DIY 3D-Scanner?

[Rene Rechthaler]

would it be possible to build a 3D-Scanner out of Lego?
like this: https://en.openscan.eu/
   
this also has an alternative design:

  OSM.png (Size: 90.63 KB / Downloads: 82)
This could be both done with standard Lego Technic pieces...
It is based on Raspberry Pi, which could be connected to Lego Motors via the original PI Build HAT:
https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/build-hat/
(I already created that for LDraw)
how well would that work?

[Orion Pobursky]

I've been looking into making one of these. If you already have a Pi and 3D printer, it would probably be easier (and maybe cheaper) to buy the BOM kit and make as is.

[Magnus Forsberg]

would it be possible to build a 3D-Scanner out of Lego?

As usual, Philo have done it.
https://www.philohome.com/scan3dlaser/scan3dlaser.htm

[Philippe Hurbain]

As usual, Philo have done it.
https://www.philohome.com/scan3dlaser/scan3dlaser.htm

Actually my second version has exactly the same mechanical structure as openscan primary model:
https://www.philohome.com/scan3dlaser/slv2.jpg

That said, I've tried photogrammetry on LEGO parts, with not so good results... Hopefully, with a more controlled process and improved software we can now get improved results? 
This was done by a FB friend of mine:
https://www.hobbieshk.net/projects/photo...w7n4RzcJ15

[Jose Alfonso]

The main problem when scanning LEGO parts is their reflecting faces. You have to cover the part with a matte material (talcum powder, tempera) and then you could lose the pattern. I have tried this technique shooting the photos with an old bridge camera in order to get all the images with the same exposition. It also helps to put the part on a matte surface with a lot of textures (advertising sheets from supermarket are the best). Or in a lightbox to get a white background, so the textures only come from the part.

Green figure (not LEGO) with a layer of magenta tempera in a lightbox:

The resulting 3D object from 50 images using the free version of 3DF Zephyr before fixing the geometry: