The Development of the 3D Scanner: From Laboratory Experiment to Commercial Use
Early Beginnings: The Concept of 3D Scanning
The concept of 3D scanning dates back to the 1960s, when laser-based scanning technology was first introduced. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the first 3D scanners were developed, primarily for use in the aerospace and automotive industries. These early scanners were large, expensive, and often used in laboratory settings.
The Advent of Structured Light Scanning
In the 1990s, the development of structured light scanning technology revolutionized the field of 3D scanning. This method used a projector to project a pattern of light onto an object, and a camera to capture the resulting image. Structured light scanning was faster and more accurate than traditional laser-based scanning, and paved the way for the development of more affordable and accessible 3D scanners.