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What is a 3d scanner used for


What are 3D scanners used for

ByNatalia Kivolya

June 14, 2019

8 min read

17993

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summary

3D scanning is now more popular than ever, and businesses all over the world are embracing this versatile technology to boost productivity, eliminate unnecessary costs, and create new and exciting products and services.

Introduction

Whether you are an industrial engineer looking for a powerful reverse-engineering solution, or a doctor seeking an efficient way to create prosthetics, 3D scanning is your key to success.

In this article, we will look at some industries that have successfully integrated 3D scanning technologies into their workflows and see how this has helped them achieve phenomenal results, so that you can find the 3D scanning solution which suits you best.

But first let’s go over some of the basic terms and concepts used in the 3D industry, to make sure we’re on the same page.

What is 3D scanning?

3D scanning is a technology for creating high-precision 3D models of real-world objects. It works like this: a 3D scanner takes multiple snapshots of an object. The shots are then fused into a 3D model, an exact three-dimensional copy of the object, which you can rotate and view from different angles on your computer.

What is a 3D scan?

A 3D scan is a three-dimensional image of part of an object’s surface. Sets of 3D scans form a 3D model. Just as 2D photos are made up of pixels, 3D scans are made up of tiny triangles, or polygons. Polygons form a polygonal mesh, which replicates the object’s geometry in minute detail.

What does a 3D scanner do?

A 3D scanner generates 3D scans. A scanner works like a video camera, meaning it takes shots of an object. A camera, however, makes two-dimensional stills, while the scanner captures the geometry of the object’s surface, and the shots it has made are worked into a 3D model rather than a video.

What is 3D scanning used for?

3D scanning is a technology used in cutting-edge workflows. Take the automotive industry. Want to check if a new valve will improve an engine’s performance? 3D scan the valve to make a 3D model, modify it via reverse engineering, and place it into CAD software to see how the valve will perform inside the engine.

How do you use a 3D scanner?

3D scanners are used in a range of industries, from manufacturing to healthcare and VR. Retrofitting heavy machinery, performing quality control of mechanical parts, designing customized prosthetic devices, creating visual effects for movies, developing characters for video games – all such projects have high-precision 3D models of physical objects at their core.

Industrial design & engineering

Innovative 3D scanners are widely used in industrial design, engineering, and manufacturing, due to their ability to quickly and precisely capture the required data. Without these advanced 3D devices, measurements would have to be collected by outdated manual methods, which can be too costly and time-consuming. Useful during each stage of product design, testing, development, launch, and aftercare, powerful 3D scanning solutions significantly accelerate the workflow, help avoid costly mistakes, and enhance productivity.

To decide which 3D tool is best for various applications in this field, it is important to take into consideration the size and features of the object to be captured.

For instance, large industrial objects such as trucks, trains, and even planes are best captured with a versatile, stationary 3D scanner. These types of scanners require minimal supervision and interaction with the operator, yet deliver accurate results in brief periods of time.

 

Capture large objects in detail with a long-distance stationary 3D scanner

 

If you are planning to scan objects that aren’t as large as those listed above, with many intricate details that need to be captured in high resolution, it’s a good idea to proceed with a handheld 3D scanner. These 3D tools are flexible, easy to use, and capture small objects and complex geometries with the highest precision.

 

Create highly-accurate scans with a handheld 3D scanner

 

As well, ask yourself what needs to be done with the acquired 3D data. Will it be used for analysis, reverse-engineering, 3D printing, or something else? Whichever option you end up going with, it’s vital to pair it with powerful 3D scanning software, for multiple applications such as rapid prototyping, quality control, and many others. Some high-end 3D scanners are specifically designed to work with a variety of widely used CAD/CAM and 3D modeling software, offering even more possibilities for its users.

Medical industry

The healthcare industry has greatly benefited from integrating 3D scanning into its numerous procedures. Used for research, patient care, and creating personalized medical solutions, it has brought remarkable changes to the field. Speed, precision, and most importantly, the safety of various stationary and portable 3D scanners, have allowed medical professionals from all over the world to implement and make the most of these pioneering technologies, significantly improving existing processes while creating new ones.

