What's the Cost of a 3D Scanner?
The accuracy, resolution, and software included with a 3D scanner are a few of the many variables that affect the price, which can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. If you use a 3D scanner frequently for work, it could be a good investment. The complexity, research, and development expenses, desire for high-quality scanning, and market competition all contribute to the high price tag of 3D scanners. 3D scanners are now expensive, but that should change as the technology improves and more people start using them. Eventually, even small businesses will be able to afford them.
Types of 3D Scanners and Their Costs
1. Handheld 3D scanners
General Description and Use Cases:
Portable handheld 3D scanners may capture an object's geometry simply by sweeping the scanner over it. Scanning large, awkwardly positioned objects, such as pieces of machinery, antiquities, artifacts, or even portions of the human body, for medical purposes is the usual use for these scanners.
Common Cost Range:
Prices for handheld 3D scanners can range from several hundred dollars for entry-level machines ideal for amateurs to several hundred thousand dollars for high-end models used in commercial settings. Features like color scanning and other extras, as well as resolution and accuracy determine the final price.
Price range: $50 to $1000
Purchase link: Amazon.
2. Desktop 3D Scanners
A Broad Overview and Examples of Use:
A desktop 3D scanner is a fixed piece of equipment that scans objects by placing them on a scanning platform. Typical uses for these scanners include dental applications, jewelry creation, and quality control in manufacturing, all of which deal with objects of small to medium size.
Common Cost Range:
The price tag for a desktop 3D scanner might easily exceed $10,000. At one end of the spectrum are entry-level versions, popular among hobbyists and small companies, and at the other end of the spectrum are more sophisticated models with faster scanning capabilities and higher resolution.
Price range: $1000 to $10,000
Purchase link: Amazon.
3. Industrial 3D scanners
A Broad Overview and Examples of Use:
3D scanners are the way to go for industrial-scale, very precise tasks. The automobile, aerospace, and heavy machinery sectors frequently incorporate these scanners into their manufacturing lines for quality assurance, reverse engineering, and rapid prototyping.
Common Cost Range:
Industrial 3D scanners can cost several hundred thousand dollars, with prices starting at about $20,000. These scanners provide state-of-the-art capabilities, including automatic scanning and CAD software integration, in addition to the greatest degrees of accuracy and resolution.
Price: $20,000
Purchase link: Hexagon.
4. Structured Light 3D Scanners
A Broad Overview and Examples of Use:
Structured light 3D scanners take pictures of an object as they project different patterns of light onto it, and then they use the object's shape to make a 3D model. Industries, including medical imaging, cultural heritage preservation, and animation, frequently utilize these scanners for high-resolution scans of smaller things.
Common Cost Range:
The price of a structured light 3D scanner can range from $2,000 to $10,000, with the exact figure depending on the scanner's accuracy, speed, and resolution. Professional-grade versions can be quite pricey, but there are more affordable solutions for classrooms and mom-and-pop stores.
Price: $2,000 to $10,000
Purchase link: Hexagon.
5. Laser 3D Scanners
A Broad Overview and Examples of Use:
By timing how long it takes for a laser beam to reflect off an object's surface, laser 3D scanners can accurately capture the object's shape. Automotive design, aerospace engineering, and forensic analysis are just a few examples of the many high-precision applications that make extensive use of them.
Common Cost Range:
Laser 3D scanners are not uncommon, with costs ranging from $5,000 to $100,000+. More general-purpose models are better suited to engineering and design tasks, whereas more specialized industries make use of higher-end models due to their improved precision.
Price range: $5,000 to $100,000+
Purchase link: Datum.
6. CT (Computed Tomography) 3D Scanners
A Broad Overview and Examples of Use:
Imaging the inside and outside of an object in excellent detail is now possible with the use of CT 3D scanners and X-ray technology. When it's necessary to analyze an object's inside features without damaging them, these scanners are invaluable in fields including medical imaging, material analysis, and quality inspection.
Common Cost Range:
CT 3D scanners are quite pricey, costing anywhere from one hundred thousand to more than one million dollars. Their superior technology and precise, accurate scans make them indispensable in specialized high-tech and medical industries, justifying their hefty cost.
Price: up to $300,000
Purchase link: NSI .
What Factors Affect the Cost of 3D Scanning?
A number of factors affect how much it will cost to do 3D scanning. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
Categories of 3D Scanners: We should begin by discussing the type of scanner that catches your interest. Could a photogrammetry scanner, structured light, or laser be in your future? Each method's technology and approach can have a major impact on the final cost. Model and characteristics matter greatly when selecting a vehicle.
Accuracy: What level of accuracy are you looking for in your scans? You should be ready to spend a little more money if you want precise accuracy. Projects that prioritize structural data with visual representation and color accuracy can benefit from the Ultra Short Range 75HSX and 80HSX. You should be prepared to spend more money if you prefer higher-quality and clearer images, similar to when you buy a camera.
Size and intricacy: The item's size and intricacy are two factors that could impact the final price tag. Industrial and outdoor settings do not match the Medium Range 100HSX IR and SR. Scanning larger and more complex items can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, which can drive up the cost.
Speed: One factor that might influence the final price of a 3D scanner is how quickly it can take pictures and analyze them. For larger scales and landscapes, faster scanning speeds are usually required, and this is where things like LIDAR come into play.
Resolution: Another factor that could affect the final price of a 3D scanner is the resolution at which it takes pictures. For example, the Long Range 10HSX or 410HSX is ideal for use in outdoor settings due to its submillimeter precision and scan ranges of 0.4 to 110 m. Scan results with higher resolutions are more detailed, but the more sophisticated technology and equipment required to achieve these results may drive up the price.
Software: Processing and software are additional expenses beyond the cost of the 3D scanning device. These costs can differ based on the data's complexity and the software's specifications.
Further Services: If additional services like post-processing, texture mapping, or CAD modeling are required, the overall cost of a 3D scanning project may rise.
Best 3D Modeling Software
There are a lot of 3D design software available that you can use with your 3D scanner, and a good example is SelfCAD. It is a powerful 3D modeling software that allows you to create 3D models from scratch or edit existing designs and customize them based on your needs. You can also import your 3D scans and edit them. For example, you can import 3D scans and clean them up, as shown in the video below.
You can also check out our playlist on 3D scanning for 3D printing to check out how to use SelfCAD for preparing your 3D scans for 3D printing. SelfCAD is also affordable and it comes with an in-built online slicer useful for slicing your files.
In addition to that, SelfCAD also comes with many resources to help you get started with ease. There are many interactive tutorials to help you learn by actually creating 3D models. There is also a SelfCAD academy for those who like to follow step-by-step courses. 3D modeling 101 series and 3D modeling for beginners videos on YouTube are also great resources to help you learn how SelfCAD works and how you can use it to create your 3D models.
Achieve High Accuracy and Quality with 3D Scanners
The accuracy, resolution, and software included with a 3D scanner are a few of the many variables that affect the price, which can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. It could be a good investment if you use a 3D scanner often for work. The complexity, research, and development expenses, desire for high-quality scanning, and market competition all contribute to the high price tag of 3D scanners. 3D scanners are now expensive, but that should change as the technology improves and more people start using them. Eventually, even small businesses will be able to afford them.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.