CES 2017 Featured Exhibitor Fuel3D Unveils New High-Resolution Desktop & 360 3D Scanners

January 6, 2017 by Sarah Saunders 3D Printing 3D Scanning

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When last we checked in with leading 3D scanning technology company Fuel3D, creators of the handheld 3D scanner SCANIFY, it was working with Sfered on a mirror-based 3D scanning system for making and customizing eyewear. The company is one of the featured exhibitors at CES 2017 this week, and, just like at last year’s show, is unveiling its newest technology offerings on the show floor.

Fuel3D is giving private demonstrations of its new super high-resolution desktop scanner and fast 360-degree scanner, and we got to take a look at them in person yesterday when CES opened. One thing we were struck by was just how fast both of the scanners are. The compact Fuel3D Desktop Scanner can capture 3D scans at 45 microns in 0.14 seconds, and the Fuel3D 360 Scanner enables the user to get high-resolution color scans in just 0.3 seconds!

3DPrint.com Editor-in-Chief Sarah Goehrke got a chance to try out the Fuel3D mirror scanner at CES 2017 yesterday, and get an up-close look at the new Desktop Scanner at the same time. [Image: Sarah Goehrke]

Let’s take a closer look at the Desktop Scanner first. This fast imaging and measurement system was designed to capture very high-resolution 3D data. If this gives you any indication of the level of resolution the scanner is capable of, one of the applications for the device is next generation fingerprinting. It can also be used for medical treatment tracking, biometric security systems, quality assurance, and the development of wearables, like custom-fit ear buds.

The high-speed Desktop Scanner is able to capture 3D shape and color data, with an accuracy of 0.045 mm, of objects as small as your ear. The scanner’s software development kit (SDK) will support application development by letting users integrate the scanner into their own applications.

Fuel3D CEO Stuart Mead says, “The speed and accuracy of the Fuel3D Desktop Scanner are a significant development in 3D scanning. The technology behind this product was originally developed for medical applications so capturing human features such as ears for wearable technology and 3D fingerprints for security are a natural step.”

According to Fuel3D, some of the features of the Fuel3D Desktop Scanner include:

Volume measurement: it can measure the shape and volume of features
Compact: the scanner’s size and shape make it optimal for desktop applications
Scalable: it provides a configurable, scalable path for developing new, groundbreaking 3D scanning solutions

Moving right along, the high-speed Fuel3D 360 Scanner was made for capturing extremely detailed 360° 3D data, with an accuracy of 0.2 mm. Just like the Desktop Scanner, it can capture both shape and full color data in the scans, but of mid-sized objects, like the human head and shoulders. One of the really great things about the Fuel3D 360 Scanner is how easily transportable it is: you can set up and calibrate the 55 lb. scanning rig in less than an hour. This makes it perfect for on-location scanning and pop-up retail opportunities.

Mead said, “The growth in the use of 3D data in areas as diverse as security, medical, virtual and augmented reality has created a challenge in how to quickly and cost-effectively capture real-life subjects and objects in 3D. The Fuel3D 360 Scanner provides a unique solution that will enable a wide range of sectors to scale-up 3D content generation cost-effectively.”

Some of the various applications for the Fuel3D 360 Scanner include facial measurement for retail services, virtual and augmented reality gaming characters and objects, movie actor CGI, custom eyewear fitting, and both pre and post-op dental treatment analysis. Also, just like the Fuel3D Desktop Scanner, it can be utilized for biometric security systems. The Fuel3D 360 Scanner also comes with a combined SDK and support package. According to the data sheet, this package includes:

Access to Fuel3D’s core IP of image capture, reconstruction, registration, scan stitching, and export feature sets
Custom SDK configuration for each customer, in order to tailor the scanner’s performance for specific applications
A development environment to integrate end-user applications
Demo applications, technical documentation, and engineering support

Both scanners will be available commercially starting in June 2017. Visit Fuel3D at CES 2017 at one of their two booth locations, and don’t forget, 3DPrint.com is also at CES this week, and will continue to bring you all the latest 3D printing and tech news from the show floor. Discuss in the Fuel3D forum at 3DPB.com.