Overview
Revopoint’s MetroX scanner represents a shift within the firm’s portfolio into the realm {of professional}, metrology-capable 3D scanning.
In contrast to earlier scanners within the POP sequence, MetroX makes use of a number of blue laser strains to seize high-fidelity level cloud information, even on problematic surfaces like shiny black plastic or uncoated steel (though some spray is likely to be wanted often).
The addition of full-field scanning mode additionally brings a degree of flexibility sometimes seen in dearer methods, letting customers seize geometry throughout bigger objects in a single go.
The scanner boasts a single-frame accuracy of 0.03 mm, and a volumetric accuracy of 0.03 mm + 0.1 mm × L (m), placing it within the ballpark of what’s thought of metrology-grade by many industrial customers. It does this at a fraction of the worth sometimes related to high-accuracy scanning methods.
It’s powered fully through USB (no battery), and whereas that makes it much less versatile in area use in comparison with the POP 3 Plus, the tradeoff is a way more secure energy and information hyperlink. These are important for capturing correct and repeatable scan information.
The desk beneath exhibits which modes are greatest suited to scanning various kinds of surfaces. We examined all of them, with various levels of success.
MetroX Choices
The MetroX is out there in two kits, the primary being the “Normal Version” containing the scanner, tripod, dual-axis turntable, energy provide, and all of the cables, all inside a candy aluminium case.
The second possibility (which we reviewed) is the “Superior Version” which is mainly every thing within the Normal Version, plus a Marker Block equipment. The Marker Block equipment comprises a wide range of plastic shapes with markers on and magnets on the base. As well as it comprises for threaded pillars (known as “bar markers”, which could be screwed into the turntable prime to supply some fixing factors for the blocks (or extra stickers) within the z-axis.
You’ll be able to see these pillars mounted to the turntable within the picture beneath.
Revopoint Software program
When you have any of the opposite Revopoint scanners, you’ll probably have a duplicate of their scanning software program (RevoScan) put in in your laptop.
To make use of the MetroX, you’ll need to obtain the precise model which was developed for the MetroX. It’s known as RevoScan MetroX, it’s free, and yow will discover it on the Revopoint software program web page.
Functionally, it’s virtually similar to the unique RevoScan software program, solely the MetroX model permits the completely different scanning modes within the new scanner. So if in case you have gotten used to the pointcloud technology, mesh creation and enhancing within the earlier software program, then you definately gained’t have any issues switching to this new model.
One minor gripe that I do have concerning the new model, is that it doesn’t have any options for taking measurements from the purpose cloud information. On condition that this new scanner is touted as “metrology-grade”, you’d suppose that “measuring stuff” could be an essential characteristic to incorporate. However nope. It ain’t there. If you wish to measure something out of your level cloud or mesh, you’ll have to export it into one thing else.
One other piece of software program of curiosity is the Revo Assistant. Revo Assistant is a smartphone app for IOS and Android, that permits management of the automated turntable. That is fairly helpful to have, as a result of relying on how your turntable is positioned, it could possibly be a little bit tough to entry the bodily buttons to tilt or change course of the turntable.
Now, with the app put in, it makes life a little bit simpler, offering you don’t thoughts having to disconnect the turntable out of your laptop’s BluTooth each time you wish to use it.
Anyhoo, with all of the software program put in and the scanner setup, on with the testing!
Now we have divided the testing opinions into two primary sections, one for structured gentle modes, and one for laser line scanning.
Structured Mild Scanning Modes
Each Full Subject and Auto Turntable scanning modes within the Revopoint MetroX make the most of blue structured gentle projection expertise. Structured gentle must be your mode of alternative with the MetroX, when velocity and texture matter greater than hardcore accuracy on tough surfaces.
Coloration scanning can be achieved due to the devoted RGB digicam, though this will solely be utilized in auto turntable mode. It must be famous that the characteristic scan mode can also be solely accessible in auto turntable and full area modes solely. Marker mode can be used with these modes.