 

Portable 3D scanning improving healthcare for patients across the world

 

For example, with the help of 3D scanning, healthcare practitioners can now effortlessly and quickly perform a complete body scan. This can be done with either a stationary or handheld 3D solution. Doctors can then work with the scan data to carry out research and monitor changes in body measurements that occur over time. 3D scanning has also made obtaining and comparing accurate pre-op and post-op data from patients far simpler.

Creating custom healthcare solutions, such as back braces, implants, prostheses, and even personalised wheelchairs has also become faster and easier. The required data can easily be captured by a 3D scanner, processed in specialized 3D software, and then sent for manufacture via a milling machine or a 3D printer.

Forensics

Advanced 3D scanning technologies are becoming increasingly popular in forensics as well, due to their portability, flexibility, and accuracy. And professional 3D scanning solutions are now being used around the world by police forces, multiple insurance companies, and even during court hearings for presenting evidence!

3D scanning in forensics is all about portability, flexibility and accuracy. For example, a portable 3D scanner with high accuracy and the ability to scan both indoors and outdoors, even in direct sunlight, makes the job of collecting forensic data easier than ever before.

Compared to the traditional methods of data capture in forensics, including photography, tape measures, etc., 3D scanning has proven itself as an extremely powerful technology with the ability to capture highly accurate data in a matter of minutes. These advanced technologies are used for a variety of forensic applications, for example, capturing the complete scene of the crime or its separate parts before the evidence is officially collected. 3D scanning is also excellent at digitizing the recovered evidence itself, creating simulations where numerous crime scenarios can be performed, analyzed, etc.

Findings and conclusions made based on the acquired 3D scanned data are so accurate and reliable that they are often presented as evidence in court not only by police, but also by insurance companies. 

Various companies offer a selection of powerful 3D scanning tools, yet only a few of them are truly revolutionary. For example, a tetherless 3D scanner with onboard 3D data processing, and an inbuilt touchscreen and battery, which captures data equally well both indoors and outdoors, even in direct sunlight.

 

3D scanning is used in forensics for crime-scene reconstruction, collecting evidence, and much more

Archeology and Heritage Preservation

Other fields that have implemented 3D scanning technologies into their many workflows include archeology and heritage preservation.

 

Creating a digital replica of an ancient artifact with a white light 3D scanner

 

Applications of 3D scanning in archeology and heritage preservation are truly countless. The latest 3D technologies are now more than ever before bringing history back to life and making it easily accessible to people around the world by creating highly accurate digital replicas of various artifacts. From recreating items from a tiny shard found during an excavation to creating online museums featuring hundreds of exhibits, 3D scanning technologies are radically changing the way we preserve, exhibit, and learn about archaeology and heritage preservation.

When it comes to choosing the best 3D solutions in these fields, it is important to keep the scanning environment in mind. It is highly likely that you will have to scan an artifact directly onsite, wherever that may be. Opt for 3D scanners that can operate in outdoor conditions, including under direct sunlight. Also, make sure you choose devices which can be combined with an external power source such as a portable battery pack, so that you are able to scan for hours on end wherever your application takes you. Because accurate capture is essential for the exact restoration and depiction of the object being scanned, it is worth choosing a highly precise handheld 3D scanner.

However, while portable 3D scanners are mainly suited for small to medium-sized objects, if your project requires capturing overly large objects, such as tall monuments or buildings, you can take advantage of a professional stationary LIDAR solution, which is able to capture significant amounts of data in a shorter period of time. A combination of handheld and stationary scanners will work best if you are capturing a range of different sized artifacts or a very large object with intricate sections.

Art & Design

VR game developers, Hollywood SFX artists and talented art designers are just a few of the professionals who are implementing versatile 3D scanning technologies into their workflows to inject some magic into the world of art and design.

 

 

Used for creating visually stunning special effects in movies, developing immersive, ultra-realistic VR applications, or even designing a beautiful evening gown, 3D scanning helps transform dreams into reality in a completely new way.

