3D laser scanning is a non-contact, non-destructive technology used for the measurement and to capture the shape of physical objects using a line of laser light. Need for the time required in the detection of a large number of points and for the measurement of softest or fragile parts, 3D laser scanning puts forth an effortless and precise solution to capture a physical objects exact image and also to capture the shape of complex objects ranging from electronic and automotive components to construciton materials and projects. A 3D laser scanner creates point clouds of data which is then brought into a standard reference system where the data acquired thus far is fully merged into a model. The resulting model can be further processed using software to fill in gaps in the data points or to clean up aberrations.

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The market for laser 3D scanners is expected to grow at a significant rate between 2018 and 2024 as these scanners are easy to use and easily available. 3D scanning market forecast is done by Envision inteligence for all the segment ranging from type, range, applications, end users, and geography. In 2016, short-range 3D scanning market covered a share of 40% of the total 3D laser scanner market share, augmented by the extensive product demand from the healthcare and automotive sectors. Short-range 3D scanners are widely used in industries such as automotive, healthcare, and aerospace & defense. These 3D scanners are mainly used for automated and inline 3D scanning solutions; this is expected to boost the demand for short-range 3D scanners in the automotive & transportation industry. However, the market for portable CMM-based scanners is expected to grow at the highest rate between 2018 and 2024. In the healthcare industry, the demand for portable handheld intraoral 3D dental scanners is expected to rise with their growing adoption in dental clinics, particularly in developed countries worldwide.

Quality control & inspection applications accounted for the largest share of the 3D scanners market in 2017 as these applications are extensively carried out in the automotive and aerospace & defense industries. However, the market for reverse engineering applications is expected to grow at the highest rate between 2017 and 2023. Industries such as automotive, aerospace & defense, and manufacturing have started using 3D scanners to modify designs from actual objects and produce handmade cars, spare parts, and other parts. The 3D scanner market for the architecture & construction industry is expected to grow at a high rate between 2018 and 2024. The market growth can be attributed to the increasing integration of 3D scanning technology with software such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), which assists in minimizing the building design time and overall cost pertaining to building information modeling (BIM).

3D Scanning Market Representation, By Region, 2016-2024

The Americas and Europe hold huge potential for the largest contribution in overall 3D scanner market for high-end applications as they have been at the forefront in adopting latest 3D scanning technologies to improve product quality and efficiency across various industries. However, the market in APAC is expected to grow at the highest rate between 2017 and 2023. Some of the major factors driving the growth of the 3D scanner market in APAC include the rising number of engineering and infrastructure projects, increasing preference for custom implants (in medical applications) to ensure better and faster recovery, and growing number of dental restoration surgeries in this region.

On the basis of end users, the automotive sector held the largest share in 2016 and assembly plants of automobile systems and vehicle manufacturers require 3D laser scanning to carry out absolute quality control for safety, performance or measurements of automobile parts, while architecture & construction industry is expected to witness the highest growth highest rate during the forecast period across the global level. The architecture uses 3D laser scanners for execution of giant construction projects and for building construction planning. 3D laser scanners are foraying into medical applications for custom implants and increasing dental restoration surgeries. Moreover, 3D laser scanners also find their extensive use in oil and gas pipeline operational inspections.

3D Scanning Trends:

FARO, has recently introduced its next-generation FARO Design ScanArm 2.0 laser scanner, which is among the innovative products suitable for the diverse range of applications.

FARO rereleased FARO FocusS 70 which is accurate and principally designed for engineering, architecture, product design, construction, and public safety forensics applications.

Countries like the U.S. and other developed economies are likely to adopt 3D laser scanners system to analyze the crime scenes. Recent demonstrations were held in the state of Nevada where 3D laser scanner tools were used to help investigators solve crimes that involve firearm trajectory.

Moreover to this, mini artificially intelligent vehicles called 0–R3 is expected to be seen on the Dubai streets for patrolling and security purpose. The vehicle will be embedded with a deployed drone 3D laser scanners slam technology to search criminals, vehicles and detect possible bombs up to 330 feet distance.

3D scanner industry has witnessed several constant improvements and innovations in research and development to come out with cost-efficient and faster techniques. Advancements in this industry include integrating 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry for progress measurement of construction work, where a site is scanned at a different time to generate data. 3D laser scanning and GPS technology are being developed for landslide earthwork volume estimation. To top it off, we have a 3D terrestrial laser scanning as a new field measurement and monitoring technique.

The key players operating in the 3D scanner market are Hexagon AB (Sweden), FARO Technologies, Inc. (US), Nikon Metrology NV (Belgium), Trimble Inc. (US), and Topcon Corporation (Japan), 3D Systems Corporation (US), 3D Digital Corporation (US), Perceptron Inc.(US), Kreon Technology (France) and some others. As per the Envision Inteligence 3D scanner market report estimates, global 3D scanning market size is projected at $5.9 billion by 2024, out of which 3D laser scanner is estimated to hold $3.9 billion by 2024 accounting for 65% of the overall 3D scanner market value in 2024.

Summary