Marker Scan (Auto Turntable mode – colour)
The primary check we did was on a drone propeller. It has some good curved geometry and a few sharp options on the main and trailing edge, so what higher technique to begin testing a metrology-grade scanner?
Not eager to cowl the propeller in markers, we opted for marker scan (in colour) utilizing the present markers on the turntable. It scanned advantageous, though merging the 2 sides collectively was tough, because the merging characteristic requires 30% overlap between scans to work – and on condition that the propeller is so skinny, it was not very best. However this isn’t the fault of the scanner or software program, merely of the geometry.
As we are going to see later, the merging characteristic works advantageous, so long as you may have a scanning merchandise that isn’t so skinny it will possibly’t stand on its sides.
Marker Scan (Auto Turntable mode – colour) Bearing Housing
For the following scanning check, we wished to attempt one thing metallic, so opted for a bearing housing that I’m utilizing to make a treadmill for my cat.
I’ve been ready for this half to reach for some time, therefore why our overview was a little bit delayed. I really needed to scan it for correct engineering causes, so I figured I might kill two birds with one stone, and scan it for the overview so I may use the scan information in my CAD work later.
The floor end is matte aluminium, so didn’t require use of a sprig.
Marker Scan (Auto Turntable mode – colour) – A Dried Fig
Subsequent for the colour scans, I scanned a dried fig. It’s not a really technical topic, however I had a field of figs mendacity round and I used to be curious what it could appear like. Once more, I used the markers on the turntable, and the piece of dried fruit scanned advantageous.
Marker Scan (Auto Turntable mode – colour) – Plane Mannequin
For the ultimate colour mode check, I scanned a mannequin of an plane. This was an attention-grabbing mannequin to scan and I discovered a couple of tips from the method that may not be obvious from merely studying the handbook. This required a number of scans from completely different heights earlier than merging the scans within the software program. As you possibly can see within the picture beneath, the merging course of consisted of 6 completely different scans, and it turned out advantageous. Keep in mind, you want a 30% overlap for merging to work.
The picture beneath exhibits the merged, meshed and textured last consequence. There’s some variation in colour and shading of the assorted scans, largely attributable to me altering peak between scans, affecting the shadows on the mannequin. For a extremely good colour scan, it’s more practical to seize the article in a single scan from the turntable (with out shifting the scanner). Having constant lighting is essential right here.
Characteristic Scan (Auto Turntable mode – colour) – Battery Charger
For the following check, I wished to attempt the Characteristic Scan mode, which permits scanning of feature-rich topics with out using markers. For this, I used a drone battery charger. The charger had a wide range of metallic, plastic and glass surfaces, in addition to a spread of darkish/gentle colours and different options.
Characteristic Scan (auto turntable mode – colour) – 3D Printed “Ea-Nasir” Statue
For my last characteristic scan check, I used my 3D printed statue of infamous Sumnerian copper service provider “Ea-Nasir”. The scanning of this determine was loads simpler than the battery charger, because it has a number of distinct, not planar, non-repetitive geometry.
Laser Line Scanning Modes
With the 2 laser scanning modes, blue lasers emit extremely targeted beams with minimal dispersion, permitting for extra correct floor profiling on sharp edges, advantageous options, and small components. In contrast to structured gentle, which tasks a complete sample without delay, laser scanning captures a number of strains, making it much less delicate to ambient lighting and higher suited to use on darkish, shiny, or extremely textured surfaces.
It additionally tends to penetrate deeper into floor recesses and complicated geometries. Whereas blue structured gentle scanning is quicker for full-field seize and extra compact in {hardware} design, blue laser methods sometimes ship superior decision, decrease noise, and better repeatability, making them the popular alternative for industrial inspection and metrology-grade purposes.
So with the structured gentle modes properly and really put by their paces, it was time to check the laser line scanning modes (parallel strains and cross strains).
