Best 3D Scanner Solutions

3D scanners are devices that capture and identify the geometry of physical objects or measure different parameters of the environment using lasers or light. The data captured by these scanners can be used to construct digital three-dimensional (3D) models for the production of movies or video games. Laser scanners play a key role in quality assurance during the production process in various industries. 3D digital capturing of shapes and surfaces using lasers is an effortless and precise process. Different industries not only use laser scanners for the quality control of products but also for reverse engineering, fit and finish, and assembly applications.

Best 3D Scanner Solutions 2021

1. HEXAGON AB
2. GOM
3. FARO TECHNOLOGIES
4. JENOPTIK
5. BASIS Software
6. NIKON METROLOGY
7. Smartech 3D
8. Perceptron
9. CARL ZEISS AG
10. DOTPRODUCT

Market Overview

Best 3D scanner solutions are used by manufacturers for accurate inspection of products to derive corrective actions without slowing down the production process. They are used to check misalignments that can cause downtime and affect the performance of machines. These scanners enable inspection and dimensional analysis of machine parts to verify their accuracy and quality, thereby eliminating the probability of costly scraps and reworks. 3D scanners allow the identification of defective parts, which arrive from suppliers, to establish and maintain strict quality standards.

3D scanners have a wide scope for growth in the manufacturing sector owing to their potential benefits over other existing technologies. The growth of the 3D scanner market can be attributed to the adoption of automated technologies, which have revolutionized the global manufacturing sector. The evolution of smart factories has led to increased demand for automated 3D scanner systems. High costs incurred for setting up scanning facilities and requirements of high-level technical expertise for analyzing and inspecting components depending on verticals wherein they are to be used act as challenges for the growth of the 3D scanner market. The key factors driving the growth of the Best 3D scanner solutions market are the requirement to capture large volumes of three-dimensional data for modeling and analyzing applications, increased focus on quality control, and limitations of traditional measurement devices to address a number of manufacturing issues.

The 3D scanner market was valued at USD 893 million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 1,324 million by 2026; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2021 to 2026. The adoption of 3D scanners in industries such as aerospace and defense, automotive, architecture and construction, medical, electronics, and energy and power to maintain the quality of products is expected to drive the growth of the Best 3D scanner solutions market. Quality control/inspection is an integral part of the production process to ensure its smooth conduct without incurring any extra cost. In quality control/inspection applications, 3D scanners are used for alignment tests, CAD-based inspections, dimensional analysis, machine calibrations, etc. Industries such as automotive and aerospace and defense have a complex supply chain consisting of a large number of vendors who demand consistent manufacturing and approval processes to be undertaken to ensure that required standards such as ISO/TS 16949 are followed.

Quality control/inspection is an integral part of the production process to ensure its smooth conduct without incurring any extra cost. In quality control/inspection applications, 3D scanners are used for alignment tests, CAD-based inspections, dimensional analysis, machine calibrations, etc. Manufacturers follow robust inspection processes to improve the quality of their products; they use 3D scanners for accurate 3D scanning and inspection analysis to carry out corrective actions without slowing down the production processes. 3D scanners are also used to check misalignments, which can cause machine downtime and adversely affect the performance of machines. 3D scanning enables part inspections and dimensional analysis of machine components to verify their accuracy and quality and eliminate costly scraps and reworks. 3D scanning also allows the identification of defective parts, which arrive from suppliers, to establish and maintain strict quality standards.

Best 3D scanner solutions are used in the automotive industry in the early stages of the design, production, and installation of single components and finished products in automobiles. They are also used to ensure the automation of the automotive production lines. The process of quality control/inspection is vital for automobile production as it enables fast response to quality issues, thereby leading to the increasing demand for 3D scanners in the automotive industry.

With reduced inspection time and overall costs, automobile manufacturers can expedite their new product development cycles that allow them to introduce new vehicle models and maintain a competitive edge in the market. Other popular 3D scanning applications in this industry include prototyping, simulating, aftermarket designing, and reverse engineering. Hexagon AB (Sweden), GOM GmbH (Germany), and Nikon Metrology (Japan) are among the leading players that offer state-of-the-art 3D scanners for use in the automotive industry.

The competitive leadership mapping showcased provides information for the best 3D Scanner Solutions. The vendors are evaluated on two different parameters: Product Offerings and Business Strategy.

