Today, we’re going to compare three popular low-cost desktop 3D scanners with structured illumination technology. These are the best 3D scanners for small objects.
All these scanners come ready to work “out of the box”. This means you can immediately start working on your projects with these scanners without having to do any assembly.
Best 3D Scanners for Small Objects
The three desktop 3D scanners that we’ll be looking at are:
In this review, we will look at the scan results of these equipment. The three scanners will be tested to scan objects of varying complexity. We’ll then compare the resulting data with the reference models.
Reference Models
As reference models for scanning, we have selected four objects of varying complexity. This will help us to know the pros and cons of a particular scanner on objects of different geometry, size and shape.
The “Print” object has a simple geometry, as it does not contain concavities, holes and internal channels. These features make the scanning process simpler.
The “Gear” object geometry of of medium complexity, as it contains the inner surface of the tooth and the hole.
The “Tee” object is a complex geometric shape. it has a pronounced external and internal geometry, which greatly complicate the scanning process.
The last object – “Profile” – is a complex geometry object that has internal cavities, concave areas and holes, All these cause a number of problems when scanning.
The table below shows their photos and overall dimensions.
Object Name | Object | Dimensions | Scanning Complexity |
Seal
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b1jbxTgzb0MIKcQ0HcRGc5RxfssPeLhX/view?usp=sharing |
D = 50 mm H = 80 mm |
Simple | |
Gear
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z0usrI0_Asf7YibnHD-MOQCFQ1zNAJb_/view?usp=sharing |
D = 50 mm
H = 40 mm |
Average | |
Tee
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KmWi03HlILmC-ejqgpKyuQ1OjNZp2aY-/view?usp=sharing |
L = 90 mm
H = 80 mm |
Average | |
Profile
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17sJNA52YMjmlE6nsk4a7RguysmDxPIqK/view?usp=sharing |
L = 100 mm
H = 40 mm |
Complex |
The objects were printed on a Flashforge 3D printer, a simple and reliable device that delivers consistently good results for both small and large items. Printed PLA, then scanned with all named scanners for comparison.
Scanning Process
Let’s review the scanning process by each device and evaluate the quality of their work.
1. Shining 3D EinScan SE
AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP
Shining 3D EinScan-SE (Elite) is a next generation desktop scanner. The 3D scanner is versatile, lightweight, fast, and produces scans with great detail. This is the next generation of EinScan-S, with a new design and increased performance.
The Shining 3D Einscan is easy to learn, even for non-professional users. It is also ideal for training and scanning of models that will later be 3D printed.
The delivery set includes the device itself, a turntable, a tripod stand, a calibration field, as well as connection and power cables.
This is the most inexpensive scanner in our review, while it produces a fairly high-quality result. The process of working with it is simple, and its own software allows even an unprepared user to start scanning as soon as possible.
Technical Specs
GENERAL INFORMATION
- OS: Win7, Win8, Win10 (64 bit)
- Energy consumption: 50 watts
- Dimensions: 570 x 210 x 210
- Weight: 2.5 kg
- File formats: OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY
SCANNER SPECIFICATIONS
- Scan area: 700 x 700 x 700 mm
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Light source: White light
- Number of cameras: 2
- Single shot size: 200 x 150 mm
- Permission: 1.3 megapixels
- Camera resolution: 1.3 megapixels
- Object distance: 290-480 mm
- Distance to point: 0.17-0.2mm
- System requirements: video: Nvidia series video, memory> 1G, processor Dual-core i5 and above, RAM> 8G
- Scanning speed: fixed <8 s, auto <2 min
- Application: Reverse engineering, education, energy Industry
- Texture: Yes
- Scanning accuracy, from 100 μm
- Color scanning: Yes
Let’s look at the scanning results.
There was no problem during the connection, calibration, and operation process. This device works with a turntable, which is installed on a stationary seat on a stand.
The scanner captures geometry well. When turning 360 degrees, the surface of the model is displaced. This can mislead you. However, after the end of the scanning session, the software automatically “sutures” the scans into place. The models are obtained without displacement.