Marker Scan (laser strains) – Air Duct
The primary merchandise to scan with the laser modes was a little bit bit bizarre, as it’s a automotive consumption duct with two floor finishes. It’s designed to resemble carbon fiber, however it’s really molded that means, with alternating shiny and matte black parts zig-zagging alongside one another.
First I attempted the auto-turntable mode for a colour scan, and as predicted, solely the matte zig zags had been captured within the scan. Non-color full area scanning yielded the identical outcomes.
So I arrange a cross line laser scan, utilizing the turntable, and the outcomes had been a lot better. The cross strains had some issue reaching contained in the duct, so I paused the scan, and switched to a parallel line laser scan. I unpaused the scan and resumed, and the parallel strains reached a couple of of the areas that would not be reached earlier than.
Whereas I used to be not capable of seize the complete inside surfaces of the duct (because of the geometry of it), I do just like the characteristic of pausing, and switching scan sorts mid-scan. This does (in some circumstances) enable for reaching tough to scan components.
After I took a couple of scans, I merged them right into a single level cloud, as you possibly can see beneath.
Marker Scan- Hand Scan (laser strains) – Hearth Extinguisher
Every part usually works OK when utilizing the turntable (when you get used to it), so for our last check, we wished to see how the MetroX carried out on a bigger object, particularly a hearth extinguisher.
I dutifully lined the fireplace extinguisher with sticky markers, and some of the 3D plastic marker blocks, and began a cross line scan.
It labored advantageous for probably the most half, and was capable of seize the entire number of surfaces and supplies, starting from the purple paint to the black plastic mesh on the nozzle.
The software program demanded that I wanted “extra markers” quite a bit, which was a bit annoying, as a result of as you possibly can see within the picture above, there have been various markers on it already. To be truthful, the fireplace extinguisher has a curved floor, and the sticky markers work higher on flatter surfaces. So even though it was lined in markers, the scanner had some points with detecting the sticky markers from extra shallow angles because the floor curved round.
The ball-shaped stable markers are higher for any such software, nevertheless, there are solely 10 of the ball-shaped magnetic markers in our equipment, so this may not be sufficient to scan the extinguisher with out getting the “extra markers” error often. So I distributed a couple of of the opposite stable markers on the ground across the hearth extinguisher as properly.
Should you’re going to be scanning one thing giant and curved, you’re going to wish extra magnetic markers and possibly a number of sticky markers too. However general, as quickly because the “extra markers” error had vanished, the scan was fairly easy for this topic.
Within the software program, the graphical illustration of the article turns inexperienced in areas the place the scan has been profitable, and orange the place it wants extra scanning, as you possibly can see within the picture beneath.
Total, the laser scanning modes work fairly properly, though an extended USB cable would make life a little bit simpler for hand-scanning, particularly for those who’re tethered to a desktop PC and never a laptop computer.
Abstract
As now we have seen within the check sections, the Revopoint MetroX affords two core scanning applied sciences: blue structured gentle and blue laser line scanning, every with its personal strengths.
Structured gentle is utilized in Full Subject and Auto Turntable modes, and when paired with the built-in RGB digicam, permits correct colour scans (although solely in Auto Turntable mode).
Laser line scanning (with parallel or cross-line patterns) excels on tough surfaces like shiny plastics or curved steel components, and even enables you to change laser modes mid-scan to succeed in tough areas.
All in all, each methods work properly as soon as dialed in, however they take a little bit of observe to grasp, particularly in relation to scan merging, marker placement, and navigating geometry-specific challenges.
Suggestions for Utilizing the MetroX
The MetroX could be fairly difficult to work with, however like with most scanners, the outcomes get higher the extra you get used to utilizing it.
Now we have seen a couple of issues not talked about within the handbook that may assist make scanning a little bit bit simpler.
- 1) Completely cowl the pillars with markers.
The 4 threaded pillars that are supposed to be screwed onto the highest face of the turntable are supposed as a floor for attaching the magnetic 3D formed markers. You would possibly discover that even with the pillars lined with the magnetic shapes, you continue to get the “Wants extra markers” error whereas scanning. The answer? Completely cowl the pillars with sticky markers, on each face. As soon as we did this, the incidence of the “Wants extra markers” error was decreased considerably.