This category of best 3D Scanner Solutions includes Hexagon, Zeiss, Faro, Nikon, GoM, Jenoptik, MAPTEK, Perceptron, and Renishaw.

There are many companies in the 3D scanner market that are largely dependent on their competitive R&D activities. Most of the dynamic differentiator players are classified under tier 2 and tier 3 companies, which have presence in various regions worldwide. The dynamic differentiators have lesser product offerings compared with visionary leaders, but have strong market.

This category of Best 3D Scanner Solutions includes 3D Systems, Accuscan, Cyberoptiks, BASIS software, Capture 3D, Smartech 3D, DotProduct, ScanDimension, IKUSTEC, Shining 3D, Automated Precision, Q-Plus Lab, 3D Digital Corporation, and Exact Metrology.

This category of 3D Scanner Solutions includes Trimble, and TOPCON.

DRIVERS

Surging need for highly accurate 3D scanning

The manufacturing industry is experiencing a surge in productivity, leading to increasing demand for inspection of products being manufactured and meet industry standards. With strict timelines for production and increased focus on tolerances, it is imperative that the quality control process involved in the manufacturing process should contribute value to products. 3D scanning offers accuracy and versatility in manufacturing processes and is considered a cost-effective solution by OEMs. As the technology has advanced, the accuracy of 3D scanning has also increased over time. Currently, modern scanners provide a high degree of accuracy, which is expected to improve by capturing more data points than traditional scanners.

Increasing need to capture large volumes of 3D data for modeling and analysis

3D scanning data is important in the manufacturing industry, as it is directly related to product quality and performance assessment efforts. 3D scanning can be used for measurement modeling that involves the visualization of a product, the quality of which can be controlled through statistical sampling. A large amount of 3D data is required to define a product adequately for precision inspection. Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) have become a viable and cost-effective method due to advancements in data-gathering sensor technologies and improved measurement and inspection software. Best 3D scanner solutions are also being used in conjunction with CMMs. 3D laser scanners, white-light scanners, and laser trackers are widely used as dimensional metrology solutions for faster and high-precision results. These technologies have made data capturing easier and faster, resulting in a highly accurate inspection. Small laser trackers have large volume measurement capabilities and are increasingly being used in the automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery industries for large-volume and high-accuracy measurements. In July 2020, ScanTech released its high volumetric metrology-grade KSCAN-Magic 3D scanner. This device works with infrared and blue laser technologies and offers five standard working modes.

Growing focus on quality control

With the rising competition in almost every industry, product defects or delays in product delivery can hamper a company’s revenue and brand image in the long term. Using state-of-the-art products for quality control and inspection can help prevent such product defects or delayed delivery in many ways. Traditional inspection methods and tools require a lot of time and human resources, which increase production time and cost. 3D scanners can overcome the drawbacks of traditional inspection methods and reduce the time and cost of production while matching or even exceeding the accuracy level of traditional 3D scanning. Best 3D scanner solutions can quickly capture millions of cloud points (dimensional points of objects), which are then transferred to software to reproduce a 3D model and highlight the difference between the original CAD drawing and the actual geometry of the object. This helps in detecting defects or deformations and provides accurate data for further corrective action.

To meet the rising demand for high-quality products in industries such as automotive, healthcare, and architecture & construction, manufacturers are increasingly adopting factory automation to reduce the time and cost of production. Inline 3D scanners are used in production lines to automate inspection processes. For instance, Element, a Finnish construction company, uses Artec Eva for quality control of parts during production and to scan worn parts for restoration and repair. The company relies on Artec Eva for quality control and to ensure reliable accuracy in its products. Similarly, various manufacturing companies rely on several types of 3D scanners for quality control purposes.

Rising awareness about advanced medical treatments

Traditionally, medical practitioners used to measure body size and shape by hands to assess health status. Nowadays, computed tomography (CT) scanners can produce 3D internal images of an individual’s body. 3D body surface scanners are transforming the ability to accurately measure a person’s body size, shape, and skin-surface area. Though these scanners have been mainly developed for the clothing industry, their low cost, non-invasiveness, and ease of use make them appealing for widespread clinical applications and large-scale epidemiological surveys. Best 3D scanner solutions are used in the designing and manufacturing of orthosis/prosthesis, designing and manufacturing of aesthetics prosthesis, and monitoring of wound healing. Increasingly, 3D capture techniques are being used to generate more accurate records of complex facial geometry and features. For instance, Artec 3D scanners help create custom orthopedic braces. Orten, a French orthopedics and prosthetics firm, has switched to 3D scanning for creating custom orthopedic braces for patients. The traditional method of brace creation was messy, time-consuming, and imprecise. The company aims to use portable, highly precise 3D scanners to quickly scan patients from 360 degrees and then use the scans to create custom braces of the highest standards.

