Image credit: Solid Concepts
Solid Concepts
3D printing service bureau Solid Concepts has announced that it is adding 3D scanning to its offering.
The California-based organisation - which has been offering additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping services since 1991 - will enable more people with no CAD or 3D modelling experience to use 3D printing.
This news follows hot on the heels of the announcement 3D printing giant Stratasys is acquiring Solid Concepts, along with Texan service bureau Harvest Technologies, combining both companies with its RedEye business to make a powerful 3D printing service bureau platform. Solid Concepts' adoption of 3D scanning technology will enrich this venture further.
The company’s imaging technology is known as laser triangulation scanning, which involves directed light reflecting back from the scanned item, recording the object as millions of miniscule polygonal triangles. The scanner logs the triangles to comprise a full 3D object, which is then translated into an STL. file.
Offering 3D scanning allows many people with no 3D design skill to make STL. files that are ready for rapid prototyping.
Scott McGowan, Vice-President of Marketing at Solid Concepts, said: "We realise designing in 3D is a barrier to entry for many 3D printing enthusiasts. By providing customers scans of objects they wish to recreate, we’re taking the first small steps to tear those barriers down."
For objects to qualify for Solid Concepts 3D scanning, the part needs to be between 2 x 2 x 2 ins and 36 x 24 x 36 ins. The service is capable of recording counter bores and internal features of up to 5 ins deep and the surface of the object can be shiny, smooth and rough-textured and still provide a good print.
Furthermore, Solid Concepts will provide simple file clean-up to all parts and return shipping of scanned objects is included in the service.
