3DMakerpro specializes within the manufacturing of high-precision 3D scanners. Based in 2015 and based mostly in Shenzhen, the corporate employs a group of 100 R&D workers and has established a 3D scanning portfolio which incorporates the Whale, Mole, and Lynx fashions.
On this article we evaluate the 3DMakerpro Seal, the newest addition to the portfolio.
The 3DMakerpro Seal is a conveyable, pocket-sized 3D scanner focused in the direction of entry-level customers trying to obtain high-quality 3D scans at a low price. Marketed as providing a powerful 0.01mm accuracy and 0.05mm decision, the Seal boasts as much as 5x the decision of comparable 3D scanners available on the market.
With costs beginning at simply $699, the Seal is an reasonably priced entry into the 3D scanning market and could be bought on the official 3DMakerpro on-line retailer.
Key options of the Seal
Regardless of its low price-point, the Seal is marketed as that includes high-quality 3D scanning capabilities. With a reported 0.01mm accuracy and 0.05mm decision, 3DMakerpro’s latest 3D scanner additionally incorporates anti-shake optical lenses. This permits for higher outcomes and a extra secure 3D scanning expertise.
The Seal’s 24-bit Excessive-Definition Colour Texture Digital camera incorporates a high-quality CMOS picture sensor, facilitating the seize of tremendous object particulars. Furthermore, with full-color capabilities, the Seal can seize as much as 16,777,216 colours, enabling life-like mannequin texture scanning.
The Seal can also be notable in that it employs a blue gentle when scanning, versus extra typical LED or NIR gentle sources. The blue gentle possesses a shorter wavelength of 400 to 500 nanometers. This reportedly allows 5x extra element than comparable 3D scanners. The blue gentle’s shorter wavelengths additionally encounter much less diffraction, permitting for sharper focus throughout better distances, leading to greater precision and finer element.
Due to the Seal’s AI visible monitoring expertise, no markers are wanted in the course of the 3D scanning course of. This could pose issues when making an attempt to align a number of scans of elements which are symmetrical or possess giant flat surfaces. Nonetheless, these issues could be solved with the handbook alignment software.
Customers can conduct 3D scans in a number of modes, together with Turntable Mode, Handheld Mode, and a mixed Turntable + Handheld Mode.
Pocket-sized 3D scanning
With a glossy, minimalist design, the Seal options an all-aluminum-alloy physique, giving it a sturdy, high-quality really feel.
A key function of the Seal is its compact measurement. Measuring 110mm x 60mm x 35mm and weighing simply 200 grams, the Seal is moveable and preferrred for individuals who need to 3D scan on the go.
Furthermore, the 3D scanner’s blue gentle faces restricted interference from environmental elements, making the Seal well-suited to make use of in a spread of indoor and out of doors areas.
General, our Seal 3D scanner was effectively packaged and was delivered with none harm or lacking elements. Our package deal included the telescopic tripod and multi-axis turntable optionally available add-ons. These parts, which could be bought from the 3DMakerpro on-line retailer, expedited the 3D scanning course of and enabled 3D scanning in ‘desk mode.’
The Seal’s packaging and included equipment. Pictures by 3D Printing Business.
Calibration and setup course of
3DMakerpro provides its personal proprietary software program, JMStudio, to be used with the Seal 3D scanner. This software program is free, and could be simply put in on-line right here. IOS and Android JMStudio apps are additionally out there, permitting customers to manage their 3D scans with smartphones and pill units.
We discovered JMStudio to be particularly straightforward to make use of, with the software program that includes a easy and simple person interface (UI). Minimal manipulation and setup are wanted to realize good outcomes, permitting customers to begin 3D scanning straight out of the field. No handbook calibration is required, with the Seal rapidly connecting to JMStudio.
