It begins with the scan data itself – a point cloud with X, Y and Z co-ordinates. The process of reverse engineering too has become more streamlined, with software that integrates 3D scans into CAD. These relatively cheap and easy-to-use pieces of technology can now capture a full large object – such as a horse – in under a minute and to sub-micron accuracy.ģD scanners can easily scan large objects (Credit: EinScan) The interference in the light pattern caused by the object’s surface is captured by one or more cameras on the scanner and the data is triangulated in the software to calculate the object’s depth and surface patterns. These lightweight devices are typically structured-light scanners that project patterned light onto the object being scanned.

This accessibility, combined with powerful new software, means not just medium-sized companies such as OR3D, but small firms and even solo engineers can get hold of a handheld device and start scanning, inspecting and reverse engineering pretty much anything they want. Now you can pick up a 3D scanner for £1,500 that has phenomenal accuracy that you connect straight into your laptop.” “You’d have arm-type systems – very expensive bits of kit that were £30,000 to £40,000 upwards. “Eight years ago it was very much a niche technology,” says James Earl, managing director of 3D-scanning company OR3D, and the man scanning the horse. After just 30 seconds the job is done and the tablet connected to the scanner shows a detailed and accurate 3D reconstruction of the animal.Īs this scene illustrates, 3D scanners have come a long way in the past decade.

Or perhaps he is just mad.īut in fact the tool is a 3D scanner and the man is capturing an image of the horse’s body. Search our library and digital resourcesĪt first glance it looks like some kind of primitive ritual, perhaps to bring luck at the racecourse.

3d scanning to cad