How Does 3D Scanning Work?
3D scanners are revolutionising the market, and Solid Print3D is a top seller of some of the most reputable brands in the industry. Choose from the wide range of products that we have on offer to find the best solution to all your 3D scanning needs.
With our range of Peel 3D and Creaform scanners, you can ‘point and shoot’ your device at your object to create highly accurate electronic 3D models, which are then sent straight to your computer.
3D scanners work by projecting thousands of lasers per second. These lasers will then reflect off the object’s surfaces and back towards the 3D scanner. The scanner’s powerful processing unit will process these reflected lasers, and 3D scanning software will manipulate this information to create a virtual 3D model.
3D scanning has exploded in the last few years with faster processing times, easy-to-use software, and improvements in terms of portability and hardware. 3D scanning a room or buildings, not to mention the transition from 3D scanning to 3D printing, has never been easier.
Meet the Brands
At Solid Print3D, we have a range of 3D scanners suitable for various applications, from capturing fine detail to medium to large objects. And, with the Leica BLK360, you can now capture your environment with a scanning range of up to 60m.
Whatever your business may be, we can assist you in finding the right product for your required application. Simply speak to one of our experts today.
Peel 3D
Peel 3D scanners are suitable for a range of applications, such as capturing fine detail with the Peel 2 CAD-S to capturing objects from 0.3 to 3.0 m (1 to 10 ft) using the Peel 2 CAD. You can also use the Peel 2 CAD-S with the Peel 2 CAD to combine scans to streamline your workflow.
Creaform
Creaform’s metrology-grade handheld 3D scanners have an accuracy of 20 microns. Creaform 3D scanners are ideal for aerospace and detailed engineering applications. Engineers can scan parts and use computer simulations to perform numerous tests on their designs or even 3D print their developed parts.
Leica
The Leica BLK360 is suitable for various applications where accurate large-scale 3D scanning is required. This scanner is ideal for construction and real-estate. The BLK360 can capture up to 60m in one scan with an accuracy of 6mm @ 10m / 8mm @ 20m. Combine and work efficiently in real time with point cloud data captured by the BLK360.
Applications Of Our Top-Of-The-Range Products
3D scanning technology has a wide range of uses, and each of our products is specially designed to excel in certain areas. Read below to see which of our products are best-suited for the job.
Fine Detail
Scan in detail at an affordable price with the Peel 2 CAD-S. This scanner can create high-resolution, quality scans in just a matter of minutes. Use the Peel 2 CAD scanner to create an initial map of the part, then use the Peel 2 CAD-S to scan the more intricate details.
This method has exploded in the automotive industry in particular, as engineers are able to produce detailed scans down to the nearest 0.1mm in under 20 minutes. 3D scanning services have never been this efficient.
The Peel 2 CAD-S has a depth of field of 100mm and offers a mesh resolution of 0.1mm. This handheld 3D scanner is capable of capturing fine detail such as textures between 50-250 DPI.
Metrology-Grade Scanning
Creaform’s range of handheld scanners unlock limitless reverse engineering possibilities with their highly accurate metrology 3D scanning. These scanners are ideal for reverse engineering parts that require a high degree of accuracy and tight tolerances. What’s more, these versatile and portable scanners allow you to scan parts on-site quickly and easily.
Engineers can scan parts and use computer simulations to perform numerous tests on their designs, bringing their design to the market with a reduced lead time and cost.
The Creaform HandySCAN 3D in particular is one of the best pieces of equipment from their range. With an accuracy of 0.25mm, you can achieve a very high level of precision when 3D scanning small objects with this scanner. Because of its accuracy, repeat scans will have identical results every single time, no matter what environment you may be working in.
Medium – Large
The Peel 2 CAD scanner can capture parts from 0.3 to 3.0m (1 to 10ft), which is ideal for medium- to large-sized objects. This handheld device can capture these objects with an accuracy of up to 0.250mm. The Peel 2 CAD is an affordable handheld scanner suitable for a range of mechanical and civil engineering applications.
The Peel 3D Bundle includes the Peel 2 CAD-S and Peel 2 CAD 3D scanner. You can capture fine detail with the Peel 2 CAD-S and medium-sized objects faster with the Peel 2 CAD, then combine the mesh data within Peel3D for high efficacy.
Because these 3D scanners can easily and automatically detect objects’ shapes, users can get to work quickly with no preparation needed. Even the smoothest and flattest surfaces can be scanned with ease, simply by using stick-on markers.
Find out more about the Peel 2 CAD here.
Large Spaces
Leica’s BLK360 can scan large open spaces, capturing up to 60m in one scan. Multiple scans can be made and joined together to create large interactive maps of an area. Using this tool has made manual, labour-intensive physical measuring redundant.
Simply put the scanner in place and wait 10 minutes while it scans. Shortly afterwards, the virtual model will be uploaded directly to your phone. 3D scanning rooms and buildings has never been easier.
With the simple push of a button, you can immediately get to work with this scanner. What’s more, it is highly portable and can be transported and used with no hassle.
Find out more below about the BLK360.
Why Purchase From Solid Print3D?
Solid Print3D has been in the industry for years, making sure that our wide range of products come with proven quality and affordable prices.
We provide our customers in the UK with a next-day delivery service. If you require urgent delivery, simply get in touch, and we will see if we can accommodate your request.
