3D Scanners and Laser Technology

Published: 15th April 2011
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If you ever wondered how the dimensions of a real object could be created into a digital model on a computer I suggest you continue reading this article. It would ordinarily be quite difficult to capture the dimensions of an object and convert them to digital data that you can use to create digital 3D models. I mean, without a 3D scanner to collect the necessary geometrical data of a object and convert the data to digital data which you can then use to work on 3D models with your computer it would be very hard to convert real life data to digital data. You would have to take a ruler and measure the object all over and it would be very inconvenient. If you want to create an accurate digital model of a real object you will need to utilize a certain type of 3D scanner. So if you want to learn more about how to use a 3D scanner and how they operate you should stick around.

The most common type of non-contact 3D laser scanners is called time-of-flight. The time-of-flight scanner got its name because it uses time to determine the size and geometrical points of an object. It might sound quite complicated but since we know that the speed of light is static (remains the same) we can determine the distance of the object by measuring the amount of time it takes for light to reach the object and return. We can figure out the dimensions of an object by using a specific formula which involves the speed of light. So, the scanner we are talking about here uses a set of lasers to shoot light at the object it is scanning and the device then records the amount of time it takes for each beam of light to return. As you probably know the speed of light is very fast and you would normally be unable to even calculate the amount of time it takes for light to reach an object a meter away from you. However, since the time-of-flight laser scanner contains many sensitive sensors it can determine how far away each spot of the object it is scanning by calculating how long the light takes to return from each part of the object.


The data from the scanner is then converted to a digital format that we allow us to gain access to the data the laser scanner discovered for us. Once the data is on a computer we can create a digital 3D model to create whatever it is we need to create. As you can imagine a 3D scanner can be used for many different purposes and there are certain types of scanners for certain projects. You should first determine what type of scanner would be recommended for your particular job and then set out looking for it on the market.

So, if you are planning on getting a job at a industry which works with laser technology you should educate yourself on how various laser scanners work and how to operate them.

You can have a lot of fun with a hand held 3d scanner, get 3d scanner price from author's website.

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Source: http://nicolewick12.articlealley.com/3d-scanners-and-laser-technology-2188830.html


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