Patent ID: 7239435

Claim:
A scanning system for writing, printing, direct imaging, plotting, computed radiography, and scanning comprising: a. an optical system including: i. at least one modulatable radiation source for emitting radiation; ii. a movable collimating lens; iii. a reflector, and iv. a focusing lens; b. a mechanical system including: i. a first mechanical carrier spinning about a first axis; ii. second mechanical carrier spinning about a second axis, said second axis being mounted on said first mechanical carrier and arranged to rotate about said first axis; iii. a third mechanical carrier spinning about a third axis, said third axis being mounted on said second mechanical carrier and arranged to rotate about said second axis, and iv. a movable surface, and c. said collimating lens being arranged to receive said radiation from said one radiation source and to convert said radiation into at least one collimated beam which propagates along an optical path from said collimating lens to said surface via said reflector and said focusing lens to form at least one focused radiation spot on said surface; and d. said mechanical system being arranged to cause said third mechanical carrier of said mechanical system to carry said reflector and said focusing lens of said optical system for moving said one focused radiation spot on said surface along a straight line.