Digital and Scientific Imaging--AIA Horizontal Copy System

Digital Imaging Technology and Equipment for Libraries, Museums,
Laboratories and Field Work

AIA Horizontal Copy System
The AIAXact Horizontal Copy System is custom built to the end user's exact requirements. Although designed primarily for flat materials 40” X 60” and larger, it can be used for smaller sizes, and a lower lip (shelf) allows the stand to be used for framed art. The system can be built with or without an external frame or wall mounted (if the mounting wall does not pick up vibration. The system can also be configured with or without tracks. Please contact AIA to discuss specific needs and requirements.
The system consists of two basic modules:

An AIAXact Vacuum Easel which serves as the stage or “holder” on the material to be imaged, and the AIAXact Easel Rack which holds the Vacuum Easel in place;
An AIA Track and Dolly system to insure constant correct optical centering and parallelism of the 4 X 5 format camera and digital back mounted on the dolly.

Advantages of a Horizontal Copy Setup:
Nothing can fall on the artwork -- VERY IMPORTANT for museums, etc.
Canvas paintings on stretchers will remain much flatter when mounted vertically (for horizontal copying) than when mounted horizontally, where the center tends to sag relative to the edges.
Larger originals can be accommodated with appropriate focal length lenses -- no need for performance-limiting wide-angle lenses, which have more fall-off, and add chromatic aberrations.
Easier to deploy (arrange) the lighting, both for standard copy work and for special illumination on certain originals -- artwork is viewed the same way it normally is (on the "wall").
Easier to see the results of lighting and camera setup, and for camera adjustments than when the camera requires the operator to use a ladder to reach it 72” off the ground.

May require more space than a vertical copy stand.
May be more subjct to vibration between subject and camera than a vertical stand.