Scanning Techniques

Question 1

What is 3D scanning?

Answer 1

Capturing real world objects shape and possibly appearance (i.e. colour). There are a variety of different methods all with inherent advantages and disadvantages

Question 2

3D scanning methods can be split into 3 categories, what are they?

Answer 2

Contact
Non-contact
Volumetric

Question 3

How is contact scanning achieved?

Answer 3

Through probing the part through physical touch

Question 4

What are the 3 different types of probe used in contact scanning?

Answer 4

Hard probe
Touch probe
Drag probe

Question 5

How is non-contact scanning achieved?

Answer 5

Through either lasers or structured light

Question 6

What are the 4 types of non-contact scanning?

Answer 6

Time of flight (Laser)
Triangulation (laser)
Structured light digitisers
Photogrammetry

Question 7

What is volumetric scanning?

Answer 7

A destructive method of scanning

Question 8

What are the 3 methods of volumetric scanning?

Answer 8

Destructive RE
Computer Tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 9

What is the output of scanning?

Answer 9

Variety of file format output types including STL but most scanners basically capture point cloud data

Question 10

What is a time consuming part of scanning?

Answer 10

Significant post processing is required to clean up a scan

Question 11

What are the 3 factors to consider when selecting a scanning method?

Answer 11

Geometry of part (size and complexity)
Material of part
Accuracy required

Question 12

What can hybrid scanning systems do?

Answer 12

Using a combination of systems can increase accuracy and/or increase scanning speed
Faro sell a contact scanning arm with additional laser scanner
Combining visible light sensors to a scanner enables it to capture surface texture and colour
(Must save as a file other than STL)