This Ear-Canal Scanner Lets You 3-D Print the Inside of Your Head

Lantos Technologies, a small startup spun out of MIT, has created the first FDA-cleared digital ear-canal scanner. Wired reports.

In place of messy resins, the Lantos Scanner inserts a small video camera into the ear. A flexible membrane surrounding the camera is filled with a specially formulated dye and conforms to the ear canal while the camera captures hundreds of images, including pictures of the ear canal in movement, that are stitched together to create a topographical map of the ear canal suitable for 3-D printing.

The data is then sent to a manufacturer and a hearing aid is produced, or potentially 3-D printed onsite as that technology continues to mature.

Read more.

MakerBot unveils desktop device that can scan small three-dimensional objects

Bre Pettis, co-founder of Makerbot, at SXSW on Friday unveiled a desktop device that can scan small three-dimensional objects. Called a MakerBot Digitizer, it's meant to complement the company's Replicator printer. CNN reports.

The Digitizer uses two lasers and a webcam to scan objects up to about 8 inches in diameter (Pettis brought a small plastic garden gnome as an example.) The process takes less than three minutes.

The scanner will hit the market this fall. Pettis did not say how much but it should be within reach of most small-business owners.

You can sign up to get information and find out when the MakerBot Digitizer will go on sale. In the signup form.

Read full article and full press release.

Now you can use iPhone as a 3D Scanner

Three-dimensional scanners are expensive – thousands of dollars for industrial models. Now there’s a 3D scanner for your phone, which does many of the things industrial models do for only $300.

The app, Moedls, runs on an iPhone and iPad and uses a consumer-quality laser, a turntable and a simple box to do professional-level 3D scanning. It was invented by John Fehr, an inventor with a number of Kickstarter projects under his belt.

[via Mashable]

Open source D3D scanner from 3D Creations

3D Creations, a US reseller of affordable 3D printers and 3D scanners, is currently developing a low-cost open source 3D scanner called D3D 3D scanner.

[via @3DersOrg. Watch D3D Scanner Instructional Video]