AcornSix on a big china router and 3D Laser Scanning

[cnckeith]

Last week I stopped at IBILD Solutions for a shop tour and learn about 3D Laser scanning. Brady Watson has been a long time Centroid beta tester using his CNC Router converted with an AcornSix CNC control cabinet built by Gary Campbell as a test bed machine. Brady is a reverse engineering expert helping his customers recreate and improve 3D objects such as, hand shaped architectural pieces, famous guitars, intricate antique sculptures, custom art work, to automotive items for reproduction and custom cars. In addition to checking out the AcornSix equipped CNC router in person, I was educated by Brady about the state of the art of hand held Laser Scanning technology while he shared his knowledge and skill by demonstrating the Laser Digitizing process by 3D scanning my favorite sailboard (a model which is no longer available that I wish to recreate with some small changes) I came away impressed and would recommend if you need something reverse engineered or Laser Scanned give Brady a call! (https://www.ibild.com/)

[suntravel]

Cool Project and nice to see Brady in person.

Uwe

[BDubs]

Hey guys - I just wanted to add a little to this post.

Keith's board was actually 3D Scanned twice - using different handheld 3D scanners and technologies. If you look carefully at the pics Keith posted, you'll see me holding two different Creaform scanners; a HandyScan Black Elite (Laser) and a Go!Scan Spark (SLS) - I still don't know who the heck that old looking guy is...It's like unbelievable...I swore I'd never get old!

First, it was scanned using SLS (Structured Light), where a fringe pattern is repeatedly projected onto the board to capture the 3D displacement, while simultaneously, the scanner captures the photographic "texture" and maps it to the mesh. This results in data that can then be used for both the captured geometry - like for CNC machining and/or, for 3D visualization. It can also be used to verify decal placement and to some extent, color representation of the "livery" on a board like this or say a sport bike. GSXR anyone?

The second scan was done with a blue light laser that projects 18 blue laser lines onto the board and captures only the geometry, but it does this very quickly, very accurately and very reliably. SLS requires quite a bit of planning and coordination to get a good scan and it is not nearly as forgiving of various challenges (like shiny surfaces, hard changes in color/contrast etc) as the laser is. Contrary to what the manufacturer says, you certainly CAN overscan something and be left with a real mess on your hands to clean up in post. I wanted Keith to have the best data available to replicate this board - which has been unobtanium from the manufacturer for many years now.

And...that's the beauty of this technology. The reality of a 3D Copy Machine of sorts is here! The same data can also be used for 3D printing, which is great for smaller parts that are unobtanium. I think we all have some of them around that we've glued together to keep them going at one point or another!

Below is a quick video of the board in a turntable configuration showing each of the scans and a quick retopology in Rhino8 using the newer QuadRemesh and SubD commands. It should be noted that the original scan was defeatured in CAD to remove the molded overlay where you'd stand, the fin pockets and other features that should not be represented as 3D for the purposes of 3D machining.

I'll do another post and video here soon showcasing the results of scanning an electric guitar body for a customer and then 3D machining it on 2 sides in wood, then scanning it to see how close the scanner, AcornSix and my hardware came to the original. This is something that I have personally wanted to do for a while, but the opportunity hasn't really presented itself until recently.

FYI - I'm trying to grow the YouTube channel - so if you can like, comment and subscribe, I'd be grateful!!! Thanks guys!

[cnckeith]

right on! thanks for making and adding the video. great to visit with you as well.

[suntravel]

After the video, I thought I must have these scanner also, but after looking at the price tag.....

... a tape ruler is also not to bad

Uwe

[BDubs]

After the video, I thought I must have these scanner also, but after looking at the price tag.....

... a tape ruler is also not to bad

Uwe

Yes ... not exactly cheap. And few understand all the hidden costs, skills and extras required to get good scans. This is why it's just cheaper and easier to pay a little and just get what you want from a pro.