Jan.3, 2014
3D scanners give you the power to "scan your world" and rapidly creates 3D maps of objects, complete with colors and textures. At le FabShop in Paris, makers have been using the Asus Xtion or Kinect and software package Skanect for capturing full colour 3D scans. However none of these objects is ergonomic. Instead of just creating another handle for the Xtion, le FabShop decided to transform it into a professional looking tool.
le FabShop's handle is designed to be comfortable, while solving a few other problems. It has following features:
- It keeps a 45 degrees axis for the scan to be oriented easy
- The USB cable is hidden inside the handle, so it isn't in the way
- The base is large enough, so the scanner can balance on itself
- The base is copying the shape of manfrotto's classic plate for entry level tripods.
- If you own a different type of tripod, you can still screw your plate in the handle by using the hole at the bottom
- It also includes a lense protector that clips around the sensor, for safe transportation.
"We found the Kinect a little bit annoying to carry with us on events and presentations. We were also quite disappointed by the performance of the Sense from 3D System, which isn't bad, but just not better than what we already had." says Samuel Bernier, industrial designer and Creative Director at le FabShop.
"Combined with Skanect, the ASUS Xtion is a great scanning tool. Be careful of one detail. If you want color on your 3D file, you got to purchase the Xtion pro LIVE, not just the Xtion pro. Only the LIVE version has the camera that captures the colors. In total, expect to pay 300 dollars for tour DIY 3D scanner."
You can see some results of their scans here. The 3D design files for le FabShop's handle are available for download on Thingiverse. If you are in Europe, you can also order the Xtion on the FabStore here.
3D printable grip and lens cover from CreativeTools
le FabShop is not the only one who wanted to make 3D scanning much easier and the device more comfortable to use. CreativeTools from Sweden has made another 3D printable grip for ASUS XTION handheld 3D scanner with different design.
It has the following features/advantages:
- The lens cap protects the optics when the XTION is stowed away
- The lens cap can be snapped to the back of the XTION while 3D scanning. This keeps it always together with the device so it is not lost.
- The XTION can stand upright on the flat base surface of the grip.
- The holes on the base make it easy to attach the device to a table top, wall, camera stand, etc.
- The grip has a dedicated pocket for the ferrite core of the USB cable, thus making the design slim.
- The USB cable resides inside the grip and comes out on the back part of the base. This keeps it out of the way while 3D scanning and lets the XTION stand on flat surfaces.
- The cable is held in place by inserting short pieces of 1.75 mm 3D print filament. No glue or screws required.
- The four legs of the lens cover and flat base makes it easy to wrap the USB cable and keep it tidy when the XTION is stowed away.
CreativeTools has uploaded the original Rhino surface CAD file and a STEP version, as well as STL file of the handle and the lens cover on Thingiverse. Watch the video below, or check out the the basic steps on how to 3D scan a human body and finalise the mesh in Autodesk MeshMixer on Instructables.
Posted in 3D Scanning
Maybe you also like:
- 3D scanning turns a metro journey into an abstracted virtual trip
- Rembrandt prints in 3D: for research on painting process
- MakerBot shows off Digitizer 3D Scanner, optimized for 3D Printing
- Aussie scientists create first detailed 3D scan of the Tower of Pisa
- Structure Sensor turns your iPad into a 3D Scanner
- Artec 3D scans the original battle field of Borodino
- With $2.8M Series A-1 funding, 3-D Scanner Co. Matterport prepares for rollout
- $199 Rubicon 3D scanner on indiegogo
- MakerBot launches the MakerBot Digitizer 3D Scanner
I say use the software of http://www.3duniversum.com/
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
