Artec 3D has added to its 3D scanning technology portfolio with the announcement of the Artec Ray, a new metrology-grade laser scanner, able to capture data from large objects up to 110 meters away and can produce point clouds with sub-millimetre accuracy (though not at the same time).
The longer range Ray scanner makes it ideal for those large jobs, particularly if you’re using it alongside a more traditional design or engineering focussed device
The new scanner works in two modes. High quality has a range between 1 and 50m (working to 0.7mm ranging error and 0.12mm range noise at 15m) while the high sensitivity mode works between 1 and 110m (working to less than 0.9mm ranging error and 0.25mm range noise at 15m). Interestingly, Ray works in an autonomous mode and has a built-in battery that affords it a four hour working time, away from power.
Considering its range and specialism, the Artec Ray is perhaps best suited to reverse engineering large objects, quality control and inspection tasks, product design and work in the construction and heritage/conservation industries. It also boasts superior angular accuracy to ensure even the smallest details are captured with precision. Artec Ray can scan and process data directly in the robust Artec Studio software, which can then be seamlessly exported to programs such as Geomagic Design X, SolidWorks or Autodesk’s ReCap for reverse engineering or design and construction documentation.
“At Artec 3D we’ve become a trusted and respected source for handheld 3D scanning technology and software,” said Artyom Yukhin, president and CEO of Artec 3D. “With the Artec Ray, we are now able to offer a full line of high-quality solutions that will enable users to 3D scan almost any object with precision, from a human fingerprint to a jet liner or a 10-storey building – both inside and out. As with all of our 3D scanners, the new Artec Ray captures data using target-free technology, ensuring the most user-friendly experience.”
As the press release states, “The scanner can easily digitise large objects ranging from buildings to wind turbines to airplanes, producing 3D data with metrological precision and without the use of sticky markers or other tracking aids. Artec Ray is portable, compact and simple-to-use, as it can be set up in front of an object and can scan at the press of a button.”
The Artec Ray can be easily paired with Artec 3D’s other professional-grade handheld scanners, such as Eva, Space Spider or Leo, to make for even faster scanning of large objects. For instance, to digitise a vehicle, the user can first take four wide 3D shots from each side of the object with the stationary Artec Ray, capturing the large flat sections in minimum time.
Then the user can fill in the details, such as the door handles and the grille, with an Artec handheld scanner, which gives comfortable access to every angle of geometrically complex areas. If needed, the easy-to-maneuver handheld-scanner can also be used to scan the interior, providing a full 3D model, inside and out. Melding together scans from various Artec scanners with the Artec Studio software is simple and intuitive. In addition to the export format options Artec Studio already provides, the Ray scanner will also be capable of producing point cloud formats (PTX and BTX) for a wider range of application specific software.”
If you want to see the potential results, there are some sample data files available on the Artec 3D website or they’ve also been uploaded to SketchFab
