The 3D scanning market is expected to reach $5.9 billion by 2023 as it makes manufacturing, design, and research more cost-effective and accurate.
As the business of 3D application rises so does its affordability and practicality. Scanners come in all sizes and price ranges.
You can download scanners on your phone, buy a hand-held scanner, or invest in industrial size ones.
No matter which method or device you choose, your business can benefit from at least one of these top seven uses of an affordable 3D scanner.
1. Architectural Design
You may be able to throw out those old blueprints as you trade it in for a highly accurate 3D version.
Using 3D scanning to get a building’s measurements and load them onto a CAD program can save time and money. This can help with restoration projects or assist in reverse-engineering the structure of a building.
You can use a 3D model of an older building to engineer the structure of a new building. Or use the scanned replica for interior design or remodeling purposes without hand measuring anything.
For this type of application, a larger stationary scanner on a tripod is needed to capture a building’s detail accurately.
How much does 3D scanning cost in this instance? Since stationary scanners provide higher-quality scans with more precision, they can cost more than hand-held ones.
2. Medical Procedures
In the medical community, 3D scanner handheld devices are much more useful as they scan smaller objects.
They scan body parts or the whole body to give doctors and surgeons a map of the patient’s internal structure.
This can be applied to help surgeons prepare for invasive surgery. Doctors can make custom prosthetic limbs and castes for their patients with exact measures using computer software and an uploaded scan.
Scanning a patient before and after a surgery or progressively throughout medical treatments such as cancer compares the variations in data.
3. Crime Investigation
Capturing everything in a crime scene is difficult to begin with but with a mobile 3D scanning device you won’t miss any detail. That is because the entire crime scene can be digitized and reviewed as many times as needed.
Police and forensics teams will not have to preserve the crime scene in order to view its original state. They can always revert back to the digital version.
This is also useful to recreate the crime virtually. The scene can be moved and tampered then reset to try another scenario.
Collect data and evidence to use in the courtroom and use it as liability insurance for minor legal incidences like car accidents.
4. Historic Restoration and Preservation
Imagine using a 3D scanner to estimate the size and shape of the missing leg of a prehistoric dinosaur. Or recreate an object from a small piece of an extracted artifact.
Creating and curating a historic collection of artifacts with a 3D scanner brings history back to life. You can even create an online archive used to showcase a collection for educational purposes.
This no-touch approach makes it safer to measure, restore, and duplicate fragile objects with accuracy that is not possible with the human eye. Preserving history makes the cost of a 3D scanner worth it.
5. Digital Art and Entertainment
Special effects and virtual reality thrives on 3D scanning. It is simple to incorporate real-life objects and people into digital designs. They can then be manipulated easily without wasting money.
Create real-life avatars to incorporate into movies or VR video games. The 3D scanner precisely scans the faces of actors, capturing features and measurements. The face and body can be altered with makeup and characterizations.
Scan the set of a movie to develop a virtual replica of a scene to choreograph a fight scene or a dance sequence. Try out several stage designs before committing to a theme. This opens up creative possibilities without using up the budget.
6. Mechanical Duplication
If a part breaks to a classic car or old appliance finding the replacement part may prove to be impossible. Instead of scrapping the car and buying a new appliance, a 3D scanner replicates the old part and uses a 3D printer to create a new one.
This can even work if you need to fix rusted or broken pieces of an object. You don’t have to buy a whole new motor if you can get the part replicated.
Even reverse engineer electronics or mechanical parts to understand their purpose and design. Improve upon the part on the computer to make a 3D model of your new version.
7. Geographical Mapping
Drones can use 3D scanning to take massive pictures of the land. This can be used in several applications, from building roads, locating natural elements, detecting underground tunnels, and making maps.
Vehicles with a 3D scanner attached to them also capture large landmasses to create a widespread view of areas. This makes surveying land fast and accurate to begin projects without long-term preparation needed.
Affordable 3D Scanner for Your Business
Choosing the right affordable 3D scanner for your company is essential to utilize its benefits. Some scanners pick up detail more than others while some are great for large objects. Decide which one works best for your purpose.
You also want to have or purchase a software program that is compatible with the scanner you choose.
See the review section of our blog to get great tips on the latest technologies and programs that will elevate your business.
