3D scanner head

[Rudy @rudy]

You mentioned that a 3D scanning head is on your list.
How would this be implemented?
If the bed would be replaced by a turntable, then how would the table be driven?
If not, then I have a hard time seeing how you could get the scanning head moved around the object without running into the horizontal rails.
If you were planning on the conventional laser line / camera approach then do you have enough bandwidth and the correct connections to the head already in place?
I think a 3D scanner would be great and extremely useful, but I’m a bit skeptical how much synergy there actually is with the printer motion and electronics.
Rudy

[Anonymous]

Yep, I don’t see a decent scanner fitting into this printer either.

But, I do see a laser etcher / cutter head working perfectly well with the existing geometry. That would be a great addition to have.

[Lucky Seven @lucky-seven]

To Drop a “standard” scanner set up into this unit would be tricky but I suppose not impossible. There’s issues with limited headroom and I imagine replacing the heated base plate for a rotating one every time you wanted to scan something would get to be a pain pretty quick.
The alternative is to have the Laser and camera rotate on an arm around the object to be scanned, using something that mounts in place of the removable print head assuming that’s even possible.
But to be honest some times trying to make an all in one machine presents too many limitations over having two seperate dedicated units. 3d printing isn’t exactly speedy. Which means your scanner attachment might find itself idle for hours at a time. That’s not to say I wouldn’t buy one But I think a stand alone scanner would probably be a more cost effective purchase.

I’ve high hopes for this unit and will be watching it with interest.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robocular/robocular-the-3d-scanner-for-everyone

Edit, links not adding to the post properly sorry about that

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  Lucky Seven.
• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  Lucky Seven.

[pelgrim @pelgrim]

just dropping my opinion: can’t put just any functionality in this box.
3D scanning is for me another story then 3D printing.

java (EE), JavaFX, HTML, GIS) programmer, database wizard, framework inventor, looking for a job ! http://roboxing.com/wizards

[Olivier @olivier]

Been thinking about this £D Scanner option, after some pacing thru it I don’t believe this would be difficult if the Robox rapid head connections have enough connections….

you need 3 basic axis, X, Y for the 2 basic volumic positioning… the an additional A axis for the head rotation (vertical rotation) and then one connection for switching the scanner on and the rest for data transmit.
If the rotating head is designed to scan the entire top vertical printing area (Z) you basically have a proper workaround

..:: I'm possible ::.. :: http://roboxing.com

[Lucky Seven @lucky-seven]

Problem I see with that idea is the closeness of the scanned object . Its a pretty tight environment what with only 4″ of head room to play with, a fan laser and camera might struggle to cover the whole of the top as it passes over it, if the object is too tall
Then there will be issues no doubt with the reflectivity of the clear plastic cover to take into account among other things. My negativity aside I do agree it would be do-able as a project. Heck if it came to it you could squeeze a Wifi link into the head and not worry about the number of lines in or out.
I’m just not sure how the cost VS . use ratio would stack up on this one, but I certainly watch with interest.

[Restart @restart]

Hello all,
there is a much more better scanner type that Robox 3D printer could integrate giving an incredible value to Robox .
It is a piezoelectric scanner head.
It has been used by Roland Picza some years ago and was used mainly in jewelery.

The resolution of the piezo scanner is amazing , 0,05 millimeter , 50 microns !
Much better compared to optical scanners.

For sure it is a slow process and technology may be cover by Roland patents but it would be my choice.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Restart.

[Lucky Seven @lucky-seven]

@Restart ,are they expensive ?

[Restart @restart]

Guess that as an accessory of a Roland miling Cnc Mdx 40 it cost in 2009 around 400 USD .
But the sensor itself is quite a simple hardware , basically a piezo and a needle.

[Lucky Seven @lucky-seven]

That seems like a pretty reasonable price point. Though I do wonder why tech this accurate is not more widely used, do you think it is a patent thing ?,(any one else besides Roland use them ?)
or does it have some other limitation that I’m not seeing.

Very interesting stuff.

[Restart @restart]

The Roland piezo scanner work very well but have some weak points , since the scanning is totally mechanical you need to move in a very accurate way and this make the process extremely slow when you need highest resolution.
Objects need to be scanned several times to cover all plans.
From the hardware point of view for a 3D printer like Robox the piezo scanner head is perfect .
For sure there must be patents from Roland , I ignore if they are still valid.
Finally I think that it all depends by the objects you need to scan and the best thing would be to have both piezo and laser scanner.
Piezo for small objects or objects that will go for reverse engineering. For fast scanning or large objects , laser.
For example, scanning a coin with a laser scanner is a loosen battle while with piezo you’ll get very good results.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by  Restart.

[Gonzalo Krosnyak @gkrosnyak]

Oops! I just posted scanner stuff in the laser thread… Watch the haters come after me! Sorry.

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