DIY 3D scanner: selection of materials, step by step instructions

A professional scanner is very expensive and not always a necessary thing. It makes no sense to buy an expensive device, if you can save by assembling a small analogue with your own hands.

Materials and Tools

To create an inexpensive version of a laser scanner, you will need the following items:

1. Quality webcam.
2. A line laser or any other device emitting laser beams. Remember, the finer the beam, the better the image.
3. Various mounts.
4. Data processing software.

Important points before work

It is necessary to use the device correctly so that it does not harm human health. Among the basic rules of use can be identified:

1. The laser is dangerous. It is forbidden to shine them in people and animals, especially in the eyes. There is a risk that it will cause retinal burns.
2. You can not look at the laser through optical instruments. They enhance the function of the laser.
3. It is forbidden to direct the laser at household appliances and vehicles.
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4. Do not give the device to children.
5. Do not use a laser if its power exceeds 5 mW, since even the reflection of such a beam can cause irreparable damage to health.
6. Buy special safety glasses.

Important! If you do not know how to use a laser, it is better to abandon the idea of ​​assembling a 3d scanner with your own hands.

DIY 3D scanner: step by step instructions

First you need to buy a laser device. A good solution would be a module with a wavelength of 650 nm. The color is red. Power 5 mW.

Reference! If you choose a more powerful design, you will pay a lot more, while there is a big risk to harm your health. It is better to stop on a self-powered laser, as it is very convenient.

If it does not work out, you should find out the power settings and create a small kit for the battery or batteries. There will be a button on and off. Two wires (red and black) will go from the body kit. The first is responsible for +, and the last for -. The power characteristics and polarity must be taken into account so that the device does not fail.

The next step is to buy a webcam. You must select a device that supports DirectShow (it is better to choose a modern device). In most new models there is a need for drivers.

Attention! It is also important that the webcam is capable of delivering at least 30 FPS on an extension of 640x480. You can buy a camera, the characteristics of which will be slightly lower, but the quality will decrease.

Remember, if the extension and frame rate are high, the computer will be loaded. A good choice is the Logitech Pro 9000 or Logitech HDPro Webcam 910. The best option is to choose a black-and-white camera with a CCD matrix.

Now you need to resolve the issue with the software. It is necessary to translate a flat image into three-dimensional models. A great choice is the DAVID-Laserscanner app. It has recently been updated and some bugs have been fixed. We will also need Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0. But you can choose a higher version. But remember that the full version of the Laserscanner app costs more than 300 euros.

Attention! There is also a Demo version, but it is not able to save ready-made 3d models.

First, the program is downloaded and installed. We need to open the folder where the utility is located and go to the Printout directory. There we are looking for files for calibration under the A3 and A4 format. Formats are selected depending on the size of the item to be scanned. But remember that the height of this object is approximately two times lower than the height of the calibration angle. Patterns must be printed and folded into fold lines, like a book. It is important that the bend angle is 90 degrees, and does not change. Also, the sheets should be flat. Do not mix up the orientation. In printouts, we measure and remember the length of the line, which is signed as a scale (Scale, measured in millimeters). We put an object that we will scan so that the created angle is behind it.

Turn on the webcam in black and white. She should look right at the corner. We fix the device. We start calibration. Open the DAVID-Laserscanner program, and select the camera as the source. Open the Camera Calibration section. The measured scale parameters are entered there. Click Calibrate. The program can immediately display a message about the success of the calibration. It's good. If the message does not appear, the camera must be configured. We turn off everything that improves the image - autofocus, automatic brightness settings.

Reference! If you need to scan the image several times, the calibration will have to be repeated.

Now turn on the laser and point it at the sample. This is necessary to see the necessary parts of the calibration angle. You should see the laser line on both the right and left sides and on the subject. Attention! Scanning transparent objects will cause problems. They will have to be covered with paint.

Make the room dark (isolate all light sources). Again we point the laser at the sample. Ideally, only the laser line should be visible on the screen (no object and angle visible). Try moving the Exposure slider to increase or decrease exposure.

Now we begin scanning. We turn on the depth display mode through Camera Shows, then the Depth Map. If you move the laser up or down, the program will begin to draw the contours of the subject in space. If you can’t do the scan the first time, you should fix the settings and just get used to the work. For the final scan, click Stop and Erase, then Start. If you get a good scan, click Stop, then Add to list. To save the copy, click Save As.

Again, click Stop and Erase. The subject must be constantly turned over until we stop at 360 degrees. This is necessary so that the image is three-dimensional.

Making a high-resolution scanner with your own hands is easy. however, you must adhere to all the rules for the device to turn out to be of high quality.