Kickstarter

Desktop 3D scanning 

We have developed an easy-to-use, low-cost 3D scanning system that will change the way you do your 3D modelling. The scanner captures accurate, full-colour 3D object data in minutes on either your Windows PC or Mac.

The desktop scanner can scan objects sized up to 250mm x 250mm x 250mm yet has a compact footprint similar to that of an inkjet printer, making it easy to integrate into your workspace.

Our 3D scanner will change that. With the CADScan 3D you simply put your object into the scanner, press a button and scan. The result is a fully aligned and meshed colour point cloud. No calibration, no alignment, no post processing, no training - although we encourage you to read the manual first! 

Functional prototype

The system software has been developed using both the prototype scanner hardware and our own simulation software. A complete system simulation has been created which allows us to test and validate system performance and to optimise the configuration of the scanner for several different applications. The first version of the scanner has been designed for general purpose scanning of small objects. We are still finalising the exact configuration but we anticipate that the scanner will be able to scan objects of up to 250mm x 250mm x 250mm with high detail and an resolution of up to 0.2mm.

Our unique patent-pending approach has been specifically developed for 3D object scanning. We use a combination of low-resolution and high-resolution scanning methods to minimise problems associated with surface reflections. For robustness we use the object profile to rapidly build an approximate model, while we use a novel white-light scanning technique to capture surface detail. We have developed our own scanning head which does this without the use of expensive projectors or complex optics, meaning we can position our scanner head close to the object. This improves the resolution of the captured data and is key to our compact and low-cost design.

What do we need this Kickstarter project for?

We are now ready to take the product into low-volume series production. This involves a number of steps which we need to complete before we are able to manufacture and sell the CADScan 3D scanner:

• Engineering - we need to make some refinements to the prototype hardware and software and finalise the performance parameters. 
• Tooling - the production tooling must be designed and built. We have designed the product to use methods that minimise the tooling costs and which are well suited to low volume production. However, tooling is still required for some components, and is an expensive one-off item that we need to design and purchase prior to manufacture. 
• Product Testing - the product must undergo a certain amount of conformance testing and certification before we are able to sell the product in both the UK and overseas. Again, this is an expensive one-off activity that must be performed. 
• Manufacture - we need to establish a supply-chain that can manufacture the electronic and mechanical sub-components in the system. These must then be shipped to a plant in the UK where the components will be assembled into a final product. Finally, end-of-line quality testing processes need implementing. 

This Kickstarter project will enable us to complete these tasks, taking us from prototype through to a fully validated, commercially available product. Once all this is in place we will be able to ship a high-quality 3D scanner to you. 

Who are we?

CADScan was formed in 2011, motivated by a desire to make 3D scanning easy to use and accessible to all. We have first-hand knowledge of many of the issues faced by those wishing to capture 3D data, and over 20 years experience of solving real-world problems through image processing. We've built an amazing team of software, electronic and optical design engineers who have collectively been involved in a number of award-winning image processing products, including one of the first automotive Lane Departure Warning systems.  

We're based in Chester, a beautiful walled city lying on the River Dee, in the North West of England. Chester was founded in the AD79 by the Romans, is loaded with well preserved archaeological and architectural treasures, and has the oldest racecourse in the UK.