The choice of the best scanners to use for art and design depends on what or who needs to be captured and for what purposes. For example, if you are thinking about capturing a person to create a life-like avatar for games or VR projects, it’s better to focus on 3D solutions that are safe, easy to use, and capture data fast. A portable solution that gives you an accurate full-body scan will be your best bet.

For small items, or objects with intricate details, such as interior decor pieces or jewelry, choose a highly accurate 3D scanner that can create 3D models with vibrant colors and unparalleled precision and that isn’t afraid of hard-to-scan surfaces!

WRITTEN BY:

Natalia Kivolya

Tech reporters

Best 3D scanners — review by Artec 3D

After reviewing the top 3D scanner lists available on the Internet, we noticed that most don’t include information about the key parameters of the objects you need to scan. Important categories such as object size and the application(s) you’ll be using the scanner for are not covered. This review aims to fill this gap and help you find the best 3D solution for your project.

What is 3D Scanning? | Laser Design

First of all, let’s be clear that 3D laser scanning is not magical. True, the technologies that make it possible are very advanced and quite amazing. But behind the mirrors—found in the laser probe (without any smoke)—there is a lot of know-how and experience that makes the laser scanning experience seem so easy to Laser Design customers.

Read on or watch our video on What is 3D Scanning?

What is 3D Scanning?
3D Laser Scanning is a non-contact, non-destructive technology that digitally captures the shape of physical objects using a line of laser light. 3D laser scanners create “point clouds” of data from the surface of an object. In other words, 3D laser scanning is a way to capture a physical object’s exact size and shape into the computer world as a digital 3-dimensional representation.

3D laser scanners measure fine details and capture free-form shapes to quickly generate highly accurate point clouds. 3D laser scanning is ideally suited to the measurement and inspection of contoured surfaces and complex geometries which require massive amounts of data for their accurate description and where doing this is impractical with the use of traditional measurement methods or a touch probe.

The 3D Scanning Process:

Data Acquisition via 3D Laser Scanning
3D Laser Scanning Process An object that is to be laser scanned is placed on the bed of the digitizer. Specialized software drives the laser probe above the surface of the object. The laser probe projects a line of laser light onto the surface while 2 sensor cameras continuously record the changing distance and shape of the laser line in three dimensions (XYZ) as it sweeps along the object.

Resulting Data
The shape of the object appears as millions of points called a “point cloud” on the computer monitor as the laser moves around capturing the entire surface shape of the object. The process is very fast, gathering up to 750,000 points per second and very precise (to ±.0005″).

Modeling Choice Depends on Application
After the huge point cloud data files are created, they are registered and merged into one three-dimensional representation of the object and post-processed with various software packages suitable for a specific application.

Point Cloud Data for Inspection
If the data is to be used for inspection, the scanned object can be compared to the designer’s CAD nominal data. The result of this comparison process is delivered in the form of a “color map deviation report,” in PDF format, which pictorially describes the differences between the scan data and the CAD data.

CAD Model for Reverse Engineering
Laser scanning is the fastest, most accurate, and automated way to acquire 3D digital data for reverse engineering. Again, using specialized software, the point cloud data is used to create a 3D CAD model of the part’s geometry. The CAD model enables the precise reproduction of the scanned object, or the object can be modified in the CAD model to correct imperfections. Laser Design can provide a surface model or the more complex solid model, whichever results are needed for the application.

 

Have additional questions? Check out our Glossary, sign-up for our eNewsletter, watch the 3D Laser Scanning Video or ask a question of your own!

90,000 technologies, methods and principles of 3D scanners

04/16/2021

Content

    • What is 3D scan and why it is used by
    • How 3D scanner
    • 3D scan technologies
    • Methods 3D
      • Contact 3D scanners
      • Non-contact 3D scanners
    • Types of 3D scanners according to the principle of use
    • Advantages and disadvantages of 3D scanners
    • Things to consider when choosing a 3D scanner
    • Applications

Currently, few people are not familiar with such a concept as 3D printing. Many companies are using modern 3D printers with might and main, recreating layouts of various shapes and sizes with their help. There are also those that recreate whole objects - not only small ones (for example, phone cases, souvenirs, sneakers), but also large ones (houses, engine parts, etc.). But all this would not be possible without 3D scanners. It is they who allow you to accurately copy almost anything - from huge buildings and structures to humans, animals, small objects and much more.

