The handheld scanner is set for a commercial launch in 2015
One of our favourite low-cost 3D scanners, Fuel3D, has secured £4 million in expansion funding, leaving it looking across the Atlantic in search of bigger audiences and new uses for its tech.
The handheld scanner that uses pre-calibrated stereo cameras with photometric imaging to take 3D scans in a couple of seconds, has added to the £1.6m in funding it received earlier this year, paving the way for the commercial launch of the company’s consumer scanner product in 2015.
Fuel3D has said it will use the funding to expand the scope of the company’s technology to ‘address commercial opportunities in a range of vertical markets through its Fuel3D Labs division, including biometrics and eyewear’.
“The initial interest shown by investors in Fuel3D has only been increased since the first funding round and we are very pleased to have been oversubscribed in this round of fundraising,” said Ben Gill of Chimera Partners and chairman of Fuel3D.
“The company continues to impress with its commitment to product development goals and has also made very significant inroads into developing new commercial applications and relationships.”
In 2013, Fuel3D raised over $300,000 for the development of an affordable, high resolution handheld 3D scanner through its successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The company has expanded rapidly in response to global demand and now has distributors in 23 countries around the world as well as manufacturing operations in Asia.
With its commercial launch expected in early 2015, the Fuel3D scanner is currently in beta-testing with the company’s Kickstarter backers.
“This funding round will take Fuel3D through the full commercial launch of our scanner next year, and will allow us to invest in new talent and infrastructure, including growing our operations in the United States,” said Stuart Mead, CEO, Fuel3D.
“In tandem with our consumer product development, we will also be using the funding to further develop our intellectual property so that we can capitalise on the ongoing interest we receive from international brands in applying our technology in new verticals beyond 3D printing.”
