15 Best Scanners For Small 3d Objects We've Tested 2024
Peter Fonda May 3, 2024 1:22 PM
When you have the best 3D scanner for small 3d objects, you can easily take a detailed 3D image of an object in the real world. In doing so, you can generate a 3D model of the thing for further study and inspection. You could either make it into art, or use a 3D printer to make an actual replica of your product.
Your topic will be illuminated by LEDs or lasers in a 3D scanner. It is possible to collect more accurate measurements without relying on software's "guesses" about where the 3D positions triangulate by manipulating the lighting and subject posture.
In this article, we'll go over some of the best compact 3D scanners on the market right now. Here are five of the best options available; they span multiple price points and functionalities.
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Budget vs. High-End 3D Scanner for Small Objects
Setting an appropriate price range for your 3D scanner is essential. Low-cost 3D scanners may be adequate for amateurs, but a high-quality scanner is necessary for applications that demand precise data. When deciding between a cheap 3D scanner and one of higher quality, you should keep in mind a few key points.
3D scanner technologies
Here's a quick rundown of laser triangulation and structured light if you need a refresher on 3D scanners or want to learn the key differences between the two most used methods.
Laser Triangulation
In fact, only a handful of the scanners we've researched use laser triangulation. In order to scan an object, laser scanners project millions of points or lines onto it, and then use sensors to read the reflected data. By estimating the laser's reflection angle, precise point measurements may be taken thanks to the sensors' known proximity to the light source. The scanner's distance from the object is used to create a map of the object's surface and a 3D scan is saved. The resolution of these 3D scanners is in the micrometer level, earning them a stellar reputation for precision. However, they can only communicate over short distances, typically no more than a few meters. Mobile items can be scanned with triangulation 3D scanners that use a laser line. In most cases, this technology is not included in handheld 3D scanners.
However, it's important to remember that the scanning process is influenced by the surface's qualities. Thus, highly reflective or transparent surfaces can pose significant challenges to the operation of this technology.
People and animals can't be scanned using a 3D laser scanner because of the risk of eye injury. Even while structured light has the potential to be preferable, its use necessitates complete stillness on the part of the subject. While people in your life may make for excellent 3D scan subjects, you may find your dog to be more challenging.
Structured Light
Rather than using a laser line, structured light technology uses triangulation by projecting a pattern of light onto the object to scan (or dot).
Patterns can only be projected in one direction at a time, necessitating the merging of many 3D scans into a single 360° mesh. Certain manufacturers get around this limitation by placing the object on a motorized turntable and then automatically patching together the 3D scans.
The resolution of these 3D scanners is in the tens of micrometers, making them incredibly precise. When used to living organisms, this technique is much less dangerous than 3D laser scanners. There is a distance cap of a few meters for 3D scanning. Both desktop and handheld 3D scanners use structured light technology.
Most consumer-grade 3D scanners (structured light) are best used for scanning small, close-up objects like coffee mugs. However, it is true that many times several 3D scans can be combined into one single object. In general, the cost of a 3D laser scanner increases with the size or distance of the objects being scanned.
Resolution & Quality
The first thing to think about when choosing a 3D scanner is how much detail you need to capture for your intended use.
If you require a rapid digital scan to make an image of an object for reference or presentation, but the surface details aren't crucial, then you can choose the "low level" option. The objective is to capture the forms' contours and approximate sizes.
Moderate: Results for simple applications may usually be achieved with just the outline geometry and some degree of dimensional accuracy. A product with medium resolution and quality may expose imperfections around the edges of more noticeable flaws, and will allow for some sizing and analysis.
Surface and coating flaws must be identified and quantified at the highest level for metrology and quality assurance. Dimensional measurements must be exact and repeatable, and not just for sketching. A higher resolution 3D scanner will produce higher quality data than one with a lesser resolution.
The cost of the system is highly dependent on the level of information and precision required, both of which are determined by your unique application.
Repeatability & Precision
How easily your 3D scanner is impacted by environmental disturbances during data acquisition will determine the quality of the data it obtains. Vibrations transmitted through the platform (or surface) upon which the component or 3D scanner is situated are one example of an environmental disturbance that can impair the quality of your measurement results. You may lessen vibration and improve your 3D scanner's ability to filter out noise by upgrading its specifications.
Low-cost devices are helpful for rapid, partial scans of surfaces and shapes for contour analysis. Since the measurement technique itself must be calibrated (or certified) and cannot fluctuate, an automated or semi-automatic positioning and scanning process is required in many quality control applications. Clamping in place to dampen external vibrations and fluctuations and using precise, repeatable routes and motions of the 3D scanner are essential for applications requiring reliability.
