Photon 3D Scanner Aims for Ease of Use, Affordability

The odds are pretty reasonable that if you’re reading this blog you have access to an additive manufacturing (AM) system of some sort. It’s also possible that you are capable of producing CAD designs or have someone around who does that for you. Even if you do have easy access to 3D designs, software isn’t the end of the equation. One of the best ways to get data for a preexisting object is a 3D scanner.

Most scanners are a bit pricey for individual users, unless you use something like 123D Catch. That application is fine, but it doesn’t produce the quality of data necessary for complex designs or ongoing development. For that, most individuals (or companies) are looking at an investment of a few thousand dollars. The Photon 3D Scanner intends to fill the needs of consumers that don’t have big money to spend, but still want the accuracy provided by a true laser scanner.

The Photon comes from startup Matterform, and, in this case, when I say startup, I’m not using the phrase in the same way as CNN when it described MakerBot as a startup. As far as I can tell (and my Google-fu is pretty strong), the folks at Matterform don’t even have a website. Regardless, Matterform is reaching out through Indiegogo to further development, and has already surpassed its funding goal.

The new 3D scanner is a desktop model capable of scanning objects up to 190 x 190 x 250 (7.5 diameter x 9.75 in. height) in size. Average scan time is three minutes, and the system outputs data in .STL, .OBJ, and point cloud .PLY formats. For those so inclined, you can watch the data cloud being formed as the machine does its work, and it can be folded up for easy storage.

As far as resolution goes, the Indiegogo project page doesn’t offer any hard figures, but claims a, “High resolution scan created with a high definition camera and dual lasers.” You can also integrate scans from other systems, including 3ds Max, Maya, Solidworks, Cinema 4D, Google Sketchup, Rhino, and True Space.

While the lack of concrete data on resolution is somewhat off-putting, the price for a Photon is not. An assembled system costs just under $400 for Indiegogo backers, which is a steal for a 3D scanner. Unless the resolution turns out to be incredibly poor, it’s hard to see a reason not to pick one up if you lack a 3D scanner.

Below you’ll find the Indiegogo video about the Photon 3D Scanner.

Source: Indiegogo