Product Review – Holocreators

Artec Space Spider 3D-Scanner Product Review

Swann Rack — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 15:54:33 +0000

Swann Rack is testing the Artec Space Spider

A Closer Look at the Artec Space Spider

On the front right of the Artec Space Spider is the projector. It projects a blue-structured light
pattern onto the object to be scanned. The surface of the object curves this projected pattern .
Three cameras capture the curvature and distortion of the pattern and calculate the geometry of the
object. The color camera is installed in the center. Therefore, the light-emitting diodes are arranged
in a circle. During the scanning process, the camera records the color texture.

Clearly visible: The different optics on the front side of the Artec Space Spider

The 3D scanner must be connected to a power supply and a laptop during the scanning process. This
is done with two cables: one for power and one for the data transfer. There is also a rechargeable
battery, which makes the power cable redundant. The battery lasts for about three scans.

Power cable and data cable of the Artec Space Spider

On the backside of the Artec Space Spider is a button—push forward for 3D scanning and backward
to stop the scan. The Space Spider has the weight and feel of a clothes iron. During the scanning
process, the Space Spider must be connected to a PC or laptop. It works with the software “Artec
Studio”. During the scanning process, you can see real-time capturing on the screen—so if there are
any errors, you can quickly correct and re-capture erroneous areas.

Possible Source Errors During 3D Scanning

When 3D scanning with the Artec Space Spider, 20 cm from the object is ideal. The software “Artec
Studio” displays the optimal distance on the connected laptop. The Space Spider has a measuring
field of view of about 10 cm. This means that for larger objects, the software combines several
partial scans in real-time. The 3D scanner does this by orientating itself on the previously scanned
section while you move around the object. With objects larger than 30 cm, this can lead to errors
because the software has problems combining images correctly.

Artec Studio Software shows the ideal distance for 3D scanning

Negative example: We wanted to record a motorcycle tank with the Artec Space Spider for a
customer. The tank totaled 60 cm in length. While we moved around the tank to 3D scan it, the
errors added up, resulting in an inaccurate 3D scan.

The Artec Space Spider in use

The Advantages of the Artec Space Spider

One big advantage of the Space Spider is its light weight and mobility. It is stored in a transport box
and is ready for use at the customer’s site in 2 minutes—after warming up. Unlike other 3D
scanners, it does not have to be recalibrated after each use, but for an accurate 3D scan, it is
recommended.

Calibration of the Artec Space Spider

Additionally, the 3D scanner has different software settings with which the density of the point cloud
generated during 3D scanning can be modified. The denser the point cloud, the more accurate the
3D scan.

3D Scan of a ring gauge, created with the Artec Space Spider

Besides the 3D model, the Artec Space Spider also creates color texture—either as a 4k or 8k
textured map. However, the color quality is not as good as a fine photogrammetric 3D Scan.

The Accuracy of the Artec Space Spider

To test the accuracy, we 3D scanned a ring gauge for a micrometer. This ring gauge has a calibrated
inner diameter of 90 mm. We then compared the 3D scan with a CAD model of the ring gauge. This
deviation analysis (nominal actual comparison) resulted in the Artec Space Spider 3D scanner
providing accuracy within about +-0.05mm.

3D Project Files Available for Download

We have prepared the original 3D scan, the CAD model and the deviation analysis for you to
download:

Deviation analysis with a nominal actual comparison report of the 3D Scan and CAD

Conclusion

The Artec Space Spider has a good price/performance ratio. It is mobile and light and is a good entrylevel scanner for professionals. We use it to 3D scan for customers with smaller budgets who need
to balance cost and accuracy.

Do you need a 3D scan made with the Artec Space spider?

Holocreators offers 3D scanning services, 3D scan-to-CAD conversion services (STL to STEP), 3D modeling services, and CAD design services. If you need a 3D scan made with the Artec Space Spider or would like help with any other 3D scanning project, we can help you. Just give us a call at +49 40 481133 or send us an email: info@holocreators.com

The post Artec Space Spider 3D-Scanner Product Review appeared first on Holocreators.

Vitronic Vitus 3D body scanner Product Review

Swann Rack — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 00:28:18 +0000

Fun fact: Vitronic is known in Germany for the production of radar systems for traffic surveillance—
they specialize in speed cameras.

A person standing on a pedestal inside the ”Vitronic Vitus” 3D Scanner

The Vitronic Vitus is a 3D scanner that enables the fast and contactless capturing of 3D body scans.
Immediately after the 3D scanning process, a color 3D model can be exported. The Vitus is a
structured-light scanner that projects an infrared line pattern onto the person to be scanned. In
contrast to photogrammetry, structured-light scanning has the advantage of providing extremely
accurate measurements.

The Vitronic Vitus 3D body scanner

Differences Between Photogrammetry and Structured-light Scanning

Photogrammetry

In photogrammetry, we use about 70 cameras in a scan cabin, which trigger simultaneously. This
results in a photoset, that is subsequently calculated into a 3D model. Unfortunately, no direct
scaling of the 3D model is possible. Therefore, the person to be scanned must take a measuring stick
with him/her into the cabin to enable a subsequent scaling.

Structured-light Scanning

In structured-light scanning, a stripe pattern is projected onto the surface of the object, which is
recorded by two stereo cameras. A 3D model can be calculated from the distortion of this pattern.
The scaling is done directly during the scanning process. The Vitronic Vitus is a structured-light
scanner.

How Does the Vitronic Vitus Work?

The Vitronic Vitus consists of a scan cabin and a pedestal for the person to be scanned. In the
corners of the scan cabin, there are four sensor columns with sensor slides, on each of which are
two cameras and a projector for the structured-light.

