3D scanning, an instrumental technology for the generation of 3D models, is garnering significant attention from corporations, academic institutions, scientific research bodies and individual 3D designers and printing engineers.

Handheld 3D scanner technology was developed with the specific aim of meeting design and manufacturing needs in the industrial sector.

But questions arise – what truly defines a handheld 3D scanner? Which functions do these apparatuses execute most effectively?

How does a company make an educated choice the aptest handheld 3D scanner available currently within the competitive marketplace?

To make sure you have all the information you need to make the right decision, we’ve created this blog to help you choose a handheld 3D scanner.

What is a Handheld 3D Scanner?

Cutting-edge 3D scanning technology has been widely adopted in various industries. Engineers, product designers, and researchers use 3D scanning for 3D printing, aerospace, and entertainment.

Advanced 3D scanners efficiently capture 3D scan data, enabling the creation of detailed 3D models and facilitating precise inspections to identify deviations.

Utilizing non-contact three-dimensional systems has significantly impacted the design and manufacturing processes of various products.

A handheld 3D scanner is a type of 3D scanner that is gaining more and more attention because of its portability, ease of operation, and quick results.

Handheld 3D scanner technology projects a laser line on the surface of an object and then uses a camera to shoot it at a certain deflection angle.

The laser lines in the image are affected by the shape and curvature of the object’s surface, so three-dimensional data can be calculated.

Handheld 3D scanners can be mainly divided into 3D laser and structured-light scanners. Let’s first look at the principles behind 3D handheld scanners.

Handheld 3D Laser Scanner

3D laser scanners utilize lasers to project onto objects, while their sensors analyze the reflected laser beams to determine spatial positions.

Thanks to their insensitivity to interference, lasers offer adaptability across diverse measurement conditions.

However, laser beams may encounter challenges such as speckle noise and Gaussian noise, with the nature of these effects vary based on the laser source utilized, blue laser and red laser.

By using both red and blue laser scanners, we conducted scans of a calibration board featuring points spaced at 1-mm intervals.

As depicted in the image below, it’s evident that the red laser scanner exhibits more pronounced speckle noise compared to its blue counterpart, indicating a superior anti-interference capability of the blue laser.

Furthermore, let’s contrast the blue laser with the infrared laser. Given the shorter wavelength of the blue laser in comparison to the infrared laser, the former excels in capturing intricate details.

Conversely, for scanning larger-scale objects, the longer wavelength of the infrared laser yields superior scan results.

Scantech, one of the pioneers in China to develop handheld 3D scanners, brings infrared laser and blue laser into one single instrument. Scantech 3D handheld scanners can scan objects from coins to planes with vivid and fine details.

Handheld 3D Structured-light Scanner

A Handheld 3D structured light scanner projects a pattern of light onto the surface of the object, typically in the form of grids or stripes, and then captures images of the illuminated object using one or more cameras.

By analyzing the deformation of the projected pattern on the object’s surface, the scanner can calculate the object’s shape and texture in three dimensions.

There are two imaging algorithms of structured light scanners: grating and speckle. When scanning reflective or transparent surfaces with grating technology, we need to apply a light or fine layer of powder onto objects.

3D scanners with speckle technology, often considered the best home 3D scanners, are featured by flexibility, easy operation, and fast scanning.

These scanners are widely used in non-industrial areas as they perform well when scanning medium-to-large objects like ancient artefacts and humans. The data they captured are of high resolution and have good details.

Which industries are using 3D handheld scanners?

Handheld 3D scanners are prized for their adaptability and mobility, finding utility across diverse industries including：

•  Education
•  Reverse Engineering
•  Mould Making
•  Cultural and Creative Industries
•  Manufacturing and Engineering
•  Construction and Architecture
•  Surveying and Mapping
•  Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation
•  Heritage Preservation and Archaeology

These scanners empower consumers to capture models of household items or share hobby creations online, illustrating their widespread appeal.

Their versatility makes handheld 3D scanners indispensable tools for professionals, facilitating the swift and precise capture of 3D data across a broad spectrum of applications.

5 Factors for Choosing Handheld 3D Scanners

Sizes of Objects & Scanning Area

How to choose a 3D scanner? You need to first think about the size of the object you want to scan. If you’re going to scan a small coin, a short-range 3D scanner that can capture intricate details in high resolution would be good.

