Looking for some info in choosing a 3D scanner.
Either structure light or laser.

Needs to be able to drop data into modeling software. Where we can tweek the faces.

Any info is appreciated.

 

So you want to digitize but you want to do it with a laser?

I don't know much about that but I want to learn. I would like to get a small arm to use for digitizing stuff.

Great topic BTW!!!

 

Yes. I want to start using a 3D laser scanner. To create 3D files and duplicate parts.

 

I have seen a few demos at IMTS, but I don't have much info to offer myself. I would search, then ask here Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web

 

I used to work in a prototype lab and have used a FARO Arm with Rapidform XOR software. The FARO arm was mounted to a cart with a nice granite top but the particular laser we had was not of the greatest quality. (sorry I don't know more about that laser....) I did feel like the software was pretty easy to use and decent for patching the scans, (mesh) though I did feel its CAD features were a little lacking. Once you converted all the scanned data into surfaces, I would just dump it into Solidworks and manipulate from there on. I had about a 2 hour training course which was pretty vague, I basically self taught myself the rest. My .02, spend the money and get the better quality laser and you will have less back end work. Also, it is helpful if you have a firm understanding of 3D modeling, although not a necessity, it does help greatly! Hope that's a little helpful.

 

i have a couple at work. not too impressed with them, especially for the cost. they make some pretty pictures and **** but they take a ton of post processing to get good models. I tried to use them for copying parts and even though they claim they are accurate to like .1mm the rep that was demoing one of them couldnt even locate a 1/4" hole. (this was a different brand than what i show below)
all the ones ive messed with use light. we were successful in making some little people busts and little models of larger equipment. its very time consuming.

heres the two i have
Portable 3D Scanners for 3D Scanning | Go!SCAN 3D by Creaform
the older version of this one
3D scanner, Optical CMM 3D scanner | MetraSCAN 3D

 

We have a faro arm with a blue laser head at work with geomagic software. We've only had it a few months but it works pretty well for scanning an engine bay, reverse engineering stock parts ,etc. we import into solidworks and go from there. I went to sema garage earlier this year and the guy there used it almost daily... He was awesome with it. If your ever in the Austin area hit me up if you want to come check it out.