A Simple, Low Cost, 3D Scanning System Using the Laser Light-Sectioning Method

The use of 3D scanning systems for acquiring the external shape features of arbitrary objects has many applications in industry, computer graphics, and more recently, the biomedical field. The potential exists to expand the use of 3D models even further, by continuing to develop simpler, more cost effective systems. A simple, lost cost, 3D scanning system is presented which employs a laser light-sectioning technique. Results of a proof of concept experiment for the proposed system demonstrate the validity of the chosen approach. Directions for future work are also discussed.