3D Digital News

Jan 05-2010

Our university research department has been using the Optix 3D Scanner from 3D Digital Corp. extensively with fine results since 2004. We are particularly pleased with its long-term reliability and consistent performance.

When we initially purchased the Optix 3D we evaluated it versus units by Minolta and Scantron. We found the versatility and scan area of the Optix to be superior and chose it for our work. An engineer from 3D Digital traveled to Liverpool to demonstrate the scanner and give us detailed instructions on its use.

From that starting point, we were able to become proficient in 3D scanning with the Optix and train our PhD candidates in how to use it in their research. The students must be able to produce precise data and readily share it with colleagues. Often they are scanning dental study casts, looking for subtle anomalies in the dentition and overall morphology. They become familiar with the Optix scanner in short order and are able to capture their data, align and merge and come up with a tidy scan.

At certain times of the year our Optix scanner is used 8 to 10 or even 12 hours a day. Even under heavy use, it’s proven itself to function well. There have been no reliability issues at all with the software and the hardware.

Very often we partner with outside teams that are also using the 3D Digital scanning technology, which contributes to efficiency. However, while we regularly collaborate, we also compete. Time is of the essence in getting the research out. Having a scanner unit that functions without problems over the long term has allowed the work to stay on schedule.

Because of the varied demands of ongoing medical research, we look for technology that is not necessarily the simplest but rather the most adaptable over the long term. The more “fiddly” and versatile a system is, the better, for our purposes.

Over time we have settled on certain setup procedures that we have optimized. The software and hardware are sufficiently versatile that we’ve been able to adapt them to different projects and still retain the necessary attributes.

As our funding for equipment is fairly limited, we must also consider the affordability factor.  Based on our many years of uninterrupted use of the Optix 3D scanner, we feel we spent our money well to acquire it.

Dept of Clinical Dental Sciences

University of Liverpool, UK

The large-scale fabrication work we produce at Blue Rhino Studio has to combine artistry with technical perfection. A prime example is our project for the Field Museum in Chicago, one of America’s leading natural-history museums. They are launching a traveling exhibit called “Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age,” for which they need life-size flesh reproductions of the prehistoric animal skeletons and casts in their permanent exhibit.

Our studio’s usual way of fabricating a project like this requires our talented sculptors to directly hand-carve gray sculpture foam, working to scale. In this case that might be a 13-foot-tall Columbian Mammoth, considered to be the heaviest land mammal in history. That hand-carving process is prohibitive now, due to the recent steep rise in the cost of the foam.

We turned to 3D digital scanning as a way to switch from expensive sculpture foam to an inexpensive material, extruded polystyrene—that’s roofing insulation—that we buy in 3-inch deep sheets. We start with a hand-sculpted small model—on a scale of one inch to the foot. That model undergoes an approval process by the Field Museum paleontologists, and then it’s ready to scan. The entire figure is scanned, then digitally divided into about 20 parts for cutting, and each part is assembled from a stack of CNC-milled slices. We can then continue our traditional finishing process by hand.

As our Digital Artist and technician, I was Blue Rhino’s liaison with 3D Digital. We’ve had the EScan unit for about four months now and have gained some great advantages through using it. Taking scans of the small models is very satisfying, because the individual scans show the important small details, so I know I’ve achieved accuracy.

The merges get a little tricky, but whenever I had difficulty I was able to speak with Satish at 3DD right away. I was probably on the phone with 3D Digital about a dozen times. Each time I was able to get my issue solved and continue on with the work. Because of the detail and accuracy we need, I hand-finish detail on the merged 3D file with a software called Zbrush. All the animals we’ve completed look great, and are perfectly true to our scale models. The museum curators have been thrilled with them.

On smaller figures, the time required using the scanner is about equal to hand work. On any figure larger than an average-sized horse, the time savings using our scanner is dramatic. Cost savings is significant no matter what size figure we’re building, because we’re able to work with polystyrene, instead of sculpture foam. The other advantage we’ve gained is increased capacity. Jobs that in the past we may not have bid on because they were too big to complete in timely fashion, we can go after now.

We take great pride in our work here at Blue Rhino Studio, which demands the highest standards of accuracy, art and aesthetics. Having 3D Digital as a resource helps us run our operation more flexibly and profitably, while still maintaining those high standards.

Beth Zaiken

Minnesota

Our Houston-based company operates in a wide array of industrial markets, from aerospace to automotive to utilities, to name a few. We provide in-stock products and materials as well as customized material procurement and inventory management.

We are very entrepreneurial. We pride ourselves on moving aggressively when we sense opportunity. At times that means expanding into markets that we have no experience in.

Recently we were in that position. We were accepting some jobs not knowing if we would actually be able to accomplish what we were promising.

