Uriah Liggett needed a way to perform 3d scanning and get high quality data while keeping a low price point. His solution is ATLAS 3D, a scanning system that users can print and build themselves.
Liggett bought a 3d printer but quickly realized that he wanted to print more than the models currently available. He looked at the Makerbot Digitizer and Autodesk’s 123D app but was unsatisfied with the results or price point. He chose to build his own scanner, using a 360 degree rotary turntable and lasers to get fast results.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1545315380/atlas-3d-the-3d-scanner-you-print-and-build-yourse
ATLAS 3D uses Raspberry Pi and a 5 megapixel camera add-on to get high resolution while also having motor and laser control abilities. Users print out their own structural parts on a 3d printer and then assemble the scanner using the kit parts from the Kickstarter campaign.
FreeLSS is the software that Uriah has developed to control the scanner, fully open source and currently available on Github. The files to 3d print the base are also included with the kit and open source, although they have not yet been released for public use.
The kit contains the Raspberry Pi B+, a 5 megapixel CMOS sensor, wifi adapter, laser modules, controller board, a power supply, stepper motor for rotation, cables and fasteners. Another option is available with no Raspberry Pi for an even smaller starting cost.
ATLAS 3D looks like an incredible project to bring scanning to the makers of the world. The Kickstarter campaign is already wildly successful, earning $102,000 three weeks before the February 6, 2015 end date. Backers who sign up now will have to wait until June 2015 for the third production batch of kits to ship, but the early birds might be scanning as early as April.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1545315380/atlas-3d-the-3d-scanner-you-print-and-build-yourse