Casting Study: Microscan Systems – VS 310 Scanner

Designers of an ultracompact scanner needed to reduce the internal envelope. The optics bracket was one component that was reduced in size but increased in functionality. The goal was design a single mounting bracket that would accommodate a laser module, a rotating polygon mirror and a pair of mirrors positioned 90 degrees to each other. A die cast zinc optics bracket accomplished this and consolidated four to five parts (depending on the model), and several function. The bracket is produced to +/- 0.005 in. tolerances with +/-0.002 in. in the critical areas of the laser mount and mirror bracket. All holes are cast with zero draft. The zinc bracket also functions as a heat sink, diverting heat away from the laser. By combining functions and parts into one component, assembly time was reduced 50 percent.