Ongoing technological advancements in 3D scanning

Rapid technological advancements are creating huge opportunities for 3D scanners for use in several industrial and non-industrial applications. With new and improved technologies, the practical issues involved in 3D scanning have been rectified, thereby significantly reducing the overall complexity. For instance, earlier, 3D scanning of smooth surfaces posed a challenge, as the projected light does not reflect back correctly to the camera, unlike in the case of uneven or granular surfaces. To solve this problem, temporary anti-reflective paint was used to capture the reflected light. With the help of blue light 3D scanning technology, reflective and smooth surfaces can be effectively scanned without the need for a coating. With this, it becomes easy to use 3D scanners in the automotive and healthcare industries.

The blue light 3D scanning technology has also overcome the limitation of white light 3D scanning accuracy due to daylight interference, creating a significant market opportunity for structured light 3D scanners. Dynamic referencing is another technology that is making 3D scanning easier. With this technology, there is no need for rigid support to fix the object to be scanned; this reduces the setup time and the overall complexity of the 3D scanning procedure. Moreover, such 3D scanners are not affected by external vibrations in the plant, making them a perfect 3D scanning solution for automated inline 3D scanning.

Rising development of product lifecycle management solutions for quality control

PLM is the process of managing the complete lifecycle of a product, right from its inception through its design, engineering, manufacturing, servicing, and disposal. PLM solutions are being widely deployed by manufacturing companies across various verticals. PLM has a high impact on digital manufacturing for minimizing errors in production processes and is considered an important process in smart factories. A smart factory is empowered by the integration of technologies for better control, automation, and operation. 3D scanning has emerged as a critical tool in every step of the PLM process. This is especially true of the new generation of truly portable, self-positioning scanners. The ability of 3D scanners to bridge the gap between physical objects in the real world and the digital design environment has become extremely valuable in a wide range of industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer products, manufacturing, and heavy industries among the principal ones. In December 2018, SHINING 3D released two high-resolution handheld 3D scanners in partnership with Siemens PLM for advanced engineering software. SHINING 3D and Siemens also released the Solid Edge Shining 3D Edition software, which is integrated with the new EinScan Pro 2X scanners. The software includes reverse engineering, generative design, and simulation together with a CAD tool–making it an all-in-one platform.

RESTRAINTS

Availability of cost-effective alternatives for 3D scanning

3D scanners have applications in various industries, including manufacturing, architecture & construction, and healthcare. Cost-effective alternatives to 3D scanning are available for these industries. For the architecture and construction, as well as geospatial industries, cost-effective alternatives such as manual measurement, electronic distance measurement (EDM), and satellite systems are available. EDM is capable of highly accurate measurements, and the data collected by it is used to construct an object in 3D. It is one of the most commonly used methods in the construction industry. However, though EDM is highly accurate, it is slow, and creating a 3D model with its help is a complex process.

In the manufacturing industry, the conventional method of 3D scanning through tactile probing is still widely used, especially in APAC. In the healthcare industry, especially for dental applications, the traditional and manual method of PVS impression is used to measure tooth structure as a cost-effective solution.

Though 3D scanners offer quick and highly accurate 3D scanning, the availability of cost-effective alternatives is restraining the growth of the 3D scanner market.

OPPORTUNITIES

Surged adoption of Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 or smart factory is a new phase of the industrial revolution, linking the manufacturing industry and information technology, as well as all associated activities. It is being adopted in manufacturing facilities to improve productivity by maximizing asset utilization, minimizing downtime, and improving labor efficiency. This is expected to enhance operations at all levels of the value chain, starting from the R&D stage to the end user stage. The evolution of smart factories leads to the growing demand for 3D metrology systems. Additionally, the robots used in manufacturing plants are now being integrated with inline inspection systems to provide real-time analysis of measurement data. This reduces the need for arduous measuring in the measuring room and enables frequent quality testing.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IloT), along with the large number of 3D scanning solutions deployed in the assembly line, drives the adoption of automation and inline metrology. Due to this, the 3D scanning software market is expected to grow from 2021 to 2026. The use of robotic arms and sensors, and the focus on speed, precision, and actionable insights from burgeoning data further adds to the expanding role of software.

