Z Corp. Rolls Out New 3D Scanner

Z Corporation introduced a new “tri-ocular” 3D scanner at National Manufacturing Week that it claims improves the resolution of its previous scanner.

The new ZScanner 800 adds a third HD camera that raises the resolution of its previous model, the 700, from .25 mm to .05 mm. Z Corp. claims its scanners are the only “self-positioning laser scanners” in the world. Whereas other scanners require reference points or “targets” on the product being scanned, the ZScanners do not, a booth spokesman said at the show. He also said they are faster than tripod mounted models — a small part, for example, could be scanned in six minutes or an entire car dashboard in two hours.

The new scanner costs $50,000. The 700 is $40,000. These scanners are typically used in quality control, inspection or for rapid prototyping. They produce .stl files, which can be imported in 3D CAD software or output to 3D printers.