EinScan-SP (small object scanning, with turntable)

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EinScan-SP scanning an object
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What is the EinScan-SP?

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The EinScan-SP is an object scanner with a turntable. It uses targets on the turntable to align your scans. 

This scanner supports coloured (textured) scans.

uCreate also has some scanners of the EinScan Pro range. These are turntable scanners, like the EinScan-SP and are available on our loans system only. 

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EinScan-SP scanning ceramic vase
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What could I use the EinScan-SP for?

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The EinScan-SP is suitable for objects under 10cm^3. 

You are able to scan objects up to 20cm^3, as long as it does not cover all of the targets. 

Transparent, shiny, reflective, and darker-coloured objects are difficult to scan. Try applying chalk powder to the surface of the object or use the EinScan HX. 

Object must be stable when scanning, secure with blue tac/reduce turntable speed. 

It is difficult to scan objects with a hollow pattern, like a tube.  

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Scanning with EinScan-SP
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Where can I access the EinScan-SP?

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The EinScan-SP 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. 

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Digital Transformation Suite
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How to use the EinScan-SP.

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The software for the EinScan-SP is very user friendly as walks you through the process of calibration and scanning.

For a written step-by-step of how to scan, see below. 

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Setting up for your scan and Calibration.

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Calibration is only required when there is a change in the lighting of the environment. If you are using the scanner in the Digital Transformation Suite, you do not need to calibrate it. If you are taking a scanner away from the makerspace, using our loans system, you will need to calibrate the scanner. 

Process steps
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ExScan S software logo
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1. Start EXScan S Application, with scanner plugged in. Tap power button on back of scanner. 

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User scans folder
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2. Create project with the date in the folder ‘Training’ on the user desktop.  Users to save data in the folder ‘User Scans’, with their name and student number. Select texture. Texture is colour data. 

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EinScan SP calibration board
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3. Click on calibration at top of screen.  Remove calibration board from velvet case. Place board on stand and place on turntable.  

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4. Follow onscreen instructions for calibration. Ensure orientation of board matches graphic. Calibrate white balance, using opposite side of board.  

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Setting up and taking a first scan.

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To set up your scan there are a variety of different settings to adjust in order to get the best result. 

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5. When using the EinScan-SP, you will always be using the turntable. Tick 'with turntable' and set the number of steps to between 12 and 20. 

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6. Set turntable speed to 10, turntable turns to ‘one turn’ and tracking to turntable align.  

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7. Adjust the brightness until there are some red dots on the object. If there is no red on the object, the scanner cannot see it. The HDR function helps us to scan high contrasted objects. When this function is on, the brightness cannot be changed anymore. 

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8. Click start scan. Do not move the object or change any settings during the scanning process. 

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Cleaning up, taking multiple scans and aligning.

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It is likely you will need to take multiple scans in order to get a successful final model. 

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9. To delete points, click the left mouse button by holding shift, select the area you would like to delete, and hit delete.

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10. Rotate the physical object and scan again. Depending on your object, you may need to adjust the brightness in order to capture more features of the object. There is no limit to the number of scans you can do, if your point cloud has gaps, take another scan. 

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11. The software will automatically align multiple scans but you can click the puzzle piece to access manual aligning. 

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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 out over the whole scan. You will see the alignment results in the bottom window. Click next and then complete to save the alignment.

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Meshing your model.

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13. Click ‘Global Optimization’, tick and ‘Mesh Model’. 

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14. For 3D printing, select watertight model. 

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15. Select the detail level. 

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16. The software will now generate your model, this may take a few minutes. If you are not happy with the result, you can go backwards and adjust your parameters. 

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Post-processing of your mesh and saving your scans.

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17. Simplification – show the difference in quality when simplifying. Maximum size to import to TinkerCAD is 25MB (roughly 300,000 triangles). Explain what TinkerCAD is. After simplification, do texture remapping.  

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18. Hole filling – will be greyed out but can be used to fill holes in unwatertight mesh.  

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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.  

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20. Click save and the file formats stl and obj. stl is form data only, used for 3D printing. obj is form and colour, used for digital display. obj will also generate a .jpg file, which must stay with the .obj.