Review of optical 3D scanners: technology, manufacturers, models





Today we will talk with you about modern optical 3D scanners - high-tech devices that have found their active use in many areas - medicine, science, education, and others.



Introduction





Taken from the site einscan.com



Modern 3D scanners are high-tech devices, the main purpose of which is to create three-dimensional models of various kinds of physical objects. Today we will talk with you about optical scanners, which are used in many professional fields and have a lot of unique capabilities. So, let's begin!



Principle of operation





Taken from the site top3dshop.ru



The principle of operation of optical 3D scanners is simple, the scanning process consists in highlighting objects with structured light created by a projector and shooting reflected light from certain angles. The scanned object is illuminated with a light strip or pattern - a reference monochrome pattern. By processing the reflected signal and calculating the location of points on its surface, based on the difference between the projected and reflected images, the computer obtains information for building a 3D model.





Taken from the site top3dshop.ru



All optical scanners are divided into handheld, desktop and floor scanners. Some models are equipped with a color scanning function.



Advantages and disadvantages





Taken from artec3d.com



Many optical 3D scanners allow obtaining data not only on the location of points, but also on their colors, which compares favorably with laser 3D scanners.



Color information can be very important, sometimes color changes can diagnose deviations in the properties of a part of a part. It is also necessary for the subsequent recreation of the appearance of the object, which is critical if it is not about a technical detail, but about a historical object or art object.





Taken from artec3d.com



Optical tripod scanners are difficult to use for large objects such as vehicles and large parts in mechanical engineering. As a rule, hand-held scanners and tags are used for this purpose. The latter are small black and white sticky notes that are placed on the object surface in order to create anchor points. A large object is scanned piece by piece, and then these separate pieces are stitched together into a solid three-dimensional model.



Another disadvantage of "optics" is that it does a poor job of creating copies of black and shiny objects. However, this problem can be solved in 90% of cases by using a special spray that creates a matte finish.



In terms of price, optical equipment wins, since its acquisition is not associated with such large expenses as when buying laser analogs.



Popular manufacturing companies



Shining 3D







Taken from the site shining3d.com



Optical 3D scanners from several manufacturers are currently on sale. The most popular is the technology of the Shining 3D company, which produces models of the entry and professional levels. The first category includes such well-known devices as EinScan-SE and EinScan-SP , and the second includes Pro 2x with Solid Edge and Pro 2x plus with Solid Edge . A small segment of the devices manufactured by the manufacturer is adapted for the field of dentistry - the AutoScan DS-EX and AutoScan DS-EX Pro models are offered to specialists in this field .



Shining 3D EinScan-SE and Shining 3D EinScan-SP









Taken from the site top3dshop.ru



These models belong to the entry category of desktop 3D scanners and are equipped with a turntable. Such devices can operate in auto mode, which makes them indispensable for ordinary users: museum employees, students, etc. The scanner device includes two cameras at once. The object's illumination emitted by the device is completely harmless to sight.



Shining 3D Einscan Pro 2x with Solid Edge and Shining 3D Einscan Pro 2x plus with Solid Edge









Taken from the site top3dshop.ru



Shining 3D Einscan Pro 2x and Einscan Pro 2x plus are hand-held professional models with a high level of detail and scanning accuracy. Together with the devices, the developer supplies Solid Edge software, the competent use of which provides the user with almost limitless possibilities. Multi-mode scanners can also be supplied with Color Pack and Industrial Pack modules







Shining 3D AutoScan DS-EX and Shining 3D AutoScan DS-EX Pro









Taken from the site top3dshop.ru



Models are special developments for the dental industry and are designed to solve problems in the diagnosis, treatment and prosthetics of teeth. Able to work with color and monochrome.



RangeVision





Taken from rangevision.com



RangeVision manufactures both entry-level and professional-grade 3D scanners. Let's consider the most popular models of this Russian technique.



RangeVision Spectrum and RangeVision NEO









Taken from top3dshop.ru



These models are inexpensive entry-level professional 3D scanners. The devices are capable of operating in automatic mode and are easy to assemble and calibrate. Thanks to the user-friendly interface, even inexperienced employees will be able to figure out how to configure and operate the scanner.







In the design of the models, the developers integrated 3.1 megapixel cameras and the ability to use backlighting. The scanner perfectly captures complex object shapes and does not create problems in the transmission of colors.



RangeVision PRO Base and RangeVision PRO





Taken from the site top3dshop.ru



Russian 3D scanners designed for professionals are much cheaper than their foreign counterparts. The devices are adapted for use in a wide variety of areas - from industry to jewelry.



Creaform





Taken from creaform3d.com



The main purpose of Creaform technology is for industrial applications. The equipment of this Canadian manufacturer is very popular with large energy corporations and airlines.



