Introduction to Scanners

Scanner

Scanner is a device that scans images, printed text, and handwriting etc and converts it to digital form or
image. It is so named because the data is converted one line at a time or scanned down the page as the
scanning head moves down the page.

Components inside a scanner are the following

i. Glass Plate and Cover

The glass plate is the transparent plate wherein the original is placed so that the scanner can scan it and
the cover keeps out stray light that can affect the accuracy of the scan

ii. Scanning head

Scanning head is the most important component because it is the one which does actual scanning. It
contains components like

1. Light source and mirror : It is the bright white light that is used to illuminate the original
as it is being scanned and which bounces off the original and reflected off several
mirrors

2. Stabilizer bar: It is a long stainless steel rod that is securely fastened to the case of the
scanner and it provides a smooth ride as the scanner scans down the page

3. CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CIS (Contact Image Sensor) : A CCD array is a device that
converts photons into electricity. Any scanner that uses CCD use lens to focus the light
coming from the mirrors within the scanning head.

Another technology used in some cheaper scanners is CIS wherein the light source is a set of LEDs that
runs the length of the glass plate.
 iii. Stepper Motor

The stepper motor in a scanner moves the scan head down the page during scan cycle and this is often
located either on the scan head itself or attached to a belt to drive the scanner head.

3.1 Flatbed Scanners

Flatbed Scanners

The most commonly used scanner is a flatbed scanner also known as desktop scanner. It has a glass
plate on which the picture or the document is placed. The scanner head placed beneath the glass plate
moves across the picture and the result is a good quality scanned image. For scanning large maps or
toposheets wide format flatbed scanners can be used.

3.3 Sheetfed Scanners

Sheetfed Scanners

Sheet fed scanners work on a principle similar to that of a fax machine. In this, the document to be
scanned is moved past the scanning head and the digital form of the image is obtained. The
disadvantage of this type of scanner is that it can only scan loose sheets and the scanned image can
easily become distorted if the document is not handled properly while scanning.

3.4 Handheld Scanners

Handheld Scanners

Hand-held scanners although portable, can only scan images up to about four inches wide. They require
a very steady hand for moving the scan head over the document. They are useful for scanning small
logos or signatures and are virtually of no use for scanning maps and photographs.

Printers and Scanners Problems And Troubleshooting

Laser printer problems

i. Print results too light, white/light columns

The possible cause for this is that toner may be low and defective transfer corona and the solution is to
replace the toner cartridge
 ii. Ghosting

Ghosting is called when light images of previously printed pages are displayed on the current page. The
probable cause for this may be because drum is not fully discharged or erase lamp not functioning and
the solution for this is to print couple of black pages or replace cartridge and erase lamp

iii. Prints black pages

This may be due to damaged primary corona and the solution is to replace primary corona.

iv. Memory Overflow error

This may be because the image to be printed is too large. So the solution is to reduce the print
resolution and add more RAM to the printer.

v. Paper jams

Papers can get jammed inside printer due to reasons like paper feed rollers get worn and the solution to
this is to replace the worn rollers and another cause may be related to the drive gear of the pickup
roller, may be broken and the solution is to replace it as well

vi. Repetitive small marks or defects

This may be caused due to toner spillage inside printer or due to crack in the drum which can
accumulate toner and the solution to this is to replace the offending roller

vii. Image Smudging

Image smudging is called when the image on the paper comes off when thumb is run across it , and the
problem in this case is fuser. The fuser is not heating the toner and fusing it into the paper and the
solution is to replace the fuser
Dot-Matrix printer problems

i. Print results are too light

The probable cause for this could be that ribbon cartridge is out of ink and the solution is to replace the
ink ribbon.

ii. Printer does not print

The possible causes for this could be printer is offline or is out of paper, or is not connected. The solution
is to turn printer online or add paper or check the cable connections.

iii. Characters are incomplete

This may happen due to pins which may be struck or broken and the solution is to replace the print
head.

iv. Printout jams inside the printer

This happens when something prevents the paper from advancing through the printer. There are two
reasons for this. One is obstructed paper path which requires disassembling the printer to find the
substance that’s blocking the paper path and the second may be due to stripped drive gears.

v. Stepper motor problems

Stepper motors are used to move the printhead back and forth as well as to advance the paper and they
can easily get damaged when they are forced in any direction while the power is on. While it is easy to
detect a damaged stepper motor, the only solution to this is to replace the stepper motor.

Scanner problems and troubleshooting

Common problems with scanner are scanners won’t turn on, strange noises from scanner, Scanners
won’t scan etc.
Tips to troubleshoot the basic scanner related problems are:

Ensure that the scanner software is properly installed and all the settings are properly configured

Make sure that the power light on the scanner is turned on.

If any software related problems are noticed in scanner then uninstall and reinstall the scanner software

Try to perform the basic tests that are provided by the manufacturer.

Make sure that the cables to the scanner are properly connected.

Overheating, dust and humid environment can cause permanent damage to the scanner.

Restarting your computer, unplugging cables and verifying any hardware conflicts in the device manager
can diagnose and troubleshoot the possible errors.

Tools to troubleshooting printer/scanner problems

The basic tools used when troubleshooting printers or scanners are:

i. Multimeter

Multimeter is used to detect problems with power supply and also to perform resistance tests and then
find the cause of problem with the device.

ii. Screw driver

Screw driver is a common tool that every technician uses. There are three types: flat-blade, Phillips and
torx. When picking a screw driver it is important to note that the size of the screw driver head should
match to the head of the screw. Using small o r large screwdrivers than the head of the screw is useless.

iii. Cleaning solutions

Cleaning solutions are to be used to remove dirt from the printer which may be the cause for some
printer problems like lines in the output etc. Printers have self-cleaning utility that is activated through a
menu option on the printer itself. It is good to run the cleaning-utility on the printer every time a toner
or ink catridge are replaced.
 iv. Extension Magnets

Extension magnet looks like a pen, has a magnetic tip which can pick up small objects fallen into
unreachable area is one of the useful device for troubleshooting some problems.

v. Test patterns

Printers print test page containing both colors and patterns based on printer’s capabilities. Test patterns
measure gradients and resolution and letter qualities at various font sizes.

So test patterns can be run on a printer if any issues related to print-quality are experienced.