BIT – September 2012
Microform: Xino S700 high-performance scanner
A unique paper transport
Modern document capturing means more than just converting documents into images and archiving them. Besides speed and security in processing, one thing counts above all: quality – starting with user-friendly hardware, sophisticated software that facilitates further processing of the data and ergonomic workstations. Microform, a company based in Waiblingen, Germany, has made these criteria the benchmark for the development of its high-performance Xino S700 document scanner.
The Xino S700 combines maximum productivity and efficient work with ergonomic design, robust construction and simple operation. The system is characterised by the fact that it can be used universally for document types of different quality and composition. The S700 processes almost all documents, and the basis for this high flexibility and efficiency is the system’s paper transport. This is because in the capturing sector, as in all other sectors, the costs incurred are of essential importance today. However, measures to reduce costs must be assessed particularly carefully. Fast devices alone will not necessarily lead to the desired result. It is much more a matter of avoiding errors when scanning documents, be they “mechanical”, such as poorly processed documents, or operating or input errors. Such errors can lead to a great deal of effort in correcting them. In addition to costs, this creates further problems when the expected documents can be processed late or not at all.
Disruptions in the paper flow can have a significant impact on throughput and must be avoided as far as possible. For this reason, the Xino S700 uses a combination of shafts and balls to guide the documents: The balls are individually flexibly mounted and individually adapt to the surface conditions. If there is additional information on the document – a glued-on picture, a stapled note or a thick sticker, for example – the balls give way in this area and ensure even guidance. Even papers two millimetres thick are no problem. Unlike other scanners, the document is not only guided over one or two pairs of rollers in the middle of the document. In the Xino, the contact is across the entire width. This significantly increases processing reliability, especially for documents that are uneven, curved or bent. In addition, the document is deflected over a gentle, long path in order to exert as little stress as possible on the paper.
Rear paper ejection
The fact that gentle, trouble-free document transport is a priority with the Xino is also evident in the size of the system. As a special feature, in addition to the normal output tray at the front, the system also has a paper output at the rear that can be switched on if required. This rear paper ejection offers the possibility to completely avoid paper diversion. The rear paper ejection also serves as a sorting tray. During operation, patch sheets or entire processes that lie between patch sheets can be sorted out without interrupting transport. This saves a lot of effort and reduces costs in document handling. Manual sorting is no longer necessary and patch sheets can be easily reused. Ergonomics and ease of use, and thus operator satisfaction, are also important factors for productivity. The Xino is optionally height-adjustable by motor up to a standing workstation.
The convenient control panel is designed as a colour touch screen that replaces the usual keys and small LCD displays. The complete control of the machine is carried out via this panel. It includes profile management, mechanical control and error handling. Communication between operator and machine is done with clear, easy-to-understand symbols, text and images. The user interfaces can be easily configured to suit the customer’s needs and can be varied as desired. Such user profiles can be saved and stored on a commercially available USB memory. The user then only has to briefly insert the USB stick into the scanner to log in and select the appropriate configuration. With this special operating concept, the scanner is also able to meet unusual requirements for a workplace, such as those in a workshop for the disabled. For the workplace of a physically disabled operator, the touch-screen terminal was moved to the outside. Document processing can be controlled on the Xino exclusively via the control panel, without user input in the capture programme via the PC’s keyboard or mouse. This is made possible by the Xino- Capture scanning software, which was specially developed for the Xino by Microform’s partner Janich & Klass.
Great importance was attached to the durability of all components of the Xino. The materials used meet the highest demands in terms of load. The running costs are low due to almost wear-free materials. The economic efficiency of the system becomes clear through the long service life.
The Xino is available in three configuration levels from 130 ppm to 160 ppm and up to 200 ppm. Depending on the configuration, the operator can switch back and forth between the available variants. Depending on the type of document, e.g. damaged paper, slower processing for a short time may be advisable. This is also possible with 100 ppm. (www.microform.de)