Blog

A few days ago, I have come across a post stating that, “I believe in the near future we all might 3D print our houses and buildings.” Although it gave me a little chuckle it made me recall the history we have made. When we talk about the history of something, it is indeed necessary to start at the beginning. The origin! Way back in the late 1980s.

‘3D Printing’ is Turning your Digital Data into Real 3D Physical Object

In layman terms, 3D printing is the process of making a physical object considering a three-dimensional digital model, which was merely an idea in 1980. Although many industry experts and tech giants have discovered ways to print layers and create 3D objects, it is Charles Hulls who made it to the end by giving the world first-of-its-kind 3D printer and we call it SLA printer. Hull used the acrylic-based materials(commonly knowns as photopolymers) to evolve from liquid to solid using UV lights.

Thereafter, many people have come up with many new technologies but none of them were perfect. They have been extremely expensive for common people like you and me, but their abilities were undeniable. Today, looking over the years, the evolution of 3D printing industry just gives me a shiver down the spine. We are in a society where every school, home, office, and businesses across the world could get access to 3d printers and make impossible possible! I mean, come on, I could now print my dream engagement ring without any hassle.

Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing are Same?

Oh, well, speaking about 3D printing, many people still out there assume that 3D printing and additive manufacturing are way different. But, they are not. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing are the synonyms of the same process. The only thing is that people who work in an industrial or manufacturing setting tend to call it as additive manufacturing as it sounds more “formal.” On the contrary, the students, hobbyists, and media call it as 3D printing as it sounds more offhand and eventually it became more popular.

Coming back, the world is changing. The technology is thriving. The human race is on fire. Yes, we know it. Thus, I am not gonna bore with you another piece of opinion on consumerism rather let’s jump straight to the point is. And my point is, humans, want they want and they want it in the next minute. It is me! Because there are times when I complained that the mentioned 2 minutes noodles were taking longer to get ready. I want everything instantly and it wasn’t just me. Because we live in a world where speed matters!

Just like every other industry under the starlit sky, the 3D printing industry has also come a long way. So before you start insulting me like your history teacher that this was decades ago, read on the current standards and the future of the 3D printing industry in all major divisions.

The 3D Printing Industry Spread to all major Divisions

Real Estate:

Real estate has probably experienced one of the highest technological disruptions over the years. Lately, 3D printing is commonly used for developing scale models of the actual projects since it is way cheaper than the traditional construction process. Also, it becomes highly beneficial for people to design their own houses. By experts’ sake, if 3D printing comes to commonplace, no one ever needs to go out to the contractors or look for the real estate agents. They can get housing with accurate layout plans and work together with architects to welcome uber-cool unique living spaces.

The future of 3D printing in real estate looks promising. Many real estate companies have already started experimenting with different techniques on different soils, surfaces, and spaces. It is still in rudimentary stages but I am certainly looking forward to something big.

Compliance, Qualification, Documentation, and Standards:

Ugh! Not again. We have all been here. The proper documentation work is not less than a hemicrania.

But the future is affirmative. Because many companies are prohibited from doing business if they do not have certain certifications.

Personalization:

It is all about personalization, baby! The future of 3D printing could not look brighter than here. Over the years, the tech-reliant industry getting on board more marketing, sales, and organizational managers. In many cases, the companies’ bottom line has grown much higher with the incorporation of creative professionals.

If people know that shedding a little few extra bucks could get them something a lot faster, they do not mind a second for paying it. With the uber-advanced 3D products, you can now expect a higher level of professional engagement and stand out from your competitors.

The Evolution and The Future of 3D Printing

Evolution of 3D Printing has already happened it spread to all major Industries and Continuously it will Occupy Every Small and Big Industry i bet on it

The Role of 3D Printers in Medical Applications

3D Printing in Medical Fields

Medicine We all knew that 3D printing has played an important role in the breakthroughs of medicine. From saving lives to changing times, the 3D printing in medicine is writing a history. A history we all need to know since it has bought some excitement and innovation to the field. This technology is being widely used in duplicating the human organs that can either be used in the practice for medical professionals or analyze before the actual surgery takes place.