Availability of 3D scanner as a consumer device

Many startups and companies are now offering 3D scanners for consumers. Consumers are now using it in applications such as face modeling, 3D model sharing, 3D printing, etc. These 3D scanners are available in different forms, including handheld, desktop, and even as an attachment for iPads. Apart from this, many industry leaders are offering 3D scanners for 3D-printed selfies. For instance, Fuel 3D (US) has designed an ergonomically smart handheld 3D scanner for scanning, editing, and sharing 3D scans of people and objects.

CHALLENGES

Lack of simplified software solutions

Companies employ new and updated 3D scanning software that enable non-contact, fast, accurate, and automated testing. The updated software—consisting of both analog and modern technologies—provides an advanced user interface to metrology system operators to improve the quality of the analysis. However, new 3D scanning software solutions are complex to operate and require proper training. This has led systems manufacturers to conduct training sessions and provide clients with customer support engineers who can deliver on-demand information about the product.

High price of high-resolution 3D scanners

Detailed and high-resolution scans are highly important in 3D scanning applications. With advancements in technologies, the 3D scanners currently available have become lightweight, compact, and highly accurate. However, the price of these scanners is high, which is one of the major factors that inhibit the adoption of 3D scanners. The impact of this challenge on the market is currently high. However, in the next five years, the impact is expected to be medium to low. Manufacturers of 3D scanners are likely to succeed in their attempts to lower their prices by achieving economies of scale in the next five years. The falling prices are expected to open new opportunities for the Best 3D scanner solutions market, as the target audience and 3D scanning application base are expected to grow in the coming years.

3D SCANNER MARKET, BY OFFERING

Based on offering, the 3D scanner market has been classified into hardware, software and solutions, and services. The hardware segment of the 3D scanner market has witnessed significant growth in the past few years owing to the increased demand for structured light scanners for quality control/inspection and reverse engineering applications. However, the demand for Best 3D scanner solutions is expected to increase significantly among metrology equipment providers and industry players.

HARDWARE

SURGED USE OF STRUCTURED LIGHT SCANNERS FOR INSPECTION APPLICATIONS

3D scanner-related hardware consists of 3D laser scanners and structured light 3D scanners. Scanners are noncontact metrology systems that use laser or white light-based scanning technology to capture images of objects by obtaining several coordinate points and reconstructing them using a software. A typical 3D scanner has a scanner head, a platform, and software for measuring the dimensions of objects.

The integral part of the scanner hardware includes a projector and camera(s). The projector emits coded light patterns onto objects in the form of strips or dots, which get deformed when the light strikes the surface of the object. After the projection, the camera captures the deformed image. A handheld 3D scanner may contain 1, 2, or more cameras.

Advancements in 3D scanning technology are making 3D scanners increasingly popular for metrology applications as they are fast and cost-effective. Optically-tracked 3D scanning and probing systems use a set of cameras to track the location of the 3D scan head or probe in 3D space. These systems offer freedom of movement, ensure improved accuracy over distance, and have the ability to include dynamic referencing. Dynamic referencing systems work by attaching targets or light-emitting diodes (LED) lights to an object that is to be scanned. This allows cameras to track the object part to be scanned and scan or probe head separately from each other. The net result is that the part can be moving even while scanning resulting in no loss of accuracy or data quality. These advancements in 3D scanning systems drive their adoption across several industries and thus, contribute to the overall growth of the hardware segment of the Best 3D scanner solutions market.

SOFTWARE AND SOLUTIONS

INCREASED DEMAND FOR STRUCTURED LIGHT SCANNERS IN INSPECTION APPLICATIONS

3D scanning software comprise measurement, evaluation, and management software, which help in carrying out highly accurate measurements. These software are used to acquire and process data collected by CMM, 3D scanners, etc. Dimensional measurement information systems (DMIS) comprising dimensional measurement software package for coordinate measuring machines (CMM) and portable measurement devices are used to measure dimensions of aerospace and automotive components. Other 3D scanner-related software include computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, automation software, cloud software, and imaging software.