One problem we often face is having to handle products that the customer has no drawings for. The customer is frustrated by this and it also causes problems for us in trying to service their needs. In one particular case, the customer we were taking on wanted to move valuable used parts and components on wooden pallets and possibly store them for a lengthy period. They insisted that the entire components be protected from contact with the pallets or any other firm or abrasive surface.

To protect these parts properly required foam linings that fit each component snugly. As we were trying to create these linings, we received a suggestion about 3D scanning as best-practices way to do it. We were unaware of 3D scanning as a technology but we contacted 3D Digital in Connecticut and ordered an EScan unit. Immediately we saw how valuable the technology could be to a diverse group of customers who are unable to obtain drawings for parts and components they need to pack, ship and maintain.

We found the Escan to be an excellent tool for our business, but even more valuable to us was the service and support we received from the staff at 3D Digital. We were in a position where we had to put the scanner to immediate use and cut our raw foam to precise measurements. We had contracts pending, so there was no time for extensive training.

In some of other jobs we were suddenly able to quickly take scans of products and parts and create much-needed drawings.  That way, we could provide the high level of service we had contracted to provide.

In all honesty, we never imagined how great the support, time and patience given to us by 3D Digital could be. Without that backup we could not have accomplished our goals and satisfied our customers’ needs.

Now that we have this technology, and our own people have had such a positive experience with it, we are able to move forward in expanding even further into new markets.

Gustavo Garza, Jr.

Regional Sales Manager

AIS, Inc.

Dear 3D Staff

We purchased one of your E-Scan 3D laser scanners several months ago. We are a small manufacturer of products such as seat covers for automobiles, boats and commercial vehicles. In addition we manufacture various covers for professional racing teams.

We became motivated to look into the next ‘pattern’ capture solution which would minimize the fabrication cycle on new designs. We surveyed available industrial solutions to pattern capture and were impressed with the specs and low cost of your 3D E-Scan. Having had experience with our digital ‘arm’ cmm, we found your scanner a very quick approach towards our pattern capture solution. We were particularly pleased with the quality and attentiveness of your customer service and product application engineering as well as the simplicity of the scanner itself.

We continue to use and apply your product to new applications in our field and would like to thank you all for a great product.

Sincerely,

Joe Santana

Sr Research Design Engineer

JJS Enterprises LLC
509 N Elevar St
Oxnard, Ca. 93030

We are a boat trailer manufacturing company based in west coast of Florida; we have been in business of over 20 yrs. The boat manufacturers do not supply us with drawings most of the time and we had to spend days measuring the dimensions by hand, however about a year ago I started looking for 3d scanning devices to help us reduce our time. During my research we contacted a lot of companies which either had very expensive solutions or had scanners that did not work, finally we found your company 3D Digital Corp ( Escan3d). At first my team and I were skeptical about your product as it was inexpensive and were in doubt whether it would meets our needs. To our pleasant surprise the product not only performed all the things we needed but also the learning curve was short. Finally, I would like to Thank Satish and his staff for providing excellent support.

Best Regards And best of Luck
Brooks More COO
MTT Inc.

Dear 3D Digital,

I would like to say how pleased I am with the scanner we’ve purchased from you.  We knew we needed to bring 3D scanning in house and your equipment filled that gap nicely.  More importantly though, I would like to commend you on your customer service.  It was nothing short of phenomenal.  You were patient with us; let us ask all the silly questions we needed to ask being new to the 3D Scanning Industry and you followed up many times to see how we were doing.  Because of this, we are operating our scanner efficiently, we are successfully completing projects and the equipment is truly performing to the specs that we had hoped it would.

Why Pay 30,  40, or even 50K for the scanners just because they look good and produce the same quality 3d scans.

Thanks again!!

Pete

Keystone 3d

 Dear 3D Digital,

 which you just cannot do with a bureau as time costs (lots of) money. When I found the Escan on the web, I couldnt believe that such a reasonably priced scanner could actually capture the kind of data I needed, and I must admit to being a bit dubious at first. After talking to the tech guys at 3D and seeing samples, I became pretty sure it would do the job. Initially, I have to admit, the interface was a bit daunting, but within a few days I became used to the way the machine and software worked and the way in which you have to approach the scanning of an object. Like anything it requires a bit of practise, but is well worth it. The first job paid for the scanner, and it has now become an essential part of the design tools we use on a daily basis, and has opened up a new range of services we can offer. Well done for coming up with a great product that really does work. I always look forward to using the scanner, as there is definitely a sense of magic when you capture an object and open it up in a 3D program. Thanks very much, for the Escan and the great tech support. Its not often you get the boss of a company phoning you up to make sure you are happy with the product what can I say?

Sebastien Boyesen

Director

Boyesen Design Partnership