Although it hasn’t spread across the world, the future is likely to be. This application has proven more accurate than the usual X-ray, MRI, and CT scans. The incorporation of technology in treatments would increase the procedure and lessen the individual’s trauma. The other benefit is that the surgeon can get hold to the actual organ and get to analyze in all angels.

Isn’t that amazing? Humans invented technology and now technology helping us to get better.

So there More to come in with 3D Technology

Evolution in Textile Industry With 3D Printers

Textile Industry: You bet! 3D printing in fashion or the textile industry is all set to unleash your imagination to get that perfect dress on your evening date. It is now possible to complete your projects in less time and mingle them with the fabric of your choice to get the most classic styles. Also, with 3D printing, you can create custom-made clothing. All you need to do is to write out the measurements on those 3D model software to get the perfectly suited outfit for your body type.

Although the 3D printing in the textile industry is at a conceptual stage, we are certain that this would be the game changer for all the retailers across the globe. It eradicates the conventional manufacturing process that has the potential to turn your tables upside down. I swear.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a process by which you can create your 3D data model into a real physical model (item). You need to create a 3D model first by using any CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. Once the 3D model is ready then you can use a 3D printer to make that model into a Real physical model, the product material could be plastic, resin, metal, paper and many more. Basically, the 3D printer creates layer by layer of the 3D model to create the actual Physical product.

Advantages of using Additive Manufacturing Technology

Let’s Dive into the Major Advantages of Using the Additive Manufacturing Process in 3D Printing Industry which is Booming Very Rapidly since 2013

Design Flexibility:

Cost of geometrical complexity

Dimensional Accuracy

No Need of the assemblage

Time and cost efficiency in production run

Additive Manufacturing 3D Printing Process

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has three main steps to produce a 3D Real Physical product from 3D Model Designed in CAD Software.

1. Modeling: Design a 3D Model Product in CAD Software

Modeling: Additive Manufacturing always starts with a 3D model generated by CAD software (Catia, Solid edge, etc.). This file will serve as a blueprint for the machine, by setting perimeters and guides for the material as it lays down layer upon layer. 3D models are then converted into printed software readable format i.e. (.STL format).

2. Printing the (Soft 3D Model) into Real Physical Object With CNC Machin

Printing: The 3D printer uses the information of the 3D file to create very thin layers of material, often thinner than 150 microns. Once all the successive layers have been created, the Additive Manufacturing process is considered done. Depending on the technology itself, the form of the raw material can vary from solid filaments, powder, to liquid.

3. Finishing the Product

Finishing: At the final stage the product is removed from the machine. Extra support and the assembly part are removed from the final produced part. Minor cleaning, surface treatment, and painting are done if required.

There are multiple 3D printing technologies within the industry such as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Electron Beam Melting (EBM) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), they are used in different sectors for different utilities.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technologies are capable of manufacturing with multiple materials from polymers to metals, thanks to the application of a laser. Selective laser sintering makes it possible to print functional objects without using an intermediate binder or having to go through an assembly stage. The printing is done layer by layer, from fused powders to the temperature generated by a CO2 laser.

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is a game changer in 3D printing of metals. This is one of the world’s most advanced manufacturing technologies when comes to metal printing. This method very fine granular Aluminum or Titanium powder is used to produce the parts.

Electron Beam Melting (EBM) is a process where raw material (metal powder or wire) is placed under a vacuum and fused together from heating by an electron beam, in which metal powder or filament is completely melted by a concentrated beam of electrons. Production in a vacuum chamber ensures that oxidation will not compromise highly reactive materials like titanium. Vacuum production is also required so electrons don’t collide with gas molecules.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) consists of the printer platform, a nozzle (also called as printer head) and the raw material (typically production-grade thermoplastics) in the form of a filament. At the beginning of the printing, the raw material is extruded as a thin filament at the outer edge of the part and then inner edge through the heated nozzle. It deposits at the bottom of the printer platform, where it solidifies. The next layer that is extruded fuses with the layer below, building the object from the bottom up layer by layer.

