(Len Willan, thanks for the initial link to this device)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyT7l-CZego
Allow for sufficient time before and after zooming in. The resolution does have limitations.The system is based on industrial grade CNC technology and employs step controllers, servo controllers and direct drives by isel (cnc-maschinen.isel.com). All components are industrial strength and the system is highly configurable and complies with industrial (ISO) standards. Results include high-resolution images of entomological (and other) drawers.
http://media.zsm-entomology.de/dd/lep/L ... -0001.html
http://media.zsm-entomology.de/dd/hym/H ... -0011.html
http://media.zsm-entomology.de/dd/col/C ... bearb.html
For more information and sample images see http://www.zsm-entomology.deVirtual insect collections
Considering the large amount of material that is present in ZSM collections, a specimen-based approach is only suitable and feasible for a comparatively small number of specimens. Our aim is to make specimen based information available through this portal using the interoperability across several wikis, including WikiSpecies, Wikimedia Commons, Openmedia, and through the GBIF portal.
For collection management the ZSM employs Specify 6, a program that is tailored at providing a well-supported collections data computing platform. The program was developed and is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and has received continuous NSF funding since 1987 (including its predecessor MUSE).
Drawer digitisation
Currently only a small fraction of the c. 20 million specimens housed in the ZSM have been digitised, usually by creating images of single specimens, one at a time. Considering the amount of material deposited in the ZSM collections, a specimen-based approach is very labour intensive and thus only suitable and feasible for a limited number of specimens. New technologies are required to digitise collections on a large scale and make information about collections available. A sophisticated imaging system is currently under development that allows capturing high-resolution images of insect drawers at an industrial scale. The drawer scanning system will make it possible to digitise collections at a speed that was never possible before, and to provide worldwide specimen level access through the internet that is available 24/7/365.