Use Cases

Production and Construction

A collage of four images showing different views of a spacecraft engine component, including 3D models, CAD designs, and a worker inspecting the part in a workshop.

Industrial design and manufacturing

A detailed industrial factory with various pipes, tanks, and metal structures.

Architecture and construction

3D color-coded measurement analysis of a metallic mechanical part showing various tolerance and gap distance values with annotation labels.

Quality control and Inspection

Heritage, Conservation and Tourism

3D model of the interior of a Gothic cathedral with pointed arches and columns.
A man inspecting ancient Chinese terracotta warrior statues in a workshop

Cultural Heritage and Site Conservation

Artefact Preservation and study

An archaeological site with multiple excavated stone structures and grassy areas, situated along a river with a pathway running beside it.

Interactive Tours / Storytelling

Entertainment and Media

Museum exhibit with various ancient artifacts, skulls, and display panels, including a robot with blue lights, and a red University of Lincoln robot with a touchscreen and clear head.

Robotics and Automation

A shoe on a black surface with purple light, a laptop with 3D modeling software, a camera on a tripod, and a person holding a stylus.

E-Commerce, Product Design, and Online Retail

A man with long hair and a sleeveless shirt seated in a chair surrounded by numerous cameras and equipment, with crew members adjusting gear in a studio setting.

Digital Humans / Objects for Games and VFX

Overlay of a digital wireframe of an ornate wooden chair with blue upholstery in a living room.

Augmented Reality

A digital collage featuring a marble bust of a woman with a pink halo above her head, surrounded by virtual reality interface elements, including a color wheel and a portfolio gallery, set against a dark, mountain landscape background.

Virtual Reality

Medical and Forensics

3D dental scan of a person's skull showing teeth, jawbone, and nasal cavity, with additional smaller slice views on the right.

Medical and Dental

3D floor plan of a residence with multiple rooms including bedrooms and a bathroom. The layout shows furniture arrangements, a cellphone label, and parts of the exterior structure.

Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation

Advantages of 3D Scanning

1.    High accuracy: 3D scanning can capture detailed and accurate data about the shape and dimensions of an object or environment.

2.    Non-contact measurement: 3D scanning can be used to capture data without physically touching the object or environment, reducing the risk of damage.

3.    Speed: 3D scanning can capture data quickly and efficiently, making it useful for large-scale projects or in real-time applications.

4.    Versatility: 3D scanning technology can be used to capture data on a wide range of objects and environments, including small and complex parts, buildings, and landscapes.

5.    Automation : 3D scanning technology can automate the measurement process, which can reduce human error and increase efficiency.

6.    Reverse Engineering: 3D scanning can be used to capture the shape and details of an object and create a 3D model that can be used for reverse engineering and redesign.

7.    Quality Control: 3D scanning can be used to inspect and check parts and products for geometric and dimensional accuracy.

8.    Heritage and Cultural Preservation: 3D scanning can be used to capture the shape and details of historical artifacts and buildings for preservation, study and display.

9.    Virtual and Augmented Reality : 3D scanning can be used to create realistic virtual environments and objects for use in AR and VR applications.

10. Cost-effective: 3D scanning can be more cost-effective than traditional methods of measurement, such as manual measurements or traditional tooling.

Disadvantages and Challenges with 3D Scanning

1.    Limited field of view: 3D scanners typically have a limited field of view, which can make it difficult to capture large or complex objects or environments.

2.    Occlusions: If an object or part of the environment is obscured from view, it may not be captured by the scanner.

3.    Sensor noise: 3D scanners can be affected by noise from the sensor, which can lead to errors in the captured data.

4.    Surface reflectivity: Some surfaces can be difficult to scan, such as glossy or transparent surfaces, which can cause reflections and make it difficult to capture accurate data.

5.    Surface texture: Some surfaces can be difficult to scan, such as surfaces that are highly textured or have small features, which can make it difficult to capture accurate data.

6.    Alignment: If the scanner is not properly aligned with the object or environment, the captured data may be inaccurate or incomplete.

7.    Resolution: The resolution of the scan can affect the accuracy and detail of the captured data.

8.    Post-processing: Some scanners require post-processing of the data to remove noise, align data and create a complete 3D mesh. This step can be time-consuming and require specialized software.

9.    Lighting conditions: Lighting conditions can have a big impact on the quality of the scan. A lack of light or uneven lighting can cause shadows and reflections that make it difficult to capture accurate data.

10. Privacy: Capturing 3D data of people or private spaces can raise concerns about privacy and data protection.