Applications of the Additive Manufacturing 3D Print Industry

Rapid Prototyping: Models and parts for research can be easily manufactured whenever required. Easy to make changes in the models as per the research proceeding.

3D Printing in Food Industry

Food: Cornel Creative Machine Lab is making food items such as chocolates, candy, pasta, pizza using the AM process since 2012.

For More Info on it

3D Printing Industry in Apparel

Apparel: Products such as shoes, clothes, and eye wears are being manufactured using the AM process. Nike is using this technique to produce football shoes for players of the American football team. Vanessa Friedman, fashion director, and chief fashion critic at The New York Times says AM will have a significant value for fashion companies down the road, especially if it transforms into a print-it-yourself tool for shoppers. For Example, Below Nike Sports Shoe was Printed Using 3D Printing Machine

AM 3D Printing Tech in Aerospace Regulation

Aerospace regulation: In the United States, the FAA has anticipated a desire to use AM techniques and has been considering how best to regulate this process. The FAA has jurisdiction over such fabrication because all aircraft parts must be made under FAA production approval or under other FAA regulatory categories. In December 2016, the FAA approved the production of a 3D printed fuel nozzle for the GE LEAP engine. Aviation attorney Jason Dickstein has suggested that additive manufacturing is merely a production method and should be regulated like any other production method.

Vehicle: In 2010 Urbee produced the first car using this process, in 2014 Koenigsegg produced supercar with AM produced mechanical parts in it.

Firearms: Defense arms such as guns, rifles and safety equipment has also been manufactured by AM process. In 2012, US-based group “Defense Distributed” designed a working plastic gun that could be downloaded and reproduced any anyone using AM process. In 2013, “Solid Concepts” based in Austin, Texas, USA succeeded in manufacturing first working metal gun.

Medical: Nowadays medical devices, specific implants, hearing aids, dental products, and pills are being manufactured by AM. During October 2014, a five-year-old girl born without fully formed fingers on her left hand became the first child in the UK to have a prosthetic hand made with 3D printing.

Till now more than 400 hands have been transplanted by E-NABLE. In August 2015, US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved 3D printed pills which allow very porous pills to be produced, which enables high drug doses in a single pill which dissolves quickly and can be ingested easily.

Bioprinting: Bioprinting refers to manufacturing artificial biological organs and body parts capable of working like original ones. In this process, layers of living cells are deposited onto a gel medium or sugar matrix and slowly built up to form three dimensional structures including vascular systems.

The first production system for 3D tissue printing was delivered in 2009, based on NovoGen bioprinting technology. In 2013, Chinese scientists began printing ears, livers, and kidneys, with living tissue. In 2014, researchers at the University of Hasselt, in Belgium had successfully printed a new jawbone for an 83-year old woman.

3D Printed SuperDraco Engines In SpaceX

Space: In September 2014, “SpaceX” delivered the first zero-gravity 3D printer to the International Space Station (ISS). In December 2014, NASA emailed CAD drawings for a socket wrench to astronauts aboard the ISS, who then printed the tool using its 3D printer. The European Space Agency plans to deliver its new advance Portable OnBoard 3D Printer to the International Space Station by the end of 2015.

Education and Research: Scientific instruments, replicas of historical items, internal organs of the human body, 3D models of molecules and chemical compounds can be printed in classroom laboratories to study them.

Limitations and Challenges

The Sweep device is a two-dimensional scanning LiDAR sensor, comprised of a single one-dimensional range finder which spins 360 degrees. This means that as the device rotates counterclockwise, it effectively records data in a single two-dimensional plane. The name “Sweep” comes from this sweeping motion (rotating while accumulating/gathering data).

