Different kinds of 3D scanner

A 3D scanner is a machine which scans real-time objects, ranging from something as small as a penny to something as big as a tomb, and collect relevant data about them such as shape, size and texture. However, there is not only one kind of 3D scanner and this short informative article is going to explain a few of the different kinds for you:

Time of Flight scanner

This kind of three dimensional scanning device uses a laser light to probe into an item. The laser belongs to a rangefinder which is situated in the heart the machine. This laser then measures the exact distance of the surface of the object by timing how long it takes the pulse of light to reach the item and return back.

A Triangulation scanner

This scanner too uses a laser to scan its environment. The scanner shines a laser onto the object and then uses a camera to look for the location of the laser dot. This is known as a triangulation scanner because the laser emitter, camera and laser dot form a kind of triangle. This method of 3D scanning was first developed by the National Research Council in Canada in 1978.

Hand-held scanner

A hand held laser also uses the triangulation method. The data which is collected is done so in relation to an internal coordinate system and so collects data while the scanner is in motion.

So as you can see there are a wide variety of different 3D scanner machines out there all built with certain pros and cons making them perfect or not so good at scanning certain items. It is up to the team in question as to which kind of scanner they would use.

3D scanning and its military applications

From Space Shuttles to high tech military jets and other equipment, 3D scanning inspection has reached every level of military inspection.

A small number of years ago, this kind of technology was instituted to scan Space Shuttles for potential errors, defects and flaws, allowing the difficult-to-inspect areas to be accurately measured and checked.

Why 3D Scanning?

3D Scanning technology has been implemented in all levels of military inspection. This allows accurate measurements to be taken in a 3D form that eliminates all guess work by presenting the data as it is accurately depicted.

This means that equipment; parts and tools can be accurately measured and compared thus allowing flaws to be instantly identified so they can be repaired. Laser technology and 3D scanning improves the safety, reliability, and useful life of high value equipment where lives may be at stake with its usage.

Meeting military standards:

The necessary accuracy and precision that military technology requires demands that the laser scanning and inspection company be of the highest standard possible. Thorough checks will be made in to all companies providing such services to the forces.

What’s ideal about the new developments in 3d laser scanning technology is its increasing portability which allows the equipment to be taken anywhere so that military equipment can be checked out in the field.

Fighter jets, helicopters and other equipment can be checked without it being taken from those who may need to use it. This allows for the detailed and specific quality inspections that are so essential when lives are at stake.

Laser technology and 3D Scanning technology can even be used to accurately access the hulls of ships whilst they are still in the water, no matter how big the ship may be. Ship hulls can involve complicated shapes, especially when they involve the complexity of military design and technology for defence purposes. 3D Scanning produces an exact model of the ship’s hull while still in the water, identifying any flaws, defects or weakness for potential repair.

Moving forward:

The safety an accuracy of military infrastructure has been greatly improved through the development of laser scanning technology in all of its shapes and forms. When it is used for product inspection, improving the safety of all relevant equipment as well as the lives of the personnel who operate them it is something that should not be undervalued or underestimated.

For more information see 3D Scanning

Reverse Engineering

The clue is within the name in relation to reverse engineering. It's a procedure for discovering the engineering rules and mechanics of an apparatus or item through looking at the structure, performance and operations.

Generally reverse engineering consists of scanning a product so as to create a great 3d duplication. Therefore, 3-d scanning technologies also come in to play, it may comprise both white light scanners, 3d scanners and CMMs.

Quite simply a product or gadget is taken and stripped down layer by layer with each layer being analysed before the complete processes and function of the unit is known. By doing this an item could be remade or perhaps the original could be enhanced.

The process of reverse engineering has been utilized a lot inside the military services. 1 of these illustrations could be thedesign of the jerry can. Throughout the Second World War the British army noticed that the German’s jerry cans were of a better design and build than their own. Therefore, they capturedone or two and put to use reverse engineering to uncover the way they worked etc.

As jerry cans were actually a German innovation called Wehrmachtskanister, the English name ‘jerry can’ occurred given that they were thieved from Jerrys (Germans).

There are numerous explanations why reverse engineering is a good idea. These include product analysis, digital correction, military surveillance as well as forlearning functions. By working backwards you can easliy observe how a product worked when completed and after that go backwards to work out how this comes about, rather than the common route of beginning from nothing and working up.

White light scanning - An Introduction

White light scanning, or else known as WLS, is a technique used to accurately measure physical objects which would be unable to be measured through more traditional methods e.g. a plane part, a tomb or a face.

Once the object has been scanned a completely accurate 3d image is then produced which measures every single tiny bit of the objects surface area.
For example, if a piece of paper was scanned, something you think is extremely flat and smooth; it would be able to show you all the teeny tiny bumps and ridges along the surface.

You would think thatthis kind of machine would need to be huge in order to scan things such as tombs but this isn’t true.White light scanning machines are actually rather small. This is becausethey need to betransported to various locations and often moved around static objects in order to scan every inch of the item.

Some of the uses of white light scanners are actually very serious. For example if a plane crashes or malfunctions due to an element of its structure breaking or a bird flying into the engine, a scanner can reproduce an exact copy of the dimensions of the original piece. The same can be applied to the racing car sector. When items are moving so quickly and everything depends on how aerodynamic they are this is very important.

As you can see, white light scanning is a very interesting topic and has allowed us to perfectly measure an amazing amount of otherwise immeasurable, opening the way to a whole list of potential ideas and developments.