Methodology for 3D Scanning of Objects

MIGLENA PANEVA, PETER PANEV, NIKOLAY STOIMENOV, STANISLAV GYOSHEV

Institute of Information and Communication Technologies,

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,

Acad. G. Bonchev St., Block 2, 1113-Sofia,

BULGARIA

Abstract: - In the present work an overview and analysis of 3D scanning, as well as its application in industry,

is made. А methodology for 3D scanning of an object using a portable 3D scanner EinScan HX has been

compiled. A lifter with a rectangular shape is used for a scanning object. The steps that are performed to

visualize a 3D model of the object will be presented in detail. Through the software programs Geomagic

Essentials and Solid Edge, its dimensions can be determined and, if necessary, adjusted. The developed model

can be used for a standard technology of production or by using 3D printing technology if it allows the use of

this type of material.

Key-Words: - 3D scanning, objects, methodology, software, 3D printing, lifters

Received: March 17, 2023. Revised: August 16, 2023. Accepted: September 19, 2023. Published: October 13, 2023.

1 Introduction

Professional 3D Scanning provides a one-stop 3D

digital solution - 3D digitization, 3D design to

production, and high-end inspection, including 3D

data acquisition, 3D CAD design software, and 3D

inspection software. Three-dimensional scanning

has various applications in reverse engineering

(RE), medicine, cultural artifacts, rapid prototyping,

quality inspection, industry 4.0, industrial design,

textiles, dentistry, and implants, [1], [2]. 3D

scanning can help product developers reduce costs

and lead times in terms of meeting market demand,

customer needs, design change requirements,

redesign, reengineering, etc. due to product

development cycles that take considerable cost and

time through conventional development. The images

that are captured by a 3D scanner are analyzed using

high-performance computers. The software that is

used for image analysis is either built-in for the 3D

scanner or others that include SolidWorks,

Geomagic Essentials, Solid Edge, etc.

3D scanning is widely used in reverse

engineering (RE), [3], [4]. It is used when a physical

model of an object is available, but its software

counterpart with the necessary parameters for its

production is missing. In this way, it is transferred

from a real object to a digital object. The 3D

scanner collects critical information about the object

and a crucial level of detail in terms of size and

shape for further processing such as 3D/4D printing,

with the fact that additive manufacturing is a

potential candidate for Industry 4.0, [5]. The main

functions of reverse engineering are digitization,

shape reconstruction, and computer-aided modeling

(CAD). A team of scientists has used a method to

reduce scanning errors by up to 0.1 %, which can

help experts choose appropriate scanning

methodology in various fields such as engineering,

medicine, textiles, ergonomics, industry 4.0, cultural

artifacts, additive manufacturing, and rapid

prototyping, [6].

The purpose of the present work is to create a

methodology of 3D scanning of objects of different

shapes and sizes using a hand-held 3D scanner. Its

application will minimize errors in the scanning

process, resulting in fast and accurate reproduction

of the scanned object, as well as scanning different

lifter shapes, as well as scanning of different forms

of lifters, as the methodology of the scanning

process aims at unification of the obtained data. In

this way, a more accurate recognition of shape

differences resulting from wear is expected.

2 Application of a 3D Scanning

3D scanning can be used in various areas of life. 3D

scanning is very useful in reverse engineering when

the user has a physical component that does not

have the associated CAD model. Using a 3D

scanner can rapidly and easily produce a digital

model. 3D scanning can be used to compare the

parameters of a CAD model. When items are

manually reconstructed and have an original or

CAD model drawn, they can be compared to ensure

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on APPLIED and THEORETICAL MECHANICS

DOI: 10.37394/232011.2023.18.20

Miglena Paneva, Peter Panev,

Nikolay Stoimenov, Stanislav Gyoshev

E-ISSN: 2224-3429

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Volume 18, 2023

tolerances meet specifications. The comparison is

very useful when scanning 3D-printed bodies to

verify the accuracy of the printer. Multiple reports

can be generated from the data obtained. Through

3D laser scanning, rapid prototyping of a prototype

can be made or sample parts to be created that are

handed to reduce production times.

3D scanners are widely used by engineers and

metrology experts to determine the dimensions of

shapes with simple or complex geometry with sub-

millimeter accuracy and high speed. This equipment

is preferred over traditional measuring tools, which

are slower and more time-consuming, as well as

more complex. In this way, quick and effective

quality control and design inspection of the

manufactured product can be done.

To achieve accurate and fast results and to have

greater opportunities for analysis and research of an

object, it is necessary to use more advanced

software programs:

2.1 Geomagic Essentials

Using standard software alone is not sufficient for

the scan-based modeling process. That is why it is

necessary to use Geomagic Essentials (Figure 1),

which offers the necessary tools for the CAD

system. Geomagic Essentials is the link through

which the reverse engineering and processing of the

3D scan data takes place.

Fig. 1: Usage of Geomagic Essentials, [7]

The advantages of this software allows direct

editing of scanned data and corrects the size of a file

for faster processing. The CAD conversion happens

automatically with high-quality geometry, which

allows being comparison of the design features to

scan data for accuracy analysis. The ready CAD

model can be converted to a solid format, and

imported for 3D printing.

