Which is better, a handheld 3D laser scanner or a red structured light 3D scanner?

Why choose a handheld 3D laser scanners instead of a red structured light 3D scanner?

Handheld 3D laser scanners and red structured light 3D scanners are both relatively common 3D scanners on the market today and they can both be used to obtain 3D data of objects quickly and accurately. However, there are some differences between them. This article will compare the two scanners, focusing on the advantages of handheld 3D laser scanners.

Handheld 3D laser scanners offer a higher level of accuracy. 

Laser scanners use a laser beam to scan the surface of an object, allowing them to accurately capture the shape and details of the surface. A red-structured light scanner, on the other hand, acquires the shape of an object's surface by projecting a raster pattern, which is relatively less accurate. Therefore, if high-precision 3D data is required, a handheld 3D laser scanner is a better choice.
 

Handheld 3D laser scanners applications are more flexible

A handheld 3D laser scanner can scan objects of various materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics, and more. It can be used in manufacturing, medicine, cultural heritage preservation, architectural design, and other fields. In manufacturing, handheld 3D laser scanners can be used to quickly acquire 3D data of parts for design and manufacturing. In the medical field, handheld 3D laser scanners can be used to create medical devices such as prostheses and dental braces. In the field of cultural heritage conservation, handheld 3D laser scanners can be used to digitally preserve cultural and architectural heritage. In the field of architectural design, handheld 3D laser scanners can be used for measuring and modeling buildings.

 
The red structured light 3D scanner, on the other hand, is limited to the material and colour of the object and can only scan more uniform surfaces. It is mainly used in simple industrial design, artwork production, and other fields. In the field of industrial design, the Red Structured Light 3D scanner can be used to quickly obtain 3D data of a product for design and manufacturing. In the field of artwork production, the Red Structured Light 3D scanner can be used to digitally preserve the artwork and create replicas.
 

Handheld 3D laser scanners scan faster

Handheld 3D laser scanners offer faster scanning speeds. Whereas laser scanners can scan objects in a shorter time, red-structured light scanners take longer to complete a scan. Therefore, a handheld 3D laser scanner is also a better choice if you need to acquire 3D data on an object quickly.

In summary, handheld 3D laser scanners offer greater accuracy, a wider range of applications, and faster scanning speeds than entry-level red structured light 3D scanners can match. If you need high precision, multi-material, fast 3D scanning, consider a handheld 3D laser scanner.