OUR 3D SCANNER

3D SCANNER – MODERN TECHNOLOGY USED IN MANY INDUSTRIES

Technological developments have had a dramatic impact on our lives and the operations of many industries. A perfect example confirming this thesis are 3D scanners, which are widely used in engineering, medicine, building industry, mining, construction industry, aerospace, entertainment industry, industrial design, and even in fields such as archaeology and paleontology. They make it easy and relatively fast to create any three-dimensional digital object, as well as accurately measure its components. It’s a technology worth learning about, which is why we’ve prepared an article where we’ll cover everything you need to know about 3D scanning equipment. In this way, you will learn what a professional 3D scanner is and how it works.

SCANNER, THAT IS?

A 3D scanner is an optoelectronic device that first precisely analyzes the object under examination and then obtains data on its shape. In this way it is possible to create an accurate three-dimensional digital model. Among 3D scanners we distinguish two groups, which differ in technology and mode of operation. In the first group there are touch scanners, in the second non-contact scanners, which are divided into several additional subcategories:

3D touch (contact) scanner – is a device that scans a shape by direct contact between a special probe and the surface of the object. The probe may be placed on a measuring arm or a plate that is ground and polished to a specified maximum roughness.

Non-contact 3D scanner – as the name suggests, this type of device performs the measurement without direct contact with the examined object. This method is currently the most popular, because it is non-invasive and does not affect the structure of the examined objects. Non-contact 3D scanner can operate on the basis of one of the following technologies:

• Laser or structured light – 3D scanner emits a beam of light and the array captures the reflection or radiation passing through the object under examination. This method is very effective and produces very precise scanning results

• Laser rangefinders – in this case, the scanner is equipped with highly accurate sensors that guarantee precise measurement of the object structure.

• DSLR adapters – a scanner running on DSLR adapter technology is built with multiple DSLR cameras and the scanning process is based on the principle of photogrammetry. In practice, this means that the 3D scan is reconstructed based on the analysis of photographs.

• CT scanning – in this method, 3D scanning is done through a Computed Tomography scanner. This is the technique most commonly used in medicine.

CLASSIFICATION OF 3D SCANNERS IN TERMS OF CONSTRUCTION AND PARAMETERS

You already know how 3D scanners work and how they make a digital model, but before investing in this type of equipment, you should pay attention to the construction of each device and the parameters they have.

Portable 3D scanner – is a handheld scanner that is convenient and very practical. With its help, you can scan an object without the need to split files into separate scans. Handheld 3D scanners work well in places where it is necessary to get to the place of scanning.

Mobile measuring machine – is a portable 3D scanner, completely different in design from the manual models. It is equipped with an arm, on which cameras or probes are mounted, and its construction is based on mounting beams, which are light and stable. The mobile measuring machine is a solution dedicated to 3D measurements in the field as well as indoors.

Stationary measuring machines – work on a similar basis as handheld 3D scanners, but are able to collect a much larger amount of data. They are perfect for scanning objects requiring the highest accuracy of a few microns.

If you are going to invest in professional equipment, it is essential to analyze the technical parameters of each unit. The scanning area, mesh density, scanning speed, the conditions in which the 3D scanner operates and the availability of consumables are important.

What to look for:

• Scan area size,
• Resolution of the cameras at a given scan area,
• File weight (dependent on resolution),
• Quality, density of triangle mesh especially at edges, folds, corners,
• Do you need to cover objects with markers? These are the black dots. Some manufacturers provide ready-made reference frames in which you place the item to be scanned,
• Automatic measurement using a table,
• Scanning speed measured from first scan to receipt of finished STL,
• To check the accuracy of the 3D scanner, do a measurement comparison with the CMM,
• How a scanner scans black, dark items. Typically, all devices require dark surfaces to be covered with chalk spray, but only some scanners can handle dark objects with the right settings,
• Editing and post-production capabilities – whether this is done in software that comes with the scanner or in external software,
• Scanning conditions (should be the same – room temperature),
• Customer service and availability of consumables e.g. reference points, sprays.

Only professional solutions

Our company acts as an experienced specialist, which has been providing 3D scanning services throughout the country for many years. During the work we use Aicon smartSCAN-HE brand equipment, as these are devices equipped with selected components that affect the quality, precision and reliability of the scan. If you are looking for professionals who will provide you with comprehensive 3D scanning services, be sure to analyze our website. You will find there a lot of relevant information and you will be able to find the necessary information in a fast and convenient way.