CronosDual 3D Scanner
The CronosDual 3D scanner installed at Microsoft's Copenhagen MTC.
Microsoft has partnered with 3D scanning manufacturer, Open Technologies, after recently opening a Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The facility is an extension to the company’s Danish headquarters and has been established to inspire customers to learn and integrate the Internet of Things (IoT) into their businesses. To do this, Microsoft has established a strategic alliance with Open Technologies and installed its CronosDual 3D scanner at its new facility.
Microsoft, which has MTCs all over the world, wants the users of the facility to harness advanced technologies to reduce downtime, save energy and increase revenue. It has identified Open Technologies’ CronosDual professional colour 3D scanning system as one of those technologies. The company installed its CronosDual device in the Copenhagen MTC in August, as Microsoft pieced together what its calling the ‘most immersive 3D experience ever.’
The CronosDual will be supplemented by the Unity3D cross-platform engine, a Microsoft Surface Studio PC and the Microsoft HoloLens holographic computer. It will allow users to capture a physical object, manipulate it in Unity3D, and export it to either HoloLens.
Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Studio correct caption
Microsoft Surface Studio PCs will be one of the components of the 'most immersive 3D experiences ever.'
Microsoft expects somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 people to visit the Copenhagen MTC each year. The company wants others to follow its lead, to collaborate with partners and customers to adopt new technologies and unlock business value. Microsoft cites its own collaboration with Rolls Royce, a partnership which sees the tech giant collect and process data from jet engines. Its targeting companies big and small with its latest MTC, any business ‘that wants to change the status quo and create innovative solutions.’
Open Technologies was identified as an important contributor to this goal after an appearance at Hannover Messe. “The industry is moving towards 3D. 3D is becoming more mainstream,” said Tete Mensa-Annan, Managing Architect, Microsoft. “Microsoft is working hard to democratise 3D, investing heavily with products like Windows 10 Creators Update, native support for 3D printing, 3D builder and Paint 3D, HoloLens and partners like Dell, Acer and Lenovo that are putting out mixed reality Windows 10 devices.
“We were looking for partners that could help enable our customer to experience that moving from a physical object, to a virtual object as holograms, augmenting, building or changing those and finally 3D printing new objects. Open Technologies is an innovative company themselves, creating high quality ultra-precise 3D scanners, so they seemed to be a natural partner to collaborate with.”
Microsoft
Microsoft hololens
Microsoft HoloLens, is a self-contained holographic computer.
The feeling was mutual. Open Technologies appreciates Microsoft’s commitment to providing its customers with solutions, its embrace of the fourth industrial revolution and the company-wide philosophy which reflects its own, according to Paolo Zani, Application Engineer and Trainer at Open Technologies. The company’s CronosDual system has been adopted by Open Technologies’ latest partner, and Zani believes it’s the right device because of its ‘unparalleled flexibility.’
“The experience gained over the years allowed us to design a device merging features that actually enhance user experience and improve usability by simplifying any digitising phase,” he said. “Cronos adapts quite well to any situation. Complex geometries, as well as rich textures, do not represent a burden and virtually anything can be scanned in photo-realistic colours.”
The Copenhagen MTC was opened in mid-September and has already welcomed more than 100 people through the doors. Microsoft has full believe in the Internet of Things’ proficiencies, and now with 43 MTCs across the world, hopes it can be one of the leading pioneers of its widespread adoption.
Open Technologies will showcase its 3D scanning solutions which caught the eye of Microsoft at formnext powered by TCT from November 14th – 17th at Hall 3.1 Booth C66.
