Artec 3D
High-Resolution Handheld 3-D Scanner: Artec 3D

Four Predictions for the 3D Scanning Industry

Dec. 20, 2018
Here's how 3D scanning is shaping up to impact manufacturing in 2019.

Artec 3D’s scanners, including the Eva, Leo and new Ray, have been used in such prestigious and far out places as the White House and International Space Station, but the technology is still accessible enough for everyday use on the factory floor. And because of that, it’s become a vital tool to current transformation of manufacturing, a link between the physical and digital, used for metrology, quality inspections, design, 3D printing.

Here’s how we think it will impact manufacturing in 2019.

1. Software, Not Hardware, Will Define the Industry Elite

The act of creating professional-grade 3D scans has become easier-and-easier. Artec Studio 13 now even includes an X-Ray feature to preview a scan before processing. A task that was once reserved for highly trained technicians has become nearly as easy as point-and-shoot. The side effect of democratizing the 3D-scanning process is that the volume of data being captured continues to grow at a rapid rate. The new challenge for 3D scanner manufacturers is rooted in software, and we predict the industry will release improved software to deal with processing enormous amounts of data as almost as fast and easily as it’s collected.

Artec Studio 13 has an X-Ray mode to users to discern the quality of a scan before processing it, saving time and improving quality.



2. New Applications Will Emerge

The benefits of 3D scanning to create custom-fitted prosthetics has been well established. However, the technology has moved beyond mankind and into the animal kingdom. Mr. Stubbs, an alligator who was saved from illegal traffickers and lost his tail, made headlines for receiving a prosthetic replacement created using Artec’s 3D Scanner.

The advancements in virtual reality have also created new use-cases. The Montpellier Medical University is developing an interactive virtual cadaver dissection simulation with the help of 3D scanning. These VR cadavers will allow students the opportunity to gain additional training, prior to using a physical subject. Weird, new and unexpected applications for 3D scanning will continue to step into the spotlight.

3. 3D Models Will Replace Product Photos in Retail

Furniture retailers now have libraries of 3D models of their products, often made with 3D scans. They select the items they need and add them to the scene. This is much faster than organizing a new photo shoot for each new image and certainly saves a lot on physical storage space. Using 3D renders also allows the object to be spun and angled to perfectly and naturally fit the environment it is being dropped into. This is an invaluable tool for any manufacturer wanting to accurately communicate to a customer a world away what a product or part looks like down to the millimeter.
And as augmented and virtual reality become more widespread, this application should make those technologies even more realistic and immersive, allowing for more realistic plant and equipment simulations.



4. Metal & Ceramic 3D Printers to Drive 3D Scanner Sales

Recently there has been a large increase in the numbers of metal and ceramic 3D printers to enter the market. Up until now, 3D printers have predominantly been used for prototyping plastic parts. However, there are now many industrial metal and ceramic printers set to dominate the market. Due to the complex heating process that these printers require, there is a risk that the parts may become warped during the build process. Parts produced by these printers will need to undergo quality control measures. In line with the increase in production and sales of these new printers, we expect there to be a significant increase in sales of 3D scanners that can inspect the parts and compare them to their original files.

About the Author

Andrei Vakulenko | Chief Business Development Officer

Andrei Vakulenko is the Chief Business Development Officer at Artec 3D. Prior to this role, Andrei was the company’s Vice President of New Markets. Andrei has over 13 years’ experience as partner, CEO, and co-founder of high-tech venture businesses from seed investments and incubators to venture funds management. Projects focused on IT and Internet business including SaaS, mobile, e-commerce, community building, recreation and travel, biometrics and pattern recognition, e-passports and machine-readable travel documents; as well as, optoelectronics and gas to liquid technology.