Protolab 3D Scanning
3D Scanning allows for capturing the geometrical shape for an object and transfer this into a digital format.
You can certainly do this by measuring the overall dimensions and features of the object using a caliper and making a technical drawing from these measurements. If you need the data for industrial production purposes you would need to put these data into a CAD program. This will take a lot of time for a complex geometry, and the accuracy would be questionable.
By using a 3D Scanning process, you will be able to capture the exact shape of the object and transfer these data into a 3D CAD model directly. After the capture you can complete the point cloud into solid 3D model objects.
This method allows for several useful areas:
Reverse Engineering: Capturing the geometrical shape of a product for
industrialization. Like a handcrafted part you want to duplicate or make a mold for serial production or re-capture the cavity of an old production tool with missing accurate drawings.
Quality Control: By checking the dimensions compared to a master CAD model. This allows for an automated quality control during mass production.
Optical deformation analysis: By using 3D Scanning technology you may check deformations and actual changes of an object during stress or practical working situations.
We can perform 3D Scanning services using an automated stationary lab or on-site operations, like capturing wear and tear of machine elements in the field, detecting possible deviations.
