There are different types of 3D scanners that are designed to digitally capture physical objects. Some examples include laser scanners, structured light scanners, contact and optical scanners. With the use of laser beams that measure the distance between the sensor and an object surface, a laser scanner generates very high precision 3D data. These scanners have the capability of measuring fine detailed geometric shapes accurately because they are made for industries such as automotive and manufacturing. Faro Focus S 350 — this laser scanner possesses a distance to 350 meters and gives the accuracy up to 1mm, it is widely used in large-scale surveying and architecture.
Structured light scanners utilize projectors to cast a sequence of light patterns on an object and use cameras to record the distortion in the light pattern to build 3D data. These scanners are primarily used for reverse engineering and quality control due to their fast acquisition of high-density data. Usually around $1,599, the EinScan Pro 2X is a solid structured light scanner. This precision instrument, with an accuracy of 0.05 mm, is a staple for professionals in consumer products to aerospace settings.
Contact scanner — on the contrary, takes data directly by hard contacting with the scanned object using a probe that records points coordinates. These scanners are the most accurate but can be slower than a non-contact type. For industrial applications of metrology, contact scanners like the Zeiss CONTURA 2 are often used for high-throughput precision measurements.
Optical scanners that use a camera and photogrammetry methods to capture the surface features of an object with non-contact. Such scanners are used in applications where texture and color is important, including virtual reality and heritage recording – these scanner types are known as: Revopoint Pop 2: An optical 3D scanner using infrared light to create accurate representations (up to 0.1mm resolution) of items for scanning. This scanner has been making rounds in the media for quite some time now because of its portability and cheapness, priced at approximately $539.
According to a 2020 report from 3D Hubs, structured light scanners were the preferred type of scanner for industries such as automotive and healthcare with a market share of 32% versus laser scanners at 28%. Through 2025, the worldwide 3D scanning market is predicted to be gripped by an annual growth of 8.2% beginning in 2020, reflecting a growing dependency on these devices from different sectors.
Each scanner type has its own strengths and weaknesses based on user needs. The best option will depend on the needs of your project: laser scanners are incredibly precise for large-scale tasks, while structured light scanners are speedier to acquire high-detail models. Revopoint 3d scanner can provide good accuracy without complexity, making it an affordable all-purpose option for beginners. For instance, with the new 3D scanning technologies emerging around us, it is necessary to understand difference in order for users to select that one which suits his or her requirement.