The Importance of Object Size in Choosing the Right 3D Scanner
In this 3D scanner buyer’s guide we’ll break down which 3D scanner is right for different object sizes you might be scanning. While the benefits of 3D scanning are widely recognized, one critical factor that is often neglected in the decision-making process is the size of the objects to be scanned.
Large Sized Objects
To fully harness the benefits of 3D scanning technology, it is essential to assess the object size carefully and invest in a 3D scanner that best matches the specific requirements of the intended scanning tasks. The size of the object determines the scanner’s capabilities needed for the task. A scanner with a large flatbed or a specialized 3D scanner may be necessary for larger objects, ensuring that every detail of the collected data is processed with precision.
Small Sized Objects
Conversely, smaller objects may require a rotary table or macro scanning capability to avoid loss of fine details. Selecting an appropriately sized 3D scanner not only ensures that the entire object fits within the scanning area but also minimizes distortion, resolution issues, and the need for extensive post-processing.
Which Scanner is Right for You?
Selecting the right 3D scanner tailored to your industry segment and specific application is also a critical decision with far-reaching implications. Different industries demand unique scanning capabilities, scanning precision levels, and compatibility with existing workflows. For instance, in manufacturing, a 3D scanner must be capable of high-speed, high-accuracy scans for quality assurance and reverse engineering, while in healthcare, a 3D scanner should prioritize patient comfort and safety during the scanning process; for example a blue light projector opposed to a white light source.
The right 3D scanner ensures efficient data capture, reducing costs and time while improving product quality and innovation. Choosing an iphone or cheap 3D scanner as a cost savings measure may ultimately cost you more time, money and effort down the road. Inaccurate results or weak quality assurance can hurt your business and reputation. Additionally choosing the right 3D scanner streamlines the scanning processes and facilitates seamless integration into your industry-specific processes and software, thus maximizing the scanner’s utility.
Ultimately, the choice of a 3D scanner that aligns with your object size, industry and application is pivotal in achieving optimal results, fostering innovation, and staying competitive within your sector. By doing so, industries and professionals can unleash the true potential of 3D scanning and achieve exceptional results in their endeavors.
In essence, matching the scanner to the object size enhances the overall scanning experience and delivers the most faithful and usable digital representations, whether for archival purposes, design, or 3D modeling. With so many 3D scanners on the market, where do we start? In this table we demystify the selection process by matching the object size to the correct 3D Scanner in this easy to understand buyers guide.
 S5 Macro |  S1 |  S1W |  L6 |  H3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 extra smallspark plugs connectors bullets coins xs | |||||
 smalldentures printed circuit boards computer mice s | |||||
 mediumgolf club heads action figures compressors eyeglasses m | |||||
 largecastings footwear & orthotics human faces l | |||||
 extra largeautomotive parts turbines & propellars furniture statues xl |
spark plugs
connectors
bullets
coins
dentures
printed circuit
boards
computer mice
automotive parts
turbines & propellars
furniture
statues
S5 Macro
The Compact S5 Macro enables engineers to digitize extra small parts with great details at 5 micron accuracy.
It has a point-to-point distance of 0.031 mm and a field of view of 39 x 44 – 44 x 48 mm.
S1
Polyga’s professional desktop 3D scanner specializes in scanning small to medium-sized objects in high resolution with 35µm accuracy.
It has a point-to-point distance of 0.085 mm and a field of view of 100 x 80 – 120 x 105 mm.
S1W
Polyga’s professional desktop 3D scanner specializing in scanning medium to large objects in high resolution with 40µm accuracy.
It has a point-to-point distance of 0.150 mm and a field of view of 155 x 135 – 245 x 210 mm.
L6
The L6 has the largest FOV of all the compact desktop 3D scanners. Scan in high resolution medium to large with up to 80µm accuracy.
It has a point-to-point distance of 0.18 mm and a field of view of 265 x 225 – 375 x 345 mm.
H3
The Polyga H3 is a professional handheld 3D scanner built for portability and high-resolution with up to 80µm accuracy.
It has a point-to-point distance of 0.050 mm and a field of view of 205 x 112 – 455 x 252 mm.
At the heart of Polyga’s success is their commitment to blending the latest technology and craftsmanship to produce the most reliable industrial grade products. Polyga’s team of experienced engineers works closely with clients to understand their project goals and develop solutions that meet their industry needs.
Convenient and easy to use, our professional 3D scanners are factory calibrated for accuracy to get you 3D scanning in no time. The Polyga 3D scanners are great for any companies, manufacturers, academic institutions, visual effect studios, and research labs that need accurate and reliable 3D scan data for visualization and measurement applications.
We pride ourselves on manufacturing the highest quality 3D scanners, and smart 3D scanning software that provides the most intuitive workflow possible, whatever the industry. With a worldwide presence and a large network of distributors, we deliver state-of-the-art 3D technology to people all over the world with key focus on:
All of our 3D scanners are certified and calibrated against NIST traceable measurement standards. Every sensor is of known accuracy and tested according to VDI/VDE 2634 performance standards. Our customers depend on our metrology-grade products and we work hard to ensure our scanners meet their exacting standards.
In addition, Polyga 3D scanners are built using high-grade metal and composite internals with aluminum enclosures. Software and algorithms are rigorously tested to ensure that we maximize scanner precision and performance.
Polyga’s key focus remains on solving hard measurement problems. In addition to powerful hardware products, we develop a range of software automation solutions for mesh-processing, measurement and analysis that work on several different platforms from embedded to cloud-based. Our algorithms are robust, high-speed, and battle-tested to deliver sub-millimeter accuracies for real-time measurement.
Polyga’s expertise extends beyond technology. The company prides itself on providing exceptional customer service, with a team dedicated to supporting clients throughout the entire 3D scanning process. From project planning to data delivery, Polyga’s team is committed to making the process as simple and straightforward as possible for their clients.
With more than 10 years of 3D scanning expertise, our engineering support team are experts who can assist you in solving the most challenging of 3D scanning problems from high-speed to high-accuracy. Our engineering team has a deep understanding of our product line to provide mechanical, electrical and software integration with robotics, motion control and other complex environments.
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