Sensor columns with sensor slides in the Vitronic Vitus

The scan volume of the Vitronic Vitus is approx. 1 m in diameter and approx. 2 m in height.
Measuring with the Vitus takes between 10 and 14 seconds. For scanning, the person stands on the
pedestal in the cabin. It is important that the person remains still during the entire 3D scanning
process to ensure an exact measurement.

A finished 3D scan with a colored 3D model of the person

During the 3D-scanning process, the sensor slides move from top to bottom and capture the person
in 3D. An infrared light pattern is projected onto the person, which is detected by two stereo
cameras. While the sensor slides move up again, another camera captures the color information of
the person, so that a colored 3D model can be created. The total recording time, including data
processing with the Anthroscan software from Human Solutions, is about 60 seconds.

An image of the 3D model in the Anthroscan software

The Specifications of the Vitronic Vitus

The Vitronic Vitus body scanner weighs about 250 kg (551 lbs.) and is relatively mobile. According to
the manufacturer, the weight has been reduced since the previous model, making the device easier
to transport and set up. The 3D scanner can be taken along to trade fairs or events and can be by
two people in about four hours.

Platform in the scan cabin of the Vitus Vitronic

The total diameter of the 3D scanner is about 2.20 m (7’ 2”), and it’s about 2.90 m (9’ 6”) tall.
According to the manufacturer, however, a ceiling height of at least 3.10 m (10’ 2”) is required for
the assembly. The Vitronic Vitus also has its own lighting system in the scan cabin, which makes its
use independent of external lighting conditions. The list price of the Vitronic Vitus is currently
approx. 60,000 euros (70,860 USD).

Conclusion

The Vitronic Vitus is a structured-light scanner that has been optimized for body scans. It is cheaper
than a photogrammetry system with DSLR cameras. A big advantage of the Vitronic Vitus is that
directly after the 3D scan, a correctly scaled 3D model can be exported.

Do you need a person (figure) 3D scan with the Vitronic Vitus?

Holocreators offers 3D scanning services, 3D scan-to-CAD conversion services (STL to STEP), 3D modeling services, and CAD design services. We are happy to support you with your projects. Please call us at +49 40 481133 or send an email info@holocreators.com

The post Vitronic Vitus 3D body scanner Product Review appeared first on Holocreators.

Alicona InfiniteFocus 3D-Scanner Product Review

Swann Rack — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 16:26:28 +0000

The InfiniteFocus 3D scanner from Alicona uses a very interesting 3D scanning technique: The focus
variation. By varying the focus of the camera, the 3D scanner can measure the distance to a point on
the surface of an object.

Test on the shooting range

How does the Alicona InfiniteFocus 3D scanner work?

Let’s take a look at how the Alicona InfiniteFocus 3D scanner works specifically by using the cartridge
casings from our forensic ballistics experiment as an example.

The cartridge case is mounted inside the 3D scanner. The scanner is equipped with an automatically
focusing optic which focuses on a single point on the cartridge case. After the first point has been
measured, the case is moved slightly on the XY axis and the next point is selected. Compared to the
previous point, this point will likely have a slightly different Z-axis height. To bring this new point into
focus, the optic has to adjust. The height of each point is then derived from the different focus
planes. This creates the data needed for your 3D scan.

Cartridge Case mounted inside scanner

This 3D scanner is particularly good at 3D scanning small parts that have minute differences in
height, such as a coin or the back of a cartridge case.

The Live Fire Test

For our test we went to the shooting range and shot ammunition with caliber 308 Winchester from
two different rifles.

Cartridge A could be assigned to Rifle 1 and Cartridge B could be assigned to Rifle 2. A third
cartridge–Cartridge C– was fired without us knowing which rifle was used. Using 3D scanning
techniques, we were able to determine which rifle shot Cartridge C.

Fired cartridge cases A, B and C

Comparing the Fired Cartridge Casings

Forensic ballistics makes use of an intrinsic characteristic of cartridge cases. When a firearm is fired,
the firing pin of the weapon leaves a very distinctive imprint on the primer of the cartridge case.
To match Cartridge C to one of the two rifles, we captured the 3D scans of all three cartridge cases
with the InfiniteFocus 3D scanner and then compared the scans inside the computer. With a
deviation analysis we could visualize and analyze the deviations between the different 3D scans.

Deviation analysis on the computer

Thanks to this deviation analysis, we can say with a high degree of probability that cartridge C was
fired from the same rifle as cartridge A. This result is further strengthened by the comparison of the
color information of the 3D scans, which the InfiniteFocus also captures. Cartridge A and C showed
the same color gradients in our test.

Cartridge cases B and C in comparison, with striking differences in height

Cartridge cases A and C in comparison, with almost the same height pattern

Download All of the Project Data

We have prepared all of the pertinent project data for you to download:

Conclusion

The InfiniteFocus 3D scanner from Alicona works through focus variation. The device is perfectly
suited for making high-resolution 3D scans of small and flat objects. This 3D scanner can also record
color.

Do you need a very accurate 3D scan with the Alicona Infinite Focus?

Holocreators offers 3D scanning services, 3D scan-to-CAD conversion services (STL to STEP), 3D modeling services, and CAD design services. We also offer 3D scanning with the InfiniteFocus 3D scanner from Alicona. We are happy to support you with your projects. Please call us at +49 40 481133 or send us an email info@holocreators.com

The post Alicona InfiniteFocus 3D-Scanner Product Review appeared first on Holocreators.