Class activities this week centered around 3d scanning technology and project prototyping. Vishal started off class by familiarizing everyone with 3d scanning technology and reverse engineering. This Lynda video does a great job demonstrating the technology’s capabilities. Our class experienced the technology first-hand with a 3D Systems scanner. This scanner attached to an iPad in order to utilize the local camera to collect the necessary data. I developed 3d scanned busts of my classmates with this tool and an app called ‘scanner’ on the iPad.

Due to the nature of scanning people and the complexity of our equipment, most of the scans I attempted were failures. However, I have some tips for those of you who have yet to try 3d scanning an object. First, try to remain the same distance from the object at all times during a scan. I attempted multiple scans in a narrow part of the classroom and noticed one side kept turning out better than the other. The quality of scans improved by going outside. Secondly, don’t be afraid to circle around somebody multiple times. The more data you feed into the software, you will generally get a better result. Lastly, try to stay away from direct light. The scan of my bust was 95% perfect besides a glaring hole at the tip of my nose. I theorize the brightness of the light reflecting off my nose confused the camera. Here is a picture of my bust.

Rather than re-scanning my bust, I can edit the previous version to fill in this hole. Using an editing software called MeshMixer, one can also fill in surface cracks, solidify the insides of the model, make a flat base, and export for eventual printing. I will post my finalized bust in next week’s post.

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Whilst others we scanning my fellow group members and I continued to work on our hydroponic drip system prototype. We have pretty much finalized our design unless an issue arises during user testing. I drafted the testing protocol and relevant questions in hopes of gathering any information we can use to improve the final product. I have never actually tested a physical prototype before so I’m anxiously waiting to get started. Now we are focused on actually building the prototype… easier said than done. I rummaged around in the basement at the FabLab and found a PVC pipe that we will use for the main support. Since we are essentially scavenging for materials, we have made a couple slight adjustments to the prototype. We are now planning to run the tubing up through the PVC pipe. The wooden hook we had planned on using now may be scrapped for a T-junction of PVC pipe. We have acquired a suitable sump pump from the FabLab that is capable of pumping water to the top of the apparatus. We met another guru at the FabLab that is a great resource for stability questions. I have yet to hear back from engineering faculty members that I reached out to for help with a pH sensor.

TL;DR The prototype is slowly being built, piece by piece.

Until next week,

Michael