Have you ever wondered how samples of action figures are made? Curious as to how they capture the fine details of a person onto a statue?

3D scanners and printers bring those objects to life!

At the North Forge FabLab™ (the largest not-for-profit fabrication lab in North America), members have access to over $3 million of advanced manufacturing equipment, including a state-of-the-art 3D printing room with the latest scanners and printing technology in the market.

Kerry Stevenson, AssentWorks founding Board Member, current North Forge Vice-Chair Board Member, and Founder of Fabbaloo, shares his thoughts on the Creality CR-SCAN Lizard – one of our latest 3D scanners that were recently donated to the FabLab.

Andy Jiang from Win-Shield Medical Devices is the dedicated 3D Scanner trainer who has been working with Kerry to figure out its uses and train any members who may be interested in using it.

3D Printer and 3D Scanner – What are the differences?

These two technologies are inverses of each other! 3D Printing converts a virtual file or object to a real-life one, while 3D Scanning converts a real object into a virtual file.

3D Scanners:

• Collects physical data of an object or environment to create a digital model, including data on the object’s texture, colour, and volume.

3D Printing:

• Produces real three-dimensional objects from a digital model.
• Objects are produced layer by layer, with a software tool called a Slicer to translate the original 3D model into commands that the 3D printer understands.

 Close up of Creality CR-SCAN LizardDive into the Creality CR-SCAN Lizard 3D Scanner

3D scanners are typically considered significant investments, with prices ranging from $1000 to $10,000+ from across diverse brands in the market. To fill the gap in the low-cost 3D-Scanner market, Creality has introduced Creality CR-SCAN Lizard.

Creality is well known for its extensive line of 3D Printers, but they have also expanded into producing 3D Scanners.

To understand its unique traits and appeal, here are the two basic types of 3D Scanners on the market:

1. Handheld – designed to be carried and operated by hand. The user points it at an object they’re trying to capture and moves it around at different angles to scan the entire physical object.
2. Turntable and tripod – a less portable option, this type of scanner involves objects placed on a rotating platform and is perfect for scanning small objects. A scanner is mounted on a tripod and pointed at the object for scanning.

The CR-SCAN Lizard is unique because it combines both types into one!

PROS and CONS: Is it worth it?

Here is a quick summary of Kerry’s three-part review on the Creality CR-SCAN Lizard.

Pros:

• PORTABILITY: with its small size, scanners can take it in any environment (provided that they have access to a computer or a plug)

• VISIBILITY: this scanner uses an infrared sensor array to gather 3D data, which allows it to overcome extremely dark or shiny objects that can confuse other scanning techniques.

• LOW COST: must be attached to a PC where the driving software runs, which keeps the cost of the device very low.

• QUICK SET UP: it only takes a moment to set up the device.

• The turntable surface has unique symbols that allow the software to easily process the recorded data (rotation of the surface is more easily identified)

• • • Most people use it in turntable mode – where the subject is placed on a small turntable and leaves the scanner stationery on its small tripod.
    • Easier than handheld and reduces the risk of tracking loss.

• VERTICAL HANDHELD MODE: users hold the scanner in their hands and gently sweep it over the surface of the scanning subject, which allows them to easily capture objects larger than 100mm.

Cons:

• SMALL SCANNING AREA: you must rotate or move the subject through the scan zone to capture the entire object – due to the small active scanning area
  • If the object is taller than the scanning area, you must perform a couple of scans at different orientations and paste them together into the software.

• RELIES ON A COMPUTER’S USB PORT TO ROTATE: consider using an alternative USB source to provide some physical separation from the PC during scanning.

• VERTICALLY CHALLENGED: The cable emerges from the bottom when the scanner is held vertically. The software would frequently not recognize that a person is rotating the scanner around the object. You would need a lot of practice to move the scanner smoothly enough for the software to keep up.
• DIFFICULT TO EXAMINE THE 3D MODEL: Once a 3D model is created, you cannot spin it around in the 3D view. Instead, the 3D model disappears and is replaced by axis lines and a very faint outline. When you stop rotating, the object reappears. This makes it extremely difficult to examine the 3D model properly.

Conclusion:
No scanning system is perfect, but the best way to learn is to spend some time examining the captures and manually chopping out any bad points that would otherwise confuse the processing algorithms. The software can help you easily do this and provide some editing after processing.

With the expensive price tags that come with new technology, people who are prototyping are finding themselves having to take out loans to purchase such equipment. At the North Forge FabLab, all members have access to this equipment at an extremely low membership cost

Instead of spending money on equipment they need, people find themselves being able to create a prototype and test in a shorter amount of time and with fewer risks. Think of it as a playground for your ideas – you have a whole supportive community to help you bring your ideas to life.

Next steps:
Want to bring your product idea to life at low cost and with fewer risks? Join the North Forge Fabrication Lab by becoming a member!

Want to learn more about the Fabrication Lab? Experience our tours every Tuesday. Experienced members will be on hand to help you understand the equipment and explain what North Forge Fabrication Lab is all about. Every Tuesday night at 6 pm 3rd Floor, 125 Adelaide Street.