Today, we have a unique project at hand – 3D scanning a vintage RC helicopter body, specifically the Gazelle SA342 quarter-scale fuselage from Vario, dating back to the 1970s. This endeavor is particularly exciting because it involves a community effort to help underprivileged kids learn about manufacturing, RC aircraft, and more. The goal is to create a 3D printed replica of the helicopter body. To achieve this, we’ll be using the IonScan HX, a blue laser scanner with structured light capabilities, as well as sub scanning spray and markers.
The Challenge of Transparent Surfaces
One might wonder, what’s so challenging about scanning a smooth, epoxy-made fuselage? The answer lies in the material itself – it’s transparent epoxy. When we look at this object, and when the scanner sees it, we’re actually seeing the texture of the fiberglass beneath the epoxy. In other words, we want to capture the smooth outer surface of the epoxy, not the internal structure or fiberglass texture.
So, we’re introducing a key player in this project: the Sub Scanning Spray. This product is designed to address the unique challenge posed by transparent or reflective surfaces. When sprayed onto the object, it creates a matte surface, essentially preventing the scanner from picking up the texture of the fiberglass. The spray will allow us to obtain cleaner and more accurate scan data.
The Power of IonScan HX
The IonScan HX, our 3D scanning tool of choice for this project, operates in laser mode, capable of capturing data at 55 frames per second and several million points per second. This speed and accuracy make it ideal for this challenging scanning task. Additionally, we’ll be using reflective markers to aid in alignment.
The scanner pyramids and markers we use are highly reflective, and you’ll often find them in applications like street signs. They’re designed to reflect light straight back at the source, making them incredibly useful for scanning.
The Scanning Process
Our approach involves several steps:
- Apply the Sub Scanning Spray to the fuselage. We opted for Ace of Blue, which disappears after a short time but would have been better suited with Ace of Orange for this specific case due to its longer-lasting properties.
- Position reflective markers liberally on the fuselage to aid the scanner in alignment.
- Begin scanning using the IonScan HX, utilizing laser mode to quickly capture detailed points.
- As the scan progresses, switch to reflective mode to ensure the scanner captures areas where the spray is dissipating.
- After the scan, we’ll perform data post-processing to clean up the results.
Challenges and Solutions
During the scanning process, we face some challenges. The quick evaporation of the Ace of Blue spray due to our studio’s temperature prompted us to consider using Ace of Orange, which has a longer duration. Additionally, we can employ Ace of Transparent for areas where we require a matte surface without obscuring the reflective markers.
Our goal is to ensure that the scan captures the entire fuselage accurately and without interference from the underlying fiberglass texture. To achieve this, we need to monitor our scanning environment’s temperature and be prepared to adjust the type of spray accordingly.
The Power of 3D Scanning
Once we complete the scanning process, we’ll have a highly detailed 3D model of the vintage RC helicopter body. This detailed CAD model will serve as the foundation for creating a 3D printed replica. The capabilities of the IonScan HX and the innovative Sub Scanning Spray make this project possible and demonstrate the power of 3D scanning technology.
Discover More at Vision Miner
If you’re interested in exploring 3D scanning, 3D printing, and related technologies, you can find a wide range of products and solutions at VisionMiner.com. We offer high-temperature thermoplastics, scanners, scanning sprays, 3D printers, and more. Our mission is to guide you in finding the right options for your business’s unique needs, so don’t hesitate to reach out for expert advice.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about this project, please leave your comments below. We appreciate your engagement and value your input. Thank you for joining us on this exciting 3D scanning journey, and have a fantastic day!