3D scanning solutions include mobile apps, data management solutions, data security solutions, and analytical solutions. The demand for 3D scanning solutions is expected to grow significantly in the next two to three years owing to the risen demand for data management solutions from OEM. For instance, in August 2020, ZEISS released the PiWeb app, a mobile solution for quality data management. This app has been developed for use by metrologists, as well as quality and production managers. Users can access all important information about measurement results directly on their iOS devices through an intuitive measurement dashboard view and various visualization tools. This PiWeb App provides a number of ways for users to access and analyze measurement data on the go. It allows companies to start the digitalization process and discover potential problems and formulate possible solutions quickly.

SERVICES

The services segment of the Best 3D scanner solutions market has been classified into after-sales services, storage as a service, and measurement services. Apart from providing after-sales services, which include maintenance and training, scanner companies provide OEM with consulting and part measurement services as well.

AFTER-SALES SERVICES

The after-sales services include system maintenance services, maintenance contracts, system upgrade services, and training. Under the system maintenance services category, the manufacturers of 3D scanners offer installation services, relocation services, technical support services, repair services, spare part services, preventive maintenance services, and onsite services. Under the maintenance contracts category, companies provide hardware and software maintenance services. System upgrades include hardware upgrades and retrofits, along with software upgrades. The training category includes the conduct of training sessions pertaining to the scanning software, along with operating and programming scanning equipment.

STORAGE AS A SERVICE

Storage as a service is a business model based on which a company leases or rents its storage infrastructure to another company or individuals to store data. Small companies and individuals find this a convenient methodology for managing backups and saving costs in terms of workforce, hardware, and physical space. In October 2020, FARO released WebShare cloud 2.12, a cloud-based hosting platform, which offers real-time access to the latest reality data for worldwide project management and building information modeling (BIM) workflows. It supports 3D reality data of unlimited size. Moreover, this platform is independent of the source of data to be stored, viewed, evaluated, and shared. It can be accessed by authorized persons only, from anywhere in the world, and at any time using a web browser.

MEASUREMENT SERVICES

3D scanner companies provide measurement support, application consultancy, contract inspection services, part programming services, and rental systems under measurement services. As a part of the measurement support, companies provide measurement consultation, along with technical operator assistance for measurement applications. They also carry out cost and time reduction evaluations for OEM. The concerned companies provide the required support of skilled metrologists, quality inspectors, application engineers, or CMM operators under the application consultancy category to help the manufacturing companies run 3D scanning systems efficiently. Moreover, scanner service providers offer in-process inspection, part measurement, fit check, data collection, and deformation/drift monitoring services under contract inspection services.

3D SCANNER MARKET, BY TYPE

3D scanners can measure the dimensions of real-world objects or parameters of the environment using lights or lasers. They collect dense data points, also known as point clouds, regarding the geometry and the appearance of physical objects. The collected data can then be used to construct and modify 3D models with suitable software. 3D scanners are being used extensively in a variety of applications, including quality control/inspection, industrial design, prototype development, reverse engineering process, virtual simulation, and documentation.

Based on type, the 3D scanner market has been segmented into 3D laser scanners and structured light scanners. Structured light scanners capture a sequence of images with different patterns of light projected onto object surfaces to create a full 3D point cloud of the geometry of stationary objects. Laser scanners collect a series of profiles from laser lines as objects move past the field of view of these scanners. 3D smart sensors with built-in software can then automatically combine multiple profiles into a complete 3D map of object surfaces.

3D LASER SCANNERS

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER) is an electronic device that produces light radiation through optical amplification. Laser scanners can capture thousands of data points of a physical object per second in dark and well-lit environments. The prime advantage of lasers in metrology and scanning applications is that they enable fast and noncontact measurement processes. They provide the exact locations of the coordinates of scanned objects to a system. The laser scanning technique is extensively adopted in various industries worldwide. It provides a 3D prototype of an object for analysis and measurements. Factors such as accuracy and cost-effectiveness offered by 3D laser scanners, along with their increased use in a number of applications, rise in client demand for them, and versatility provided by them in terms of scanning, contribute to their rapid adoption globally.

The market for 3D laser scanners is projected to grow at a significant rate owing to their easy availability and convenience of usage. These scanners are being widely used in industries such as automotive, architecture and construction, medical, and energy and power. For instance, 3D Laser scanners in automotive industries are used for body-in-white (BIW) assembling as they precisely measure and monitor the locations of slots, studs, holes, and other features to ensure conformity to strict automotive tolerance standards. Similarly, in the aerospace and defense industry, these scanners are used for quality control/inspection, aerodynamics/stress analysis, and damage assessment, along with legacy part reengineering and reverse engineering and designing and engineering of aircraft components and their assemblies.

