Purpose-built 3D scanning tools are an exciting new development in machine vision.  People have been building their own 3D scanners for years with cameras and line lasers . Now a couple of integrated and factory-calibrated units are on the market which offer a great head-start to a successfull 3D scanning application.

SICK | IVP Ruler E:  This is the integrated and calibrated version of the Sick Ranger product line. 

Specs:

• 13 varieties available
• 1536 pixel profile width max
• 10,000 fill profiles per second
• Interface: Gigabit Ethernet
• Applicaiton Software:  API's provided for .Net, C, C++.  LabVIEW API in beta.

Micro-Epsilon scanCONTROL: A new integrated and factory calibrated scanner.

Specs:

• 8 varieties available
• 1024 pixel profile width max
• 250 full profiles per second.  (Upt o 4000 for partial profiles)
• Interface: Firewire, RS232
• Application Software:  API provided for C++,  LabVIEW
• Works with the NI Compact Vision System
• For 2810 model, built in calculations are included for typicial measurements of groove and bead applications, reducing custom programming.