Scans of thin-edged objects (such as propellors, fan blades, feathers, or leaves) have special challenges. When scanning a long, flexible, or delicate part, any movement or vibration in the part can lead to a misaligned scan. This may come from the part being bumped during the scanning process, air movement affecting the part, the part settling on the scanning surface, or even loud noises during the scan. With a little preparation, these objects are easy to scan with the EINSCAN Rigil.

The biggest challenge with scanning thin-edged objects is getting maximum scan coverage in as few passes as necessary. More scanning passes mean more chances of the object shifting or vibrating, leaving gaps or voids in the scan.

Best Practices For Curved Parts

1. Make sure that the EINSCAN Rigil calibration is up to date and the camera lenses are clean.
The calibration of your EINSCAN Rigil makes a huge difference on accuracy and marker recognition, so consider recalibrating the scanner before using it to scan thin-edged parts. Also, recognition of the part edge may be affected by fingerprints, dust, or other lens contaminants, so clean both the scanner face and the touch screen with the included microfiber cloth before starting your scan.

2. Prepare the surface of the object to be scanned.
Scans are best done with high-contrast surfaces. Test-scan the object to check for contrast, and if necessary, consider painting it with a thin layer of white matte paint. If the object is glass, polished metal, matte black, or otherwise lacking contrast, try using a dulling spray to increase the contrast, but only if the EINSCAN Rigil is unable to register the surface otherwise. AESUB scanning spray gives a strong contrast with laser scanning, and evaporates off the surface within a few hours so cleaning is not necessary. If spraying the object will not affect it, many spraypaint manufacturers offer dulling sprays for paper, wood, and glass.

(NOTE: Always test an inconspicuous surface on the object with any spray coating before covering the whole object or a major aspect of it, because the spray propellants may cause the plastic to soften or melt. Spray Styrofoam or other plastic foam objects after they have been sealed with acrylic or other non-solvent paints, and even paint-friendly sprays may contain propellants that can mar or damage foams.)

3. Anchor the part to be scanned as best as possible.
When scanning a long, flexible, or delicate part, any vibration in the part can lead to a misaligned scan. For best results, make sure that the object is secured to where it cannot move, flex, or rotate during the scan. Also, try to avoid situations where you might bump or jostle the part or the surface on which it rests. Use a very rigid fixture to minimize flexing, and check for vibrations from background noise, machinery, or vehicular or pedestrian traffic that might cause the tips to move during the scan. Finally, anchor the object so that it is not flexed or stressed.

4. Leave as much of the object edge exposed and accessible as possible.
When anchoring the part, leave the edge to where it can be scanned from both sides. Try to access the front, back, leading edge, and the tips without the anchor blocking the scanning cameras' view. For best results, try to elevate the anchor so that both Rigil cameras can get a full view of the object surface without having to move it.

5. If possible, use markers to improve the scan accuracy.
Adding reflective markers to the object surface allows the EINSCAN Rigil to track the surface through the scan and around the edge, reducing scanning inaccuracies. If the object is magnetic, magnetic marker domes may be attached to the object as well. If adding markers to the object itself is not possible (markers will not stick to the surface, the texture needs to be captured as well, or the object may be damaged by adding or removing markers), use markers on the anchor, on available geometry around the object, and marker domes and towers around the object instead.

6. Check the EINSCAN Rigel's resolution.
Using high resolution for a sharper edge is an understandable urge, but a high resolution will max out the EINSCAN Rigil's available RAM with large scans. The higher the resolution, the longer the scan and the higher the data requirements, which may not be necessary, so consider how much resolution you actually need. In the case of large parts, consider creating two or more separate projects at different resolutions: one for the body, and one for the edge. When scanning at high resolution, start on a main surface and move slowly to maximize scan coverage, but be aware that this may lead to artifacts on the surface of the scan that will need to be removed later.