The use of laser scanning for analyzing and mapping underground areas is becoming prominent, and mine survey teams are witnessing a growing number of clients asking for laser-scanning services. The use of 3D laser scanners not only enables professional surveying companies to carry out precision surveys with high accuracy and speed but also enhances the confidence of clients in the data captured owing to the comprehensive coverage and 3D-viewing capabilities of these scanners. This drives the large-scale deployment of 3D laser scanners in the mining industry.

STRUCTURED LIGHT SCANNERS

Structured light scanners use a series of light patterns projected on objects to be scanned, and the distortions in the reflected patterns are detected by cameras or sensors. Triangulation algorithms and image processing techniques are then used to convert these distortions to the 3D point cloud. The demand for structured light scanners is rising globally owing to the requirement for accurate, cost-effective, high-quality, and reliable products across various industries such as manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and automotive. One of the key advantages of structured light scanners is their speed. Instead of scanning one point at a time, structured light scanners scan multiple points or the entire field of view at once. This minimizes or eliminates the issue of distortion caused by the motion.

3D SCANNER MARKET, BY RANGE

3D scanners have a wide range of applications in several industries. 3D scanning requirements differ from industry to industry. For instance, 3D scanners used for scanning automobile components are not suitable for scanning buildings or bridges. This leads to the requirement of 3D scanners of different ranges to cater to varied 3D scanning requirements of different industries. For instance, short-range 3D scanners are preferred for scanning automobile components, while long-range 3D scanners are ideal for scanning heritage buildings. Medium-range 3D scanners are usually preferred for asset management, archeology, forensics, and entertainment applications.

Based on range, the Best 3D scanner solutions market has been segmented into short-range scanners, medium-range scanners, and long-range scanners; these scanners have a scanning range of less than 1 meter, 1 to 30 meters, and more than 30 meters, respectively.

SHORT-RANGE 3D SCANNERS

3D scanners that have a scanning range of less than 1 meter are considered short-range 3D scanners. They offer highly accurate 3D scanning data with real-time visualization. Different types of short-range 3D scanners available in the market are portable CMM, desktop 3D scanners, and fixed CMM. Scan heads that are used as modular attachments to fixed-type CMM and portable CMM, along with automated and inline 3D scanning solutions, have also been considered under this segment.

Short-range 3D scanners have various applications in different industries. In the healthcare industry, they are used in the form of handheld intraoral 3D scanners. These scanners help practitioners easily acquire precise true color 2D and 3D digital impressions. Short-range 3D scanners can operate to a range of 1 meter for both broad contact and non-contact applications. In cultural and heritage preservation applications, these scanners are used for digitizing artifacts and carrying out 3D documentation of famous sculptures.

MEDIUM-RANGE 3D SCANNERS

3D scanners that have a scanning range of 1 to 30 meters are considered medium-range 3D scanners. The time-of-flight scanning technology is widely used for medium-range 3D scanning. In time-of-flight systems, the laser hits the objects to be scanned. This laser is then reflected to sensors. It is followed by the calculation of the dimensional coordinates of targeted objects by the time-of-flight systems. The data accuracy of medium-range 3D scanners is lesser than that of short-range 3D scanners.

Medium-range 3D scanners have a wide range of applications in the architecture and construction industry, ranging from design to maintenance activities of buildings or process plants. Handheld medium-range 3D scanners, which enable complete onsite 3D scene documentation, are also available in the market. Besides the architecture and construction industry, medium-range 3D scanners are also used in artifacts and cultural heritage preservation, forensic, and entertainment applications.

LONG-RANGE 3D SCANNERS

3D scanners that have a scanning range of more than 30 meters are considered long-range 3D scanners. The time-of-flight scanning technology is commonly used for long-range 3D scanning. Long-range 3D scanners based on hybrid technology are also available in the market; these scanners offer increased accuracy. In long-range scanning, the data accuracy is lesser than that of short-range 3D scanning.

Long-range 3D scanners are used for scanning large-scale structures and areas such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, marine ships, and crime scenes. They can be used when there is a need to verify the as-built condition of objects with CAD. This includes examining complex shapes and obtaining their 3D measurements. Long-range 3D scanners are also used for feasibility studies and can provide new information related to the data, which may be rendered inaccurate over time.