What is 3D scanning and what is it used for

Three-dimensional scanning is a technology that appeared in the 60s of the 20th century. It was created in order to transfer the physical parameters of the object into a digital format in the form of a three-dimensional model. The need for this naturally arose when people around the world increasingly began to use computers both in everyday life and in production.

The first samples of 3D scanners were quite simple and did not have wide functionality. Gradually, they became more complex and improved, making it possible to achieve an ever clearer image of the object. This has become especially relevant with the advent of lasers.


3D scanners allow you to transfer object data into digital format

3D scanning has opened up new opportunities in various areas of human activity - from the automotive industry and the military industry to design, medicine and cinema.

How a 3D scanner works

A 3D scanner is a device that examines an object by digitizing it using sensors and using the information received to create a three-dimensional model. In fact, a 3D scanner creates a digital copy of a physical object of any configuration and complexity. In this, it fundamentally differs from its predecessors - conventional scanners that can only read information from documents and photos.

The scanning process itself can take place in different ways - depending on the type of 3D device and the technology used, as well as on what object you want to process with it - moving or static.

3D Scanning Technologies

There are 2 main types of 3D scanners - laser and optical. Their fundamental difference lies in how and with the help of what the “removal” of data takes place. Let's take a closer look at both.

Laser 3D scanning, as the name implies, uses a laser and can be carried out both at short and long distances from the object.


Laser Scanner

For the most part, 3D laser scanners work on the principle of triangulation, when the camera finds a beam on the surface of an object and measures the distance to it, after which a cloud of points is created, each of which has its own coordinates in space, and a 3D model is built. Their "advantages" are affordable price and ease of use combined with high scanning accuracy. Of the "minuses" - there are restrictions on the remoteness and size of the object.

Another type of laser scanner works by measuring the response time of a beam from the surface of an object - the so-called laser range finder. They are widely used where it is necessary to create 3D models of various buildings and structures. It is not advisable to use them at short distances, since in such cases the response time is very short and the accuracy of the data is reduced. Otherwise, this type of scanner is characterized by high scanning speed and the ability to read all the details.

The disadvantage of laser scanners is the impossibility of their use on moving objects. Then optical 3D scanners come to the rescue, which shoot with one or more cameras from different angles an object illuminated by a special projector. Based on the received image, a three-dimensional image is built.


Optical scanner

A "contraindication" for the use of this technology are reflective and translucent surfaces - shiny, mirror or transparent. But when scanning a person, they are simply irreplaceable.

3D scanning methods

Any object can be digitized both by contact and non-contact methods. In the first case, active interaction with the subject is necessary, in the second, accordingly, no. Both of these methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

Contact 3D scanners

They have a mechanical probe with a special sensor that measures parameters and transmits the collected information to the device. To do this, the object under study is placed on a special surface and fixed (if necessary). Such tight physical contact makes it possible to determine and then build a 3D image as accurately as possible, however, there is a small risk of damage to the prototype.

Non-contact 3D scanners

This category includes all devices capable of scanning at a distance. This is especially true for objects located in hard-to-reach places.


Non-contact 3D scanner

A stream of radiation (it can be ultrasound, light, X-rays or a laser) is directed to the object and reflected from it, it is recognized by the 3D scanner. They are similar in principle to a video camera and may require the use of additional devices for better lighting.

Non-contact 3D scanners come in 2 types:

  • Active - work with the help of a laser beam or structured light directed at an object, which, when reflected, give information about the location of the object in the form of coordinates.

  • Passive - use time-of-flight rangefinders that read the time and distance that the laser beam travels to the object, and so - for each point in space, which ultimately allows you to accurately recreate its three-dimensional image.

