GEOMAGIC CAPTURE SCANNINGA 3D Scanning Use-case with Dinosaur Fossils Author: Ian Sayers, PEAK Solutions LLC.

GEOMAGIC CAPTURE SCANNING

Introduction

In 1995 researchers discovered a mass of dinosaur bone fossils in Alaska’s Liscomb Bonebed, the richest single bed for dinosaur bones in either polar region. In a 2015 project for University of Alaska, Fairbanks, enough bone fossils were matched to be able to identify the dinosaurs as a possible new species, and to begin the formation of skeletons and skulls of these discoveries.

In order to recreate this potential new species as a series of physical exhibits, the best quality bones would need to be replicated quickly. 3D scanning and printing provided the best and fastest answers.

A specialist team from both Montana and Oregon 3D scanned the bones, mirrored the 3D models and 3D printed them to deliver matched left and right bones for the skeletons.

This white paper discusses why the Geomagic Capture to Wrap system by 3D Systems was selected by PEAK Solutions LLc as an ideal solution for this project.

Selecting a 3D ScannerDinosaur bones can be particularly challenging to scan. They contain many small features like age-induced cracks and natural pitting, which need to be reproduced at relatively high detail for a realistic model. They contain many sharp edges, which are difficult for many scanners to pick up. While Peak Solutions has various scanners from 3 different brands, the Capture was quickly identified as the best fit, despite costing a fraction of other available alternatives. The Capture scanner combined with Geomagic Wrap was perfect for a number of reasons:

• The resolution is very high, particularly for a scanner inthe Capture’s price range, which consistently reproducesthe fine details, flaws, and surface texture of the fossils.

• The Capture does not require positioning stickers.

• This is important in Museology as stickers cannot be applied to most museum pieces.

• Even in situations where it is allowed, stickers can cover details and texture, resulting in an non-uniform surface.

• Applying stickers and removing them adds time and expense

• Small, detailed, rough-surfaced parts may not have suitable areas for stickers to adhere to, particularly if they have sharp edges

• The Capture allows us to choose precise focus – if onearea has more detail, we can take more shots of a region

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from more angles and more exposure levels, while moving quickly through less detailed areas. We don’t have that option with all of our other scanners.

• The Capture for Wrap bundle allows us to do all thescanning and post-processing in one place, includingalignment of separate scans, filling holes, and mirroring.

• We can easily resume scanning when we see an area that requires more attention

• Wrap’s hole-fill commands are very intelligent and can be made to follow contours and realistically extrapolate that curvature onto missing areas.

• Wrap’s extreme user friendliness makes the process quick, and easy to retain for occasional users.

• The Capture scanner is capable of recognizing geometryand using it as a reference to self-align scans as itproceeds. However, dynamic recognition relies onoverlapping areas, and there are cases where overlappinggeometry is unavailable. For that reason, scans of objectswith sharp edges usually involve aligning and mergingof more than one scan. The alignment functions in Wrapallow us to use external features to optimize and expeditethe alignment process. When dealing with complex,amorphous shapes, the user can work faster when thereare distinct, quickly-recognizable reference points.

• For instance, if the fossil is held upright with a clay fixture (in order to capture sharp edges head-on), the clay can be used to help align the model and deleted later. The user can also make distinct marks & symbols in the clay to further aid visual recognition and automatic alignment.

• The Capture does not require a dedicated scanning area.It is highly portable and sets up in less than 1 minute.Portability is important in Museology, as specimens oftencannot be removed from their respective collections.Even when not expressly forbidden, securing permissionto remove them may be a highly bureaucratic and timeconsuming endeavor.

• Geomagic Wrap and Capture are produced by thecompany that invented 3d printing, so naturally theyproduce files that are already optimized for the printingstage.

The Scan ProcessIn this particular case, plaster casts of the actual fossils were used.

3D Scanning with Geomagic Capture

The part is scanned with multiple shots. The shots self-align as long as there is sufficient overlapping data:

The initial scan data into Geomgic Wrap

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Scans are assigned random colors to aid in visual differentiation of the various scans:

The scans are fine-tuned with a global alignment or “registration”, achieving far greater accuracy than would be possible by hand. This results in the trademark “sandy” array of mixed colors that occurs when the various colored surfaces are perfectly aligned.

In cases where there is little or no overlapping data to align a scan to – like when a sharp edge is scanned head-on – a manual alignment process can be used instead and external objects, like the clay fixture, can be used to aid in alignment. For instance, the green and yellow scans below have practically no overlapping data to align to, so the clay fixture itself makes the perfect reference:

Scans are

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Using a clay fixture to capture sharp edges from a direct angle: The clay can then be selcted and deleted:

The resulting scan is merged with the rest using the easy “n-point” alignment process:

GEOMAGIC CAPTURE SCANNING

The scan is complete:

With the scans complete, the fossils can now be mirrored:

The 3D Printing Stage:The Projet 660 was chosen to 3d print the mirrored replicas. While extremely popular in Museology and Heritage Preservation for its color capabilities, we were more interested in its ability to print detailed objects fast and without supports, in a readily paintable material.

• The ProJet 660 produces hardened gypsum parts. Gypsumis the perfect surface to paint on (it is traditionally used toprep canvases for painting), so it is ideal for finishing andantiquing the parts for maximum realism.

• The ProJet 660 uses loose powder to support the part,so no printed support structure is necessary. The loose

powder is simply blown away from the part and it’s ready for painting. The loose powder is then reused.

• The material can be drilled and tapped easily, so wiringthe pieces together is an easy process, and if a mistake ismade, they can be re-printed at a moment’s notice.

• The scan to print process is perfect for sharing work withscholars outside the museum. Parts can be 3D printed inany quantity and are easily replaceable, so it’s no problemsending accurate replicas to other researchers. The scanfiles can also be sent digitally so they can be printed on alocal 3d printer anywhere in the world.

The 3D printed, mirrored skull bone parts with the plaster cast counterparts

GEOMAGIC CAPTURE SCANNING

About 3D Systems

3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides CAD, reverse engineering and inspection software tools and consumer 3D printers, apps and services. Its expertly integrated solutions replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, prototype or produce real parts, empowering customers to create and make with confidence.

Specifications subject to change without notice. 3D Systems, Geomagic and the 3D Systems logo are registered trademarks of 3D Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright ©3D Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Geomagic Design X EN 2015

Package includes:• Geomagic Capture or Capture Mini scanner,

• Geomagic 3D scan processing or 3D Inspection software: Choose from: Geomagic Design X, Geomagic Wrap, Geomagic Control

Bring physical objects directly into CAD, supercharge your product development process, and automate precise 3D inspection with Geomagic Capture - the powerful, integrated, industrial-grade 3D scanner and software system.

The Capture scanners from 3D Systems deliver accurate and fast blue light 3D scanning technology in a portable, lightweight unit that can be hand-held, static and easily combined into a multi-scanner configuration.

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