These slides use concepts from my (Jeff Funk) course entitled analyzing hi-tech opportunities to analyze how the economic feasibility of 3D scanners is becoming better through improvements in lasers, camera ICs, and processor ICs. 3D scanning is both a complement to 3D printing and a technology with its own unique applications. 3D printing of complex objects can be done from a CAD database or from a 3D scan where a 3D scan can be done with laser or other sources of white light such as LEDs. 3D scanning can also be done for other purposes. For example, scientists and engineers are using 3D scanners to survey archeological, construction, crime scene, and engineering sites, to document maintenance and repair of engineered systems, and to customize medical and dental products for humans. Improvements in lasers, LEDs, camera chips, ICs, and other components continue to improve the economic feasibility of 3D scanning. Longer wavelength lasers increase the scanning range, better camera chips improve the scanning resolution, and better lasers, camera chips, and processor ICs reduce the scanning time. For example, third generation scanners from Argon, one leading supplier, have 100 times higher resolution and one tenth the scan times of Argon’s first generation system. For costs, lasers make up the largest percentage followed by camera and processor ICs. For example, lasers make up 80% of the hardware cost for one high-end system with a current cost of $1346 and a price of about $3000. As laser costs fall and as volumes enable smaller margins, the price of such systems will fall. For the same reasons, low-end systems continue to emerge. These include Microsoft’s Kinect and an app for the iPhone. Microsoft’s Kinect was $150 while the app was only $4.99, both in early 2013. As such low-end systems proliferate, and high-end systems continue to get cheaper, 3D scanning will find new applications.

1. Group Members:
Huang He A0098538L
Benjamin Cho Eng Keong A0098460X
Neo Yee Ping A0098542W
Oh Wee Meng, Wilson A0008231X
See Soon Hui A0098554N
Wong Kim Jyh A0098426U
Kelvin Ho Kong Meng A0082023W
1
For information on other new technologies that are becoming economically feasible,
see http://www.slideshare.net/Funk98/presentations

2. Outline
2
Introduction
Applications
The “Old” vs. “New”
Cost and Performance Comparison
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Better
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Cheaper
3D Scanner Market
Entrepreneurial Opportunities

3. 3

4. White Light Scanner
4

5. Outline
5
Introduction
Applications
The “Old” vs. “New”
Cost and Performance Comparison
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Better
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Cheaper
3D Scanner Market at a Glance
Entrepreneurial Opportunities

6. Applications – 1/7
 Site Surveying
 3D laser scanning accurately captures
large sets of 3D coordinates
 Can detect pavement distresses, eg.
potholes and large-area utility patches.
 Able to get a higher level of accuracy by
capturing all data at once, instead of one
point at a time.
 Can estimate very quickly, the volume of
earth to remove
Source: http://www.darlingltd.com
Source: http://dmminingandenergy.com.au/services/
63D Laser Scanning of Inca ruins of Machu Picchu

7. Applications – 2/7
 Archival of Building Designs
○ capture as-built data for a historical,
religious, or other culturally significant
structures to create a permanent
digital record.
http://www.sparpointgroup.com
Source: http://www.darlingltd.com
 Architecture, Engineering and
Construction
 Building retrofits and remodels
• capture as-built data and modify on
digital model.
• estimated that 60% of U.S. building in
the next 20 years will be based on
existing construction, reliant on old 2D
drawings or no existing data at all
7

8. Applications – 3/7
 Product Design & Inspections
 Archiving
○ Store digital copies of the designs,
etc.
 Reverse engineering
○ Create new objects from existing
products.
 Inspection
○ Compare 3D scans with CAD data or
previously captured data.
Source: http://metrisusa.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/image-one-8-20-10.jpg
Inspection
http://blog.nikonmetrology.com/tag/3d-scanning/
http://blog.nikonmetrology.com/tag/3d-scanning/
Archiving
8

9. Applications – 4/7
 Crime Scene Investigation
 Reproduce 3D digital model of crime scene.
 Allows investigator to
○ revisit the crime scene over and over again.
○ simulate “what if” scenarios.
○ reproduce physical models of weapons, etc. for further analysis.
○ take multiple critical measurements in a fraction of time compared to
traditional methods.
Source: http://www.deltasphere.com/images/FaroImages.jpg
9

10. Applications – 5/7
 Maintenance and Repair
 Create 3D digital model of
machine under repair.
 Can send scan over the internet
to engineers in other region to
analyze.
○ No need for engineer to
visit site.
○ Engineer can revisit
“machine” numerous times
without visiting site.
http://www.usinenouvelle.com/industry/img
http://www.tctmagazine.com/
Internet
10

