Detailed Information on Products & Technology

AIAXact 3040

AIAXact 4060

AIAXactSelect

AIAXact Horizontal

AIAXact Vacuum Easels

AIAXact Wall Mounted

AIAXact TableTop

AIAXact Macro Copy Stand

CHOOSING COPY STANDS AND REPRO WORKSTATIONS

• a vibration-free stage to hold the scanner and “art” work (art referring to any material being scanned);
• a column/rail that can transport the scanner head to its proper height to attain desired cropping and focus;
• a column which is exactly perpendicular to the art being captured, and a centering arm which places the camera out from the column so that it is centered and level to the center of the base board below;
• a heavy base which can hold art flat, is level at all points, and is large enough to leave some protective area away from any edge;
• a set of ergonomic controls which allow precise manual or motorized control of all moving parts;
• an integrated lighting system that provides the amount of light needed to work at a given lens’s “sweet spot” (usually, the middle f stop in a range of f- stops).  The light fixtures and stands themselves should be easily adjustable to achieve even illumination,  meet standards for UV emission, and emit little or no heat that could damage originals or make the environment uncomfortable.

1. Price to Performance (value)--Digital camera backs use long exposure times and stability, resistance to vibration, and optical alignment are essential;
2. Features – the choice of manual or motorized control may affect ergonomics and productivity. Conversely, too much automation may be gimmicky or overkill;
3. Camera mounts that hold digital scan backs should either display live images of focus and cropping on a monitor, or provide easy and immediate viewing by means of viewing hoods or mirrors.  Safety dictates being able to easily see and adjust camera controls without the aid of ladders even when the camera is at its highest position;
4. Many experts feel that various approaches to auto focus lenses with digital cameras and scan backs are not precise.  However “automated” focusing, using preset position points on a column can speed up the focusing process and provide a short cut to precise focusing;
5. The size of the base of the stand adds to its cost.  Do not buy more than you require, and determine in advance the ease of putting down an extension board to hold larger art.  If the base has a built-in vacuum frame, make sure it is made out of steel so magnetic holders can be used as guides and even used as “holders” if curators feel the vacuum presents a problem.  Self masking vacuums produce less noise and are generally safer for materials which may be bent at edges;
6. Lighting, no matter what kind, fixed to a stand, still has to be adjustable.

Academic Imaging Associates concluded that there is no one manufacturer whose stands meet all of the above criteria.  Therefore, we choose to represent leading manufacturers whose price points and approach to design and lighting vary. This gives our clients a large range of choices.

TTI, Kaiser, Linhof, and Metis are our “off the shelf” base products.  AIAXact Repro Workstations are modifications on these existing product lines, or manufactured to AIAXact specifications and design and designated as DV units.  AIA always welcomes the challenge of integrating components from various manufacturers to create unique customized solutions.

Please use the product links listed on the left to explore various copy stands and feel free to contact us with any questions or unique requests.