Current Technology

The field of 3D scanning is driven by a diverse range of technologies, each designed to meet specific needs across various industries. These technologies enable the capture of objects, environments, and even internal structures with remarkable accuracy and detail, using methods tailored to their application requirements. Below is an overview of key 3D scanning technologies and their unique capabilities:

• Contact Scanning: Uses physical touch probes to measure precise geometry, typically in manufacturing and quality control applications.
• Depth Sensors: Found in consumer devices like smartphones, these sensors (e.g., structured light or LiDAR) enable small-scale 3D scanning.
• LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): Employs laser pulses to measure distances and create high-resolution point clouds, ideal for large-scale environments and precision tasks.
• Mobile Scanning (SLAM): Combines portable sensors with GPS and inertial navigation systems for real-time 3D mapping in dynamic environments.  SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) scanning is an advanced method that uses sensor data to create a 3D map of an environment while simultaneously tracking the scanner’s location within that environment.
• Multi-Spectral and Hyperspectral Imaging: Captures data across multiple light wavelengths, aiding in material identification and ecological analysis.
• Photogrammetry: Generates 3D models from overlapping photographs, ideal for capturing detailed and textured surfaces.
• Photometric Stereo: Uses varying light sources to capture surface details and textures with high precision, especially for small objects.
• Radiance Fields: Leverages neural networks to synthesize realistic views of 3D scenes from 2D images, providing cutting-edge detail and realism.
• Structured Light Scanning: Projects light patterns onto objects to capture their shapes, known for high accuracy and resolution.
• Time-of-Flight Scanning: Measures the time taken for light or laser pulses to return, suitable for large-scale objects and environments.
• Volumetric Imaging: Often used in medical imaging (e.g., CT or MRI), this technology creates detailed internal and external 3D models of objects or anatomical structures.