3D scanning has become an indispensable tool in the modern 3D printing workflow, acting as both a starting point and a quality control measure. For professionals like engineers and product designers, as well as hobbyists, 3d Printer Scan Tools offer a fast and efficient method to create digital 3D models. This could involve reverse engineering existing parts, digitizing handcrafted designs, or capturing precise human body shapes for custom-fit products.
Beyond design, 3D printer scan tools are invaluable after the 3D printing process. They can be used for quality assurance, verifying the dimensional accuracy of printed parts. Moreover, by scanning parts after use, a 3D printer scan tool can reveal performance insights, highlighting areas needing design improvements based on deformation or wear.
The market offers a wide array of 3D printer scan tools, from handheld to desktop systems, making the selection process complex. To help navigate these options, this article will explore the critical factors to consider when investing in a 3D printer scan tool. We will also showcase key applications where the synergy of 3D scanning and 3D printing unlocks new potentials.
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3D Scanning and 3D Printing for Reverse Engineering and Other Applications
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Exploring 3D Scanner Technologies as 3D Printer Tools
Several 3D scanning technologies are available, each with unique strengths and weaknesses that make them suitable for different applications as 3D printer scan tools.
Laser triangulation is a technology that projects laser light onto an object to capture detailed measurements. As a 3D printer scan tool, laser triangulation scanners are known for their high accuracy, capturing millions of points per second. This precision makes them excellent for scanning intricate parts with opaque surfaces, ideal for reverse engineering or creating highly detailed 3D prints.
However, laser triangulation scanners have limitations. Their reliance on stable laser projection makes them less common in portable 3D printer scan tools. They also struggle with transparent or shiny surfaces, often requiring the application of reflective markers, which can be cumbersome. Safety is another consideration; laser dots can be harmful, necessitating precautions when scanning humans or animals. Always ensure the laser 3D printer scan tool is certified eye-safe, especially for sensitive applications.
Structured light scanners, also known as white light or blue light scanners, utilize projected light patterns and cameras to capture 3D shapes. As 3D printer scan tools, they are versatile, available in both stationary and portable formats, with handheld versions being particularly popular. Structured light scanning is safer for scanning living subjects, making it a preferred 3D printer scan tool in medical and veterinary applications. These scanners excel at capturing objects that are not perfectly still, a significant advantage in dynamic environments. While traditionally slower than laser scanners, modern structured light 3D printer scan tools have improved significantly in speed and efficiency.
Structured light scanning is frequently employed in handheld 3D printer scan tools due to its versatility and safety.
Depth-sensing cameras are another type of 3D printer scan tool that projects infrared (IR) dots to map a scene in 3D. These cameras are user-friendly and represent the most affordable scanning option. However, their simplicity comes with trade-offs in accuracy and resolution. Depth-sensing 3D printer scan tools may lose fine details and are less accurate over distance or at sharp angles. While suitable for capturing large objects for scale models, they are generally not recommended for applications requiring high precision in 3D printing.
Photogrammetry is a technique that uses overlapping photographs to derive 3D measurements. As a 3D printer scan tool, photogrammetry is accessible, often utilized in smartphone apps. By taking multiple photos of an object from different angles, software algorithms convert these images into a 3D model. Photogrammetry is the least expensive entry point into 3D scanning and can be useful for hobbyist 3D printing projects. However, it is also the least accurate method and generally not suitable for professional or business-critical 3D printing applications.
LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors are integrated into some high-end smartphones and tablets, such as recent iPhone and iPad Pro models. These devices offer a step up from photogrammetry for mobile 3D printer scan tools. While still not as precise as dedicated scanners, LiDAR-equipped devices provide better detail and accuracy for on-the-go scanning needs. For users who occasionally need to scan objects for 3D printing and possess CAD skills, smartphones with LiDAR can serve as adequate entry-level 3D printer scan tools. However, expect to perform post-processing in CAD software to refine the mesh and fill gaps for optimal 3D printing results.
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Key Factors in Selecting a 3D Printer Scan Tool
Accuracy vs. Price of 3D Printer Scan Tools
The accuracy of a 3D printer scan tool is a critical factor, varying significantly across different technologies, and generally, higher accuracy correlates with a higher price. The tolerance requirements of your final 3D printed part should guide your accuracy needs for a 3D printer scan tool.
| High Price, Highest Accuracy ($15,000 and more) | More Affordable, High Accuracy ($12,000 and under) | Low price, Low Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Zeiss T-Scan Hawk Scantech Simscan EviXscan Optima+ M Creaform HandyScan 307 Silver Series |
peel 3d peel 1, peel 2 & peel 2-SFARO Freestyle 2 Polyga Compact S1 |
iPhone Pro and iPad Pro Structure Sensor Matter and Form 3D Scanner V2 Revopoint POP |
For professional 3D printing applications demanding high precision, laser and structured light 3D printer scan tools, with accuracies of 0.1 mm or better, are well-suited. These accuracy levels align with the capabilities of high-resolution 3D printers like Formlabs SLA resin 3D printers (e.g., Form 3+), which offer similar precision and build volumes to many desktop 3D scanners.
