Whether creating visually stunning special effects in movies or developing immersive, ultra-realistic VR applications, art and design teams need to capture models quickly and accurately. A portable 3D scanner is a great option for this.
Whether retrofitting heavy machinery, performing quality control on mechanical parts or designing customized prosthetic devices, precise, accurate models are key. Learn more about the working process of this advanced technology, and how it can benefit your business:
Streamlined Workflows
The advancements of 3D scanning hardware and software allow for end-to-end workflows that optimize precision, results, and quality from start to finish. These streamlined workflows also reduce rework, saving time and money while improving project outcomes.
The capabilities of modern 3D scanners enable users to capture detailed digital data from any physical object. With this data, designers and engineers can create or modify a digital model that reflects their specific requirements. Once the model is digitized, it can be used for a variety of applications, including virtual simulations, prototyping, and manufacturing.
Creating a model allows companies to quickly and accurately capture structural data, reducing the need for manual measurements. This helps to eliminate errors, rework, and delays in the design process. It also allows for an easier and faster way to analyze, improve, and verify designs and plans.
For example, construction teams can use 3D laser scanning technology to remotely capture structural data — avoiding the need for workers to be exposed to dangerous spaces or structures. This can help them plan and carry out repairs or upgrades more effectively while minimizing safety risks.
Additionally, many companies are using 3D scanning to conduct ergonomic assessments of their facilities. This data is then used to improve workstations and equipment to promote worker health, comfort, and productivity. Civil engineering and survey companies can also use 3D scans to create a permanent record of a site or building, which is useful for future operations, renovations, and additions.
With the ability to capture high-resolution data at fast speeds, 3D scanning makes it easy to identify and address bottlenecks in a workflow – boosting efficiency and driving innovation across departments. For example, a team may find that it takes too long to model surfaces and details in CAD. With the right 3D scanning solution, that same data can be modeled in a few minutes, saving days or weeks of work.
This kind of streamlined workflow is possible thanks to the integration of 3D scanning software with other technologies like virtual reality (VR) headsets and CAD software. For instance, the popular Matterport system is compatible with a wide range of software platforms, including CAD software and BIM systems. The integration of these platforms further expands the possibilities and use cases for 3D scanning, making it a powerful tool in the arsenal of any business.
Enhanced Product Design
With 3D scanning technology, it’s possible to quickly and accurately digitize an object into digital data that can be easily edited and modified. This process is used for a wide variety of applications from product design, engineering, and quality control to art, archaeology, and cultural heritage preservation. This can be seen in the 3d scanning for Brady Bunch project.
For example, if a component of an existing vehicle needs to be replaced, the original part can be reverse engineered using a 3D scanner, creating a CAD model from the geometry of the old part. This can be compared to the new design that will be manufactured, and alterations can be made to ensure that the new part will fit the vehicle and work properly. This is an extremely efficient way to create a new part that doesn’t have to go through the expensive and time-consuming prototyping stage.
3D scanning can also be utilized at the design phase to create a CAD model based on an existing physical object, which can then be used for engineering optimizations and improved aesthetics. This is known as reverse engineering, and it’s an incredibly valuable process for designers who need to develop an entire system of parts that work together seamlessly. For example, if a component of a vehicle must be designed around existing mating parts, such as the exhaust system and engine block, it can be reverse engineered with a 3D scanner to ensure that the new part is properly sized and fits in the space available.
Finally, 3D scanning is being used in the world of art and design for everything from developing life-like avatars for virtual reality (VR) applications to capturing humans and animals for sculpting or animating. This is made possible with advanced portable 3D scanners that are fast, safe, and easy to use.
With a little bit of imagination, the possibilities for 3D scanning are endless. So whether it’s for reducing manufacturing costs, improving product quality, or simply creating visually stunning special effects in movies and immersive VR experiences, it’s important to explore how this innovative technology can benefit your company. The right 3D scanner solution will help you achieve the results that you need to succeed.
Reduced Rework
The accuracy of a 3D scan can reduce the number of errors that occur during construction projects, and the time it takes to fix those mistakes. Rework in the field is costly and disruptive to project timelines.
According to a recent survey, 35% of construction professionals spend more than 14 hours per week on non-productive tasks like finding project information, resolving conflicts, and adjusting plans. With 3D scanning technology, many of these time-consuming tasks can be eliminated entirely.
In the field, using a scanner to take measurements of spaces and components is more accurate than relying on hand-held tape measures and digital photos alone. Moreover, it allows for the measurement of hard-to-reach areas without risking personal safety. In fact, it can eliminate the need to send employees on ladders or in crawlspaces to measure objects by hand – a task that could take days to complete. This increases worker productivity and reduces costly errors.
Scanning also helps to save time on preparing plans for upcoming projects and managing existing condition documentation. With a 3D scan, you can quickly upload the data into Building Information Modeling (BIM) or drawing software. This lets designers compare the scanned data with their CAD models to identify any discrepancies, and make corrections as needed.
For new construction, 3D scanning can help with pre-fabrication, verification that the right materials are being delivered to the job site, and ensuring that the correct component is being installed in the right place. It also helps prevent rework and delays due to unforeseen issues on the job site, such as clashes between a newly delivered door or wall and an existing ductwork vent.
Whether the project is new construction, a renovation or a remodel, 3D laser scanning can provide an accurate record of the current conditions of a space. This allows for a faster and more reliable process of comparing as-builts to drawings, which can then be compared to the design to ensure that the changes are being implemented correctly.
Additionally, tech-savvy organizations are using 3D scanning to win contracts for their services by delivering a digital representation of the space they’re planning on working in ahead of time. This lets ownership know they’re getting the best service and expertise for their money.
More Accurate Measurements
3D scanners capture detailed and accurate digital representations of physical objects, allowing designers to quickly create and modify parts without the need for physical prototypes. This translates into streamlined design, production and maintenance processes, which in turn reduces overall costs.
Moreover, 3D scanning technology can help to achieve precise measurements in cases where manual measurement would be difficult or impossible. This is especially beneficial for patients with missing or fractured limbs, as it can provide an accurate and customized prosthetic limb to fit their unique body structure. In addition, it can be used to scan a patient’s head or skull for dental implant placement. Likewise, this technology can be used to take measurements of an animal or plant’s body in case of an injury. In a recent instance, researchers at Midwestern University in partnership with the Phoenix Herpetological Society successfully scanned an alligator to create a custom tail for it.
In the construction industry, 3D scanners can be used to capture detailed information about existing conditions on a jobsite, resulting in significant efficiency gains for projects of all sizes and types. From building surveys and site modeling to layout design and structural modeling, high-end 3D scanners allow project teams to work more quickly and accurately while reducing the need for rework.
Additionally, 3D laser scanning enables construction workers to avoid unnecessary contact with hazardous materials and conditions on the jobsite, thereby improving worker safety. It also allows owners and facility managers to generate a comprehensive “as-built” record that can assist with future renovations, additions, or demolitions. This translates into increased sustainability for both new and existing buildings as well as reduced construction costs, due to the reduction in rework and resource consumption.
The possibilities for impactful use of 3D scanning technology are endless. From consumer products to medical devices and automotive components, industries around the world are making optimum use of this innovation. Whether it’s for product development, inspection, or reverse engineering, 3D scanning is making a huge impact in every aspect of business operations and beyond.
