A 3D scanner elected in the Top 7 of inventions CeBIT

It has been quite a while that 3D printers are being used in a variety of applications and industries. But there was no 3D scanner anywhere to be seen. Well, now we can have one.

Presented at CeBIT 2009, the 3D scanner “DAVID-Scannerlaser”, developed by a spin-off from the Institute for Robotics and processing technique (PIT) from the Technical University of Brunswick, used to create 3D images from objects and reasonably priced compared to similar competing solutions. Only two months after the creation of spin-off, the system has been elected in the Top 7 of inventions at CeBIT.

Until now, 3D scanners showed a purchase price in Figures 5 and were prohibitively expensive for private individuals and small businesses. To overcome this problem, the IRP has developed a system that works only with relatively simple standard components. Indeed, to perform a scan in three dimensions, just a webcam commercially available and a laser line. Despite a very low price on the market (a few hundred dollars), the laser allows for a scanner with an accuracy less than 0.2 millimeters.

The central part of the development of the 3D laser was conducted two years ago. At the time, scientists at the TU Brunswick published a scientific paper describing the measurement principle. This article had won this title in 2006 celebrated the price of German working group for the recognition of sample. Due to high demand around the software, scientists have developed their prototype in more detail and put their software for download on the Internet. Then, a large community has built around the online project. Whether small or large samples, the community members were able to burn both coins that designing a sofa full three dimensions. The 3D models and developed instance could be printed with a 3D printer, engraved in a block of glass, analyzed or archived.

The fields of applications of 3D are many archaeological and orthopedics are examples, the technology can be used in the workshops of art and design or development of digital entertainment. For example, the Museum of Natural History of Brunswick DAVID scans with the bones of a race of dinosaurs recently discovered to correct the distortion of the bones by machine and the mold then again at their original size.

(Courtesy: sciencelov)