3D Scanners

Shoei's 3D personal fitting system (PFS) captures the exact dimensions of your head and adapts the internal shape of the helmet to suit the unique contours of your head. But there's a catch – the groundbreaking tech is only available in Japan rightnow.

If you can 3D-scan it, you can 3D-print it – and Matter and Form has announced a super-versatile new way to do so. The Three system creates photorealistic, high-detail, full-color 3D scans of objects from coins to cars, and potentially beyond.

Consumer-grade 3D scanners tend to only handle small items, or scan with a low resolution. Now Fraunhofer has unveiled its new 3D scanner that uses infrared rays to capture objects and people in more detail, snapping up to 36 three-dimensional images per second.

HP has announced a free software update for its all-in-one Sprout computer that adds 3D capture capabilities. With this update, it can generate full 3D models of any objects positioned beneath the cameras that hang off the top of its main vertical display.

A Taiwanese team has developed the Flux 3D, a cheap all-in-one 3D printer, scanner and laser engraver that, thanks to its modularity, also leaves room for further expansion. The device also allows users to create, share and download designs directly from their mobile devices via Bluetooth.

A startup from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore hopes to give 3D printing more mass market appeal with the Blacksmith Genesis, a new all-in-one 3D printer, scanner, and copier boasts a revolving platform and handles all of the tedious and tricky parts of the process for you.

Matter and Form will launch its long-awaiting 3D scanner in February. According to Matter and Form, the scanner is the first affordable and high-resolution device of its kind.

Researchers at ETH Zurich have created an app that allows an ordinary smartphone to capture and display three-dimensional models of real-world objects, for subsequent finessing or even 3D printing.

Researchers at the CSIRO have developed Zebedee, a spring-mounted 3D laser scanner and mapper capable of scanning complicated interiors in double-quick time. The researchers were able to scan the "cramped and complex" interior of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in under 20 minutes.

The FABtotum hybrid fabrication machine combines popular technologies to to let users 3D print, 3D scan, mill and cut in one small, elegant open-source device.

Twinkind is a new 3D photo booth that uses photogrammetry to scan your entire body in the blink of an eye.

Creaform has developed a powerful portable hand-held 3D scanner.