One-handed continuous scan with ZScanner 700 captures 3D data in real time
without cumbersome equipment or time-consuming tasks
BOSTON, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Z Corporation, maker of the world's
fastest and only multicolor 3D printers, today unveiled the first handheld,
self-positioning 3D scanner on the market that can digitize 3D surfaces in
real time. The ZScanner(TM) 700 gives designers and engineers an entirely
new way to capture 3D data with unprecedented speed, ease of use and
versatility for a wide range of new and emerging applications. Z Corp.
demonstrated the innovation today at SIGGRAPH 2006, the leading computer
graphics conference.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040630/ZCORPLOGO )
The ZScanner 700's unique self-positioning capability makes 3D scanning
simple and efficient. All other systems require fixed-position tripods,
bulky mechanical arms, or external positioning devices that must be within
the line of sight of the target surface, making hard-to-reach surfaces
nearly impossible to scan. The ZScanner 700 is the first part-referenced 3D
scanner, orienting itself to the target object rather than an external
device. As a result, it is also the first 3D scanner that allows the user
to move the target object during scanning, and it is the first 3D scanner
to display a real-time on-screen image of the surface being scanned.
These capabilities plus handheld portability make the ZScanner 700
ideally suited for scanning complex surfaces and hard-to-reach areas like
car interiors. It captures data in one continuous scan rather than in
numerous shots from fixed positions, eliminating hours of post-processing
time to integrate static shots into a cohesive scan. ZScan(TM) software,
included with the scanner, automatically produces an .stl file for import
into a 3D CAD software package or output to a 3D printer.
The ZScanner 700 is ideal for a wide range of applications, including:
* Reverse Engineering -- Speed, accuracy and ease of use for aftermarket
product design.
* Packaging Design -- Create custom packaging by scanning product samples
for exact geometry and texture data.
* Ergonomic Design -- Readily scan hand-crafted samples to produce complex
designs from scratch.
* Digital Archiving -- Save money by storing tooling, samples and
prototypes digitally.
* Digital Media, Gaming and Animation -- Create digital media for computer
games and movies from artists' concept models.
* Arts & Cultural Heritage -- Produce high-resolution, low-impact scans
for accurate restorations and reconstruction of priceless artwork and
architecture. Document, research and even replicate great works for
transportation, packaging, museum shops and historical archiving.
* Medical Education -- Create highly detailed reproductions of complex
organs and bone structures.
* Medical Orthosis -- Custom design braces and other devices for precision
comfort.
"The ZScanner 700 capitalizes on Z Corp.'s extensive background in 3D
technologies, including its multi-patented 3D printers and the 2D scanning
expertise acquired through our merger last year with Contex A/S of
Denmark," said Z Corp. CEO Tom Clay. "We're interested in the entire 3D
data life cycle -- including capture, manipulation and output -- and making
previously cumbersome technologies fast, easy to use and versatile for our
customers."
To scan, the user picks up the ZScanner 700 handheld unit and "paints"
the object with a projected laser crosshair. The surface is recorded by the
scanner's dual cameras. ZScan software generates a polygon mesh of the
surface on the computer screen in real time. The ZScanner 700 is accurate
within +/- 0.05mm and detects changes in surface height down to 0.1mm.
In Z Corp.'s head-to-head comparison with several tripod-mounted
systems, the ZScanner 700 took only one-fourth the typical time to
completely scan a bicycle helmet, a challenging target because of its many
contours and crevices. The typical tripod system required 54 individual
scans, plus additional hours to integrate the scans.
Pricing, Availability
The ZScanner 700 is available today through Z Corp.'s worldwide
reseller network for a United States manufacturer's suggested retail price
of $39,900 USD.
About Z Corporation
Z Corporation makes products that enable users to capture, edit, and
print 3D data with unprecedented speed, ease, versatility and
affordability. These products include the world's fastest high-definition
3D printers -- machines that produce physical 3D models from digital data
in full color -- and uniquely portable 3D scanners -- handheld machines
that digitize 3D surfaces in real time. Z Corp. technology is enabling a
wide range of applications in manufacturing, architecture, civil
engineering, reverse engineering, geographic information systems (GIS),
medicine and entertainment. For the latest news and information from Z
Corp., visit the company's Web site at http://www.zcorp.com.
Contact: Kevin Lach Charna Cummings
Z Corporation Beaupre & Co. Public Relations
+1 781-852-5086 + 1 603-559-5837
klach@zcorp.com cCUMMINGS@Beaupre.com
http://WWW.ZCORP.COM
SOURCE Z Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.zcorp.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040630/ZCORPLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk:
photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Kevin Lach of Z Corporation, +1-781-852-5086,
klach@zcorp.com; or Charna Cummings of Beaupre & Co. Public
Relations, + 1-603-559-5837, cCUMMINGS@Beaupre.com
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