Of all types of 3D scanners, handheld 3D scanners stand out through their ease of use, mobility, and real-time scanning. Within the last years, they have improved immensely, and based on cost and functionality, they increasingly compete with more traditional forms of 3D scanning. For instance, accuracy of portable scanners, such as ones produced by handheld 3d scanners, can reach an amazing 0.1 mm-higher than is often realized by more expensive desktop variants. In a nutshell, this technology scans an object within less than 10 minutes. Thus, they become very efficient for such tasks as reverse engineering, product design, and heritage preservation.
The strong points of handheld 3D scanners, compared to structured light and laser scanners, are in mobility and flexibility. Structured light scanners are very accurate but usually require a fixed setup; this may prevent the use of such techniques in some environments. With handheld models, users are free to walk around the object and capture scans from many angles in real time. This process of dynamic scanning will save time in repositioning and recalibration of the device. For example, a comparative study conducted in 2022 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that in a real-world setting, handheld scanners reduced the total scanning time by 30% compared to traditional, stationary methods.
Handheld 3D scanners are also much more inexpensive than high-end models such as laser scanners or photogrammetry-based devices. While laser scanners start at upwards of $20,000, most handheld 3D scanners sell for anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on capability. That puts the handhelds in a price range accessible to small businesses, hobbyists, and researchers. According to a report by 3D Print Authority in 2023, 60% of small enterprises preferred handheld models since they were relatively cheaper and more versatile; this is attributed to the price-to-performance ratio, which was factored into their decision-making process.
Despite their many advantages, handheld scanners may still face limitations when it comes to capturing intricate details on larger objects or in highly reflective environments. Generally speaking, handheld 3D scanners suit medium- to small-sized objects best. Although these can create highly accurate captures, richly detailed textures or geometries may not be easily caught, especially when scanning under fluctuating light conditions or complexly surfaced targets. By opposition, fixed laser scanners, and photogrammetry systems find their use for really highly resolute scanning tasks such as large architectural structures or works of art.
In many cases, the increased portability of handheld 3D scanners does not come at the expense of resolution. Indeed, the latest handheld models from companies like handheld 3d scanners have improved resolution capabilities, with some offering up to 0.05 mm accuracy-sufficient for a wide range of professional uses. A review by 3DTech Insight in 2023 found that the handheld 3D scanner of this high resolution class easily compares to desktop models regarding precision, though the handhelds generally take a little longer to scan due to manual movement.
Ease of use can also be quite high with handheld scanners that usually possess intuitive interfaces; some of them require only minimal training. It has advanced in such a direction that even not-so-professional users guarantee good results even with less learning time, maybe one day or three days of interaction. According to the data of Scanning World’s 2022 survey, 78% of testers believed a handheld 3D-scanner was way more intuitive because they could perform some direct manipulations over it in the process in real-time mode.
As Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, once said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Undeniably, in the 3D scanning industry, the handheld model is leading in terms of accessibility and flexibility. Handheld 3D scanners have democratized access to 3D scanning technology by offering portable, cost-effective solutions, thus enabling broader use across industries such as manufacturing, architecture, and design. These devices, through continued engineering and development, keep closing the gap in performance with their larger and more expensive counterparts.