40
Mechanical Technology — May 2013
⎪
Nota bene
⎪
Index to advertisers
Afrimold................................................33
Afrox...................................................OFC
BMG.....................................................27
Becker Mining SA...................................14
Bonfiglioli..............................................34
Clyde Bergemann...............................2, 23
Donaldson Filtration................................30
Engen ..................................................19
Festo ....................................................25
Hytec Fluid Technology...........................37
Immanuelworks.....................................IBC
Modena Design Automation Solutions.......15
SKF......................................................22
ThyssenKrupp Materials Handling...........IFC
Weir Minerals...........................................6
Zest Weg Group................................... OBC
Industry diary
June
AfriMold 4
th
annual manufacturing
trade fair and conference
4-6 June: NASREC Exhibition
Centre, Johannesburg.
Details: Leigh Angelo or Stephanie
Conradie: +2711 869 9153
or
OSH EXPO Africa 2013
18-20 June 2013
Gallagher Convention Centre,
Midrand
Details: Marlene Bosch,
+27 11 835 1565
D
rew Cox and Adam Brande-
js, two Canadian inventors
from Toronto have developed
a home 3D scanner called Photon and
launched it via a 35 day crowdfunding
campaign on Idiegogo. With an initial
target of C$81 000 (Canadian), just
over C$471 000 was raised by the
campaign, based on a launch price of
just $599, R5 400, less than the cost
of a tablet.
The Photon allows anyone to turn
physical object into a digital 3D model
on their computer, then print the file us-
ing a 3D printer or use it in 3D designs
or animations. “The Photon 3D scanner
works by firing dual laser lines at an ob-
ject as it is rotated through 360°, taking
pictures with an HD camera and using
software to create a digital 3D model in
as little as three minutes. Once the file is
created, it can be modified, reproduced
on a 3D printer to create copies of the
original object, used in animations or
3D designs, or saved to keep a digital
archive. At the current price, this is
the first 3D scanner that is affordable
for the home consumer market,” says
Drew Cox of Matterform, the invention
company.
And it is designed for simple home
use rather than for professional design-
ers. “Unfold it, plug it in, place an object
on the scan bed and press go! It’s that
simple,” says Cox. “We understand that
3D modelling software can be harder
to learn than one might think, and we
want to help change that. The power
of 3D printing comes in the ability to
make personalised items, not simply
printing off what other people have
created. We really want to give people
the tools to see their creativity come to
life,” he adds.
Why Indiegogo and crowdfunding?
“In order to keep the cost down, we
need to make these in volume. Your
pledge helps us create these at the
lowest possible price. The future of this
scanner is in your hands,” says Cox.
The Matterform 3D scanner can scan
objects up to 190 mm × 190 mm ×
250 mm, yet it’s lightweight, portable,
and compact, making it easy to integrate
into ones workspace. The associated
software was designed from the ground
up, and works seamlessly with the
hardware. Free to use and download,
the software is available for PC, Mac
and Linux. “Whether you’ve used 3D
software before or if you’re just getting
into it now, you’ll find our software was
designed to be as easy as possible.
We know you want to spend your time
creating things and being creative, not
calibrating, tweaking hardware or figur-
ing out yet another tool,” Cox advises.
Currently the resolution of the scanner
on a 100 mm figurine is 0,43 mm with
0,5° scans each with ±0,2 mm ac-
curacy. “We’re quite excited about the
current results, and are working everyday
to continue improving the resolution,”
adds Cox.
Unlike software-based solutions,
the Matterform 3D scanner gives di-
mensional data; making 3D scans far
more useful. “We’re aiming to make the
3D files compatible with all major CAD
packages, 3D modelling software and
3D printers. Currently, models produced
from the scanner can be saved as .STL,
.OBJ and point cloud .PLY formats,
making it easy to integrate scans within
existing systems, such as 3DS max,
Maya, Solidworks, Cinema 4d, Google
SketchUp, Rhino and True Space.
Africa Rail 2013
the 16
th
annual transport and infrastructure show
A
frica Rail is a unique exhibition and conference designed to assist rail operators,
emerging and well-established heavy haul end-users, investors and government to
optimise their investment into railway infrastructure. It is about understanding what it
takes to run proficient freight and passenger rail services, maximising intra-African trade
and working together to improve operational efficiency and profitability of African private
and public sector owed railways.
The 2013 event sets out to enable participants to: maximise the potential for intra-
African trade; improve operational efficiency; improve your supply chain logistics; drive
investment into African railway infrastructure; use profitable railway concessions to
generate revenue; overcome skills shortages; and to inform about railway infrastructure
and procurement projects.
The conference takes place from 24 to 27 June, with the exhibition from 25 to 26
June, both at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Matterform’s Photon: a home 3D scanner
Matterform’s Photon 3D scanner allows anyone to
turn physical object into a digital 3D model on their
computer, then adapt and personalise the object using
Matterform’s free 3D software, print the file using any
3D printer or use it in 3D designs or animations.