Desktop 3D scanners are very popular and widespread, since they are mostly simple and safe to use, do not require any special technical skills and are quite cheap. The EinScan-SE 3D scanner is one such example. It can be used both at home and in the office. It has access to the API of many popular 3D printers, which makes it possible to immediately print the created three-dimensional model.

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Types of 3D scanners according to the principle of use

There is also a variety of species here. Let's highlight the main ones:

  • Manual: The are handy and simple models that are easy to use as they are quite compact and do not require special skills. True, their technical capabilities may be somewhat limited.

  • Portable: are mainly used for field work, they are convenient to take with you.

  • Desktop: have extended functionality and are used to create high-quality 3D models. Most often used in offices.

  • Stationary: are used, as a rule, in production, various enterprises, as they can scan a large number of objects of the same type at once. Mounted on special turntables.


Handheld 3D Scanner Calibry

Such a choice of products allows you to select the right model for a specific task. In some cases, scanners independently measure objects, in others - with the help of a person who sequentially moves the device until all the necessary information is collected.

Such options for hand-held 3D scanners as Calibry are in high demand among buyers. Despite the apparent simplicity of execution, it has a high resolution and scanning accuracy, due to which it is able to digitize objects with a length of 0.2 to 10 meters. Objects that have a non-standard surface - dark or shiny, with a large number of corners and small details will not become a problem either. Among other things, its undoubted advantage is its low weight, only 900 grams.

Advantages and disadvantages of 3D scanners

Surely, many of the potential buyers are wondering: do you really need a 3D scanner to invest a lot of money in it? What can this acquisition give and will such an investment be justified?


3D scanning has become an integral part of any modern manufacturing process

In order to understand how much you need this equipment, we will list its advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits:

  • They make it possible to scan objects located at a remote distance and in places inaccessible to the presence.

  • They have the ability to "read" not only colors and images, but also to convey the texture of the surface.

  • Significantly speed up the process of "taking" data from any object, even a very complex one with a large number of planes.

  • A variety of models allows you to choose the most convenient version of the scanner, including manual or portable, which can be easily taken with you.

Weaknesses:

  • Some scanners are unable to recognize transparent or black and white objects. In this case, their preliminary preparation (treatment with a special composition) is required.

  • I do not always display complex objects correctly, with a large number of inserts and partitions.

  • To obtain a high-quality result, they require skills and abilities to work with certain computer programs for creating 3D models.

  • If the rules of operation are constantly violated, it may become necessary for expensive repairs to the equipment.

If you need high-precision and high-quality three-dimensional copies of objects, then you cannot do without a 3D scanner. It makes it possible to work in almost any conditions - indoors and outdoors, and with any objects by type and size. It is not surprising that now these devices are in great demand, which gives rise to the annual release of a large number of models, from which you can always choose the one that suits you in terms of quality and price.

What to consider when choosing a 3D scanner

The computer equipment market offers a huge amount of all kinds of equipment, including devices for three-dimensional scanning. Navigating that variety is sometimes not at all easy: some buyers are only concerned about the cost, others are interested in the number of options (sometimes completely useless), but the most far-sighted look at the ratio of the first and second.


Choosing the right 3D scanner is a big deal

It is not always easy to take into account all the technical points that can significantly affect what result will be ultimately achieved. We will tell you what you should pay attention to if you are thinking about buying a 3D scanner.

Focus on the following parameters:

  • How high is the accuracy of the 3D scanner. This is one of the most important features. It needs to be targeted first.

  • Resolution also plays an important role. It follows from the first, since the accuracy of measurements and the quality of copying depend on the resolution.

  • In what range the device operates, how close / far it can be from the scanned object.

  • The scanning field is the parameters of that object, thing that it is able to process in 1 session.

  • Does the scanner capture various atypical types of surfaces with complex terrain - channels, partitions, holes, etc.).

  • Portability, mobility of the device - how easy it can be moved if desired, taken with you, its size.

  • The time it takes to prepare for work, as well as the duration of the digitization process itself.

  • The range of possibilities in terms of copying: are there any restrictions on shapes, textures, material, as well as operating conditions - temperature, light, etc.