If your equipment gets damaged, we are more than willing to assist. We can also give you recommendations on what printer to buy, taking your specific needs in mind.
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly staff on 01926 333 777 or by emailing info@solidprint3d.co.uk.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is 3D scanning?
3D capturing technology is a non-destructive, non-contact method of capturing the form of physical objects with the use of laser lights. The laser scanners used for this create “point clouds” of data from the object’s surface. Because of its wide range of uses, 3D scanning equipment has become widespread and commonplace across various industries.
What is 3D laser scanning in construction?
When it comes to 3D scanning for construction, a scanner is used to accurately capture the details of a construction site or existing building. By using laser light, the scanners can create 3D representations which contain the data that is used to precisely give a virtual model of the shape and size measurements of physical objects.
What is the purpose of a 3D scanner?
A 3D scanner is primarily used to produce a digital 3D model of a real, physical object. The resulting 3D model will be comprised of geometric samples of the surface of the object targeted. The point clouds can be used to then extrapolate the object’s actual shape in a process known as “reconstruction”.
What industries use 3D scanning?
Scanning is used in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, entertainment, construction, and the automobile industry. 3D scanning for reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, quality inspection, and body scans in these industries are extremely popular today because of the innovative products on the market that make these processes easy, efficient, and affordable.
Who invented the 3D scanner?
The person who designed the first type of 3D scanner for objects and models was François Willème, a French artist known for his paintings, sculptures, and photography. He developed a process for producing a type of portrait sculpture using synchronised projections.
3D scanning today is much more sophisticated, thanks to advances in technology.
How does 3D imaging work?
3D imaging is a process reliant on stereography, which works in the same way as human sight does. In the same way that humans use two eyes to see things, this scanning method uses two lenses to capture a 3D model. Hence, the resulting 3D models contain twice as much information as 2D images.
How long does it take to 3D scan?
The three-dimensional scanning process, together with the post-processing of the data, may take anywhere from thirty minutes to a few hours. This depends on the model being scanned – its size, shape, complexity, and more. All of these factors can either shorten or lengthen the scanning time needed.
How accurate is 3D laser scanning?
When an object is scanned through a 3D scanner, millions of points are captured as lasers circle around the entire shape of the object. The procedure is extremely quick, capturing around 750,000 points per second. And, because the scanner is working with so many points, accuracy is pretty much guaranteed to within +/- 0.0005”.
How do you do a 3D scan?
Follow these steps when using three-dimensional handheld scanning equipment:
- Coat the object with a temporary matte powder, to guarantee the accuracy of the scan. This step may not be necessary with more sophisticated scanners.
- Scan the object.
- Refine the mesh.
- Import the mesh to CAD.
- Extract important surfaces.
- Integrate new objects.
After that, you are now ready to 3D print.
How do I clean up my 3D scanner?
Below is a brief guide to follow when cleaning your 3D scanning device:
- Unplug the power cord from the scanner, if applicable.
- Wipe off the dirt from the scanner glass using a lint-free, soft cloth.
- If the glass is smudged or has other contaminants, put a small amount of glass cleaner on a microfibre cloth and wipe the glass.
The Growing Popularity Of 3D Scanners
Nowadays, 3D scanners are becoming increasingly popular due to their imaging accuracy, which provides very precise models of real-life objects. They have now become integral to the workflow of many different industries.
Given the demand for 3D scanning, many companies are now investing in their own 3D scanners regardless of the costs. These pieces of equipment are now a mainstay in industries like healthcare, and even entertainment and the media.
A Brief Guide To Buying A 3D Scanner
When you are buying 3D surveying equipment, it’s important to ensure you’re getting the most suitable one for your industry’s needs. Given that there are a plethora of 3D scanners on the market today, you need to know what you’re looking for.
A few factors you should consider are measuring capacity, size, accuracy, repeatability, and price. Once you have narrowed down the specifics that you need, consider the hardware and the accompanying software.
Taking all these factors into account will make it easier to choose the best 3D scanner for the job.
3D Laser Scans: What You Need To Know About Point Cloud
3D laser scanners create millions of points known as a point cloud that is based on three-dimensional X, Y, and Z coordinates. These points define the shape of the object, no matter how complex it is or how large it may be.
These scanners operate automatically to gather the data using one or more beams of laser light. After the procedure, multiple overlapping scans are performed, and the results are stitched together.
In order to get accurate scans, it’s important that the area is clean and free from any unwanted materials, such as dust or debris. Industrial 3D scanning equipment is often placed on a tripod to achieve a stable and accurate scan. The targets are also typically placed on columns so the scans can be aligned during the stitching process.
3D Scanning In Forensics
Today, 3D scanners like the Peel 2 CAD are being used in complex investigations to speed up the documentation of crime or accident scenes. Because these scenes cannot be accurately analysed through human observation alone, the best solution is to capture them using a 3D scanner.
So far, this method has proven to be effective and efficient. For example, a 3D laser scanner has been used to record the scene of a helicopter accident. The scan included the surrounding topography, such as trees that had been damaged by the crash.
The scans gave the investigators an accurate way to digitally capture the entire accident scene with a high degree of accuracy. This was a crucial first step in recreating the accident and determining the sequence of events that might have led to the crash.
To find out more about handheld 3D scanning and how it may be of use to your industry, feel free to ask our staff. Visit our online store today and browse our wide range of quality products.
