Creaform HandySCAN BLACK Elite is 2x more accurate than company’s previous best.
Creaform, a Canadian company that makes handheld portable scanners for metrology and reverse engineering, announced a new version of its HandySCAN line, the HandySCAN Black Elite Limited. The device’s accuracy is based on ISO 17025 accredited calibration and on VDI/VDE part 3 standard, according to the company.
Unlike applications that use LiDAR from cell phones with their plus or minus one-inch accuracy—and basically unusable for reverse engineering or metrology—the HandySCAN Black Elite Limited is accurate to an astounding 5 ten thousandths of an inch (0.012 mm). It takes 1.3 million measurements a second, measuring parts as small as 5 centimeters (2 in) and as big as 4 meters (13 ft).
The measuring unit uses “smart resolution to get the finest of details and high curvature,” according to Creaform’s announcement.
The handheld unit weighs 0.94 Kg and links to a computer by a USB cable. To use it, you “paint” the part you are measuring. On the computer, you can see the model forming as you move the device. The display helps to inform you where you still need to scan, such as areas that may have been in “shadows.”
In addition to 11 blue lasers, the HandySCAN Black Elite Limited uses photogrammetry, similar to the other models in the HandySCAN series.
The unit can be used with Creaform’s application for metrology, VXinspect and VXintegrity, its application for nondestructive testing. It also interfaces with popular CAD and metrology software.
How Much?
The HandySCAN Black Elite Limited will be available on March 1, 2023. Creaform does not mention a price, but the previous version, the HandySCAN Black Elite, which has half the resolution of the Limited, was selling for $65,000 through a Creaform distributor. Expect to pay more for this “ultimate” version.
The HandySCAN Black Elite Limited is at the high end of Creaform’s product line, a company known for quality, precision and a focus on metrology and reverse engineering. Less expensive and capable models of the HandySCAN line can be found for around $20,000. At the other end of the spectrum is Chinese manufacturer, Shining 3D, whose structured light handheld EinScan scanners with 0.1 mm resolution can be found for under $1,000. In between are units from FARO, Artec, Zeiss and others.
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