Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • PC Hardware

    MakerBot Digitizer 3D Scanner Turbocharges the Printing Process

    By
    Michelle Maisto
    -
    September 26, 2013
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      PrevNext

      1MakerBot Digitizer 3D Scanner Turbocharges the Printing Process

      1 - MakerBot Digitizer 3D Scanner Turbocharges the Printing Process

      by Michelle Maisto

      2Meet the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner

      2 - Meet the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner

      Want to jump-start a design project? Want to make a 3D replica of something but have no design skills or experience with CAD? MakerBot says no problem: Meet the Digitizer.

      3How It Works

      3 - How It Works

      To scan an object, place it on the Digitizer’s turntable. The turntable subtly spins 800 times, giving the two lasers on the top corners of the device a chance to mark down a point for each detail they record during the turning process (one laser gets its turn, and then the other goes). The two “point clouds” are then combined and a mesh is put over them, making the item waterproof. All of this happens automatically in 12 minutes.

      4Who Doesn’t Like Lasers?

      4 - Who Doesn't Like Lasers?

      Here’s a view of one of the lasers making its way over an object. Where the shell is opaque, the laser often can’t recognize information, but the software is smart enough to fill in the missing bits. Makerbot engineers say organic materials scan particularly well. And while dark objects are hard to scan, as they reflect the light, there are tricks to help—like a quick dusting with baby powder or cornstarch.

      53D Scans as Starting Blocks

      5 - 3D Scans as Starting Blocks

      While the Digitizer makes it simple to copy an item, its software makes it easy to manipulate the scan and get creative. Here, Makerbot engineer Jamie Charry shows how easy it is to lob off the top half of the shell and get creative.

      6Upload to Thingiverse

      6 - Upload to Thingiverse

      As soon as the Digitzer completes the scan of an object, it offers to upload the file to Thingiverse, where other 3D printer owners can access it. Pettis said the motivation to create Thingiverse four years ago was simple: People could download music and videos and books. But where was the site to download things?

      7The Replicator 2 3D Printer

      7 - The Replicator 2 3D Printer

      With the gnome scan complete, Makerbot’s Replicator 2 3D printer gets to work. Pettis said the company made the intentional decision to make a separate scanner, instead of combining it with the printer. One reason was that they felt it would be better separate, and the second was so the 23,000 people who own a Replicator could use the Digitizer.

      8MakerBot’s CEO and Lead Cheerleader

      8 - MakerBot's CEO and Lead Cheerleader

      Bre Pettis is clearly excited about the opportunities the scanner offers, to hobbyists and customers like NASA and Lockheed Martin. But he also appreciates how it will change people’s thinking. “When you need something, you’re not going to just reach for your checkbook,” he said. “We’re just at the beginning of something huge.”

      9Creativity, Keepsakes, Big Business (and a Little Junk)

      9 - Creativity, Keepsakes, Big Business (and a Little Junk)

      Analysts say the biggest benefit of 3D printers is the time they will save designers, who can quickly advance through several iterations. Pettis also appreciates the more emotional perks. He scanned his baby daughter’s first pair of shoes, as well as a family heirloom that was handed down to him. It was “satisfying,” he said, to give his father back a scanned version of the sculpture.

      10From Engine Parts to Party Favors

      10 - From Engine Parts to Party Favors

      Makerbot shrunk down the scan of its gnome to create a party favor—small enough to fit in a plastic “gumball”— of its gnome being scanned on the Digitizer.

      PrevNext

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×