Z Corporation have unveiled two handheld laser scanners to help organisations quickly and easily capture large swaths of 3D geometry and true colour data for reverse engineering, inspection, and product design.
The ZScanner 700 PX and ZScanner 700 CX, introduced at the SolidWorks World 2009 International User Conference and Exposition is an addition to the ZScanner 700 platform that introduced speed, easy use and versatility to 3D scanning. The ZScanner 700 is a handheld, self-positioning scanner that could digitise 3D surfaces in real-time. It lets users scan any object in tight spaces with one continuous scan. The ZScanner 700 captures information in a single reference model, eliminating risk errors in post-processing to stitch multiple scans into one.
The new ZScanner 700 PX is a handheld laser scanner that precision-scans large objects such aircrafts and automobiles, items that previously were big to capture by hand. The ZScanner 700 PX features built-in AICON photogrammetric software, previously available only in fixed-position 3D scanners. As users of the ZScanner 700 PX choose larger target objects for scanning, its accuracy increases. The new ZScanner 700 PX easy use, accuracy and portability make it suitable for applications such as reverse engineering, inspection, 3D archiving, complex shape acquisition, measurement archiving, damage assessment, digital modelling/mockups and rapid prototyping.
The ZScanner 700 CX can capture surface information in full 24-bit colour, rendering the complete picture of an object and the geometry. Colour 3D data enables realistic and informative 3D visualisation and concept models, making the ZScanner 700 CX suitable for cultural heritage, anthropology, archeology, art, entertainment and web applications, as well as product design and reverse engineering.
In addition to capturing colour, the ZScanner 700 CX provides automatic and accurate texture mapping. Texture maps can be saved separately from the mesh, allowing users to modify or refine the texture in photo editing software without compromising accuracy. Flexible resolution during scanning enables the users to reduce resolution to obtain a lighter weight file or smoother surface appearance. Dual scanning mode lets the users toggle between colour and monochrome modes during the same scan.
The ZScanner 700 CX colour scanner creates full-colour scan-to-print solution when combined with Z Corporation’s 3D printers, which are capable of printing in multiple colours. ZPrinters create physical models directly from ZScanner data, or any 3D data, similar to 2D printers creating documents from word processing text. According to Z Corporation, these two new scanners can improve customers’ ability to scan anything, anywhere, irrespective of size, location, colour or contour.