- 2) Be Cautious When Utilizing the 3D Formed Markers Straight on the Turntable.
The 3D markers have magnets within the backside of them. The turntable has a motor, which generates slight fields which might create a pressure within the markers when they’re positioned on the rotating turntable. Because of this, the 3D markers can transfer relative to the rotating turntable. You actually don’t need this. So when utilizing the 3D markers on the turntable, both affix them to the 4 pillars, or attempt to discover a candy spot on the turntable the place they won’t be affected by the fields generated within the turntable.
- 3) Use The Pause Button for Textured Scans
As talked about, there’s a “merge” characteristic that can be utilized to hitch separate scans of an object from completely different angles right into a coherent single mannequin. This works rather well for the blue laser modes and full area, however when merging separate colour scans, the outcomes is usually a little unpredictable. As a result of the mannequin might have been moved or rotated, the shadows can change between scans. This may end up in a patchy / bizarre texture when merged.
To keep away from this, when making colour scans, as an alternative of creating separate scans, make use of the “pause” button. Improve the variety of rotations on the auto turntable settings, and after every rotation, merely pause the scan, and modify the angle / peak of the scanner. On the finish of the scan you should have a extra constant texture.
Options We Would Wish to See in Future
Having tried the MetroX for these previous couple of months, now we have received used to its quirks. However we expect that including these different options (presumably through software program replace) would enhance the person expertise fairly a bit.
- 1) Extra accessible turntable controls.
When utilizing the turntable, you both should navigate into turntable settings, or bodily push the buttons on the turntable to tilt. And you can not simply change course of the turntable mid-scan.
This might simply be resolved by including fundamental turntable controls for tilt angle, velocity, and course on the principle display in Revoscan.
- 2) Depth Digicam Setting Reminiscence
When doing a turntable or full area scan, the depth digicam settings are reset to the default setting after every scan. That is extremely annoying, and contributes to the patchy textures talked about within the earlier part. The RGB digicam settings keep mounted on the user-defined values between scans, so why does the depth digicam setting return to default when beginning a brand new scan?
- 3) Inspection Options
This can be a huge one. The MetroX is marketed as an expert metrology-grade scanner. It will be actually nice if we may do precise metrology-stuff (like measuring the gap between factors or on the mesh) inside Revoscan.
The present answer, if you wish to measure something, is to make use of third celebration software program, like Zeiss Examine (previously Gom Examine), or Geomagic Management. This shouldn’t be too tough to implement, and would actually make life loads simpler.
- 40 Coloration Scanning Exterior of Auto-Turntable Mode
At the moment, you possibly can solely do colour scans in auto-turntable mode. It will be good to have the ability to do colour scans with out the turntable. We will do it with the Revopoint Miraco, so it’s a little bit odd that we can not do it with the MetroX.
Minimal PC Necessities for MetroX
We should always take a second to deal with one thing that has been a priority of potential clients on-line – the PC {hardware} necessities for utilizing the MetroX. You’ll be able to see the minimal and beneficial system necessities within the desk beneath.
As you possibly can see, the minimal necessities name for an Intel Core i7 tenth technology or higher, with 32GB of RAM and an elective GPU, minimal RTX3050.
The beneficial necessities are an Intel Core i9 (tenth gen onwards) with 64GB RAM and an RTX 4060 or higher.
Some commenters on-line have been involved that they could should rush out and improve their CPU, RAM, GPU, and even their energy provide unit simply to run the MetroX.
This may not be crucial when it comes to the minimal necessities.
For our check, we had 64GB of RAM, no devoted GPU, and we used an Intel Core i5 thirteenth technology (13400), which has 10 cores (6P + 4E) and 16 threads, versus 8 cores and 16 threads for the tenth gen i7.
