The choice of the right 3D scanner for 3D printing depends on a number of factors, including accuracy, speed, and ease of integration with 3D printing workflows. A good-quality 3D scanner for 3D printing should provide accurate scans, often within an error margin of 0.1mm or better. For example, the Revopoint POP 3 Plus scanner delivers high precision with its accuracy of 0.08mm, which is considered ideal for most desktop 3D printing applications. 3d scanners, according to 3DPrint.com, have grown year-over-year by 25% within the 3d printing industry due to “their ability to quickly reverse-engineer or digitize an object into a printable file”;
Speed is another key consideration when it comes to the 3d printing industry. The Revopoint POP 3 Plus has a scanning speed of up to 18 frames per second, which helps significantly reduce the time it takes to scan and allows businesses to increase their throughput and optimize production cycles. Whereas slower scanners may take minutes per scan, the faster models cut the time down to under a minute for a scan, increasing overall efficiency. TechCrunch states that companies that use high-speed 3D scanners in their business can see up to a 40% productivity gain.
The cost of a 3d scanner for 3d printing can vary dramatically. Entry-level models, such as those used by hobbyists, start at around $200. However, for more professional uses, such as prototyping and reverse engineering, a 3d scanner like the Revopoint MIRACO Plus, priced at around $1,800, offers both affordability and high performance. These scanners offer the perfect balance for users who need a combination of precision and cost-effectiveness.
Lastly, compatibility with 3D printing software is very important. Just about all of the current modern 3D scanners for 3D printing will support widely available software like CAD and slicing. It simplifies the workflow that one has to go through to get a model ready to print, considering there is a comprehensive work environment with various tools available like MeshLab or Simplify3D with Revopoint 3D scanner.
It is raised in industry by demand such as automotive, medical, and product design, for those industries need customized parts or prototypes. Indeed, nowadays 3D scanners are part of the design, which helps companies reduce material waste and fewer prototypes of what the final product will be. According to Forbes, the cost of prototyping in 3D printing has decreased from using 3D scanning by up to 30% in the majority of the industries.
In the words of Elon Musk, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” The best 3D scanners for 3D printing enable one not only to create complex models with precision but also to speed up and smoothen the entire design-to-print process, thus revolutionizing industries and fostering innovation.