The quality of the final models can be seen in the table below.
2. Shining 3D EinScan SP
AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP
Shining 3D EinScan-SP (Platinum) is also a desktop scanner that is versatile, lightweight and fast. However, it produces scans with even more detail.
EinScan-SP is intended primarily for 3D designers in the digital environment. It has modern features for quickly collecting accurate data, which will be useful in design, animation, archiving, heritage preservation, CG and VR.
The complete set of the device does not differ from the Shining 3D SE model. The only difference it that it contains an additional tripod, which significantly expands the range of tasks performed. With the SE, you can scan objects in stationary mode by manually moving the object in the scanner’s field of view.
Compared to the previous model, the frame capture time has reduced to 4 seconds (versus 6 seconds for the SE). This speeds up the work significantly. However, the problem of displacement of scans during the scanning process remains. Still, as in the previous case, this does not affect the quality of the result. The displacement is displayed only during the process, then the software stitches the scan correctly.
Technical Specs
GENERAL INFORMATION
- OS: Win7, Win8, Win10 (64 bit)
- Energy consumption: 50 watts
- Dimensions: 570 x 210 x 210 mm
- Weight: 4.2kg
- File formats: OBJ, STL, ASC, PLY
SCANNER SPECIFICATIONS
- Scan area: 1200 х 1200 х 1200 mm
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Light source: White light
- Number of cameras: 2
- Minimum scan area: 30 x 30 x 30 mm
- Single shot size: 200 x 150 mm
- Camera resolution: 1.3 megapixels
- Object distance: 290-480 mm
- Distance to point: 0.17-0.2mm
- System requirements video: Nvidia series (GTX 660 and above), video memory> 2G, processor Dual-core i5 and above, RAM> 16 G
- Scanning speed: fixed <4 s, auto <1 min
- Application: Reverse engineering, education, energy industry
- Texture: Yes
- Scanning accuracy: from 50 μm
- Color scanning: Yes
The connecting and configuring process is easy; even a beginner can handle it. The frame acquisition rate has been significantly increased, and this simplifies and speeds up the work. Scanning accuracy has been increased by 50 microns.
Special positioning marks are added to the turntable. This allows high-quality scanning when using the device on a tripod. With this solution, you can work with large-sized products. The marks on the table will indicate to the device the location of the table rotation axis for high-quality alignment of the scans with each other.
The previous device, Shining SE, does not have a separate tripod and marks on the turntable. As a result, scanning objects that are not within the device’s field of view can be challenging.
The quality and detail of the models scanned is high. See the scan results in the table below.
3. RangeVision Neo
AVAILABLE ON TOP3DSHOP
RangeVision NEO is a new entry-level 3D scanner for beginners. This device is small in size but competes well in terms of function with the expensive and high-precision RangeVision models.
The RangeVision NEO scanner is well-equipped and comes in a handy carrying case for easy storage and transportation. Unlike previous devices, the scanner does not have a dedicated turntable stand. However, it has a tripod.
A 3D scanning software is also included. The program has a nice interface that is easy for the user to understand.
There connecting and configuring the device is easy. The software has various prompts that will take you through the quick start steps.
Technical Specs
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Shipping weight: 4.8kg
- Dimensions: 420 x 350 x 180mm
- Weight: 1 kg
- File formats: STL, OBJ, PLY
SCANNER SPECIFICATIONS
- Scan area: 200 x 150 x 150 mm
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Light source: LED
- Number of cameras: 2
- Rotary table load: 20 kg
- Camera resolution: 2 megapixels
- Scan Resolution: 0.13 mm
- Object distance: 300 mm
- Recommended scan target size: 0.03-1.2 m
- System requirements: Windows 7/8/10 64bit
- Application: education, reverse engineering, design, 3D modeling
- Scanner technology: Structured lighting
- Scanning accuracy: from 50μm
- Color scanning: Yes
There were no problems with stitching images or capturing geometry during scanning. The speed of taking pictures is fast enough for comfortable and fast work.
The table below shows the scan results.