11. Applications – 6/7
 Archaeology & art
 Scan historical sites and artifacts both for
documentation and analysis purposes
11
204 Scans in 4 days on site

12. Applications – 7/7
 Medical, Plastic Surgery, Forensics
 Dental
○ braces, retainers, and mouth guards
 Face
○ form-fitted face mask for treating burn
victims
 Body Parts
○ prosthetics (ie. leg, back)
 Non-contact scanning
○ Especially useful for situations of extreme
pain, eg. burn victims
 Relatively fast compared to conventional methods
○ Patients may not be able to hold the posture
for long.
Source:
http://blog.3d3solutions.com
Source: http://blog.3d3solutions.com
Source: http://blog.creaform3d.com/ 12

13. Outline
13
Introduction
Applications
The “Old” vs. “New”
Cost and Performance Comparison
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Better
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Cheaper
3D Scanner Market at a Glance
Entrepreneurial Opportunities

14. 14
Previous Technology used to reconstruct 3D Images
Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
• A CMM is a 3D device that can move in the 3
axis for measuring the physical geometrical
characteristics of an object
• The computer will recorded these co-
ordinates to form a 3D image of the object
• The X,Y,Z co-ordinates are collected by
using a contact probe that is positioned
manually by an operator or automatically

15. 15
Previous Technology used to reconstruct 3D Images
Digital Photogrammetry
• A passive and contactless method of obtaining 3D
images (only camera needed)
•Operates on images of a scene captured from
different locations using a standard digital camera
•Once the positions of the cameras are known, the 3D
location of any point in the scene can be determined
by locating that point in both images
Products include:
• Surface models
• Aerial images
• 3D Building Models
• Contour Maps

16. 2. Laser scanning
•A laser line is projected onto the object
surface.
•Laser profilers have to be moved over an
object to digitize its surface.
•Camera capturing the laser profile of the
object.
Current 3D Scanning Technologies (1/2)
1. Coded Light / White Light /
Structure Light
•Projecting a narrow band of stripes light onto a
three-dimensionally shaped surface.
•Distorted stripes light were capture by camera.
•Distorted stripes were used to rebuilt the shape
of the original object
16

17. Current 3D Scanning Technologies (2/2)
3. Interferometry
•Light from light source are split towards
specimen and reference mirror.
•Light from the test specimen is mixed with
light reflected from the reference mirror to
form an interference pattern.
•Interference pattern captured by camera
4. Time-of-flight
•A laser is used to emit a pulse of light.
•Amount of time before the reflected
light is seen by a detector is measured.
•Since the speed of light is known, the
round-trip time determines the travel
distance of the light.
17

18. Outline
18
Introduction
Applications
The “Old” vs. “New”
Cost and Performance Comparison
 Why 3D Scanning Will Get Better
 Why 3D Scanning Will Get Cheaper
3D Scanner Market at a Glance
- Case study of Creaform
 Entrepreneurial Opportunities

19. Comparison Overview (New)
White Light
Laser
Triangulation
Interferometry
Time of Flight
Imaging Speed Resolution Object surface Object Size Cost

20. Outline
20
Introduction
Applications
The “Old” vs. “New”
Cost and Performance Comparison
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Better
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Cheaper
3D Scanner Market at a Glance
 Entrepreneurial Opportunities

21. Why 3D Scanning Will Get Better
21
Light source:
Laser / white light
Processor
Sensor:
CCD / CMOS

22. Improvements in Light Source – Laser
 Improvements in scanning
range: longer wavelength
= longer range
 Brings about the
possibility of scanning at
night with little light source
22
Source: http://laserpointerforums.com/f45/direct-green-laser-diode-
technology-progress-64402-2.html
“A team of researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland ...were
able to obtain centimeter resolution depth images of low-signature objects in
daylight at stand-off distances on the order of one kilometer at the relatively
eye-safe wavelength of 1560 nm.”
Source: http://blog.lidarnews.com/long-distance-high-accuracy-laser-scanning

23. http://thecleanrevolution.org/quick-facts/analysis-price-of-led-lighting-expected-to-fall-85-by-2015
Improvements in Light Source -White
Light
Cheaper price with
better performance over
the years
23
http://www.ledlightsmart.co.uk/led-and-lighting-glossary.html

24. Computational camera performance
24
http://www.corephotonics.com/january-29-2013-corephotonics-closes-first-round
Improvements in Sensor

25. Improvements in Sensor
 Increase in resolution
over the years
 Higher pixel count =
able to capture finer
details
25
Source:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0
079672702000241
Source:
http://info.adimec.com/blogposts/bid/396
56/CCD-vs-CMOS-Image-Sensors-in-
Machine-Vision-Cameras
CMOS vs. CCD –
Capture Speed
2x in 1.5 yrs
2x in 7 yrs

26. Improvement in Processor Speed
26
http://scalometer.wikispaces.com/singularity

27. Evolution of Stand-Alone Scanners – Case of Argon
27
Evolution since 1995:
• Accuracy
• Resolution
• Scannable surface
• Ambient light conditions
Source: http://www.precisiebeurs.nl/assets/Uploads/Argon-
Measuring-Solutions.pdf
Case Study of overall 3D scanning improvement (1/2)

28. Evolution of Stand-Alone Scanners – Case of Argon
28
Case Study of overall 3D scanning improvement (2/2)
Atos I Atos III Atos III Triple
Scan time significantly reduced!

