Description

The scanner performs instant capture of a 3D surface, and after some (fully automated) processing, outputs a 3D model that can be viewed in CAD packages for measurement, or re-printing etc.



The key components are:

a) 4 cameras (to capture the object from different angles).

b) A Multi-view Stereo (MVS) algorithm which turns the 4 images into a 3D model.

c) A projector which projects a random pattern onto the object to help step b.



4 Raspberry Pi Zero's perform synchronised capture and upload images to the cloud ready for processing. A more powerful laptop takes over to create a nicely smoothed, textured mesh.



Essentially, MVS finds matching features in each of the images so that it can triangulate distance. Projecting extra features onto the object results in a more accurate 3D mesh.



It was only designed to capture 3D surfaces at about 6 inches (disregarding the rear of the object and so on), but speed, simplicity and accuracy for this task all score highly.