Over the past few years, there has been a rise in 3D scanners with various specialties and uses. 3D scanning tools have become essential for reverse engineering, quality control, forensics, and aerial surveying. And 3D scanner companies use different programs to turn a physical model into a digital 3D Computer-Aided Design file (CAD).
The manufacturing industry increasingly employs 3D scanner companies for tasks such as precise measurement, creating simulated pictures, analytical modelling, and designing physical prototypes. 3D scanning collects information that is often used to make an exact digital copy of the real-world object.
3D scanning has enhanced reverse engineering techniques. When you scan a product in 3D with accurate measurements, you can model, analyse, and 3D print it faster, reducing design time. Speed and accuracy, as well as its ability to capture small details and large objects, makes 3D scanning an essential tool.
And then there’s the potential to make a prototype of anything. Such prototypes are invaluable for figuring out how something works. Plus the speed of 3D scanning versus hand measurements is incomparable.
New scanning technology and software are appearing across industries. But these devices can be expensive to buy, and they need to be run by trained operators – engineers who know what to do with the data they provide.
Types of 3D Scanners
There are many different 3D scanners. Here are some of the most common:
- Laser Scanners
- Structured Light
- Photogrammetry
- Contact Based
- Laser Pulse Based
- Optical Based
Each is based on different technology with its own features and capabilities, as well as benefits and drawbacks. For example, handheld, tripod-mounted, and airborne systems are unique types of 3D scanners that can be told apart by the work they do.
Outsourcing 3D Scanning Services
In the competitive business world of tomorrow, only the best will do. But it’s unrealistic to think that a company will always have all the resources, tools and knowledge it needs to do every job. That’s why outsourcing is so common.
Engineers often hire others to do specialised jobs, and 3D scanning is no different. 3D scanning companies often have different scanners for different tasks and offer a wide range of services:
- Making CAD Models from 3D Scans
- Reverse Engineering of Components
- Non-Contact Quality Control of Manufactured Parts
- Inspection and Analysis for Compliance
- Medical Part Prototyping
- Archaeology; Scanning of Statues, Paintings, and Other Works of Art
- Mine and Construction Site Scans and 3D Modelling
- Forensics
- Automotive Aftermarket Parts
Two of the most common ways that 3D scanning companies are used are reverse engineering and non-contact quality inspection. But the number of ways to employ 3D scanning is endless and growing daily.
Non-Contact Quality Inspection Services
Traditional methods of ensuring the quality of produced components are becoming increasingly difficult to implement. Quality inspections are getting more difficult because modern CNC machines can make complicated shapes. Modern production methods like additive manufacturing are more commonly used on safety-critical parts.
Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) with touch probes were invented to make it easier to look at complicated parts. Still, they can only gather information from one spot at a time. But 3D scanners can quickly collect data from many different measuring points.
But, as has already been said, when building a new machine and making parts for the first time, it’s a good idea to hire an outside organisation for QA. Outsourcing gives businesses the skills and tools they need to make quality 3D scans.
Suitable vendors can scan the parts and report the quality of manufactured parts quickly. Thanks to this state-of-the-art technology, scanned objects can be digitised into 3D models, which then can be used to see deviations from the actual part with GD&T results accompanying.
Reverse Engineering Services
Reverse engineering is a method that can be used to learn more about an existing machine and how its parts work. A machine can be reverse-engineered by disassembling and precisely measuring its components.
3D scanning is an excellent method if you need to make a 3D CAD model of a part quickly for reverse engineering purposes. To speed up the reverse engineering process, have a 3D scanning company scan the part and use the 3D CAD model.
Finite Element Analysis Services
The engineering industry often uses finite element analysis (FEA) because it lets professionals check if a product meets all of the standards for stress, life, and other parameters.
If you do reverse engineering in any way, it makes sense to try to improve existing parts. To use the geometry of a component in FEA systems, it will be necessary to make an excellent digital copy of it. You can see how the design-engineering process might make a difference.
Aerial Inspection With 3D Scanners
Unlike traditional 2D measuring tools, Aerial 3D scanners can scan larger areas in less time and more accurately. This makes them a popular choice for land, site and construction scenarios.
Drones can carry and move sensors and systems like LiDAR and others over an industrial complex or around large structures. 3D Scanners create a digital copy that Engineers can use to evaluate the structure and the area around it.
Hiring a 3D scanning company to outsource the service allows you to focus on what you do best while someone else takes care of the tedious details.
3D Scan to CAD Services
A 3D scanner is a quick way to scan things. However, the data it collects cannot be used to make a CAD model without post-processing. This is because a 3D scanner makes mesh data or point clouds and both of these need to be processed further before they can be used as a standard 3D CAD model.
For this reason, 3D scanners need software and people who know how to use them. 3D scanning companies have professionals with much experience in the field who can ensure that the CAD model of the scanned object is accurate.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, there are various types of scanners, all with different uses. And 3D scanning can be useful for 3D scans of items, environments, or even mines.
Also, some 3D scanning professionals do more than just scan things. They can analyse the data they collect and offer technical commentary. For example, a 3D scanning service could help you make components for an automated system that no longer has replacement parts.
So, 3D scanning companies might offer this as a complete engineering solution. They might also do the scanning and then let you use the results.
Without a doubt, 3D scanning will continue to make quality checks, reverse engineering, and other tasks faster. Instead of investing in the necessary equipment and training in-house, businesses may outsource their 3D scanning needs and devote more resources to their core competencies.