3D Scanning - What Is 3D Scanning?

3D (3-Dimensional) scanning is a non-contact, non-destructive technology that digitally captures the shape of physical objects using a line of laser light. 3D laser scanners generate data “point clouds” from the surface of an object. In other words, 3D laser scanning is a way of capturing the exact size and shape of a physical object as a digital 3-dimensional representation in the computer world.

3D laser scanners measure fine details and capture freeform shapes to quickly generate high-accuracy point clouds. 3D laser scanning is ideal for measuring and inspecting contoured surfaces and complex geometries that require large amounts of data for accurate definition, where it isn’t practical to do so with traditional measurement methods or a touch probe.

3D Scanning Methods

The most commonly used 3D scanning methods are:

Laser 3D scanning
Photogrammetry,
Structured light scanning.
Contact-based 3D scanning

The choice of 3D scanning technique will depend on your project or context.

Non-Contact Scanning Method

3D scanning collects shape data using a laser, light, or camera without physically touching the object.

Use in Reverse Engineering

3D scanning makes it possible to reproduce discontinued parts by producing a digital copy of them.

Accuracy Margin

Depending on the application, industrial 3D scanners can achieve sub-millimeter (micron-level) accuracy.

Related Questions

A point cloud is a dataset formed by combining thousands, or even millions, of measurement points collected from the surface of the scanned object. When these points are combined, the digital 3-dimensional shape of the object emerges.

Touching complex or delicate surfaces with a physical probe is both slow and carries a risk of damaging the object. Non-contact scanning uses light or a laser to eliminate this risk while also completing the measurement much faster.