What is the EinScan HX?
The EinScan HX is a hybrid blue laser and LED light source handheld scanner.
The hybrid laser and LED light sources make the EinScan HX compatible with a wide range of object sizes. Laser scanning, is less sensitive to ambient light and gives better performance to reflective and dark coloured surface. At uCreate, the EinScan HX is mainly used in blue laser mode.
This scanner does not support coloured (textured) scans.
What could I use the EinScan HX for?
The EinScan HX is best for scanning larger objects with complex geometry. Any objects above 10cm^3 can be captured using the EinScan HX. Try using the EinScan-SP for smaller objects.
As it has a blue laser mode, it is able to scan reflective or dark objects.
It cannot scan transparent objects. Try adding chalk powder or painting the surface of the object. It is also difficult to scan objects with a hollow pattern, like a tube.
Object must be stable when scanning, blue tac can be used to secure the object if needed.
Where can I access the EinScan HX?
The EinScan HX is available in our Digital Transformation Suite (uCreate Main Library, First floor, room 1.15) only. It is not available on our loans service to take outside of the makerspace.
Top Tips for scanning with the EinScan HX.
Using targets for tracking
The EinScan HX (in blue laser mode) uses targets to track your object for scanning.
The scanner must be able to see multiple targets at a time for successful tracking.
At our 3D scanning station, we have targets stuck to the area ready and a sheet of targets that can be placed behind your object. You can also stick targets directly onto your object.
Scanning distance
The EinScan HX has an optimum scanning distance.
Use the light on the back of the scanner to monitor your scanning distance. When the light is green, you are the correct distance away. The light will go blue or red if you are too far away or too close.
Connection and license error
If when you open up the scanning software, the scanner does not connect, ensure that only the scanner you want to use is turned on. If multiple scanners are turned on, your scanner will not connect.
This can also cause a license error.
How to use the EinScan HX.
The software for the EinScan HX is very user friendly and walks you through the process of calibration and scanning.
For a written step-by-step of how to scan, see below.
Setting up for your scan and Calibration.
Calibration is only required when there is a change in the lighting of the environment. As the EinScan HX is use for in the Digital Transformation Suite only, you will likely not need to calibrate the scanner.
If you scan results are inconsistent, we suggest you calibrate the scanner.
1. Start EXScan HX Application, with the scanner plugged in and turned on. Ensure all the other scanners connected to the scanning computer are turned off.
2. Create a project and save your project to the folder ‘User Scans’. Title the folder with your name and student number.
3. Click on calibration at top of screen. Take the calibration board from the holder on the left side of the desk and set up as shown on screen. Follow the on screen instructions for quick calibration. You will be rotating the scanner and moving it towards and away from the calibration board.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions for the laser calibration and white balance. Both of these use the opposite side of board. For the laser calibration, you will be moving the scanner up and down to fill in the squares on the right side of the screen.
Setting up and taking a first scan.
To set up your scan there are a variety of different settings to adjust in order to get the best result.
5. When using the EinScan HX, you will most likely be using laser scan mode. Select laser scan mode.
6. Select the resolution. For most objects, we recommend medium detail. The higher the detail, the more likely the scanner is to lose tracking during scanning.
7. Set the object type and select auto exposure. If you are taking multiple scans of the same object, you do not need to select auto exposure every time. You can leave the exposure the same as the previous scan.
8. Click start scan to enter scan preview and start the auto exposure. Point the scanner at the object and hold it still. Click play on the back of the scanner (or on screen) and slowly move over the object to scan.
Cleaning up, taking multiple scans and aligning.
When using the EinScan HX, the scanner will capture both the object and space around it (for example the table the object is placed on), you will want to clean up this data before continuing.
It is likely you will need to take multiple scans in order to get a successful final model.
9. To delete points, select 'cutting plane', 'creating straight line' and click the left mouse button by holding shift, and draw a straight line. Create plane, position and click apply.
10. Rotate the physical object ready to scan again. Before starting another scan, go to the 'project group' tab and start a new project. Take your new scan within this project. There is no limit to the number of scans you can do, if your point cloud has gaps, take another scan, just make sure each new scan is in a new project folder.
11. Take your second scan. Click the puzzle piece to align your scans together, this will no longer be greyed out once you have multiple scans.
12. Drag 2 scans into the 2 windows and with both scans orientated the same way, hold shift, click the same 3 spots in both scans. Spread these points out over the whole scan. You will see the alignment results in the bottom window. Click next and then complete to save the alignment once you are happy.
Meshing your model.
If you are looking to make an STL file from your 3D scan, the easier way is to mesh it inside the EinScan HX software.
Meshing is the process of drawing polygons between all of the points captured by the scanner to create a model.
13. Click generate point clouds.
14. Click mesh model to open the meshing window.
15. Select watertight or unwatertight (for 3D printing, your model must be watertight). Select your quality level, we recommend medium and set your maximum number of triangles. We recommend to have your maximum number of triangles set to 300,000. This will make a file less than 25MB and can be open in TinkerCAD.
16. Click apply to preview the result. The software will now generate your model, this may take a few minutes. If you are not happy with the result, you can go back and adjust your parameters. Click confirm when you are happy with your mesh.
Post-processing of your mesh and saving your scans.
After meshing your model, you are still able to make small alterations, as well as saving your final product.
17. If you want to reduce your file size, you can simplify your model by reducing the number of polygons.
18. If you selected unwatertight model during the meshing process, you can retrospectively fill in holes in your mesh. This can be helpful if you only want some of the holes filled. Hole filling will be greyed out if you chose a watertight mesh.
19. On measurement panel, click measurement tool. Select two points to see distance between them. You can also see the surface area and volume. Useful to take measurements you wouldn’t be able to on the physical object.
20. To save your scan, click the save icon. Select file types .asc (whole scan) and .stl. You can now also scale your scan. Scaling can be useful if you are scanning something very large or very small as it makes it easier to handle when imported into another software.