Mechanical laser scanner ver2.0

thingiverse

This is a laser scanning system that I designed to use with DAVID 3D Scanner software. I have yet to buy the software, but the free version really lets you try out everything before you buy...you can at least take some high resolution screenshots of your scans. You can save low resolution files and use meshlab to assemble them. More info at: http://www.david-laserscanner.com/ The first scanner I designed was complicated and used gears and a stepper motor, this one works much better. It's cheaper, requires no electricity to move and has less parts. It even tells you when it's done scanning! It uses a Taylor kitchen timer, this is a mechanical wound timer that you can purchase at Target, for about $3 PN: 5833-21 When combined with custom makerbot parts, two M3 screws/nuts and a red or green focus-able line laser you have a nice smoothly sweeping laser system. Instructions Purchase Kitchen timer Take off dial Pinch and push out the 3 retaining pins Print mount and press the mechanical housing into the printed mount. Print the laser horn and while still warm put it on the center shaft so you get a good tight fit, make sure the screw holes are horizontal from each other, then let it fully cool. Print the laser clip, mount to horn using M3 hex screws. Add a standard 12mm diameter line laser. (Dealextreme or Markerbot carries them) wire up your laser to a recommended power source. I usually have the laser pointing down and then I have to wind it clockwise to about the 20 minute position to make it sweep from the top of an object down. Print out the base, plus 3 supports & assemble or design a better one. Thread the base and the mount onto an M8 x 305mm rod or length of your choosing. Go to www.david-laserscanner.com and get the software, free or buy. Print / make the background. Fire up your webcam, follow the info on the the david website/in the software and start experimenting with 3d laser scanning.