Scanner Operation

The Cyberware 3D Scanners are designed to scan a wide variety of objects in many configurations. The following sections describe how the scanners work and how they are controlled.

Theory of Operation

The scanner operates on the principle that light in a straight line, reflected off an object, can be viewed at a different angle to reveal a profile of the surface. The greater the angle between the light source and the viewing point, the more pronounced the description of the shape; however, the risk of a given surface being in shadow also increases. The scanner uses a plane of laser light which can be distinguished from most ambient light, and has two viewing points positioned at equal angles on both sides of the light source. A beam splitter (one-way mirror) is used to overlay the two images, so that if one side is shadowed, the other will normally contain the data. A system of mirrors inside the scanner enables the optics to be contained in a smaller space than would otherwise be necessary.

Theory of Operation
Blue Line	Incoming Laser Line
Red Line	Outgoing Laser Line
	Laser Tube
	Camera Lens and CCD

At each point in the course of a scan, a series of data samples (typically 512) are taken vertically along the reflection of the line, and stored as the "range" of that point from the plane of reference. As the object moves past the scanner, repeated sets of these data samples (normally between 200 and 1000) are made and sent to the host computer to be stored as a grid of range values. If, at a given point, the scanner receives no reflection (or too weak to detect) or the surface is out of the allowable range, the system stores a special range value called a void. Void values can be handled in various ways in the software.

Because of the nature of determining the range in this way, the scanner cannot detect surfaces farther away than the plane of reference. For this reason, placement of the object is very important. Also, the scanner only looks straight horizontally in a direction normal to the plane of reference, so any surfaces that are obscured at that angle of view will not be scanned. If you keep this in mind, you should be able to inspect an object and predict how well it will be represented.

With the RGB color option, a second set of optics look at a horizontal line on the surface slightly offset from the place illuminated by the laser. The RGB values detected using ambient light are recorded for each point whose radius value was detected. If the surface is highly reflective and concave, you might see red color from the laser in the color file, due to reflection to the area where the color is being detected.

Data

The SCSI Interface is responsible for instructing the scanner and the motor, as well as receiving the raw data. The SCSI Interface then passes the data to the host computer via SCSI protocol. The host computer may be running software for display and manipulation of the data, or for transfer to a milling machine. Conversion routines translate the data into a variety of formats.

Speed

Most systems operate at 60 Hz, and the scanner contains a crystal set for recording 30 frames per second. If your order specified a 50 Hz system, the crystal was changed to 25 frames per second. The crystal is not user-serviceable; notify the factory if a change is required.

Motion Platform

The motion platform should provide a stable base for the object and the scanner. Place it on a solid floor so that no other motion jars the platform. It should be large enough to accommodate the objects and the scanner. If scanning a live subject, the platform should be comfortable and easily accessible so that the subject can remain perfectly still while being scanned. Please reference the Site Preparation section of this User Guide for more information.

There is a large red Emergency Stop Button located on the yellow pendant, which is attached to the Podium Control Unit. This button is for quickly stopping all operations in the event of an emergency. The user can also stop the motors by force, but it may take some effort to do so.

Motor

The motor should move the scanner at a constant speed, making a servo motor the most likely choice for motion control. Make adjustments in resolution by changing the speed and length of scan using the Scan Setup Dialog in the Options Menu.

Controls

If you have an RGB option with your scanner, the f-stop for the range and color cameras were preset at the factory. If any modifications are required, the Cyberware technician will make them at the time of the installation. If, at a later date, further modifications are required, please contact Cyberware Support for assistance.

Sensitivity

With certain objects or room conditions, you may wish to make a sensitivity adjustment. This changes the threshold of light strength that the scanner will recognize. If you are getting excessive spikes in your images or surfaces are not being seen (voids), adjusting the sensitivity may help. Refer to the Setting the Sensitivity section in the CyScan User Guide for details.

Power

The Power Supply/Podium provides power for the motion platform, as well as the scanner head(s). It contains the main power switch, lighting power switch, fuses, and SCSI controllers. To verify power throughout the system, power lights are located on the Power Supply and on the inside of the scan heads.

Cyberware recommends that a separate circuit be used to power the four (4) lighting towers, or that the main circuit can supply a full twenty (20) Amps of power.

Software

Scanning is controlled by the CyScan software running on the host computer. The laser turns on automatically when the Start command is given, and turns off when the scanning is complete.

For safety, the laser always turns off after 30 seconds, even if the motion stops and or if the system is still in the process of scanning an image.

Alignment

There is an extensive alignment procedure that is done at the factory so that all the optics interact correctly. Normally no subsequent alignment is needed unless the system has undergone a great deal of stress or shock. If the scanner has been damaged and re-alignment is necessary, the entire system will need to be returned to the factory for calibration and tuning.

Maintenance

Cyberware digitizers are designed to run trouble-free with a minimum of regular maintenance.

Maintenance of the Platform

The only necessary maintenance is the lubrication of the leadscrew (the large threaded rod that the red vertical arm moves along to raise/lower the scanning heads). This should be done once a year, or as is necessary. A silicone- or teflon-based lubricant should be lightly applied to the leadscrew for lubrication. It is helpful to home the motion system several times after application of the lubricant to help distribute the lubricant along the leadscrew.

Maintenance of the Optics

There is no routine cleaning required for any parts of the scanner or platform. However, situations may arise that would require cleaning of the optics (mirrors and/or lenses). Note that the mirrors are front surface type and are very easily scratched. They should be cleaned only if absolutely necessary. Need for cleaning will be minimized by placing the dust covers on the scanner heads after each use.

The performance is not affected by even considerable quantities of dust on the optics, but if used in locations with a high dust content, users may want to use a soft optical brush or optical cleaning compressed gas to remove dry dust. This should be done before using tissues and optical cleaner, as loose dust will scratch the mirrors when rubbed with a tissue.

Fingerprints should be cleaned from mirrors or lenses as soon as they are noticed. Fingerprints and other substances may be cleaned with a lens tissue dampened with a lens cleaner. Wash your hands well before attempting to clean the optics, because any skin oil will penetrate the tissue and streak the optics. Bunch a clean tissue into a puff shape, apply a drop of cleaner, and gently wipe the surface. Use the tissue for only a few wipes, discard the tissue, and use another clean tissue.