JMStudio gives three modes: Simple Scan, Desk Scan, and Edit Mode. Simple Scan permits customers to 3D scan a mannequin freehand, while Desk Scan employs the turntable and tripod to realize 360° scans of fashions from a set angle. By way of Edit Mode, customers can align 3D scans, and full meshes for exporting in OBJ, STL, or PLY file codecs.
The included ‘working distance indicator’ highlights the perfect 3D scanner and object place in actual time. This software was discovered to be significantly helpful in attaining optimum 3D scans, and rushing up the 3D scanning course of.
We have been additionally impressed by the tutorial which is out there when loading up the software program for the primary time. This function would definitely be useful for entry-level customers and people unfamiliar with 3D scanning.
Nonetheless, the simplicity of JMStudio just isn’t preferrred for extra superior customers. Extra mesh cleansing and alignment choices may very well be added to JMStudio, as it may be unclear which scans are being auto-aligned and which aren’t.
The JMStudio person interface overview and 3D scanning display. Photographs by 3D Printing Business
Benchmarking the Seal
To evaluate the flexibility of the Seal, our group carried out the 3DPI 3D scanning benchmarking tile take a look at. This mannequin incorporates a vary of geometric shapes on each side, materials textures, and colours that may typically pose challenges for 3D scanners.
The Seal skilled some minor issues with this benchmarking take a look at. Our group discovered that the Seal 3D scanner would lose monitoring close to the sting of the tile, making it troublesome to scan each the entrance and rear of the 3DPI benchmark collectively. It needs to be famous that the processing energy of the PC might have contributed to this. Because of this, we scanned the entrance and rear faces of the tile individually.
On the entrance of the 3DPI benchmark, a lot of the advanced geometry 3D scans got here out effectively, with the Seal providing good sturdiness for a spread of object shapes and depths. What’s extra, the reflective mirror piece, which poses issues for many 3D scanners, was efficiently captured by the Seal. The carpet texture and sandpaper materials have been additionally efficiently scanned to a excessive customary.
Different supplies, such because the tyre and clear PETG have been much less profitable. Most 3D scanners battle to scan clear supplies, as there is no such thing as a clearly outlined floor for the sunshine to mirror from.
The Seal 3D scanner additionally achieved good outcomes on the geometries on the rear of the benchmark tile. The underside D, I, and “sq. snake” geometries have been all scanned to a excessive degree of accuracy and element, all being good representations of the actual mannequin.
The 3DPI tile and 3D scan outcomes, together with D, I, and “sq. snake” underside geometries. Photograph and Photographs by 3D Printing Business.
To find out the 3D scanning accuracy of the Seal, our group then carried out a 3D scan of a 15mm x 20mm x 25mm cuboid block. The outcomes have been then in contrast towards the identified dimensions of the half. Utilizing the turntable mode, the Seal achieved excellent outcomes on this take a look at. 0.02 mm accuracy was achieved on the X and Z axes, with -0.16 mm on the Y axis.
3D scanned reference block. Photograph and pictures by 3D Printing Business.
Utility checks
Our group additionally carried out a spread of software checks to evaluate real-world use-cases of the Seal.
To evaluate the Seal’s skill to 3D scan fashions with tremendous particulars, a 3D printed white statue was scanned. This 3D scan was carried out freehand by means of JMStudio’s Simple Scan mode.
The outcomes of this scan have been very spectacular, demonstrating high-definition accuracy and efficiently exhibiting the 3D printed layer traces of the mannequin. Two 3D scans have been carried out, which offered sufficient information to efficiently full the mannequin to an excellent customary. The Seal didn’t lose monitoring whereas scanning, and the JMStudio auto-align software labored completely with no issues.
3D printed statue and scanned outcomes. Pictures and pictures by 3D Printing Business.
We subsequent tasked the Seal with a 3D scan of pliers, a more difficult object that incorporates a mix of steel and rubber supplies. After a number of unsuccessful 3D scans, scanning spray was added to the steel finish of the pliers to make sure that frames may very well be captured with out shedding monitor.
