3D scanners can do some amazing things, but, like any technology, they have their limits. One frustrating problem that users run into is the difficulty in scanning shiny objects. The play of light on any reflective or translucent object makes capturing a clear image pretty challenging. But Fuel3D, the makers of the SCANIFY line of 3D scanners, have developed a new type of scanner that can eliminate the shiny object problem.
The new SCANIFY Press-and-Scan compound is a soft, Play-Doh-like material that creates a clear impression of objects pressed into it. This allows users to easily create reverse impressions of their hard-to-scan objects, such as shiny, translucent or sharp-edged items, which can then be 3D scanned. Fuel 3D describes the Press-and-Scan as being particularly useful for industrial applications such as reverse engineering or concept modeling, which have frequent need for scans of flat or reflective objects.
“All 3D scanners face challenges when it comes to shiny, flat or reflective surfaces,” said Andrew Larkin, CTO of Fuel3D. “With the SCANIFY Press-and-Scan compound we are providing our users with an option to overcome these challenges.”
The Press-and-Scan will be showcased at next month’s CES 2016 exhibition, along with Fuel3D’s other newly introduced product: the SCANIFY Mobile Package. The mobile package will give users the capability to mount a tablet computer and a standard 4200mAh lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery onto the hardware of their existing SCANIFY scanner, making it completely portable.
“As a handheld product, SCANIFY has always been more flexible than most other 3D scanning systems, but we wanted to offer our customers the ability to go completely mobile by removing the need to remain tethered to a power supply,” said Larkins. “By enabling a standard tablet and battery to be easily mounted onto the scanner, you can now take SCANIFY wherever you want.”
While you’ll need to provide your own tablet and battery, the SCANIFY Mobile Package, which retails for $50, includes everything else you’ll need to mount them, including cables and a 3D print file for the mount itself. The file is easily adaptable to fit any tablet model, and it can be printed at home or through a 3D printing service. Windows users, you’ll be happy to hear that Fuel3D has also adapted its 64 bit Fuel3D Studio Software to a 32 bit version that is compatible with Windows tablets.
“With this development, we have given SCANIFY users the freedom to take 3D scanning to places where it just wasn’t possible before,” said Stuart Mead, CEO of Fuel3D. “Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, visiting a sculpture exhibition, or hosting an event where guests are being scanned, SCANIFY can help you preserve your experiences in 3D.”
You can check out these new products by visiting Fuel3D’s booth, number 26920, at CES 2016, which is taking place in Las Vegas from January 6 to 9. This is a fitting place to showcase the newest products, as Fuel3D initially introduced their super-fast SCANIFY 3D scanner at CES 2015. Discuss these new products in the Scanify Forum on 3DPB.com. See a demonstration on how to assemble the SCANIFY Mobile Package below:
