Afinia EinScan Rigil and the Development of 3D Scanning

A lot of contemporary product design and manufacturing rely heavily on objects, parts, tools, or machines that currently exist. Digitizing these objects requires capturing the object’s shape, which can be done using a 3D scanner. The 3D scanner creates digital information from a shape drawn from a physical object. Instead of measuring the individual surfaces, users can collect information in a three dimensional space and use it in a computer based environment. The Afinia EinScan Rigil Tri-Mode Laser 3D Scanner was designed with this type of work in mind and provides users with different scanning options to best suite the need for various types of objects as well as different project requirements.

3D Scanning Explained

A 3D scanner captures the surface and shape of a physical object. Lasers; structured light; or other optical methods are used to capture the object from a variety of different angles. The scanner combines this information and the object’s surface is digitized. Different types of software may produce a final result that can range from a point cloud to a mesh to other types of 3D models. This digitized data can be used for design, inspection, documentation, manufacturing, and 3D printing, among other things.

Advantages of 3D Scanning Technology

In industrial application, ease of measurement of simple shapes is one of the primary advantages of traditional measurement methods. Complex shapes and objects become problematic as time for measurement and recording of details becomes prolonged. Small features, irregular surfaces and complex edges become almost impossible to record. Highly detailed information of a subject can be captured and recorded using 3D scanners as part of a digital workflow. This helps engineers and designers to understand the subject in greater detail before actual changes are made to it.

Explaining Tri-Mode Scanning

Tri-mode scanning is based on the premise that different objects may present varying challenges during the scanning process. There are large flat objects and there are small components. Some surfaces may have minimal detail and some may need very close scanning detail. A set of scanning modes can provide much more flexibility to address the challenges caused by varying objects. Each object can then be scanned in whatever way best aligns with the object’s physical characteristics.

Preparing an Object to be Scanned

The scanning of an object is greatly enhanced by preparation. The surface of the object must be cleaned, and any loose parts or unnecessary elements of the object must be immobilized. For some scanning systems, highly reflective and transparent surfaces can create additional problems. Knowledge of the object being scanned allows the operator to devise the most appropriate scanning methodology to avoid unwanted complications.

Scanning for Reverse Engineering

In the field of reverse engineering, one of the best ways to utilize a 3D scanner is by scanning a physical component, which may be all a company has, and using that scanned data to begin the process of designing the component. When engineers scan the object, they analyze the shape, dimensions, and features. With this information, they can create or alter the digital design.

Updating Older Components

Some manufacturers have to work with equipment and components that have been in the field for quite a number of years. Original design drawings may no longer be available, and manufacturers may want to upgrade a specific component. In those instances, taking a digital scan may be very helpful. Engineers can use the scan to help determine the impacts that specific design modifications could have, and the scan may serve as a good starting point. This approach may be very helpful when new components must be designed to fit within an existing equipment structure or assembly.

3D Scanning Enhances Design Work

The value of a 3D scanner goes well beyond data capture. The true value comes from how the data is leveraged to fit with the design workflow. Designers can use scanning data as a reference. Scanning data can also be used by engineers to verify designs and by manufacturing to ensure work is done to correct specifications. The normal scanning process lessens the need for time-consuming manual measurements and increases the quality of the data available to teams.

Proper Selection of Scanning Methods

There is no scanning method that is ideal for all objects. The best scanning method for a given object relates to the size and surface of the object, the amount of detail required, and the intended use of the final scanned data. Scanning systems such as the Afinia EinScan Rigil can provide alternative scanning methods, thus enabling users to adjust their methods and processes based on the scanning requirements.

The Role of Professional 3D Scanning

Accuracy and speed or both are important for professional scanning. If you are an engineering company, manufacturer, product designer, researcher, automotive professional, or repair technical service, professional scanning can provide you repeated scans for a digital record of your work. Digital data of a physical object can provide a great deal of benefit to your work, even if your goal is not production.

Conclusion

Professionals have had to rethink their strategies to deal with 3D objects, most of which have used to rely on labor intensive methods to create digital representations of a physical object, even to the extent of having to rely on a completely new design. 3D scanning methods used with the Afinia EinScan Rigil Tri-Mode Laser provide scanning solutions to a number of industry related applications including manufacturing, inspection, reverse engineering and many more.

FAQs

Will 3D scanning ever help with 3D printing?

Yes. Scanners are able to read an object and digitize it, thus allowing it to be printed in the way modern machinery allows us. It is an incredibly fast way to make a customized or just an experimental prototype, replacement, or just about anything.

What is the range of industry application of 3D scanners?

Industries that employ 3D scanning technology include manufacturing, engineering, automotive, product development, custom prototype construction, as well as research and investigative based studies, inspection, and 3D printing.

Why is tri-mode scanning more useful?

As the name indicates, tri-mode scanning combines three different methods. This may come in handy when dealing with variable objects of varying sizes, surfaces, and levels of detail.