Creaform Academia





Taken from top3dshop.ru



The Creaform Academia model is a hand-held 3D scanner designed specifically for education. The device weighs 850 g. The gripping area is 380 x 380 mm. Among the disadvantages of Creaform Academia, it can be noted that it is not possible to make scans in color, but for the educational sphere this disadvantage is not critical.



Creaform peel 3D









Photo source: peel-3d.com



This is a joint project of Creaform and Ametek - handy handheld scanners for hobbyists and beginners, sold under the separate brand "peel 3D".





Photo source: peel-3d.com



Accentuated attention during their development was paid to ergonomics, as well as convenience and simplification of work with them, while maintaining a decent scan quality.





Photo source: peel-3d.com



The software supplied with peel 3D scanners provides all the basic editing and exporting functions in the most intuitive interface.



ScanTech





Taken from 3d-scantech.com ScanTech



models appeared on the world market back in 2011. The devices produced by this company have found their application in many well-known enterprises, including giants like Nissan and Siemens.







ScanTech Ireal 2S and ScanTech Ireal 2E







Quite popular in the scientific world, a portable scanner that uses blue light technology. The device is distinguished by its reliability and high accuracy. Both ScanTech Ireal 2 scanners use Blue light LED technology for high quality scanning. The iReal 2S modification allows 3D scanning also in infrared range and with capturing color information.



Both devices are ergonomic, easy to operate and lightweight.



Thor3D





Taken from thor3dscanner.com Thor3D, a



Russian company, recently became famous for its 3D scanner models Calibry and Drake .



Calibry











It is a model for working with objects with a length of 20 cm to 10 m. The scanner is equipped with a convenient touchscreen display for control. Calibry is the ultimate beginner-friendly 3D scanner.



Drake











A professional mobile model that scans with an accuracy of 200 microns, optimized for large construction and industrial parts. The device can also be recommended for creating models of living people. The scanner is supplied with a set of three pairs of lenses with different focal lengths.



Main application areas



The science





Taken from artec3d.com



Experts from Swansea have been able to adapt the Artec Eva scanner to track marine life and study their lifestyle in their natural environment. By creating special individual tags, scientists were able to gain complete control over the behavior of experimental samples without causing them physical discomfort.



Museums and art







Using the Shining 3D Pro 2X Plus model is able to provide the highest quality digitizing of an object with the most accurate texture rendering. For testing, specialists have chosen multicolored canvases and a vase decorated with intricate ornamentation.



The scanner did an excellent job and clearly proved the fact that it can be safely used for cataloging museum exhibits, as well as issuing souvenirs.





Photo source: einscan.com



Reverse engineering







It took exactly 10 minutes to digitize the underside of the Volvo XC90. An optical three-dimensional scanner of a hand-held type Artec Leo was used for scanning - with this device the researcher freely moved under the car and was not afraid to get entangled in numerous wires.



Education





Taken from the site top3dshop.ru



Such simple and time-consuming models, such as XYZPrinting 3D Hand Scanner 2.0 and 3D Systems Sense 2, will be an excellent solution for teaching in schools and technical schools. The capabilities of these devices are more than enough to familiarize yourself with the specifics of the scanning process.





Taken from rangevision.com



More advanced models (for example, from RangeVision) are used for research work in many universities. So, in one of the universities in Vienna, a unique template was made using a 3D scanner, designed for professional cutting of pig brains. Specialists scanned the material and then shaped it into the desired shape using 3D printing technology.



Medicine







With the Medit i500, dentists can quickly and painlessly scan the dentition of patients with urgent medical needs. With an accurate digital copy of teeth, doctors are able to track the progress of treatment step by step and discuss its effectiveness with other specialists.



3D scanning can also be used to efficiently create prostheses - this solution allows you to obtain significant time and financial savings compared to the costly procedure of creating impressions.



Theatrical art





Taken from the site 3dtoday.ru



In order to create colorful scenery at the Bolshoi Theater, it was decided to use the RangeVision Smart model. The craftsmen used a small elephant figurine as a prototype. After the scan was obtained, the theatergoers made a realistic and original foam model out of it, which was subsequently used in performances.



Conclusion



Summing up the above, we can conclude that optical 3D scanners have a huge number of applications. The modern market for such devices is represented by models of various prices - from 30,000 to 1,500,000 rubles.



Hand-held and stationary scanners can be used almost everywhere - in education, fine arts, architecture, medicine, etc. Professional models of 3D scanners have proven their worth in production, reverse engineering and forensics. In addition, using this technique, you can create budgetary but high-quality souvenir products.



Buy the 3D scanner you need from Top 3D Shop and get quality equipment with a guarantee and service at your disposal.



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