A 3D scanner captures the surface of a real object as a mesh you can measure, modify or print. It turns a broken bracket, a legacy part with no drawings, or a patient model into usable CAD data.
Desktop or handheld
Desktop scanners place the part on a turntable and suit small, detailed objects that fit inside their field of view. Handheld scanners move around the object and handle everything from small parts to car panels and people.
Structured light or laser
Structured-light scanners project patterns and capture color and texture well. Laser modes excel on dark or reflective surfaces and at fine detail on mechanical parts. Some scanners combine both.
Getting clean data
- Shiny, clear or very dark surfaces may need a light coat of scanning spray.
- Use tracking markers on smooth, featureless parts.
- Scan in even, indirect light.
From scan to part
Scans produce meshes. For printing a replacement, clean the mesh and print it. For engineering changes, bring it into CAD and model over it using the scan as reference.