The device rotates continuously. The idea of a single 360-degree scan is simply a delineation of all of the data gathered during a single 360-degree rotation.

The Sweep is NOT a three-dimensional scanner, nor does it have a vertical field of view other than the expansion of the single beam. Using the Sweep for 3D scanning requires some form of mechanical manipulation to transform the 2D scan plane produced by the Sweep.

See the Sweep Manual for technical details.

2D Scanner Lidar Sensor Operation Theory

Adaptive Sampling

Internally, the Sweep uses a one-dimensional rangefinder, referred to as the “sensor module”. Understanding how the sensor module operates will help you understand the data produced by the Sweep. Here is a brief excerpt the Sweep Manual:

To produce a single ranging/measurement sample, the sensor module performs many quick measurements (sub-samples), and aggregates them together to produce a final range measurement (sample). You can think of the final sample as a sort of average of many sub-samples. The final sample is provided with some confidence value based on the quantity & quality of sub-samples.

If the set of sub-samples is not of quantity or quality to produce a valid final sample, the sensor module will continue sub-sampling until it collects some maximum threshold number of sub-samples. If the sensor module is still not confident in the set of sub-samples, the Sweep will return a reading with a range of 1cm indicating a failed reading.

This kind of adaptive sampling yields more performant data, but at the cost of consistent structure. There are noteworthy differences between the data produced by Sweep and the data produced by other 2D rangefinders.

Readings do NOT Occur at Fixed Angular Intervals

Sweep sensor readings are variable. That is to say, azimuth values (the angle at which the reading is recorded) do not come in fixed intervals. Instead, the azimuth values are dictated by when the sensor module produces final range samples. For this reason, every sensor reading includes an azimuth value.

As a stationary Sweep device comes about the same angular range on subsequent rotations, the readings will occur at unique angles. Eventually, the Sweep will produce a denser angular resolution over time as it continues to spin. This is different than other devices which produce measurements at fixed angle intervals.

Variable Sample Rate

The nature of adaptive sampling means that the Sweep does not have a fixed sample rate. The Sweep will produce variable sample counts each time it rotates 360 degrees. That is to say, if you group sensor readings together into complete 360-degree scans, then the number of samples in two subsequent scans might be slightly different.

The effective sample rate can change (increase or decrease) depending on the environment. Say for example, that the sensor was mounted at a 90-degree angle, such that half of the angular range pointed directly at the sky. When the beam is pointed at the sky, the range is infinite and the sensor module’s sub-samples never succeed. As the beam rotates across the sky (shown as a red dotted arrow), the sensor module will continue sub-sampling, waiting for confident measurements.

Whenever it has attempted the maximum (threshold) number of sub-samples, it will return a final reading with a range of 1cm indicating an invalid reading. These invalid readings are not drawn in the illustration below. After the device outputs an invalid reading, the sensor module will immediately proceed with sub-sampling for the next reading. The angular region where the beam is directed into the sky would result in an angular region of many readings with 1cm range. This angular region is marked by the red dotted arrow in the illustration below.

Therefore, the sample rate effectively halves. This is an extreme example of course, but it is meant to illustrate the variable nature of the sample rate.

A similar case could occur if the material properties in the environment prevent light from returning to the sensor module. This occurs with very dark (black) objects, translucent objects such as windows, or highly reflective objects such as mirrors. These kinds of material properties can manifest as gaps in the data, where the sensor module was not able to acquire valid readings as the beam passed over the object. In these regions the Sweep will produce readings with a range of 1cm, to indicate an invalid reading.

Sample Rate Settings

The previous section described how the sample rate is variable, however, the Sweep does provide three sample rate settings (500Hz, 750Hz, 1000Hz). These settings can be thought of as a target range for the expected number of samples in a roughly “normal” environment.

