Laser vs White light scanner comparisons

3D Scanning creates a 3d representation of an object using multiple views of the object. The object is often illuminated with various types of light patterns to aid digitalization.

Laser scanners  like the Revscan Creaform Scanner use either a single laser line or point to scan across an object. the sensor picks up the light and uses trigonometric triangulation to calculate the distance.

How a laser scanner works

Creaform Revscan scanner

 Structures Light or white light scanners  like the 3D3Solutions scanner use the same trigonometric calculation however it uses a series of linear patterns and projects a series of them onto the object and examines the edge of each line pattern to calculate the objects surface.


 

How a white light scanner works

3D3 Solutions Whitelight Scanner

 

Type	Laser Scanning	White Light Scanning
Overview	Use a laser light to mark the subject.	Uses a white light projector like the ones used for power point presentations to mark the subject.
Key Weaknesses	Slow Scan time	Light sensitive environments Projectors are higher cost than lasers Ideal for medium sized objects.
Key Strengths	Can scan in areas where there are various amounts of ambient light control.  Calibration tends to be easier to use because of this. Usually the best choice for industrial inspection and installed systems	Can scan over a million points fast, this is critical in many scanning applications. Usually the best choice for scanning human beings as there’s a low risk of permanent eye damage and humans move during the scanning process.
Speed	Generally on the order of 19000 seconds	Very fast 2million points in 3 seconds
Point Accuracy	Good.	Good.
Point Density	High but depends on time spent on scan. Resolution tends to be even through out the scan.	High, and is fixed to projector resolution. Often more dense along a particular axis.
Noise Level	Low	Medium
Object Size	Good for small, medium or large objects but you often need different scanning hardware for each case.	Most off the shelf projectors are good for medium to large objects. Custom projectors are needed for small objects

Fortus FDM Rapid Prototype Service Bureau now in Vancouver BC!

Coming this November our new rapid prototype service bureau with the Fortus FDM rapid prototype machine. The only one in the Vancouver BC area!

Fortus 3D Production Systems produce accurate, durable prototypes and production-grade parts using high-performance thermoplastics. Each of our digital manufacturing solutions offers:

• Sophisticated software and technology
• Production-grade materials
• Large build capacity
• Fast, accurate and repeatable parts

With our new service bureau can provide parts  406 x 356 x 406 mm (16 x 14 x 16 in.) with either ABS or Polycarbonate materials. These parts can be used as functional prototypes, concept models, end use parts or even tooling.

Part accuracy is +/- .0015 mm per mm (+/- .0015 in. per inch) and layer thickness can vary for finer detail and smooth finish.

Check out the Prototypes webpage for more details or the fortus website!

New scanner just arrived! Handyscan is now in Vancouver

Just added to our equipment list is Handyscans Revscan unit. This along with Rapidform XOR3 and Geomagic Wrap we are Western Canada's best choice for your reverse engineering needs. We service, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Washington state areas as well.

Reverse Engineering & Styling, Design & Analysis:
The REVscan laser scanner allows companies to meet their requirements for creating or recreating new designs from existing and sometimes obsolete products or components, or even old parts that may have been developed without the use of CAD. The REVscan has proven particularly efficient at accelerating and facilitating the product design, creation and prototype analysis processes, while reducing related costs. The REVscan turns out to be very powerful for tasks such as:

• Surface reconstruction
• Class A surfacing
• 3D modeling
• Mechanical design
• Clay model digitizing
• Tooling & jigs development
• Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Inspection: Scanning and measuring of objects of any size, in various environments. Non contact, first-article and supplier quality inspection, colorimetric reports and overall conformity assessment of parts.
Medical Applications: Non contact, non invasive process. Generation of 3D digital files from body parts or existing objects, orthotics and prosthetics, aesthetics and plastic surgery, body part measurements and reproduction, diagnosis and follow-ups.
Other applications include 3D scanning of existing objects, 3D archiving, complex shape acquisition, measurements archiving, damage assessment, digital models and mock-ups, packaging design and rapid prototyping.

Rapidform XOR3 just arrived

Now with Rapidform XORs we offer full in house scanning and reverse engineering services.

Rapidform XOR intelligent surfacing

Using rapidform surfacing feature exact surfaces can be generated form water tight NURBS surfaces.

The fastest way to get
from raw scans to real CAD models

There is simply no faster way to get from unprocessed 3D scans to complete, feature-based solid models. XOR’s redesign tools save hours or days of work compared to rebuilding in your CAD software.