3D Scanner – A Multipurpose Digital Media

The term 3D scanning refers to a process of obtaining the accurate information of a physical object for the measurement purpose. The device used in this method is called 3D Scanner.  It is a fast and correct technique of putting measurements of an object onto the computer in an organized manner, resulting in what is commonly called 3D scan data. Once it is digital, all of the dimensions can be taken, such as volume, width, height, feature location, feature size, surface area, length, etc.

White Light Scanning describes a variety of 3D scanning devices, a known pattern of light (usually white) uses sensors to capture images of the object. Multiple sensors can be used to achieve this result.

Photogrammetry is a practice based on standard projective and photography geometry, the principle behind this is to take multiple images of an object and automatically or manually reference the common points in each photograph. To detect this, a two dimensional information machine vision is used, for example bar codes, to sort packages etc. In this process, a pair of sensors is positioned at a known distance from a part, taking two images all together and by manipulative the difference of every point of the two images, 3D measurements of entire scenes can be created.

In addition, 3D CT (computed tomography) or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans are obtained by stacking a series of CT or MRI scans on each other in software. This technology was originally developed for the medical field but is now growing into industrial and manufacturing applications as well.

You can find companies providing 3D Scanning Services best of the facilities in their respective field. The Benefits of scanning services are:

• Quality investigation on the project
• Multiple scanning processes and merge parts.
• Instant inspection report.
• Collecting key data of critical dimensions and specifications.
• Precise and cost-effective service

The 3D Scanning software is used to complete the scanning. There are various software’s available in the market, few of them are mentioned below:

Avizo Fire 7: Enriched visualization, quantification tools, segmentation and powerful image processing commands to advanced measurement tools provided by this software provide faster and better classification of more complex materials and structures.

Galileos 3D Imaging: This software completes the communication between hardware and software, by providing a single source for diagnostics, treatment especially in the areas of implantology, planning, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, etc. It is used in the precise measurement of bone structure, anatomical features and teeth inspection.

Flex Light X3: This platform contains a 2GB dual camera frame capture functionality that works with a user-programmable pattern generating system.

Elekta Software: It helps professionals to confirm that the margins around the tumor that they have applied during the planning stage are as small as possible, so that it can protect healthy uninvolved tissues.

Trackers are a class of 3D Scanning System, works to track the position of a measuring device. Multiple techniques are used to track this device including magnetic position, laser, optical position and acoustic position.

3D Technology in Various Fields

The world has become heavily dependent on technology. Today, it is difficult to even imagine our self to survive without the computer, television, stereo, telephone, typing and scanning devices. Technology has taken over so many human functions and made life very easy for the common man today.


The contribution of various equipments has also led to sophistication in the products and end results of every process done with the help of machines. Scanning is one such technology that has come to be a great help for professionals from various fields that include engineering, medicine, animation, printing and many more.
3D Scanning Services are making waves in the world of designing. The technique allows a designer/engineer to get the accurate measurements of an object uploaded on to a computer in an organised manner. Thus, enabling the user to get exact measurements of a 3D structure and use it as and when required. In fact a device that captures the 3D image is called a 3D scanner. Such a device comes in varied forms as the methods of capturing the image of a certain product are many. As per these differing modes there are several kinds of scanning that include; white light scanning, photogrammetry, CMMs, machine visions, 3DCT and MRI scanning, destructive slicing, theodolite and many more.

These 3D scanning methods are used in any king of manufacturing cycle and at any stage to save time and also cut down expenditure. The use of this technique helps in development of better fitting parts of considerable better quality and thus reducing the cost required to manufacture the same. So, 3D scanning services can be used at every stage of development ie right from conceptualisation to distribution stage of the final product.

In a nutshell, the advantages of 3D scanning can be understood in a point wise details.

• It helps in very quick measurement of physical details of an object.
• Helps you save time in designing.
• Guarantees that parts of the design fit perfectly well in the very first trial.
• It can be used to provide modern design to parts or products which were designed before the CAD era.
• You can easily compare the design and the final structure of the manufactured product, thus giving a perfect idea about the entire process.

In fact the 3D technique has applications in other important fields like medicine. The concept of 3D Motion Analysis is something that has proved to be very helpful in clinical gait analysis, sports medicine, physiotherapy and some more medical practices. In fact many of the motion analysis applications require optical information to diagnose the movement or other kinds of diagnosis.

These diagnostic results later help the doctors or medical specialists concerned, in the right direction of mode of treatment. While 2D motion analysis requires just one camera, in case of the 3D motion analysis a minimum of two cameras are needed to fulfil the right diagnostic procedure. Thus the 3D technique has been a boon to various spheres of science and technology heralding a new phase altogether.