Today I got around to installing the polarizing film on the new lights in the scanner. It’s a slightly modified version of the idea I had earlier where the filters would flip foraward and back over he light.
After I cut out the four blanks I needed to cut out the centers. For this I’m using a Dremel with a rasp bit so I can carve out the curved design.
Here the final shape that will be covered by the film.
Just test fitting to make sure the panel will clear the light. The film will be on the outside of the panel so the light will slightly recess into the panel when engaged.
Next is the axles that the panels will rotate around. These are just Shish kebab sticks that I cut down with the dremel and glued to the panels.
The sticks are slightly longer then the panel so the ends can be attached to the scanner and with the sticks glued on they add structural support to the bottom of the panel.
Next was attaching the polarizing film. I had to mark the films direction so I could make sure they were all facing the right way during the installation.
Here’s what a finished panel looks like. The film is just taped onto the panel and you can see the flat magnet at the end of the panel. I’m using the magnets to hold the panels in there open/closed stated.
And this is a completed light. The 2 foam core pieces on the ends of the panel have slots cut into them for the axel to sit in allowing them to freely rotate in. Also a small platform was added at the end of the light to hold the magnet that keeps the panel engaged, there is also a magnet on the outer wall the holds the panel open.
Here’s the other lights showing the panels in the open and closed states.
Same as above image but with the lights on.
So that’s all for the lights, they are all ready to start scanning shinny things.
This weekend I was working on some other construction projects around my house so I decided to cut out a base for the scanner while I had the tools out. This will eventually house the underlighting for capturing transparency and some kind of device to stretch fabrics flat.
That’s it for this update. I’ll try to post some new test scans this week and stay tuned for updates on the base integration.
Thanks for reading.