2.2 Solid Edge SHINING 3D Edition

Solid Edge SHINING 3D Edition is a product

developed by SHINING 3D and SIEMENS PLM

Software. The company is a world leader in

industrial software solutions. The created software

offers to carry out digital innovations such as

reverse engineering, design, and simulation with

CAD tools.

The final product is high-quality 3D data for

reproduction through "3D Digitization - Design and

Simulation - Additive Manufacturing" (Figure 2).

Fig. 2: Workflow of Solid Edge, [7]

3 Used Equipment

For the present work, a hand-held 3D scanner

EinScan HX was used (Figure 3), which has an

innovative integrated dual blue LED light and blue

laser, due to which the adaptability of scanning

materials is improved with fewer restrictions for a

wider range of applications. EinScan HX has hybrid

LED and laser light sources, which allow fast 3D

scanning as they are less sensitive to ambient light.

Also, the blue line laser scan mode provides better

scanning of objects that are dark and reflective.

Scanning is fast and within minutes the model is

ready for reverse engineering, CAD/CAM, 3D

printing, and more. EinScan HX comes with user-

friendly software that is easy to operate. The

scanner has a built-in color camera that supports

full-color capture and texture tracking. The software

used to process the scanned object is SHINING 3D,

[7].

Specifications:

 Minimum point distance: 0.05 mm. The scanner

has an optimal scanning distance that must be

respected. If the distance is too close or too far, a

red light lights up, which means that the distance

needs to be adjusted. At farther distances, the

object will not be scanned, and if too close, glare

occurs and the scan must start over. Accuracy

during laser scanning: up to 0.04 mm;

Fig. 3: 3D scanner EinScan HX, [7]

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Miglena Paneva, Peter Panev,

Nikolay Stoimenov, Stanislav Gyoshev

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 Processing speed in fast scan mode: up to

1,200,000 points/sec.

4 3D Scanning Methodology

In the present work, a liner with rectangular lifters is

used as an object for scanning. The lifter is used to

study the interaction and motion of grinding bodies

and the environment in a laboratory ball mill. The

overall dimensions of the lifter are an outer diameter

of 0,235 m, an inner diameter of 0,228 m, and a

length of the lifter of 0,013 m. The lifter is produced

from one of the most used 3D additive printing

materials – PLA in grey color, [8].

To scan the selected object, it is necessary to go

through the following steps:

1. The first step to be taken before proceeding

to scan is to calibrate the unit, especially if it has not

been used for a long time. If the scanner is not

calibrated, it is possible to give not correct output

data such as wrong dimensions, and bad scanned

surface. The calibration process is made according

to the producer's instructions for the device.

2. Another important thing is to place

retroreflective markers either on or around the

scanned object itself, depending on its size and

shape, thus visualizing the scanned object most

accurately. The markers give better positioning and

feedback for the position of the scanner, as well as

better metering results. The scanner manufacturer

recommends, [1], that the markers need to be placed

at a distance of 2 to 4 cm from each other, avoiding

their positioning in a straight line, [9], to be better

recognized by the scanner. In this case, the markers

are placed around the object, and it is on a black

surface so that it can be isolated from the

surrounding objects and better highlight the object,

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4: Marking the object

3. Launch the SHINING 3D software program

and select a scan mode: Scan point cloud or scan

markers.

 Set the type of the object: normal, reflective, or

black;

 Set the brightness.

4. The laser beam scanning is started, and it is

necessary to observe the minimum and maximum

distance from the object. For correct orientation,

LED indications on the scanner itself glow green,

and the SHINING 3D software program serves on

the screen. The scanner also has the option to zoom

in on the object to scan all hard-to-reach points and

folds.

5. The scanned area is cleared of the markers

and the pad, as well as any captured surrounding

objects, and only the object, is visualized.

6. If necessary, final corrections are made to

areas such as auto-filling, when small holes are

allowed on the object.

7. The scanned object is saved in the project

file.

8. If necessary, the object is turned to the other

side and scanned again, following the steps

described above.

9. It is again saved in a project, and the two

resulting projects are paired with one remaining

fixed and the other floated. The alignment can be

done in several ways: automatically, manually, and

through markers, Figure 5. The alignment of the two

scanned sides of the liner with rectangular lifters is

done by markers since the object has a section with

a hole. The connection points are the beginning and

end of the liner.

10. After alignment, mesh data is made to

create a 3D model and saved in a convenient

supported format: stl, obj, 3mf, xyz, dae, ply, Figure

6. 11. The produced 3D file is imported into the

preferred CAD software - Geomagic Essentials or

Solid Edge for purposes such as geometry

measurement or correction, reverse engineering, and

comparison with the original drawings.

12. The ready CAD model could be converted

to a solid format and imported for 3D printing.

5 Conclusion

From the overview, it is clear that 3D scanning

technology allows a quick method for

photographing an existing object in a variety of

fields such as engineering, quality inspection,

medicine, dentistry, cultural heritage, etc. A

methodology has been created that must be followed

to scan an object as quickly and accurately as

possible. By using the methodology, accurate results

will occur, aiming to collect data only from the

shape, as well as the wear of the scanned shape of

the objects.

