A Fast Scanning System for Automatic 3D Object Reconstruction

During field 3D reconstruction activities and indoor reverse engineering processes, there is often a need for a portable and easy-to-deploy system that can autonomously conduct a full 3D scanning operation, aligning and registering point clouds even in a low-light environment and considering different target sizes. Currently, this process can be obtained through various technological solutions, such as photogrammetric systems and laser scanners, that come with some limitations like portability, affordability, and degree of automation. In this context, the paper presents a feasibility study of a low-cost solution that, by integrating a commercial depth camera into an easy to unfold frame design, autonomously operates to perform a fast 3D scanning and reconstruction of small and medium-sized objects. In particular, the proposed system features a rotating two-dimensional light detection and ranging system and integrates an Inertial Measurement Unit sensor to automatically performs a pre-alignment and registration of the acquired scan data. According to the experimental results, this system may become a cost-effective solution for fast 3D scanning when high levels of accuracy are not required.