29. Outline
29
Introduction
Applications
The “Old” vs. “New”
Cost and Performance Comparison
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Better
 Why 3D Scanning Will Get Cheaper
3D Scanner Market at a Glance
 Entrepreneurial Opportunities

30. Price breakdown of 3D laser scanner
Laser emitters $1160
Sensor CMOS $86
Processor <$50
Power unit <$50
Next Engine Laser
desktop scanner
Total cost: $1346
Sale price: $2995
30

31. Improvements in Average Selling Price (ASP) and Power of
Semiconductor Lasers
Source: Martinson R 2007. Industrial markets beckon for high-power
diode lasers, Optics, October: 26-27.
MT5009- fifth session (1) – lighting.pptx
Cheaper Light Source - Laser
31

32. Source: Materials Today 14(9)
September 2011, Pages 388–397
MT5009- fifth session (1) – lighting.pptx
Reduction in Operating Cost - Laser
32
Reductions in Threshold Current, i.e., Minimum Current Needed
for Lasing to Occur, enable lower power consumption
More
portable
and
cheaper
lasers!

33. 33
The projection method uses non coherent light and works like a video projector.
Patterns are generated by a display within the projector, typically an LCD .
Light Source
- White LED Bulb
Pattern
Generation on
LCD
Cheaper Light Source – White Light

34. 34
Cost of White LED Bulbs decreasing
http://www.shimhyun.com/products/led/index
The price of LEDs has been consistently going down, and this trend is expected to continue. By
2015, LED bulbs are expected to be competitive to other forms of white light in terms of price.
0.09
0.009
Price
(USD)
0.0009
Cheaper Light Source – White Light

35. 35
Cost of LCD panels is decreasing
http://www.economist.com/node/21543215
Cheaper Light Source – White Light

36.  From video camera tubes
to CCD/CMOS sensors,
image sensors are
constantly improving
 At the moment, CMOS is
mainly occupying the low
cost, high volume market
 CMOS looks like it might
displace CCD in the high
performance market in
the long run
36
Cheaper Sensors
http://www.electroiq.com/blogs/insights_from_leading_edge/2013/03/iftle-137-cmos-image-sensor-market-update.html

37. http://www.eetimes.com/rss/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=224201255
37
 Time required to produce
image sensor wafer is reduced
over the years
 Improved production rate leads
to cheaper sensor
http://image-sensors-world.blogspot.sg/2012_07_01_archive.html
Cheaper Sensors
 Average Selling Price of Image
sensors falling continuously.

38. 38
Why
Sensors are
Getting
Cheaper
Scaling
Bigger wafer diameter
 Lower die unit cost
Smaller pixel size 
More pixel / area
Bigger processing machine 
Handle more wafer & faster speed
Process
Improve in machine technology (example) :
•5 machines merged into 1 machine
•Chemical cleaning replaced by vacuum cleaning  speed
Testing innovation  Multi
dice testing  Reduce in
test time / die
Material
Uses dual sided
PCB instead of
single sided 
Safe material
cost and area
Gold wire
replaced by
copper wire
Component
Stacked multi-
chip for IC (US
patent 5422435)
Use nanowires to
build relatively
low cost sensor in
comparison of
silicon

39. Outline
39
Introduction
Applications
The “Old” vs. “New”
Cost and Performance Comparison
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Better
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Cheaper
3D Scanner Market at a Glance
Entrepreneurial Opportunities

40. Commercial Applications
40
(As Previously Presented)
Source: http://www.darlingltd.com
Site Surveying
http://www.sparpointgroup.com
Source: http://metrisusa.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/image-one-8-20-10.jpg
Product Design & Inspections
Source: http://www.deltasphere.com/images/FaroImages.jpg
Crime Scene Investigation

41. Trend is heading towards the Consumer
Market (Portability and Low Cost)
 Portable 3D Scanners from
(Cost : US$30K-100k)
41
 Desktop 3D Scanner from
(Cost:US$2,995)