The constraints of the Seal when scanning steel and glossy objects was obvious on this take a look at, with the 3D scanner typically duplicating the plier head or creating noise fragments from mirrored gentle. Nonetheless, after making use of spray to the steel, we achieved correct and detailed outcomes.
Pliers object and 3D scan outcome. Photograph and picture by 3D Printing Business.
We subsequent produced a 3D scan of a bike indicator that includes clear plastic and a strong black casing. This was an excellent take a look at of the Seal’s skill to 3D scan each clear and black plastics, and an excellent showcase of the scanners used for reverse engineering functions. Motorbike indicator 3D scans may very well be used to create different designs, whereas sustaining the mandatory becoming dimensions and wire size.
As soon as once more, scanning spray was required because the Seal struggled with each the clear and black surfaces. The profitable scans included restricted deformations, however included some noise fragments which couldn’t be eliminated in JMStudio. Furthermore, the auto alignment function inaccurately fused the three scans. This required handbook intervention to rectify.
On this take a look at, the Seal demonstrated good dimensional accuracy. The 3D scan possessed a minor discrepancy of -0.053mm, solely marginally smaller than the precise object’s dimensions.
Motorbike indicator object and 3D scans. Photograph and pictures by 3D Printing Business.
Subsequent we scanned an e-scooter entrance suspension part, possessing difficult chrome steel surfaces and a posh coil geometry. The mannequin was scanned 4 occasions, and as soon as once more required spray to be utilized to the shiny surfaces. JMStudio often misplaced monitor of the coil part, with the auto align software failing to precisely be a part of the 3D scans.
Finally, the ultimate scan didn’t separate all the coil from the middle physique. Nonetheless, the coil sample got here out effectively, with restricted noise fragments. The scanned leg top part of the part possessed a 0.104mm discrepancy to the precise object, a disappointing outcome considerably bigger than the earlier 3D scans.
E-scooter suspension part and 3D scan outcomes. Photograph and pictures by 3D Printing Business.
A bike deal with bar finish protector was additionally 3D scanned with the Seal. This part is constructed from metal and possesses a shiny black end. Ideally, the 3D scan accuracy of this half’s screw threads could be excessive sufficient to permit a useful half to be 3D printed.
Scanned utilizing Turntable Mode, the spray was once more required to counteract the item’s shiny end. The screw threads and allen key port sadly didn’t include sufficient element to supply performance. As such, the mannequin must be additional processed on a CAD software program to be made relevant.
Deal with bar finish mount object and 3D scan outcome. Photograph and pictures by 3D Printing Business.
Subsequent, a bicycle derailleur mech containing a number of advanced and small geometries was 3D scanned. With a black and silver end, this object consists of a number of small springs and jockey wheels. These small hidden particulars provide an excellent take a look at of the Seal’s blue gentle depth. Spray once more needed to be utilized to the elements black, metallic, and reflective surfaces.
The Seal efficiently maintained monitoring whereas scanning the derailleur. The elements have been scanned in segments, with the auto align function stitching these 3D scans collectively rapidly and successfully.
Nonetheless, the Seal was unable to retrieve body information from all depths of the half, with the spring unable to be recognized. Nothing may very well be accomplished to beat this, that means these outcomes have been in the end under common. Moreover, water was wanted to clean away the spray. This limits the Seal’s functions away from electrical parts that can’t be washed.
Derailleur object and 3D scan outcomes. Photograph and pictures by 3D Printing Business.
A damaged bike clutch basket possessing a singular geometry was additionally 3D scanned by the Seal. Though 3DMakerpro doesn’t suggest the Seal to be used with mechanical parts, this take a look at gives good perception into the processing of bigger metallic objects. Spray was required to counteract the elements’ shiny metallic floor.
