Exact Metrology Scans Celebrity-Themed Soaps

Blue light scanners utilize optical noncontact technology to quickly capture millions of accurate points in a single scan

Published: Wednesday, January 5, 2022 - 13:00

(Exact Metrology: Cincinnati) -- Exact Metrology: A Division of In-Place Machining Company and a comprehensive 3D metrology service provider and hardware sales company, recently used blue-light scanning technology to mass produce celebrity-themed soaps. These soaps will be sold by a nonprofit for charity.

Blue light scanning, a form of structured light scanning technology, operates by using a combination of projector, camera and a lens system. By using a projector, a pattern of light is created and the shadowed, dark areas on the object get measured for data collection. The scanner utilizes optical noncontact technology to capture millions of accurate points in a single fast scan.

Noah Branscum, Exact Metrology application engineer for short range scanning, working at the company’s Cincinnati office, completed the soap scan. Steps involved using reference points to help the scanner understand where the carved head is in space. Then, he took a scan using the scanner to display the lines of blue light onto the part and had two cameras reading how the lines refracted off the part, producing multiple lines of 3D points in space. After going around the part to take several scans, Branscum proceeded to use reference points to stitch each scan together. He then created an .stl file of the 3D scan data by way of a mesh, using ATOS Professional software. This software is used to operate the sensor head, process the 3D point cloud data and to edit and post-process the data. Besides polygon mesh generation and editing, additional features include sensor control, sectioning, and primitive generation.

Blue-light scanned soap face

Discussing the challenges of scanning these famous faces, Branscum commented the scanner was limited in its line of sight. “Things like between the eyes and eyelids can be a bit tough, or where there’s very sharp valleys like the lips.” Thankfully, ATOS Professional also helps fill in the holes with feature and character line detection.

Asked about future projects like this, Branscum concluded, “We love challenges and this was a fun experience for us. We look forward to working on equally challenging projects in the future.”

About Exact Metrology: A Division of In-Place Machining Company

Exact Metrology: A Division of In-Place Machining Company, with facilities in Cincinnati, Ohio; Moline, Illinois; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, plus affiliated offices throughout the country, is a comprehensive metrology services provider, offering customers 3D and CT scanning, reverse engineering, quality inspection, product development, and 2D drawings. The company also provides turnkey metrology solutions, including equipment sales and lease/rental arrangements. Exact Metrology is ISO 9001-, AS9100-certified as well as ITAR-registered.

About In-Place Machining Company: Onsite machining solutions in place, any place in the world

In-Place Machining Company, with facilities in Wisconsin, Washington, Virginia, Ohio, California, and Ontario, Canada, is the premier provider of high-precision engineered onsite machining, metrology, and large scale cutting and drilling services for a wide range of renewable energy, aerospace, industrial, and military customers throughout the world.

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