Automated and Semi-Automated
If you're using a 3D scanner that's fully automated, you won't have to worry about holding the thing still; the system will move the scanner or the object, or both, as needed. In order to precisely control the speed and motion, the object can be passed in front of the scanner at a variety of angles and along a variety of pathways. This method is highly repeatable, and it can be fine-tuned to achieve great levels of detail on relatively small parts. This benefit is particularly useful in quality control settings where recurring measurements are monitored for variations from a reference value. These devices aren't designed to be taken from place to place, as they take significantly more room than handheld or fixed scanners. To relocate or transfer an automated 3D scanner, more time and effort is required due to their size and design. In contrast to fully automated systems, semi-automated ones still rely on human input for at least some parts of the scanning and rotating processes.
What Is a 3D Scanner?
Similar to traditional scanners, 3D laser scanning analyzes a physical object and sends that information to a computer, where it is used to produce 3D digital representations. The process of creating a 3D model with a digitizer may be automatic, or the user may need to utilize additional software to fine-tune the results. The typical goal is to have a model that is suitable for 3D printing, VR, or any other application that requires a high-quality, well-formatted file.
While these scanners have long been a staple of the professional sector, recent developments in 3D printing technology have made them accessible to consumers at home. Handheld scanners and portable 3D scanners are common names for these devices. Scan items of any size, from tiny to quite large, with these and send the data directly to your 3D printer.
Some are ready to use right out of the box, while others require assembly (like the 3D printer itself). For individuals who are handy with such things, the savings in cost and ease of upgrades and adjustments are clear advantages.
When scanning an object, it is common practice to use laser triangulation or another form of structured light to enclose it and provide precise measurements of its three-dimensional dimensions (or "geometry"). The color and surface texture of the object are also captured by high-quality 3D scanning camera lenses. The model can be edited or scaled using the included or other software.
How Do 3D Scanners Work?
Just how does one go about scanning three-dimensional items into a computer? All 3D scanners, whether used on an industrial scale, in a small business, or on a home computer, share common features and functions.
Cameras and lasers or white lights are used by the vast majority. The item is stored in a bed, tray, or other appropriate location. Electromagnetic light is reflected off the item to determine its size, shape, and other characteristics.
There are a variety of scanners available, and each may employ a unique combination of light sources, cameras, and other technologies to facilitate this. The acquired information is known as a "point cloud," after the laser's tally of caught points.
The higher the number of points collected, the more precise the scan will be. Multiple hundreds of thousands of points can be captured in a matter of seconds using a high-resolution scanner, and the total number of points captured can easily exceed millions. A few minutes is all it takes to complete the procedure.
HD cameras often capture the surface detail and color, while light is a measure of the object's geometry.
Information collected can be analyzed and manipulated in a CAD or other comparable tool. For 3D printing, the model may require adjustments such as resizing, hollowing, support structure addition, recoloring, adjusting brightness/contrast, etc.
Which type of 3d scanner is the best for me?
Making the appropriate choice when it comes to a 3D scanner can be challenging. There is a lot to remember, but the first and most important step is to specify what it is you intend to scan. While one 3D scanner might be ideal for scanning buildings, another might not be up to the task of scanning human faces.
There are stationary scanners that are both cheap and convenient, and portable scanners that offer greater mobility. Any game designer making their own assets will care about more than just the mesh's resolution, though. Makers interested in 3D printing real-world objects, on the other hand, will care more about precision.
It's also important to plan ahead for where you'll do the 3D scanning. It's best to invest in a fixed 3D scanner unless the object to be scanned is small enough to be transported easily. Not having a portable 3D scanner limits your options.
Also consider the object's surface when searching for the best 3D scanner. Surfaces that are reflecting or transparent provide significant challenges for photogrammetry and structured-light 3D scanners, as they cannot be processed and produce deformed and fragmented meshes. Poorly fitted surfaces will prevent even the most capable 3D scanner from producing satisfactory findings. An easy workaround for those bent on using these technologies is to cover the screen with a thin layer of opaque material.
Our 3D scanner reviews cover a wide range of options, from consumer models to those designed for larger enterprises. Create 3D models or reverse engineer components with the help of a variety of tools, from portable gadgets to structural lightboxes with turntables. Maybe you'll take a few 3D self-portraits!
If you have any remaining questions regarding 3D printing after reading our instructions and reviews, feel free to peruse our FAQ.
