Scanning On The Go

July 29, 2022

Are you trying to speed up the process of your project by finding a professional portable 3D scanner? Do varying specifications and descriptions confuse you? Modern 3D scanning technology has been broadly embraced across numerous industries. They’re used by engineers, product designers, and researchers in 3D printing, aerospace, and entertainment. These 3D scanners can efficiently acquire 3D scan data, enabling the creation of 3D models or the execution of inspections to spot abnormalities. Because of its mobility, simplicity of use, and speedy results, handheld 3D scanners are drawing increasing interest.

Selection Criteria for Handheld 3D Scanners

Object Sizes & Scanning Area

How should I pick a 3D scanner? The size of the object you wish to scan is the first thing you should consider. A short-range 3D scanner that can catch fine features in high resolution would be beneficial if you were scanning a little coin. A long-range scanner with a larger field of vision is required if you intend to scan a vast object or part, such as a wind turbine (scanning area). Take the Scantech KSCAN-Magic as an illustration. It can scan components up to 4 meters long thanks to its enormous scanning area of 1440 mm by 860 mm and built-in photogrammetry. It is particularly appropriate for 3D scanning medium to large objects for manufacturing and inspection.

Accuracy

The permitted deviation of each captured point depends on how accurately the scanning was acquired. The accuracy of 3D scanners typically lies between 0.01 and 0.1 millimeters. A 3D scanner with an accuracy of 0.1 mm would be suitable for most organic and flexible parts, but accuracy of 0.025 mm or more will be required for most machining tolerances. Select a 3D scanner with high accuracy if you intend to scan a complicated industrial component like an aerospace part.

Resolution

Resolution talks about the shortest distance between points captured at a specific scan distance. The density of the scan point cloud increases with resolution. You would need a high resolution when the finer points of a 3D model are essential to you. If not, low-resolution specifications work for you.

Rate of Scanning

When discussing a 3D scanner’s scanning rate, we are referring to how quickly it can collect data from an object. The number of laser lines, the size of the scanning area, and the equipment’s algorithm all affect the rate. A top-tier handheld scanner can take up to 2 million measurements per second.

Know From Whom You Are Purchasing

Choosing a 3D scanner can be difficult because many different models are available with different sizes, costs, and capabilities. The guiding principle is to make economic decisions while still following your needs.

Be sure to purchase from a reputable business that uses cutting-edge 3D scanning technology. Go to its official website to view the company’s products, certifications, and clients. You can reach out to online business reviews, and a look at their social media pages is recommended. You will be able to learn about the manufacturer and what customers have to say about them.

What sort of support does the business offer? Are there qualified application engineers who can assist in setting the 3D scanners’ calibration and using them? Are there any expert post-sale teams that could help with maintenance or respond to your inquiries about the specifics?

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