That 3D Copier for Down Sizing HO Models is one step closer...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

http://arstechnica.com/business/2013/04/new-443-3d-scanner-on-sale-looks-awesome-shoots-lasers/

Now we just need 3D printers in the sub $1000 price range that can do the resolution and finish we need.

It's fun seeing the future happen right before your eyes... 

[TiVoPrince]

Interesting
how much it looks like the Star Trek transporter.  Then the output 'magically' appears in your 3D printer.  We certainly live in an awesome age...

[wazzou]

Awesome.

[lock4244]

It sure takes the effort out of making the 3D drawing, though I'd think some tweaking would be required. That is cool.

I could take a GP40 and an Athabasca wide cab, scan them, combine in software, correct in software, and print GP40-2L shells. I'm not going to do that, but theoretically I could.

[GimpLizard]

This is cool.

I had considered the David Scanner (http://www.david-laserscanner.com/) a couple years back. But decided that installing, and setting up, the software would over tax my feeble abilities. (I am not the most ech savvy out there.) This thing looks so simple that maybe even I can handle it. And the Ø7.5" x 9.75" tall scan size ain't to shabby, neither. I wonder if I'll be able to get a 1/25 scale model car on it? (I potentially see an N scale 1964 Rambler station wagon in my future. Yea... I'm giddy. )

As for tweaking the finished file... I do a lot of 3D CAD work (Solidworks & KeyCreator). I don't know about OBJ files, but there isn't much you can do with an STL file. Other than maybe scale it up or down. You can also use it as a "jig", of sorts, to recreate the model in CAD. But that generally takes time.

[Lemosteam]

The accuracy of a scan is no different than the pixellation of a 3D printer.  The software will average the laser impact points.  It's not as accurate as it sounds.  I deal with vehicle scanns from million dollar equipment every day and you might be surprised at the inaccuracy when compared to nominal 3D CAD.  Don't forget parts have variation and are never nominal so when you scan two of the "same" parts, the scans will be different.  This will have to evolve just as far as the 3D printing does.  Cool machine though for a great price.

[bbussey]

That's pretty cool - much more affordable than the NextEngine scanner, which I have.  However, the footprint is only a five-inch diameter ... so that limits you to scanning HO cars under 36 feet, or scanning an HO model in sections and stitching the STL files together.

[wcfn100]

“Currently the resolution of the Photon, on a 4-inch figurine, is 0.43mm @ 0.5 degree scans, with an accuracy of +/- .2mm,” the description adds.

For some reason I'm flashing back to watching the Simpsons on the Tracey Ullman Show.

The resolution needs to be 10X better before this will be at all useful.

Jason

[Dave Schneider]

I'm saving up my money for one that will scan full sized rail cars and super models!

Best wishes,  Dave

[Philip H]

I'm saving up my money for one that will scan full sized rail cars and super models!

Best wishes,  Dave

 

Then we won't have to worry about foobs again . . . . only . . . b00bs   

[GimpLizard]

The resolution needs to be 10X better before this will be at all useful.

Jason

Actually, I wonder if I scan a 1/25 scale model (assuming it will fit on the machine), then scale it down to 1/160, if that might improve the resolution... some anyway.

[Lemosteam]

GimpLizard, nope it will only make the surface resolution worse at a smaller scale.  The scaling software will not know what to do with the mesh as it is reduced in scale. 

Wow, 0.5 degree scans meaning the farther the object's surfaces are from the center of the pad, the wider the resolition gets.  Like the shape of a pizza slice.  +/- .2 is the accuracy of the surface away from the lazer. 

Let's just say there will be musch surface sweetening that will have to occur.  You might as well measure the object and model it in a CAD tool.

[bbussey]

The answer to that is importing the scan into the 3D model software of choice and scale it down there.  Your resolution increases by the scale factor in that scenario.

[wcfn100]

The answer to that is importing the scan into the 3D model software of choice and scale it down there.  Your resolution increases by the scale factor in that scenario.

But nothing large enough will fit the scan area to make that even a possibility.

Jason

[kelticsylk]

I had considered the David Scanner (http://www.david-laserscanner.com/) a couple years back.

I tried it out for quite a while. At the time I was hoping I could scan in the shapes of different model automobiles. The idea was to scan them in and create 3D digital models for the train simulator. It required a LOT of scanning and mating up meshes and god knows what else and I was nowhere near getting what I wanted. Turned out it was easier to make the model "manually" using my modeling software.

This new gadget might have similar shortcomings. You can scan the object in, but you may have to massage it quite a bit to actually use it for 3D printing.