piece of furniture, etc.) on which the laser will shine. Preferably, the only person who will walk in the path of the laser is the operator who is setting up objects to be scanned, thus minimizing eye contact of those not familiar with the equipment.
The platform should be placed on a very solid, stable and sturdy surface. A
soft, yielding object may allow movement or vibration which will result in
inaccurate measurements.
Cables
The cables from the power supply to the SCSI Interface are .5 meters (1.5 feet) in length, so you need to choose a location that will allow the cables to be laid in an untraveled area.
The SCSI Interface should reside close to the host computer. The length of SCSI cabling should not exceed 1 meter (3 feet).
One electrical outlet will be needed within 1.5 meters (5 feet) of the
digitizer; a filtering type power strip is highly recommended. The digitizer
head does not have its own power cord; power to the laser and motors is
supplied by the Power Supply.
Proximity to Host Computer
During a scanning session, the operator may go back and forth several times
between the scanner and the host computer that is being used to control it
(running the Echo software). For this reason, try to minimize the distance
between them for the sake of convenience. It is helpful to orient the computer
such that you can see the display while standing in front of the scanner.
Lighting
Excessive light, particularly sunlight, can cause spikes and anomalous data. If you must place the scanner in view of any windows or doors, use heavy curtains or blinds to eliminate natural (outside) light during scanning sessions. Do not have incandescent lights in the field of view, from any angle. Also, check the area for bright reflections and other direct light sources. Fluorescent lights are preferred for room lighting, because they emit less of the orange-red light sensed by the scanner.
If the surface of the subject is particularly bright or dark,
adjust the Sensitivity as described elsewhere
in this User Guide (also see the view
command).
Environmental Limits
Normal temperature ranges for an office or computer laboratory environment are suitable for the scanner. The scanner will not operate properly in adverse climates. Allow extra time for the scanner to warm up to proper alignment if the room is heated from very cold temperatures. Also be aware of condensation on the optics if the temperature or humidity is changing rapidly.
Do not allow the scanner to reach freezing temperatures, even when not in use.