Saturday, June 6, 2009

The Applications of 3D Scanning Technology

By Daniel McCarthy

Over the past several years, 3D scanning technology has significantly improved and become easily accessible and affordable for many industries. This scanning process can supply you with quick and accurate scans for a variety of reverse engineering and inspection functions. While the military and the automotive industry have heavily relied upon this technology for years, many different fields are now taking advantage of the benefits of this process.

The process of 3D scanning uses laser light technology in order to scan an existing object and produce a digital model of it. The information from the scan can them be transmitted into different software programs in order to create triangle mesh models or CAD models. These CAD models can be used for analysis and comparisons.

The 3D scanning creates a point cloud which represents the actual surface of the subject. The image produced by the point cloud is consistent with the surface of the physical object that has been scanned and can be used for evaluation. This is helpful if you are looking to recreate an object, such as a critical component of a bridge.

Scanning technology has significantly improved and there are a wide variety of scanners available. This scanning equipment has been designed to accommodate a variety of scanning needs, from something the size of a penny to an object as large as a skyscraper. There are two different types of 3D scanners, contact and non-contact measurement. You can select the appropriate scanning equipment based on the size and the material composition of the items being scanned.

If you want to scan a delicate material, 3D laser scanning can perform the task without any risk of harm to the object. This is the reason that archaeologists have come to rely upon reverse engineering technology to create reproductions of dinosaur fossils and a number of other historical artifacts that are prominently displayed in museums.

3D scanning has also become popular within the medical community. Dentists use the technology to produce dental implants for their patients. It is also used in orthotics and has significantly improved orthotic devices by ensuring that they are as natural and best fitting as possible.

Another field that relies heavily upon reverse engineering is manufacturing and production. Companies use this technology to ensure that their products meet industry regulations and that they match the integrity of their original design.

As 3D scanners and reverse engineering technology improves, the number of useful applications that this technology applies to will increase. The improved designs of scanners have significantly increased their portability and the number of items that can be scanned successfully.

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