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DOI: 10.37394/232011.2023.18.20

Miglena Paneva, Peter Panev,

Nikolay Stoimenov, Stanislav Gyoshev

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Fig. 5: Alignment of the object

Fig. 6: Ready 3D model

The use of a hand-held scanner allows the easy

prototyping of plicated-shaped objects (like a used

object liner with rectangular lifters), due to the

zoom option and the visualization of the scanning

process. The device allows scanning of objects of

different sizes - from very small to very large,

allowing to reach them. The combination of the 3D

scanner with the software programs Geomagic

Essentials and Solid Edge allows to perform in-

depth accuracy analyses on the geometry of the

object, to compare with standards and requirements

of the original drawings, reverse engineering when

spare parts are discontinued and a drawing is needed

for its workmanship or a correction is needed in the

design and dimensions. Then the ready CAD model

could be converted to a solid format and imported

for 3D printing.

6 Future Steps

As future steps, it is planned to scan and measure

the geometry of the 3D printed lifters used in

laboratory ball mills with different lifter shapes to

compare with the original drawing aiming to

verification the accuracy of the 3D printing. After

verifying the dimensions, the different lifter shapes

will work in a grinding environment, at the same

angle of separation of the laboratory ball mill for a

certain duty cycle. Future work aims to analyze the

wear resistance of the different lifter shapes. The

obtained results will be compared to the obtained

results from tribological tests, made with abrasive

wear of the used 3D printed materials, [10], [11].

References:

[1] Sinning 3d - High Precision 3D Digitizing

Solution Providers -

https://www.shining3d.com/ (Accessed Date:

03.2023)

[2] Gyoshev S., 3D scanning and 3D printing of

artifacts from archaeological excavations to

preserve cultural and historical heritage,

Proceedings of International Conference

"Robotics, Automation and Mechtronics'21",

RAM 21, Prof. Marin Drinov Academic

Publishing House, 2021, ISSN:1314-4634,

p.35-37

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DOI: 10.37394/232011.2023.18.20

Miglena Paneva, Peter Panev,

Nikolay Stoimenov, Stanislav Gyoshev

E-ISSN: 2224-3429

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Volume 18, 2023

[3] Geng, Z., Bidanda, B., Review of reverse

engineering systems–current state of the art,

Virtual Phys. Prototyp. 2017, 12, p.161–172.

[4] Pescaru, R., Kyratsis, P., Oancea, G., A Case

Study of Reverse Engineering Integrated in an

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[5] Tóth, T., Živˇcák, J., A comparison of the

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69, p.393–401.

[6] Syed Farhan Raza, Muhammad Amjad,

Kashif Ishfaq, Shafiq Ahmad, Mali

Abdollahian, Effect of Three-Dimensional

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[7] EinScan HX -

https://www.einscan.com/einscan-hx/,

(Accessed Date: 03.2023)

[8] Popov B., Paneva M., Stoimenov N.,

Klochkov L., Survey and analysis of materials

for 3d printing, XXX International Scientific

and Technical Conference, ADP - 2021.,

Sozopol, Bulgaria., Publishing house of TU-

Sofia ISSN – 2682-9584, Publisher

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Sofia, 2021, pp. 218-221

[9] Paneva M., Panev P., Karastoyanov D.,

Stoimenov N., Methodology for 3D scanning

and 3d printing of artifacts from

archaeological excavations for the

preservation of cultural historical heritage,

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[10] Kandeva M., Stoimenov N., Paneva M.,

Abrasive wear of polymeric composite

materials obtained with 3D print technology,

Part I Polymeric Materials, Journal of the

Balkan Tribology Association, Vol. 28, Issue

3, pp. 362-379, 2022, ISSN: 1310-4772

[11] Kandeva M., Stoimenov N., Kotseva G.,

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Contribution of Individual Authors to the

Creation of a Scientific Article (Ghostwriting

Policy)

- Peter Panev and Stanislav Gyoshev carried out the

3D scanning.

- Miglena Paneva and Nikolay Stoimenov are

responsible for the 3D scanning methodology.

Sources of Funding for Research Presented in a

Scientific Article or Scientific Article Itself

This work was partially supported by the Bulgarian

Ministry of Education and Science under the

National Research Programme “Young scientists and

postdoctoral students -2” approved by DCM 206 /

07.04.2022 and by project No KP-06-H47/5

“Research and optimization of the interaction

between grinding bodies and media with an

innovative shape”, financed by the Bulgarian

National Science Fund, and part of the project Grant

No BG05M2OP001-1.002-0011 Center of

Competence “MIRACle (Mechatronics, Innovation,

Robotics, Automation, Clean technologies)”,

financed by the Science and Education for Smart

Growth Operational Program (2014-2020).

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

(Attribution 4.0 International, CC BY 4.0)

This article is published under the terms of the

Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

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WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on APPLIED and THEORETICAL MECHANICS

DOI: 10.37394/232011.2023.18.20

Miglena Paneva, Peter Panev,

Nikolay Stoimenov, Stanislav Gyoshev

E-ISSN: 2224-3429

220

Volume 18, 2023