User:1sfoerster/enes100/fall2013/p13DScan

Problem Statement (Finish description)
The idea behind this project was to make using the makerbot easier. To be able to scan any object and create a copy using the 3D printer. Using a program already created as a starting point the idea is to perfect and change the initial program to work as desired.

Conceive
Using all the existing parts that were bought by the college create a 3D scanner that will allow any object to be scanned and printed using the 3D printer.

The basis for the project is a website called maker scanner. The maker scanner seen is the one to be reproduced.

Design
Our starting point was on the makerscanner website and all the documentation showing how a scanner has been made in the past

The website includes all the software needed to scan your first file of points and links to blender and meshlab which are needed to clean up your file enough to print

Our team made a power supply for the laser with a switch and created a stand.

We then scanned our first couple of files and started to use blender and meshlab.

We viewed the files and they looked very messy when trying to clean them up we found that they were not going to work and are trying to figure out how to get a better scan.

Also while cleaning the files we had difficulty exporting from blender but the problem was with the settings and was resolved by looking at the documentation on the website and the settings they used

We do not yet have a clean enough scan to print and are still working with the software to scan and clean a file enough to print

Eventually we will need make the software easy enough to use by anyone and have it clean up files without having to edit constantly

Implementation
Place in student lab in the engineering room so students can scan objects and print on 3d printer

Will be used to print objects for other projects and make design of these objects easier

Will give students more uses for the 3d printer in their projects

Operation
Currently you operate by opening scanning software and placing the object in front of a flat backround.

From there you move the laser back and forth across the object while picking up points.

Once the object is scanned you must edit by deleting unneccisary points in blender and meshing together with meshlab

This software makes a stl file that can be printed

Next Steps
Make a cleaner scan

Get a file clean enough to print

Make using the scanner easier and quicker

bring together 4 sides of an object being scanned