(Newswire.net — July 22, 2020) — According to Grand View Research Inc., it is expected that the global 3D scanning market will attain the USD 8 billion mark in the next five years. This growth in the market for 3D scanning can be attributed to increased R&D spending and technological advancement. The emergence of structured light technology is also fueling the market growth. Structured light technology is far more superior than the conventional laser line or laser dot technology. By bringing together these technologies, users are able to have more immersive and enhanced interactive experiences. In this age of technological advancement, wearable devices have become more available. This surge in IoT devices, when complemented with the sophisticated 3D scanners, increases the potential of human-techno interactions.
Ceramic and Metal 3D Printers Increasing 3D Scanner Sales
3D printing is, without a doubt, one of the biggest and most used technological breakthroughs. Recently, there has been a spike in the number of ceramic and metal 3D printers that are making their way into the market. This need has been largely driven by the increase in the number of DIY enthusiasts and innovative companies that are seeking a more efficient way of creating plastic prototypes. With the entry of ceramic and metal 3D printing, industrial-scale 3D printers are set to dominate the market. However, there are a few limitations to 3D printing technology. One of the most significant challenges is the warping of the printed parts due to the complex heating process. 3D scanning has continually been used as a quality control measure to inspect and compare the printed parts with the original files.
3D Models are Replacing Product Photos
In recent times, there has been an increase in product retailers that are developing libraries of 3D models of products such as 3D models of furniture. These models are often made through 3D scans. After running a scan, the items can be selected and added to the display. This is far cheaper and quicker than having to organize a photoshoot to obtain some angle shots of the products they are selling. 3D models are interactive and more captivating to potential customers. The files generated by a 3D renderer are much smaller than photos, therefore saving on physical storage space. When properly placed, the object obtained through 3D rendering can be spun around and blends naturally with the display page background. This application of 3D scanning is poised to become more sophisticated as virtual and augmented reality become more widespread.
The 3D Scanning Industry Is Being Defined by Software, Not Hardware
Even without sophisticated equipment, the art of creating high-quality 3D renderings is becoming easier and easier. Through tools like Artec studio 13, developers can now preview the scan in an X-Ray feature before initializing processing. Just a few years back, such a task was only performed by highly trained technicians. However, it has become very easy with the rollout of many different 3D scanners. This democratization of the process has led to a spike in the volume of data being captured by 3D printing. Manufacturers now have to cope with the rapid release of various 3D scanning equipment models by developing better software. We are already witnessing the release of improved software capable of processing enormous amounts of data effortlessly and fast.
The Emergence of New Applications
Apart from inspection applications by manufacturers, 3D scanning has easily found its way into the medical field. Health experts have well established the capabilities of this technology in creating custom-fitted prosthetics. In recent days, technology has made a crossover into the animal kingdom. 3D scanning is now being used to recreate animal body parts such as tails or limbs. Newer applications of 3D scanning also include interactive cadaver dissection simulation in the Montpellier Medical University. This equips students with an experience of what to expect with a physical subject. As more and more individuals and companies adopt this great technology, it is expected that the 3D scanning applications will continue to evolve into better and more efficient utilizization.