Of course, the better the quality of the 3D scanner, the more expensive it is. However, you should focus primarily on the tasks that you face, and only then take into account everything else.

Applications

Three-dimensional scanners are in demand in many areas of human life. They are irreplaceable both in the industry, and for household needs. The range of their application is so wide that it is possible to list for a very long time. It's easier to say where they are not needed.

The most common areas of use are, of course, medicine, industry, architecture, construction, film industry and design.

For example, in dentistry, these devices allow you to create ultra-precise three-dimensional models of dentures. One type of such a scanner is Shining 3D's AutoScan DS-EX PRO, which does a great job with a variety of tasks while being quite affordable and reliable.

Medical 3D Scanner

In engineering, such technologies are also indispensable. Digital building prototypes are now much easier and faster to obtain than in the past, when it required multiple manual measurements and then entered into a database. Any physical object can now be recreated in three-dimensional form, moreover, in the shortest possible time and with a minimum error.

In cinemas, we can see with our own eyes "revived" fantastic characters, which were created using motion capture technology, which made them as realistic and impressive as possible. This would not have been possible without 3D scanners.

A few decades ago, it was even difficult to imagine all the things that we use all the time today. And in many ways this has become achievable thanks to three-dimensional digitization. This approach provides huge advantages in work (especially for technical specialists - engineers, designers, designers), however, in order to use them to the maximum, it is also necessary to understand computer programs for 3D scanning.

We will talk more about this topic in one of our next articles. And if you want to know more about it, stay tuned.

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Expert in the field of additive and subtractive technologies, 3D equipment and CNC machines with over 10 years of experience.

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How does a 3d scanner work? Device, principle and technologies of 3D scanning

3D Scanner is a stationary or small handheld device for scanning objects with complex spatial geometry. Simple scanners process images in a plane, while 3d scans physical volumetric objects, displaying information as a polygonal model or a cloud of points. Three-dimensional scanning devices are used in medicine (dentistry, plastic surgery, making prostheses, organ models, etc.), for creating computer games, in the film industry, design, architecture, engineering, for designing industrial parts, cars, for reconstructing objects in archeology. Scanners analyze and digitally recreate a three-dimensional model of an object, its shape and color with a high degree of detail, working in different conditions (with insufficient visibility, in the dark, with vibration), with any materials, provide the desired format of output information for software for work with her on the computer.

How does a 3D scanner work?

The principle of operation of the 3d scanner is the ability of the device to determine the distance to an object, convert the received data into a digital image (three-dimensional model), transfer it to a computer. The scanner determines the coordinates of points in space on the surface of the processed object, analyzes them, and forms a detailed digital model. Cameras, lasers, rangefinders, devices for illumination are involved in its work.

3D scanning technologies

  • Contact (contacts with the object).
  • Non-contact (without object contact). These are the most promising and new technologies that allow you to create models of objects simply by directing a laser beam, light, waves at them. The scanner is applied at a distance and is able to create a copy of a hard-to-reach object without physical contact with it.

Non-contact 3d scanners

The two most common scanning technologies are optical (passive and radiation) and active laser.

Active emission principle

Scanner emits structured, intermittent light, laser triangulation. A laser beam, a beam of light generated in a special way (diodes, lamp flashes), and waves are directed to the object under study. Based on the analysis of their reflection and position, a three-dimensional copy of the object is formed.

Passive radiation principle

Do not emit anything, analyze the light or infrared (thermal) radiation of an object. Work like a human eye;

Photometric non-contact passive 3d scanning technology

Scanners from this group are represented on the market by the XYZprinting model. These are quite compact simple models that have only basic 3D scanning functions.
Pluses: reasonable price and compactness.

Device

Passive 3d scanner device (on the example of the specified model): housing, one compact camera, USB cable for connecting to a computer and transferring the image of the scanned object to it. Scanner without stand, manual, made in the form of a stapler.

How it works

A light-sensitive camera captures light from an object, processes it, and forms a three-dimensional model, exporting it to a computer. The user can have two modes of operation: scanning a person or objects. To get started, you need to install the software on your computer, connect the device to it via a USB cable, select the operating mode, press the button on the scanner and, slowly swiping it in front of the object, scan.

