Abstract: A scanning apparatus (10) for scanning radiographic media (22) comprises a housing (11) with a scanning stage (12) mounted within the housing. A scanning head is mounted on the scanning stage and the scanning stage is adapted for translational movement along an axis (16). An opening (18) in the housing receives a cassette (20) and radiographic media has a latent image (24) disposed in the cassette. The radiographic media has a ferromagnetic end (26) and the cassette consists of a closed box shape having an upper door (28) and a lower door (30). A first magnet (32) is secured to the upper door and a second magnet (34) is secured to the lower door. The polarity of the first magnet is in the same orientation as the polarity of the second magnet. A magnetic latch (36) is mounted within the scanning apparatus to hold the radiographic media at the ferromagnetic end, and the magnetic latch is mounted so that the polarity of the magnetic latch repels the polarity of the first and second magnets.