[axoid]

I've just started playing with a new technology and I wanted to share and get some thoughts and ideas.

I hooked a Kinect sensor to a PC and started 3D scanning objects, namely my Camaro. I'm thinking that this could be useful when it comes to further modifying the car.

I've been wanting to flair the fenders and if I can get a good model of the fender I could then model a flare to it and then 3D print the flair and then just flip the model and print it again for the other side, and do it as many time as I want.

Scanning parts could also lead to engineering better replacements parts in CAD software in the future. Anything from front 3rd gen spindles to a IRS for 3rd and 4th gens. I've seen articles about using 3D printing to create molds for casting parts or of course models for CNC machines.

This is one of my first test scans that I did of the engine bay.
(IMG:http://www.incom-racing.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/engine-test.jpg)

I need to work on the software's settings and I used a i3 laptop to do the processing. I think things would go smoother with more horsepower in the PC. The software uses the graphics chip to do some of the heavy lifting.

I looking at getting a 3d printer this summer, though it won't be big enough to print a fender, but it is a start. I would love to build a 40" Reprap printer.

Keep in mind, I'm an IT guy, not a mechanical engineer.

[Smitty2919]

This looks promising. I have been getting into 3D printing some parts for work and currently working on acquiring a 3D printer in house. Right now I am involved in creating models in SolidWorks, saving them as a STL file then sending them out to our vendor for printing.

To print a fender flare in 2 pcs, you will be looking at a very pricey machine. I've learned 2 things while looking into 3D printers. Materials and build space are your main contributors to the machine price. After that comes layer thickness and "precision" of the machine. Then you also get into HOW the machine prints. Some act like a hot glue gun, heating a spool of material and laying it down called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or what they call a "jetted process" where the material is a liquid that acts like a typical ink printer. It will "print" material then use a UV light to instantly cure it. You get a much finer/smoother surface. The issue you may have is the surface finish of the part. From your picture, it looks very "grainy" and not smooth...something you most likely DO NOT want to print lol.

To print such a large item in a material you could theoretically USE, you are looking at a $200,000+ machine lol. At least what I have found. There are really 2 MAJOR dealers in printers, 3D Systems and Stratasys.

I would be interested to see how this scanner scans say a coke can or a coffee mug. Something small and simple. Then see how it scans something with more detail.

OP do you have access to a 3d modeling software like Solidworks? I'd also be curious to see how a 3D modeling software interprets said scanned part via STL.

This post has been edited by Smitty2919: Apr 3 2014, 05:43 PM

[rocktman1]

I've tried to bring in STL's in Pro/E, but it doesn't handle them well. Using meshlab, you can create a DXF, which both Solidworks and Pro/E import better.

There are some third party tools that will supposedly take an OBJ and create a usable surface model, but I haven't had any luck with them.

I just got in an Asus camera, similar to the Kinect, and I'm trying to use reconstructme (free) to do some scanning, but I'm having issues so far. reconstructme also works with the Kinect.