Comparison with Reference Model
The comparative scan models were 3D printed. We took the scan results of RangeVision Pro as a reference, since it has a metrological certificate and is a confirmed measuring instrument. This simply means it is a scanner of a class higher, and thus can be taken as a standard.
The table below compares the RangeVision Pro 5M scan to the math reference model. This comparison will show the error after printing.
RangeVision Pro | Deviation Field | Digital Model | Model reference |
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C-eJw9OPUwR5daCXsLxJ_9YgRgKatsTj/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qM4WXftsOq9zdyhf_aZ2bIG-2dJnngev/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B7udYs9AweEnR4rPwDKr6ssiDmZfRfMo/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PVNx59qGe_asprp4fkuVWk3VUM-GT79C/view?usp=sharing |
From the comparison table, we conclude that on average, the error after printing is 0.1 mm. This data will help us determine the true scanning errors of the DUTs, Shining 3D SE, SP and RangeVision NEO.
The table below compares the scans of each device with the RangeVision Pro 5M reference scans.
Shining 3D SE
[Scan | Deviation Field | Reference Model | Model Reference |
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b-RjgSQx22lTurRpp1u4wc8BzNyCEmWW/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r06KvrIyJhESUBNJctmFMZlEPwmS4zZj/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nNUHccgmDqSqfbXozilRDHPA-7Fqx2SS/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yD4ckY-MX62xt3nZlUwMxhSdCcn0854w/view?usp=sharing |
As can be seen from the table above, the errors are quite large in some cases , i.e., up to 0.5 mm.
This is due to incorrect stitching of the object during scanning as a result of the monotonous geometry.
Shining 3D SP
Scan | Deviation Field | Reference Model | Model Reference |
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b-RjgSQx22lTurRpp1u4wc8BzNyCEmWW/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r06KvrIyJhESUBNJctmFMZlEPwmS4zZj/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nNUHccgmDqSqfbXozilRDHPA-7Fqx2SS/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yD4ckY-MX62xt3nZlUwMxhSdCcn0854w/view?usp=sharing |
The Shining 3D SP scanner coped a little better than the previous model. The geometry is quite well stitched together. As a result, the maximum deviations are up to 0.2-0.3 mm.
RangeVision NEO
Scan | Deviation Field | Reference Model | Model Reference |
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UDCYE2ekTGuc4oHjKexaRrNGCeNpsKgJ/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zqvNALPcyDuFMUQvJDq_VLIEoJCbBHbK/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NEtZBKA5Fv2V_rinm9YX2E2OB8LoitLA/view?usp=sharing | |||
https://drive.google.com/file/d/197uxqH_tX7F3pTShvwJJuM0eDygVH0_A/view?usp=sharing |
This device also proved to be good. The quality of alignment is good. Therefore, there are minimal errors, which only amount to 0.2 mm in comparison with the standard.
Conclusion
Each scanner coped with its task quite well in this review. The average deviation of the dimensions of the Shining 3D SE scan was ± 0.3 mm, Shining SP was ± 0.25 mm, and RangeVision NEO was ± 0.2 mm. As you can see from the comparison, the scan details achieved by all devices is decent.
In terms of usability, the scanners hardly differ, apart from the presence of a complete rotary stand with Shining 3D scanners. The rotary stand greatly simplifies the process. RangeVision NEO only has a tripod. This means that you have to manually select the distance to the table and the angles of the device.
It is impossible to say which of these is the best 3D scanner. Each of them is suitable for various tasks. The differences lie in the size of the object that can be scanned by each of the devices.
With the SE scanner, you can scan parts with dimensions up to 700 x 700 x 700 mm. With the SP, you can scan parts measuring up to 1200 x 1200 x 1200 mm. Finally, the NEO can scan parts measuring up to 1200 x 1200 x 1200 mm.
Such large objects can be scanned in parts by manually moving them in the scanning area.
If you were to choose according to the package bundle, then the best set is Shining 3D SP. This set has a stationary stand and a tripod right out of the box. On the other hand, the SE comes with only a stand. With the NEO, you only get a tripod. You will have to buy a rotating object table separately if you need it.