42. Trend is heading towards the Consumer
Market (Portability and Low Cost)
 Home DIY 3D Scanners Kits from
(Cost : US$650 –US$2610)
42
 Microsoft Kinect Depth sensor
(Cost: US$150)
DAVID-Laserscanner Starter-Kit Version 2
DAVID Structured Light Scanner
The depth sensor is able to
return images like an ordinary
camera, each pixel value
represents the distance to the
point. As such, the sensor can
be use as a range- or 3D-
camera

43. Trend is heading towards the Consumer
Market (Portability and Low Cost)
 iPhone 3D scanners Apps
(Cost: USD $4.99)
43

44. 44
3D Laser Scanning Market (The Future)
•The 3D Laser Scanning market including
hardware, software, and services is rather
dynamic with major segments experiencing
rapid product innovation.
•Also, improved 3D laser scanning
products provide lower total project costs
which enable more projects to obtain
financial approval.
•Analyst estimated the market size for 3D
scanner to be $6.2b in 2016.
• With the overall worldwide market grow at
an 8.8 percent annual growth rate from
2011 to 2016.
Quote: Research Director Ralph Rio, the principal author of
ARC’s “3D Laser Scanning Worldwide Outlook”
http://www.arcweb.com/press-center/2012-09-18/3d-laser-scanning-market-expected-to-grow-at-an-8-8-percent-annual-rate-1.aspx
http://www.jmucc.ca/PDF/Cases/JMUCC_Creaform.pdf

45. Market demand that could aid in the diffusion
of 3D Scanners
 Home and Small Offices
 Low cost and smaller device size make it more
appealing for home / small office application (like
personal printer)
 Usage
○ Work/School projects
○ Personalization in 3D Video Games and Social
Networking (Personalized 3D Avatar)
○ Online 3D Virtual Try-On Solution
45
For example, CADScan (a start-up company) is
exploring desktop 3D scanner for ~USD $1,200
Source: Examples of exploitation of human body digitization for styling
applications. Left: virtual fashion show, from Digital Fashion (Japan).
Center: digital customer card with stored body sizes, from e-Tailor project
(EU). Right: 3D virtual-try-on solution, from Optitex (Israel)

46.  Designers
○ 3D scan to help modeling and reverse engineering
(Industrial Designers)
○ 3D scan of house interior to provide 3D image of
house design (Home Interior Designer)
46
Market demand that could aid in the diffusion
of 3D Scanners

47.  The demand in 3D printing as seen now,
will also lead to a demand for 3D
scanning in the future
47
Market demand that could aid in the diffusion
of 3D Scanners
Scan in 3D Print in 3D

48.  Holographic Images
 Projection of stage performance to
worldwide audiences in 3D holographic
48
Market demand that could aid in the diffusion
of 3D Scanners

49. Outline
49
Introduction
Applications
The “Old” vs. “New”
Cost and Performance Comparison
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Better
Why 3D Scanning Will Get Cheaper
3D Scanner Market at a Glance
Entrepreneurial Opportunities

50. Opportunities
50
Conventional Projector
MicroVision's PicoP
Projector
Red, blue and green laser light sources to
create the projected image (Colours/Shades)
The MEMS scanning
mirror directs the
beam of light toward
the projection surface
in the pico projector
case
 Product scale down for the
structured white light 3D
scanner, using a MEMS Scanner

51. Opportunities
 Suppliers of 3D Scanner
Components
 Lasers/Projectors, Lenses,
Cameras, Software
Source: http://www.deskeng.com/articles/aaazje.htm
 Third party scanning services.
 Service providers that are able to
provide scanning services for a
range of requirements.
 Specialist scanning service
providers,
○ eg healthcare.
Source: http://www.3dscanco.com/index.cfm
Source: http://www.atlanticlaserscanning.com/
51

52. Opportunities
 “Secondary” Software
Developers
 Software that uses the point cloud
data from scanners.
○ Eg. Simulation software, QA software,
3D design software, animation
software.
Source: http://bestanimationsoftwarenow.com/
 Suppliers of Computer
Numerical Control
Machines and 3D Printers
 Easy availability of point cloud data
increases “supply” of 3D models to
CNC machines.
 Suppliers of raw materials to CNC
Machines and 3D Printers Source: http://www.wired.com/design/2012/11/big-
3d-printers-euromold-2012/
52

53. Opportunities
 Suppliers of Computer
Accessories
 Eg. specialized mouse,
touch pads, gesture control
interfaces, larger monitors,
etc.
 Providers of
Specialized 3D
Modelling Services
 Inspection of failures,
creation of new product
designs, etc.Source: http://www.pixelsmithstudios.com/top-3d-
animation-software-that-professionals-should-look-at/
Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/best-
pc-accessories/
53

54. 54