7. Start toward the center of the object and work outward.
Once the main sections have been resolved, move gradually toward the outer sections. Try to wrap the scan around the edge instead of capturing the edge as a separate surface. Being able to maintain tracking while crossing the edge is a top priority. Align the scanner parallel to the edge's features so that both cameras on the EINSCAN Rigil can capture the feature's edge at the same time.

8. Within tight geometry, small angle changes work better than large movements.
When coming to the tips of the object, slow down further to maximize image capture. Watch the live scan on the EINSCAN Rigil or on your computer to make sure that the front, edge, and back surfaces are actually connecting instead of making an empty space of data where the edge should be. If the object moves or tracking shifts slightly, thin surfaces may appear in the scan as two parallel layers. If one surface does not fill in, this usually means that a different scanning angle is better than spending more time on the edge from the same position.

9. If aligning two or more scans, try to scan the surface edges as one object.
If working with multiple scans and either aligning them inside the EINSCAN Rigil interface, in the EINSCAN Rigil desktop software, or in a different 3D application, scanning the object edge as two separate scans could cause poor edge geometry.

10. Use the best scanning mode for the surface.
While using the parallel line mode instead of the crossline laser mode may appear to make sense for capturing all aspects of the object, doing so will slow down the scan, and parallel line mode requires a much shorter working distance that will make tracking much more difficult. However, if only capturing a small area of the edge of the object, parallel line mode may be a preferred choice for its capture of fine detail.

For more information, please view "3D Scanning a Propeller With the EINSCAN Rigel": 

Why EINSCAN Rigil Is Good For Thin-Edged Parts

To put these strategies into practice, you need a 3D scanner that is up to the challenge. The EINSCAN Rigil is designed to handle complex and irregular objects effortlessly, offering the best balance of advanced technology and user-friendly design.

Dual-Mode Versatility
The EINSCAN Rigil features a hybrid light source, giving you two powerful scanning modes in one device.

Laser HD Mode: For Microscopic Detail
This mode utilizes 25 blue laser parallel lines. This strikes an optimal balance between speed and detail. Compared to a 7-line pattern, it captures sufficient detail while massively expanding the effective scanning range, completing scans of medium-sized objects much faster.

Speed: Up to 2,500,000 points/s
Resolution: Down to 0.05 mm, perfect for capturing fine textures on complex surfaces
Working Distance:
Laser HD：170 ~ 550 mm (6.69 in ~ 21.65 in)
IR Rapid：160 ~ 1500 mm (6.30 in ~ 59.05 in)
Outdoor Performance: Can handle bright light up to 110,000 Lux, making it robust for outdoor use
IR Rapid Mode: For Speed and Large Objects
When you need to scan a larger area quickly, switch to IR Rapid mode.

Speed: Up to an impressive 4,800,000 points/s
Field of View: Up to 1170 × 1385 mm, ideal for furniture or large sculptures
Working Distance: 160–1400 mm (6.30 - 55.11 in)

Handling Difficult Materials Without Spray
Black and reflective surfaces are notorious scanning nightmares, often requiring messy sprays. The EINSCAN Rigil handles these challenging materials directly, saving you time and keeping your workflow clean. This is a game-changer for scanning automotive parts, polished tools, or dark-colored objects.

True Wireless Freedom
Tired of being tethered to a computer? The EINSCAN Rigil features a built-in Wi-Fi module for true wireless connection. With no additional accessories required, you can scan objects in situ around your home, workshop, or even in the field. Scans may even be edited and aligned through the EINSCAN Rigil's touchscreen. It has two swappable batteries with up to 3 hours of runtime, and additional power sources may be connected via the included USB-C cable, meaning you can scan without power anxiety.

Portable and Easy to Use
Weighing in at just 870 g (1.92 lbs) with the battery included, the EINSCAN Rigil is incredibly portable. It is designed to be accessible for beginners while offering the powerful features that professionals demand. The software is intuitive, and the scanner comes with everything you need in the box: scanner, carrying case, calibration board, batteries, battery charger, and USB-C connection cable.