The Core i5 additionally has a more recent structure (Raptor Lake) in comparison with the older i7, so it’s higher in effectivity, higher energy/efficiency ratio, and higher at multitasking. The common (non-Ok model) of the tenth gen i7 has a barely greater base clock velocity than the i5, however in all different regards, the i5 thirteenth gen is the superior CPU when in comparison with the tenth gen i7.
What does this imply?
It implies that if in case you have an i5 thirteenth gen or newer, you already meet (or exceed) the minimal necessities when it comes to CPU. So that you don’t have to rush out and purchase an older i7 if in case you have a more moderen i5.
Our setup labored advantageous for turntable scans in all modes. Our greatest concern was that it would have an effect on the scanning of bigger objects when doing hand scans, however it was largely advantageous. There was a little bit stuttering when doing the fireplace extinguisher by hand, particularly when the full variety of frames elevated considerably.
So our advice is to intention for a little bit greater than the minimal necessities. A thirteenth gen i5 with 64 GB of RAM and an RTX 3060 (or greater) must be OK.
Clearly if in case you have the beneficial necessities of an i9 and every thing else that Revopoint lists within the desk, then you should have a noticeably smoother expertise.
The purpose is, you may not want to purchase a brand new CPU to your desktop machine.
Now, for those who’re working a laptop computer setup, then this can be a completely different story. It’s not simple to improve a laptop computer CPU / GPU.
Should you personal a laptop computer and it doesn’t meet their minimal necessities (or our personal beneficial minimal necessities), then you definately’re out of luck and also you’re gonna want a brand new laptop computer. So bear that in thoughts when making a purchase order.
Conclusion: Why MetroX Is a Strong Entry-Stage Metrology Possibility
There’s a transparent area of interest that the MetroX fills, and that could be a sub-$1,000 scanner that flirts with the sting {of professional} metrology efficiency. Should you’re in product growth, small-scale manufacturing, or want dimensional inspection on a funds, this scanner deserves critical consideration.
For context: metrology-grade scanners from manufacturers like Creaform, GOM, or Hexagon typically begin at $20,000 and go properly past $100,000, relying on accuracy, software program suite, and certification. These methods provide traceable calibration, built-in inspection software program, and are nice for ISO-certified workflows, however the value and studying curve are steep.
MetroX isn’t making an attempt to interchange these methods. What it does provide is one thing shut sufficient for a large swathe of customers who want exact, repeatable 3D information (however who don’t want NIST traceability or enterprise-level overhead).
The power to scan sure shiny components with out spray, handle multi-angle full scans through markers, and get a secure mesh output all for underneath $1K is large. The principle limitations are in software program. RevoScan MetroX lacks built-in inspection instruments (for now), which means dimensional checks should be executed in third-party software program, as talked about beforehand.
However hardware-wise? MetroX punches properly above its weight. If Revopoint provides even a fundamental measurement toolkit to the native software program, MetroX may turn into a go-to scanner for small labs, universities, fabrication retailers, and even restore & reverse engineering groups that don’t have tens of hundreds to spend.
For extra data on the Revopoint MetroX, you possibly can click on our affiliate hyperlink beneath, or head on over to their product web page right here. Don’t overlook to make use of the low cost code “RE3DPT” when buying for an additional saving.
Heads up: our content material might include affiliate hyperlinks. Should you purchase one thing by a type of hyperlinks, you gained’t pay a penny extra, however we’ll get a small fee. Learn extra right here.RevoPoint MetroX
The RevoPoint MetroX combines blue-laser strains and full-field scanning, enabling scanning of a mess of various surfaces through its completely different scanning modes.
- – Accuracy: As much as 0.03 mm
- – Body charge: As much as 60fps
- – Work distance: 200 ~ 400 mm
- – Single seize vary: 160 x 70 mm at 200 mm and
320 x 215 mm at 400 mm - – Dimensions: 209 x 88 x 44 mm
- – Seize objects with 7 high-powered parallel blue laser strains
- – No spray wanted to scan shiny or black surfaces
- – Marker blocks assist scan quicker
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