Z Corp. Unveils Handheld 3D Scanner

By DE Editors

Until August 1, Z Corporation (Burlington, MA) has been known as amaker of multicolor 3D printers. But today Z Corp. branched into a newmarket segment with the introduction of its ZScanner 700, the company’sfirst handheld, self-positioning 3D scanner.
Since the ZScanner is a hand-held self-positioning device, it does notrequire fixed-position tripods, mechanical arms, or externalpositioning devices that must be within the line of sight of the targetsurface. This enables you to scan hard-to-reach surfaces, such asunderneath a car’s dashboard, that are difficult to scan with manyother systems.
“What’s unique about the Zscanner,” said John M. Kawola, Z Corp.‘sExecutive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development,in a briefing with DE July 28, “is that it captures STL surface detailsin real time” rather than just collecting point clouds for latersurfacing.

As it captures data in STL format, the ZScanner also captures it as asingle, continuous scan rather than numerous shots from fixedpositions. This eliminates post-processing time required to integratestatic shots into a cohesive scan. This characteristic when combinedwith STL data capture means that, once you are done your scan, you canimport the data into your 3D MCAD system or output to a 3D printerimmediately.

Z Corp. describes the ZScanner 700 as “the first part-referenced 3Dscanner,” meaning that the part to be scanned becomes its own groundreference rather than some object. Thus, you can move the target objectduring scanning.

The ZScanner 700 relies on a series of sticky dots that you place asyou will on your object of interest. You then “paint” the hand-heldunit’s projected laser crosshair over the object. Dual cameras recordthe surface, and the supplied software, ZScan, generates a polygon meshof the surface on your computer’s display screen in real time. Systemaccuracy is said to be within ±0.05mm, and it can detect changes insurface height down to 0.1mm.
The ZScanner 700 is available immediately for $39,900. Among theaccessories included in the purchase price are a laptop computer, ZScansoftware, cables, and a carrying case. Click here to go to the Z Corp.website. Click here for a video demonstration.


Sources: Press briefing and materials received from the company. Additional information gleaned from the company’s website.