3D scanner

3D scanner

In this category, you'll find our selection of 3D scanners. A 3D scanner will plunge you into theworld of 3D scanning. Allowing you to design 3D files more simply and quickly than design software, this type of product is useful.

A 3D scanner works in the same way as its 2D counterpart. It simply allows you to take a physical object and transform (digitise) it into a 3D file or 3D scan. In addition, you need to use software dedicated to the 3D scanner in order to use it. This is supplied with the 3D scanning equipment.

Once scanned, the 3D scan files you recover will enable you to carry out various technical operations. Reverse engineering, design and quality control.

Available technologies

3D scanners use two main technologies. Structured light and laser triangulation, both of which provide varying levels of precision. This also depends on the scanner chosen. These two technologies are currently the most widely used in 3D printing. There are many other technologies, such as infrared light, photogrammetry, contact and laser pulse.

A distinction is often made between laser technology and structured light technology, depending on the needs and applications of the 3D scanner.

The laser will project lines or points onto the model to be scanned. The software analyses their deformations and trajectories to deduce the shape of the object. This laser technology is known and reputed to be very accurate with very high resolution. Otherwise, this technology will not work well with transparent parts or shiny surfaces.

The other interesting technology, structured light, provides a high-speed, high-resolution scanning solution. The projected light is then analysed and the tool calculates its deformation and trajectory to define the shape of the object. This technology is very practical, thanks in particular to its very high scanning speed and high resolution. However, the latter is subject to light, so it will be complicated to scan outdoors.

3D scanner for 3D printer

By combining a 3D scanner with a 3D printer, you can quickly duplicate physical objects. First as a 3D image and then as a physical part by printing the scanned part.

Scanners export a mesh of points. This file needs to be converted using intermediate software before it can be reworked in CAD. Alternatively, you can directly reprint the .obj file supplied by the scanner. Easy to use and very handy, 3D scanners are increasingly used to complete the digital workflow as a complement to 3D printers.

Which 3D scanner should I buy?

Your choice of 3D scanner will depend on your needs and budget. Our range of scanners covers your needs, whether you're a maker, teacher or industrialist.

You'll find a range of scanners that allow you to carry out a variety of operations. They all complement each other and allow you to do different jobs. Ranging from very affordable scanners ideal for education and makers to professional 3D scanners for reverse engineering more commonly found in industry.

Choosing a 3D scanner isn't easy, which is why we try to offer you a wide and complementary range. The scanner you need to enter the world of 3D scanning with confidence.

The range of professional 3D scanners is designed to give you a quick and easy overview of a panel that will enable you to carry out virtually any scan you may need. The Einscan brand is certainly one of the best known and recognised, and their scanners are of the highest quality. They'll give you fast, accurate, high-resolution 3D scans.

The entry-level range will give you a reliable introduction to the world of 3D scanners for under £1,000. However, these scanners will have low resolutions and will be less accurate than the pro range. Depending on your needs, these small scanners will enable you to easily scan a simple part.

3D scanners in industry

In industry, there are vast possibilities and a whole world of applications for 3D scanner scanning.

You can scan a part and then reprint it to copy or duplicate an existing object as part of a study or rapid prototyping. You can then recover a copy of the initial object for analysis or to check compatibility with other materials, for example. The 3D scanner will also be used to create spare parts or obsolete or broken parts.

In reverse engineering, you can also carry out complete studies on existing parts or transform a physical object into a digital file that can be used in your CAD software. Specific software will enable you to use a weighted mesh file to obtain a CAD file that can be reused in your design software.

Finally, scanners can also be used for quality control or fluid analysis applications. In terms of inspection, a 3D scanner will enable you to obtain precise dimensions (depending on the scanner used) to validate a shape or part after design or manufacture. To study fluids, a 3D scanner can be used to digitally import a physical object to apply air or liquid constraints and analyse its behaviour.

Other possible applications

3D scanners can be found in many fields, particularly in industry and more generally in the professional world.

In art and entertainment, 3D scanners offer a truly new vision of art. Imagine being able to reproduce an existing work, such as a sculpture, in a 3D file. It could then be shared with as many people as possible on the internet.

In education, a 3D scanner is perfect for moving from physical to digital objects with students. It gives them a quick and easy way of seeing and learning 3D design interactively.