Beyond accuracy, resolution is another crucial specification of a 3D printer scan tool. Resolution refers to the density of captured points at a given scan distance, determining the level of detail a scanner can capture. A high-accuracy, low-resolution 3D printer scan tool might capture the overall shape of an object but miss finer details. Consider your project requirements to determine if resolution is as critical as accuracy.
To simplify, accuracy is the measurement error, while resolution is the density of measurement points. Accuracy can be defined differently among manufacturers and technologies. For instance, handheld 3D printer scan tool accuracy can depend on the distance to the object and the quality of scan reconstruction, whereas desktop scanners offer consistent accuracy within their fixed scan volume. When comparing 3D printer scan tools for precise measurements, ensure you are comparing comparable metrics.
Structured light scanning generally provides the best combination of resolution and accuracy compared to laser scanning, making it a preferred choice for many 3D printing applications. For artistic 3D printing projects where detail is paramount but absolute accuracy is less critical, photogrammetry can be a cost-effective 3D printer scan tool option.
Depth-sensing cameras and photogrammetry are adequate for scanning large objects for 3D printed scale models or capturing human body shapes. Entry-level laser 3D printer scan tools offer a starting point for replicating small objects at a 1:1 scale. While less accurate than high-end models, they can provide sufficient detail for decorative objects and figures where extreme precision is not required. For occasional 3D scanning needs, consider using professional digitization services, which can handle the scanning, CAD translation, and accuracy inspection, providing a hassle-free solution.
Volume and Coverage of 3D Printer Scan Tools
The scan volume of a 3D printer scan tool is another important consideration, referring to the size of the area it can capture in a single scan. Choose a scanner that matches your size and resolution needs. Larger scan volumes and higher accuracy typically increase the cost.
Handheld 3D printer scan tools offer greater flexibility in scan volume. Being manually moved around the object, they are less constrained by size compared to desktop scanners. Affordable handheld models can scan objects ranging from the size of a basketball to entire rooms. High-end handheld scanners extend this range even further, accommodating objects that require precise measurements but are too large for desktop scanners. Their portability also makes them ideal for capturing human measurements quickly, essential for ergonomic and medical applications where subject movement is a factor.
If parts of an object are not visible to the 3D printer scan tool, gaps will occur in the 3D model. While software can automatically repair small gaps to create a printable model, these repairs are rarely perfectly accurate. For applications requiring high fidelity, manual repair using CAD software is often necessary. Refer to MeshMixer tutorials for advanced techniques in editing and repairing 3D files for 3D printing.
Many 3D printer scan tools use turntables to improve coverage. Sophisticated turntables can rotate objects on multiple axes, allowing the scanner to capture data from more angles, which is crucial for complex geometries. This feature is particularly beneficial in reverse engineering intricate parts with deep recesses or ribs that are impossible to capture from a single viewpoint.
3D printer scan tools with turntables can rotate objects to minimize occlusion. Red regions in the image represent areas that are occluded and would be missing in a single-view scan. Objects with complex geometries are challenging for single-axis turntables due to occlusion.
Cost is a significant factor; your budget and the frequency of use will influence your choice of 3D printer scan tool. Higher-end scanners justify their price with superior detail capture and minimal need for CAD touch-ups. Handheld scanners often command higher prices due to their portability. The market for low-cost 3D printer scan tools is diverse, but understanding your specific needs is key to making the right choice.
Flowchart: Selecting the Best 3D Printer Scan Tool for Your Application
Use this flowchart to determine the ideal 3D printer scan tool based on your accuracy, scan volume, and budget requirements.
Download the high-resolution version of this infographic here.
How 3D Printer Scan Tools Enhance 3D Printing Capabilities
A 3D printer scan tool significantly expands the versatility of a 3D printer, enabling the replication of virtually any physical object. Together, these technologies create a powerful digital workflow, streamlining and enhancing processes across various industries.
The output from a 3D printer scan tool is typically a mesh of triangles representing the object’s surface in real-world scale. In some cases, this scan data can be used directly for 3D printing without extensive CAD modeling. Hybrid workflows, combining solid CAD models with scanned 3D data, are also powerful. For example, capturing a custom ergonomic shape using a 3D printer scan tool can be seamlessly integrated with a mechanical design created in CAD.
Furthermore, 3D printer scan tools are essential for verifying the accuracy of 3D printed parts. Numerous factors can affect 3D printing accuracy, and metrology-grade 3D scanners provide precise measurements to assess material performance in demanding applications.
The combination of 3D printers and 3D printer scan tools enables a range of powerful workflows:
- Reverse engineering to produce replacement parts or products with customized ergonomics.
- Replication and restoration of artifacts, art pieces, and jewelry.
- Custom audio solutions like personalized earpieces.
- Dental and medical applications, facilitating patient-specific treatments and devices.
- Metrology for validating and measuring the accuracy of manufactured components.
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Building a Streamlined Digital Workflow with 3D Printer Scan Tools and 3D Printing
3D printer scan tools and 3D printers are integral components of digital workflows in numerous industries. To gain deeper insights into leveraging 3D printer scan tools for improved part design and production, download our white paper or watch our webinar. Learn how to effectively pair 3D printing and 3D scanning to empower diverse workflows in engineering, product design, and beyond.
To explore the 3D printing aspect further, discover stereolithography (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing technologies. You can also request a free sample 3D printed part to experience Formlabs advanced 3D printing materials firsthand.