This half in the end highlighted the principle weaknesses of the Seal, with the clutch basket arms duplicating on account of its lack of options and symmetrical sample. As such, reference markers needed to be added to enhance the outcomes. Furthermore, each auto and handbook alignment instruments struggled with this half. We consider JMStudio’s alignment function would profit from further instruments, resembling cursor-based half manipulation generally present in different CAD software program.
Clutch basket object and 3D scan outcomes. Photograph and pictures by 3D Printing Business.
Lastly, a 3D scan of a Native American clay sculpture mannequin was carried out. That includes a spread of colours and textures, this mannequin provided an excellent take a look at of the Seal’s marketed texture mapping, and multi-color capabilities.
The Seal labored effectively throughout this take a look at, simply 3D scanning as much as 1300 frames with restricted monitoring points. The auto-alignment software additionally labored effectively right here, with this 3D scan attaining a excessive degree of element. Having simply exported the 3D scan as an STL file, we 3D printed the mannequin in PLA, with the tip outcome being a near-perfect illustration of the unique mannequin.
Native American sculpture 3D scan outcomes and 3D printed mannequin. Photographs by 3D Printing Business.
Nonetheless, we failed to realize a full textured mannequin from the 3D scan utilizing the feel mapping function, on account of object measurement limitations in JMStudio. It’s value noting that this operate might have been additional restricted by the computational processing energy of the PC, with rendering taking a considerable period of time to finish.
Native American sculpture scans merged and texture mapping points. Photographs by 3D Printing Business.
These outcomes spotlight the power of the Seal as being in small to medium sized objects resembling toy figures or statues, as marketed by 3DMakerpro.
Last verdict
The Seal 3D scanner is a perfect choice for entry-level customers. The setup course of may be very intuitive, and the JMStudio software program is simple to navigate. Whereas preferrred for these new to 3D scanning, this poses limitations for extra skilled customers looking for superior performance.
Our testing confirmed 3DMakerpro’s claims that the Seal can produce prime quality and correct outcomes. We efficiently achieved 0.02mm accuracy, near the corporate’s marketed 0.01mm 3D scanning accuracy.
Though restricted for bigger objects, the Seal’s texture mapping function is efficient inside the software program limits. Spectacular colourful outcomes with outlined textures could be visualized in JMStudio, providing nice potential for 3D scanning small fashions and collectible figurines. As such, the Seal is particularly effectively suited to hobbyist, toy improvement, and gaming functions.
The Seal struggled to detect black objects and metallic surfaces, resulting in frequent use of dry shampoo spray to seize vital information. Nonetheless, it is a limitation present in most 3D scanners available on the market. The Seal’s auto-tracking additionally confronted challenges when scanning symmetrical fashions, whereas the blue gentle’s quick wavelength struggled to acquire geometrical information behind crevices and overhangs.
JMStudio software program didn’t constantly produce correct scan mergers, typically requiring the 3D Printing Business group to conduct alignment manually. This course of was fairly tedious, and was not 100% correct. We additionally encountered a lot of software program bugs and crashes, impeding the 3D scanning course of.
Finally, regardless of these limitations, the Seal 3D scanner is actually able to producing correct 3D scans with good high quality and reproducing fashions with advanced geometries and tremendous particulars. The Seal’s affordability and user-friendly setup make it an accessible choice for these new to 3D scanning. What’s extra, the Seal is particularly effectively suited to these inside the hobbyist market trying to scan, design, and 3D print small-scale fashions.
Technical specs of the Seal 3D scanner
| Accuracy | 0.01mm |
| Decision | 0.05mm |
| Colour-scanning | 24-bit colour |
| Work distance | 180 – 200mm |
| Body charge | 10fps |
| 3D Scanner measurement | 110mm x 60mm x 35mm |
| Weight | 254g |
| Output file kind | .obj, .stl, .ply |
| Gentle supply | Blue gentle supply |
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Featured picture reveals the 3DMakerpro Seal 3D scanner. Photograph by 3D Printing Business.
