Advancement in HD Scanning Technology

The basic definition of a scanner is changing over time. As a result, scanning technology is advancing from 2D to 3D. Equivalently, the technology is getting more sophisticated. More precisely, the result of the advancements has led to systems that not only scan art prints, posters and magazines to scanning almost anything.

The following are some of the latest advancements in HD scanning technology.

Short Range 3D scanning

Such a form of scanning utilizes a 3D scanner that focuses on the short range rather than long range. The 3D scanner uses structured Light technology or Laser triangulation.

Laser-based scanners

There are also Laser-based 3D scanners which utilize trigonometric triangulation. The result of the process is accurate 3D shapes. Here, the scanning process involves the use of single or multiple lines. Precisely, the scanner projects the lines on the object. Later on, it captures the object's reflection depending on the number of lines on the object. Laser scanners come in many designs, for instance, arm based, handheld portable units, and long-range scanners. This form of scanners can laser through sturdy materials that are dark or shiny. Additionally, they have a more straightforward design, portable, and are less sensitive to ambient light. An example in this category is Konica-Minolta Range 7.

Structured Light HD Scanners

Such scanners utilize white or blue LED light. Such a scanner processes an object by projecting a light pattern consisting of various shapes onto an object using several scanners. Similar technology as in Laser scanners calculates the position of the sensors relative to the location of the object. Structured light scanners are high-speed and cover a large scanning area. They also have a high accuracy of about 10 microns. Like most of the other modern scanners, the handheld structured light scanners are portable and eye-safe for humans with high resolution. A famous example is the Steinbichler Comet structured light Blue LED.

Medium and Long-Range Scanners

This form of scanners is either pulse based or phase shift 3D scanners. They are suitable for buildings, aircraft, and any other large structure. Such scanners capture millions of points. The process captures such a high number of points by rotating a spinning mirror at 360 degrees redirecting the Laser outwards towards the object of interest. Laser pulse shift 3D scanner draws its concept from the theory of light. The approach helps in calculating distances between the sensors and the parts of the object by sending lasers. The timing until the light reaches the surface is equivalent to the gap between the surface and sensors using the concept of speed of light.

Equally, the phase shift scanners utilize the same concept of the speed of light. Additionally, they modulate the laser beam power. Such a scanner is more accurate but not flexible for long range scanning. Both of these long-range scanners are portable and of high-resolution capability. One example is a Surphaser Long Range 3D scanner.

Arm Based Systems

Arm based system is not any different only that it utilizes software to monitor its position throughout the scanning process. They are particularly accurate for small to medium size parts. Additionally, this form of a scanner can probe a single area of an object.

Optically tracked HD scanners

Such a scanner uses a couple of cameras. They are better than arm-based systems when it comes to accuracy. They also maximize dynamic referencing. It is also possible to move the cameras around to cover large parts at a go.

While most of the examples above are industrial, scanning advancements apply across the various sectors of the economy, include photography, art and even medicine. Even the examples above cannot suffice this dynamic system. Nonetheless, the bottom line is the same. The advancements point to one particular direction.

It is about simplicity, portability, accuracy, freedom of movement, scanning volume, availability of software, and resolution that come into the picture. As such, the advancement in HD scanning technology is an embodiment of all these advancements. While the machines might not cover all the aspects of progress, they are up to speed with the current market needs on scanning.