Mar.21, 2013

Scanning microscopic details is not new, but it is always interesting to see a DIY setup that is affordable and easy to build.

Bernhard Mayrhofer from virtumake just released the VirtuZoom Microscope 3D-Scanner for scanning tiny objects. You can then magnify these scans with any 3D Software and print the resulting models with your 3D printer.

To build this setup you need access to a 3D printer, as well as an ACER K11 LED Beamer, a Logitech C615 Webcam with macro lens, a 360 Degree Servo etc, and full edition of David scanning software. The Acer K11 measures 11.6 x 12.2 x 4.2 cm and is equipped with a 10x Macro lens.

You can follow up the step by step instructions on Thingiverse to set it up. The microcontroller Arduino Uno controls the servo motor. by moving a turntable the object can be scanned. From the images of the webcam, the software generates a 3D model, which can then be edited, scaled and output to a 3D printer. It is recommended to use David laser scanner pro version for saving the result of the fusion process.

This DIY 3D scanner can be used for teaching and research purposes in the field of biology and botany. It also allows architects and designers to integrate highly complex natural structures in their projects.

In the video below Mayrhofer has captured a tiny object with its mini scanner and then output to a much larger size with a 3D printer. You can download the 3D models for the turntable, the brackets for the beamer on Thingiverse. This VirtuZoom Microscope 3D-Scanner is open source and is licensed under the Attribution - Creative Commons license.

 

Posted in 3D Scanning

 

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usr wrote at 4/25/2013 3:14:41 AM:

Right. But I still give the overall application an A+++

bin wrote at 3/22/2013 1:51:46 PM:

I think the title should read DavidScanner modified with a Microscope for miniature objects. Not to discredit the Virtu people but the majority of the work is done by the David Scanner company not a cardboard box with a arduino turntable and a magnification lens.



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