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Structured-light 3D Scanner

The structured-light 3D scanner projects a striped pattern onto the object that needs to be scanned. The surface shape of the object distorts the stripe pattern. The pattern is then recorded by cameras on the 3D scanner, and the distortion allows software to calculate the 3D model.

How Does a Structured-light 3D
Scanner Work?

The structured-light 3D scanner consists of a video projector and several cameras. The 3D scanner can be mounted on a robotic arm, which automatically moves around the object and 3D-scans it from all angles. The video projector projects a striped pattern onto the object.

Because of the distortion of this pattern, and the change in size, which varies depending on the distance, software can reconstruct a 3D model.

To improve the accuracy of the 3D measurements, different patterns are projected onto the object from different angles. This allows the cameras to capture each point of the object with different patterns. This repeated 3D-scanning increases the accuracy of the measurement.

With very professional structured-light 3D scanners, it is possible to change the camera optics and thus change the field of view. The field of view can be adapted to the size of the object and enables even higher-resolution 3D scans.

Download Example Structured-light 3D scan

Before After

Compressor wheel real part with orange lighting

Marcel Köhler / Holocreators

Swann Rack / Holocreators

We have provided a structured-light 3D scan for you to download. The 3D-scan data is available in STL format. You can view it, for example, with the free 3D Viewer Meshlab:

What else you need to know about
the Structured-light 3D Snan

Structured-light 3D-scanning has several advantages over other 3D-scanning methods. It is optimally suited for small to medium-sized parts. The price-performance ratio is great. No other 3D-scanning method is as economical while providing the same degree of accuracy.

High accuracy. The structured-light 3D scanner is very precise because it can measure with an accuracy of up to ±0.05mm.
Wide range of different sized objects. Objects between 5 cm and 300 cm—the size of a mouse to the size of a small elephant—are possible.
Suitable for smaller objects. 3D CT scanning (computed tomography) provides better results, while laser scanning or photogrammetry are more suitable for larger objects.

The cameras of the 3D scanner must be able to capture the striped pattern projected onto the object. However, if the object’s surface is too reflective, it becomes difficult for the cameras to capture the striped pattern well. To overcome this problem, reflective surfaces are sprayed with a white matte paint before being scanned. This makes it much easier for the cameras to capture the surfaces.
If there are holes or undercuts on a part, they can’t be scanned because the structured light 3D scanner can only capture what is in its direct field of vision.
For perfect results, the structured-light 3D scanner must be calibrated daily with standardized patterns. In stationary systems, this process is automated.

Do you need a structured-light 3D scan
of an object?

Holocreators offers professional 3D-scanning and reverse engineering services. We offer many different 3D-scanning techniques—structured-light 3D-scanning being only one of them.

We would love to help you with your project.