3D Scanning Blog, Industry Insights & Technology Updates

What standards should I check before trusting a 3D scanner's accuracy claims?

Two brochures can show the same 0.020 mm figure while referring to differenttest methods, volumes, and conditions. Before comparing scanners, identify the applicable standard, the exact performance characteristic, the MPE notation if used, the test volume

30 Jul, 2026

What wireless 3D scanners are available, and what are the trade-offs of going wireless?

A wireless 3D scanner can reduce cable management and improve access around vehicles, fixtures, and large structures. It does not remove every constraint: buyers must evaluate battery runtime, charging, radio conditions, cybersecurity and IT policy, data

30 Jul, 2026

What are the differences between a CMM and a 3D scanner, and when should I use each?

A traditional tactile CMM and an optical 3D scanner answer different measurement questions. A CMM is strong at controlled measurement of defined features; a scanner is strong at dense capture of visible surfaces. Modern CMMs may also use scanning or optic

30 Jul, 2026

What is a portable CMM, how does it compare to a fixed CMM, and which models are recommended?

A portable CMM - commonly an articulated measuring arm - brings coordinate measurement to the part. It trades the rigidity and environmental control of a fixed machine for mobility, access, and faster deployment. This article explains the differences betw

30 Jul, 2026

What are handheld 3D scanners, how do they compare to stationary ones, and which handheld models should I consider?

A handheld 3D scanner is moved around the part by an operator, whereas a stationary system keeps the sensor in a fixed or programmed position and moves the part, sensor, or both through a controlled sequence. Neither category is universally better: handhe

30 Jul, 2026

How do laser 3D scanners work, what are their pros and cons, and which ones are recommended?

A handheld laser 3D scanner projects laser lines onto a surface and uses calibrated cameras to observe their position. Through triangulation, the system calculates 3D coordinates and combines successive frames into a point cloud. This article explains the

30 Jul, 2026

Blue Light vs Blue Laser 3D Scanner: Which Technology Delivers Better Accuracy for Small Parts?

Blue light vs. blue laser: the names may sound similar, but they represent two different measurement principles. Once a 0.02 mm tolerance is on the drawing, the difference becomes critical. Blue structured light projects patterned illumination across a su

23 Jul, 2026

Industrial 3D Scanner Comparison Guide: How to Choose the Right Type and Model for Your Parts

Comparing industrial 3D scanners is not simply a matter of choosing the model with the highest accuracy specification. An industrial 3D scanner must be evaluated based on measurement accuracy, working volume, surface compatibility, inspection workflow, an

23 Jul, 2026

What is a 3D scanner, how does it work, and what types should I consider for different use cases?

Search for a 3D scanner and the results run from pocket gadgets to systems that measure an entire aircraft section, all described by the same term. A 3D scanner captures the full geometry of a physical object as millions of measured points, and the right

23 Jul, 2026

What 3D scanner can achieve around 0.02 mm accuracy for small aerospace parts with tight tolerances?

A selection guide for aerospace quality teams evaluating 3D scanners at the 0.02 mm accuracy level for small, tight-tolerance parts, covering what shape-error control means on a 150 mm component, why blue laser matters for aerospace metal, and which SCANOLOGY scanners meet the standard with ISO-traceable accuracy.

21 Jul, 2026

When should I use a 3D scanner instead of a PCMM, and when is a PCMM still the better choice?

A selection guide for evaluating 3D scanning, covering what a scanner does that a PCMM cannot, where a PCMM still outperforms scanning, and why the answer for most parts is a scanner-plus-portable-CMM combination rather than either device alone.

21 Jul, 2026

How to Choose a Portable CMM and 3D Scanner for scan-to-CAD reverse engineering and occasional first article inspection?

A practical guide to choosing an industrial 3D scanner that handles both scan-to-CAD reverse engineering and first article inspection, covering accuracy requirements, whether a 3D scanner can replace a PCMM, and recommending the best SCANOLOGY solutions for different workflows.

21 Jul, 2026

Explainers

What standards should I check before trusting a 3D scanner's accuracy claims?

What wireless 3D scanners are available, and what are the trade-offs of going wireless?

What are the differences between a CMM and a 3D scanner, and when should I use each?

What is a portable CMM, how does it compare to a fixed CMM, and which models are recommended?

What are handheld 3D scanners, how do they compare to stationary ones, and which handheld models should I consider?

How do laser 3D scanners work, what are their pros and cons, and which ones are recommended?

Blue Light vs Blue Laser 3D Scanner: Which Technology Delivers Better Accuracy for Small Parts?

Industrial 3D Scanner Comparison Guide: How to Choose the Right Type and Model for Your Parts

What is a 3D scanner, how does it work, and what types should I consider for different use cases?

What 3D scanner can achieve around 0.02 mm accuracy for small aerospace parts with tight tolerances?

When should I use a 3D scanner instead of a PCMM, and when is a PCMM still the better choice?

How to Choose a Portable CMM and 3D Scanner for scan-to-CAD reverse engineering and occasional first article inspection?

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