Hand-Held Metrology-Grade 3D Scanner Provides Measuring Freedom 

Automated Precision Inc. (API), inventor of the Laser Tracker, has launched a thoroughly re-engineered version of its iScan3D hand-held 3D scanner. iScan3D is the third-generation version of API’s metrology-grade scanner. It is designed for portable shop floor dimensional inspection and scanning markets to provide both accurate measurements and point-cloud generation from a single-handed ergonomic sensor.

iScan3D, with integral process controller, connects with API’s Radian Six Degrees of Freedom (6DoF) Laser Tracker to accurately monitor scanner position and deliver high accuracy measuring and scanning. iScan3D completely negates user inconveniences associated with articulating arm scanners, including operator fatigue, arm gymnastics, part access issues and limited measuring ranges. According to API, iScan3D combines tactile and scanning measurements, giving users the freedom to measure wherever and whenever, regardless of part size and feature locations, in a single setup.

With iScan3D, the articulating arm problem of operator-to-operator variability in part inspection data is avoided. Manufacturing applications targeted by iScan3D system include shop floor production measurement, prototype part inspection and validation, high-accuracy reverse engineering, large body assemblies, flush and gap, mold and die cavities, surface contours, fixture inspections and alignment.

iScan3D also features blue crossed laser lines to enable scanning in any direction with ease and flexibility; fast measurements with metrology accuracy (200,000 points/second with 70µ point spacing and 50µ accuracy); integrated tactile probing for CMM-style measurement of internal and external features; and software flexibility — iScan3D is able to be used with all of the common point cloud metrology software.