Pictured below is Paolo Donno from EG Solutions, an Italian company that has developed software to improve scanning using the Russian-made Artec MH MHT 3D scanner he is holding. Paolo’s software translates the scans into simple files that can be used by CNC stoneworking machines to produce in stone solid objects that have been scanned.

The Artec MH MHT scanner is a 3D video camera. The scanning process is straightforward – simply walk around the object capturing an image of it (it is available with a belt-worn battery for site work). The Leios2 software automatically combines all the scanned frames into a single 3D file.

There is no need to place markers all over the object to scan it because the system uses the unique geometry of the object itself to align the captured 3D frames and combine them. It measures up to 500,000 points per second – that is 12 times faster than laser scanners – while providing high resolution (up to 0.5mm) and high accuracy (up to 0.1mm) files.

Since the Artec scanner is a 3D camera, it can even be used to scan moving objects, which has proved useful in medical applications but might be less of a bonus when scanning stone objects or maquettes for reproduction in stone.

The scanner is lightweight and hand held, so, with a battery (which lasts about an hour) it can go pretty much anywhere, which could be useful when scanning masonry in situ for conservation work, for example.

The Artec camera captures a spectrum of colours (up to 24bit), which increases its capability, and the scans, once processed, can be used by various 3D software packages, including AutoCAD.

The system is available in the UK from Patrick Thorn & Co in Wraysbury, Berkshire – see the website (address below) or call 01784 466474.