If you’re interested in scanning objects on the go or want to turn your smartphone into a portable 3D scanner, you might want to consider a 3D phone scanner.

If you plan to scan a large-sized object or part like a wind turbine, you need a long-range scanner with a larger field of view (scanning area). Let’s take Scantech’KSCAN-Magic as an example.

With its scanning area as large as 1440 mm * 860 mm, it can scan parts as long as 4 meters. It is especially suitable for 3D scanning for 3D printing and manufacturing.

Accuracy

The accuracy of the scanning means the permissible deviation of each point captured. Generally, the accuracy of 3D scanners is within a range of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm.

It would be acceptable for most tasks to use a 3D scanner with an accuracy of 0.06-0.07 mm.  If you plan to scan a complex industrial part such as an aeroplane engine, choose a 3D scanner with high accuracy.

Resolution

Resolution describes the minimum distance between captured points at a given scan distance. The higher the resolution, the denser the cloud of scan points.

When the details of a 3D model are essential to you, you would require a high resolution. If not, low-resolution requirements are suitable for you.

Scanning Rate

When we talk about the scanning rate, we refer to how fast a 3D scanner can capture data of any given object. The rate varies depending on the number of laser lines, the size of the scanning area, and the algorithm of the equipment.

A top-of-the-range handheld scanner can measure up to 2 million times per second.

Maintenance

Professional diligence about the upkeep of your 3D equipment is paramount. Similar to all high-end apparatus, periodical assessments are indispensable in guaranteeing superior performance and prolonged precision over time

Each equipment maker presents distinct maintenance protocols encompassing calibration and optics sanitation, crafted specifically for their devices’ requirements.

Although such procedures might bring about incremental costs, select enterprises proffer complimentary warranties valid up to two years – extending an elevated level of certainty and tranquillity.

How much does a handheld 3D scanner cost?

The handheld 3D scanner price can undergo considerable fluctuations contingent upon multiple determinants including, but not limited to, its specifications, precision level, software competency and overall structural integrity.

The cost spectrum for these scanners tends to be broad-reaching, spanning from several hundred dollars on the lower end to an excess of $20,000 at the higher echelon.

It’s important to consider your specific requirements and budget constraints when choosing a handheld 3D scanner. While lower-priced options may be more affordable, they may not offer the level of performance and accuracy required for certain applications.

Conversely, investing in a higher-priced scanner may yield better results and greater long-term value, particularly for professional use in demanding industries.

Know Who You Are Buying From

With a wide range of 3D scanners that come in all sizes, prices, and capabilities, choosing 3D scanners can be tricky. The top principle is choosing what’s right for you without causing too many expenses.

It is important to know who you are buying from. Make sure that you buy from a reputable company that provides advanced 3D scanning technology.

You can visit its official 3d scan website to check the products, certificates, and customers. You can connect with the company to know what you are concerned about.

It’s good to read reviews online and check their social media accounts. In this way, you can know what the manufacturer is and what users say about them.

What kind of support does the company provide? Are there professional application engineers that can aid in calibrating and operating the 3D scanners?

Are there any professional after-sales teams that can provide support for maintenance or answer your questions? To know the details of what kind of support they can provide.

Another aspect to consider is whether the scanner comes with accessories like a 3D scanner turntable, which can greatly enhance the scanning process by providing 360-degree scans of objects.

It is also a clever way to visit trade fairs to have a hands-on trial of the products.  Talk to professionals to know the latest technology.

What We Offer

Scantech supplies professional handheld 3D scannersin all phases of the product manufacturing and production process to drive your business to great success.

These innovative professional 3D scanners increase your productivity and optimize your product life cycle management without the need to compromise between accuracy and efficiency.

KSCAN composite 3D scanner lineup is a series of professional, highly integrated, and handheld 3D scanners. It features an innovative “infrared laser + blue laser” scanning model, and built-in photogrammetry, and is compatible with portable CMM and an automated 3D system.

It delivers highly repeatable scanning results with great details in high efficiency. It is suitable for both large-scale and tiny objects when it comes to measurement, If you would like to know more, click the video below.