The Cubify Sense is a low-cost handheld 3D scanner designed to allow you to scan an object by walking around it, capturing image data, and downloading that data for the purpose of 3D printing. The process sounds easier to perform than it actually is. The device reminds me of the Logitech handheld scanners we used in the early decades of personal computing, inexpensive and tedious to work with.
During my initial trials of the scanner, I ran into frequent alignment errors, as the camera on the scanner lost sight of the object, I moved too fast, or I didn't point in exactly the right direction and angle. It was a frustrating process and I did not have the patience to complete a full scan. Part of the challenge is that the scanner must be attached to a computer in order to work, so you either need to be highly dextrous and agile, or have a second person ready to hold a laptop and walk while you circle the object with the scanner. I suspect this tethering design is to keep costs down, but I won't be surprised if future versions allow you to scan without a computer attached.
I decided to research how others were experiencing the use of the scanner, and came across Ben Heckendorn's build of a 3D scanner station specifically for the Cubify Sense. After reviewing his extremely helpful video tutorial, I set about this week to build my own. While my materials and design are slightly different from the original, the intent is the same, to have a steady frame that allows me to slowly and accurately walk around an object to capture the image data necessary for printing. While Ben connected his station to an existing table, my design allows for portability of the entire station, as velcro patches underneath the base allow me to stick to the station to other tables as needed. For now, I am working on top of one of our rollable storage tables in PIRL Terrace.
Here are the materials I used for the build:
1) Two 24" square pieces of plywood, 1/4 inch thick
2) One 3/4 inch thick circle of wood, about 9" in diameter
3) Three 3/4 inch square sticks of wood, 24" in length
4) One two-piece scanner holder designed in Illustrator and laser cut on 1/4 inch plywood, see download below
5) Screws, T-nuts and Thumb screws
6) Velcro patches to attach the base to a table, and to attach the scanner to the wood panel
During my initial trials of the scanner, I ran into frequent alignment errors, as the camera on the scanner lost sight of the object, I moved too fast, or I didn't point in exactly the right direction and angle. It was a frustrating process and I did not have the patience to complete a full scan. Part of the challenge is that the scanner must be attached to a computer in order to work, so you either need to be highly dextrous and agile, or have a second person ready to hold a laptop and walk while you circle the object with the scanner. I suspect this tethering design is to keep costs down, but I won't be surprised if future versions allow you to scan without a computer attached.
I decided to research how others were experiencing the use of the scanner, and came across Ben Heckendorn's build of a 3D scanner station specifically for the Cubify Sense. After reviewing his extremely helpful video tutorial, I set about this week to build my own. While my materials and design are slightly different from the original, the intent is the same, to have a steady frame that allows me to slowly and accurately walk around an object to capture the image data necessary for printing. While Ben connected his station to an existing table, my design allows for portability of the entire station, as velcro patches underneath the base allow me to stick to the station to other tables as needed. For now, I am working on top of one of our rollable storage tables in PIRL Terrace.
Here are the materials I used for the build:
1) Two 24" square pieces of plywood, 1/4 inch thick
2) One 3/4 inch thick circle of wood, about 9" in diameter
3) Three 3/4 inch square sticks of wood, 24" in length
4) One two-piece scanner holder designed in Illustrator and laser cut on 1/4 inch plywood, see download below
5) Screws, T-nuts and Thumb screws
6) Velcro patches to attach the base to a table, and to attach the scanner to the wood panel
| sense_scanner_holder.ai |
The photos and captions below give a good sense of the build process. If you watched Ben's video above, you understand the basic function of the scanning station.
Our first captures did not turn out sufficiently clear, but we haven't had a moment to try again. I will edit this post once we have a decent scan to share.
Our first captures did not turn out sufficiently clear, but we haven't had a moment to try again. I will edit this post once we have a decent scan to share.