How the technology works

The device uses passive scanning photometric technology without any radiation and projection onto the object. The work is carried out with a slightly improved simple optical camera that captures visible light. The disadvantage is that if the lighting is insufficient, the object needs to be additionally illuminated.

Scanning is performed using the so-called silhouette method. It reproduces the contours of an object based on a sequence of frames captured by a video camera swept around the object against a well-contrasted background.

Stereoscopic non-contact passive 3d scanning system

Models with non-contact passive scanning technology

This type of device is represented by 3D Systems Sense, 4D Dynamics Gotcha models.

Device and principle of operation of a 3d scanner based on a non-contact passive scanning system

Devices are equipped with two cameras and an infrared sensor. The 3D Systems Sense scanner is made in the form of a stapler, it is a compact handheld device, it can be used with a tripod, in Gotcha (with a tripod and a handle), it is included. The principle of operation is passive optical. In both cases, power and data transfer is carried out via a USB cable. The devices have standard modes: scanning a person and an object.

Scan technology

The camera uses this technology to detect infrared (thermal) radiation and normal light reflected from an object. The systems are stereoscopic, that is, they use two cameras. The device compares frames, based on small comparisons of differences between them, determines the distance at each point of the image and recreates the object in digital form.

3d scanners with laser active scanning

This group of devices is represented by the following scanner models: 3D Systems iSense, DAVID Starter-Kit ver.2, MakerBot Digitizer.

Device

Devices have two lasers and a camera. It should be noted that the laser safety of gadgets corresponds to level I, which is completely safe for the eyes. The iSense scanner is designed to work only with the iOS operating system and with Apple iPad above 4 generations. It is made in a compact case, which is installed on a mobile gadget and connected to it with a USB cable, the battery lasts for 4 hours of its operation. It attaches like a webcam, scans and immediately displays the image on the iPad.

Models

DAVID Starter-Kit ver.2 3D scanner device: webcams and laser sensors with automatic adjustment function. The device comes with a tripod and tripod.

Maker Bot Digitizer is slightly different in design from the previous model. The body of the scanner is made as a pedestal, one part of which is a rotating platform, the other is equipped with two lasers on the sides and a camera in the middle. They scan an object located on the site.

How technology works

Let's describe how a 3D scanner works. Laser scanning is based on the triangulation method. This is an active scan tool. It uses laser beams by projecting it onto an object. The laser processes the surface of the object, its points are fixed on its different parts. The camera captures the laser dots on it, the angle of displacement of the laser beam and transmits the data to a computer with the appropriate software, which forms the object in digital form.

The scanning technology is called “triangulation”, because the triangle of the device's functional elements is involved in the work: the laser point on the object, its emitter, and the camera. In most cases, the dot is formed by a laser streak or spot passing over the surface of the object.

Structured light 3d scanning technology

Models that use structured or intermittent light technology in their work: DAVID SLS-2, RangeVision Smart, RangeVision Standard Plus, RangeVision Advanced, RangeVision Premium. A separate group includes manual Artec Spider, Artec Eva, Artec Eva Lite.

Device

The main functional elements of these devices are cameras and a light source that structures it in a special way and directs it to the scanned object. In the DAVID SLS-2 model, a video projector serves as a light source. These are mounted on a tripod with a tripod, which are included. This allows you to set up and calibrate instruments, install them in different positions and securely fix them, reducing vibration. Light sources in devices are halogen lamps, diodes, video projector.

Artec Spider, Artec Eva, Artec Eva Lite are made in a compact body with an iron-like handle. The handle has control buttons and outputs for interface and power cords. At the bottom there is also a hole for standard photo tripods and legs for fixing the device on the surface. 3d scanner device has the following. From the bottom it is equipped with a 3D camera (there are three of them in Artec Spider) with increased resolution, from the top of the device - a flash (projector) of structured illumination, a central color texture camera in the middle, along with light sources in the form of 6 or 12 diode bulbs.

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