When I saw the options for the H2 S - Laser cutter - OK, but I think something that would be far more useful to more people would be an integrated 3D scanner. We have LIDAR on there, cameras … perhaps some structured light projection along with the Print Head and Bed movement - you have the ingredients for 3D scanning.
3d scanning doesnt work like that, we could have 2d scanning now but: have you really tried a 3d scanner? like a raptor x? it is slightly painful process to get right (if you need precision)
Interesting thought.
The H2D can do some 3D scanning when using the laser, but the resolution I get in Bambu Suite is very rough.
It is enough for engraving on that surface because it’s only use to keep the laser in focus.
You definitely need more resolution to get useful data.
Additionally it’s only scanning from one direction. Most 3D scanners need access from multiple directions to be able to get more precise data.
Projecting a grid on the model might help, but I still doubt if you could get anything more than a general shape from it.
There is a rotary table in the planning. That might widen up the capability a bit.
Still it needs firmware support, and for that we need Bambulabs.
Thanks - well I did mention structured light. I know how it works and have been using 3D scanners on and off for 20 years.
I was thinking an attachment more than using the in-situ sensors.
Given a camera could be mounted on the print head - with known/repeatable movements - this isn’t a pipe dream. ![]()
The problem is that the scanner needs to be able to rotate the object being scanned, or the scanner has to be rotated around the object. With a fixed top-down-only view of the bed, you’d only be able to fully scan objects that were conical in general shape, absolutely no overhangs, because a top-only view can’t see under those overhangs. perfectly vertical edges will be invisible. The utility of such a scanner compared to a “real” scanner would be limited, but the costs would still be about the same. Unlikely to be a money maker for BBL.
If you need to scan something for cheap money, really all you need is a decent phone camera and the patience to move around the object you’re scanning taking multiple pictures from many different angles (which really isn’t that much work), and you can use a “photogrammetry” app to convert those photos in to a 3D representation of the object.
With the speed that 3d printers are evolving, A printer that you place an item in and then request a copy is not far off in the future
Hi. How well do the smartphone apps work for scanning and object and uploading to Bambu Labs? Im interested in scanning objects for orint. But never done it.
They can be quite good. But the really good ones aren’t free and they need a lot of pictures. But decent purpose built scanners have really come down in price of late. You can find a decent one for under $200. If you are planning to do a lot of this kind of stuff, invest in the right tool for the job. ![]()
I actually view the Raptor generation of scanners as easy to use. Early generations (5+ years ago) were nearly unusable. I had a RevoPoint Pop and it worked, but just barely. They were unable to see black objects, so scanning spray was needed for everything and they didn’t explain what was needed very well (marker use) so we weren’t using them properly. Not to mention a scan from that era was no where near as clean as most people expected (and honestly, still not in many cases). All and all, an utter waste of money.
Enter the latest generation, and these are now useful tools. They make designing accessories for things 10x easier. In 6 months I’ve used my Raptor Pro 5x more than my Pop. I was never able to make anything useful with the Pop but the Raptor Pro is helping me to churn out useful stuff.
However, the problem with adding one to a 3D printer is based on the need to get a view of every angle of the object. It would need an articulating laser head or cameras (multiple) to get a 3D scan. Its doable, but would further weigh down the toolhead.
I think its best kept separate, printer for printing and scanner for scanning. However, I have come around to using the printer as a cutter too. I’m finding it very useful.
I’m not sure about smartphone apps, but if the idea is to scan a real object and turn it into something printable, Artec Studio on desktop has worked well for me
I mostly use it for Artec scanner data, but the newer version also has photogrammetry, so it can create a usable 3D model from photos or video with decent accuracy
The downside is that it needs a fairly powerful Windows PC