From many industries, a 3D scanner can enhance your workflow by allowing accurate and efficient data collection. As an example, in the manufacturing industry a 3D scanner creates digital models from physical objects and reduces the time it takes to do so. In one study conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 3D scanning technology reduced product design cycles by a whopping 20%, accelerating prototyping while cutting costs. The main benefit is to acquire exact complex geometries, thus no more manual (and time-consuming) measurements are needed.
3D scanner is an indispensable tool for capturing existing structures in architecture and construction. Big companies, such as Bechtel have implemented 3D scanning into their process and are seeing site surveying take 50% less time than the traditional method. The scanner achieves this efficiency by measuring in a few minutes what is manual would take hours, if not days to measure. In addition, 3D models from scan data can easily be slipped into building information modeling (BIM) systems for better individual stakeholder communication and collaboration overall.
3D scanner saves up to 40% of time taken to manually take the measurements and design replacement parts in automotive industry, typically for reverse engineering purposes. A Ford report from 2021 showed a reduction in design errors, which meant part quality was improved by 15% when 3D scanning data was used. By eliminating the need to rework and ensuring a tight fit between components, 3D scanners improve the performance of products while also bringing down costs because they are much more precise as compared to even some other conventional tools.
One of the significant developments on that technology is with scanners, whose scanning speeds and resolutions have rapidly improved. The high-end models such as 3d scanner can scan up to a whopping ten frames per second at 0.1mm, which makes them the go-to instrument for industries that require high precision like healthcare and aerospace. Such enhancements have increased the accessibility and practicality of 3d scanner for a wider range of applications, thereby increasing workflow efficiency.
Within design and consumer products, 3D scanning accelerates the development process so designers can quickly iterate on product ideas. Adidas has found that using 3D scans to create shoe prototypes, takes up to 30% less time to reach the market. This ensures that the designer’s intent translates into a product with minimal material wastage, offering a more sustainable option to design.
The influence of 3D scanning on workflow is palpable across industries, and with the rapid evolution in technology, it indeed appears that the opportunities for enhancing speed, accuracy and cost effectiveness are far from over. As 3D scanning technologies will continue to develop this practice is hear to stay and will only enhance workflows with many different industries.