The sample rate settings (500Hz, 750Hz, 1000Hz) are defined by changing the threshold or the maximum number of sub-samples the sensor module is allowed to use to produce a final reading. Faster sample rate settings limit the sensor module to fewer sub-samples per reading. In the illustrations below, the 500Hz sample rate setting allows the sensor module to gather twice as many sub-samples (dotted red lines) before producing a single reading (green dot), as compared to the 1000Hz setting.

Therefore, a slower sample rate setting will produce more accurate measurements, because more sub-samples can be used to obtain each reading. Conversely, the accuracy of the readings will drop for higher sample rate settings. For certain applications, such as a robot in an indoor environment, a faster sample rate might be more important than range or accuracy. Be aware of this trade-off when designing your applications.

Expected Data Density

The previous sections outlined how the sensor module uses a form of adaptive sampling which can lead to variable sample rates. Be aware that the density of data is greatly affected by the makeup of the environment (geometry, distance, material). However, the following tables can still be useful as a ballpark estimate for data collection.

The approximate number of samples (readings) per revolution based on the motor speed and sample rate setting:

Tearing/Ghosting

Because the Sweep is continuously rotating, the nature of the sensor module’s adaptive sampling can yield a tearing or ghosting effect at the edge of an object. More technically this can occur anywhere where there is discontinuous or disjoint environmental geometry. This is an edge case to be aware of, but it is easy to spot.

Consider the following scenario. Two pieces of geometry sit at different depths, but both provide very confident and strong range responses. While the beam is over the first object, all of the sensor module’s sub-samples (shown as red dotted lines) are measuring parts of the same continuous geometry. The sub-samples yield very similar distance measurements, and therefore produce a confident and accurate final sample (the green dot).

However, on the next sample, the beam passes over the disjoint edge of the first piece of geometry. The sensor module’s sub-samples (shown as red dotted lines) are spread out across the two pieces of geometry. Despite the different distance measurements, all sub-samples yield strong responses, so the final sample (green dot) is inaccurately averaged between the two. This manifests as a reading where no actual geometry exists, hence the name ghosting or tearing.

Note: Higher sample rate settings can reduce this effect, as the angular window for the calculation of each reading is narrowed.

Sweep Visualizer

Please make certain to download this updated version (v0.10.0) prior to utilizing your Sweep device. You can download at https://scanse.io/downloads

Notice: Be aware that there’s a known problem with the prior release (v0.9.0 published in November 2016) which resulted in the program to misrepresent itself up-to-date. In case you have previously set up the Sweep Visualizer, eliminate it and download the most recent version.

Detailed Tutorial Guide on our Support Site

The”Service” section of this Scanse site offers detailed tutorials and documentation for using the Sweep Visualizer. Take a look: https://support.scanse.io/hc/en-us/sections/207173067-Sweep-Visualizer

For complete v0.10.0 publish notes, have a look at the subject about the neighborhood statements section here: http://community.scanse.io/t/release-sweep-visualizer-beta-v0-10-0-release-notes/162

Outdoor 3D scanning has been around for decades but has traditionally been much too expensive for home use. This kit aims to put this powerful technology into the hands of makers that want to develop and experiment with applications for long-range 3D scanning.

Imagine being able to capture the dimensions of your home and yard in minutes, so you can plan your next renovation. Imaging building immersive virtual environments or art projects using point clouds as accurate 3D templates? These kinds of ideas and many more suddenly become possible with an affordable 3D scanner.

See what SERVO Magazine has to say.

This kit is not a finished product, but an evolving community effort. It’s built for DIY enthusiasts that want to get their hands dirty and try new things. If you’d like to piece this kit together yourself, we’ve made the complete parts list and 3D print files available here.

We invite all those who are interested to visit our forum community to contribute your ideas and suggestions for using and improving this technology.

Scanse Sweep LiDAR 3D Scanner Files

                                           

Example Scan Files (Download):