Using 3D scanning to drive supply chain innovation
A series exploring Industry 4.0 technologies and their potential impact for enabling digital supply networks in manufacturing Using 3D scanning to drive supply chain innovation Using 3D scanning to drive supply chain innovation Contents
Do you need 3D scanning in your supply chain? 3D scanning can be used to improve the speed and accuracy of routine operations; fosters What is 3D scanning? 4 faster delivery or product movement rates; reduces human error and improves productivity; and improves access to sites and locations that Benefits of 3D scanning in the supply chain 7 are difficult for humans to access.
Criteria for evaluation and adoption 10 Of interest because: As the cost of underlying technology decreases, the computing power of the image processing system increases and Key levers for autonomous 3D scanning in your supply chain 12 the accuracy of sensors increases; and 3D scanning systems are being adopted across a wide array of fields such as life sciences, consumer Key Deloitte contacts in 3D scanning and supply chain management 14 products, media and entertainment, construction, logistics, and manufacturing.
Could improve your supply chain by: Enhancing productivity via digitization of product design data and customization of that data for unique needs; lowering operational cost by preventing downtime by analyzing potential failure; reducing error rates by reducing human effort in redundant and time-consuming tasks; optimizing picking, sorting, and storing times; and increasing access to difficult locations.
Why not? 3D scanning requires an up-front capital investment, which may not justify the potential benefit; could require a significant effort to train employees to adopt the system; poses a challenge to integrate with other technology/management systems in the organization; and requires a careful assessment of copyright laws, which are still evolving as it pertains to 3D scanning.
02 03 Using 3D scanning to drive supply chain innovation Using 3D scanning to drive supply chain innovation What is 3D scanning?
Overview Major components of a 3D scanning device Overview Components of a 3D scanning system 3D scanning is revolutionizing the way we could include photodetectors (e.g., camera, Value •• Enhances accuracy of Light source design, model, and visualize real-world lens/sensor), light source (e.g., lasers, LEDs), drivers data captured 3D scanners utilize a light source for environments and objects. By absorbing and associated computing systems inclusive •• Enables rapid design and triangulation in one of two ways. For objects an environment or an object into a virtual of hardware and software components (e.g., prototyping that are close to the scanner (less than space, a deeper and more thorough augmented/virtual reality, 3D printers).5 •• Improves workforce one-meter focal distance), the angled reflection understanding can be achieved.1 Models can productivity of the light source off the object is measured by be developed with higher precision, design Evolution of 3D scanning •• Increases collaboration 6 3D scanning has evolved greatly over the the photodetector or sensor. For objects that processes can become more efficient, amongst workforce last few decades (see figure 1). All three are further from the scanner (greater than and difficult-to-access areas can be easily •• Provides the ability components of the scanner—light source, one-meter focal distance), the time taken for viewed. 3D scanning enables the ability to to obtain data photodetector/sensor, and computing the light source to reflect off the object from determine the shape of a surface or volume in environments 2 system—are becoming more and more the source and back to a photodetector or in 3D space. The scanning device analyzes a inaccessible to humans sensor is measured.7 There are two different real-world environment and object to collect technologically advanced and producing Scope •• Enhanced productivity light sources that can be used to measure 3D data on its shape and appearance.3 3D more accurate scans. As the technology across all segments of the object distances. The type of light source used scanning technology collects large sums of is popularized, it is becoming more cost- supply chain will depend on the scan requirements and the geometric data points to create a efficient to manufacture and distribute as Technology •• 2D scanner object being scanned. high-resolution, accurate digital model well. Recent developments in handheld substitutes •• Manual measurement of a real-world object.4 3D digitizers and robust 3D printers have Lasers are a more recent invention and are techniques: molds/casts, created an evolutionary boom within the 3D a vital part of 3D scanning.8 Lasers were measurement devices scanning marketplace. invented in the 1960s and primarily were used for research purposes.9 Lasers use electrical Figure 1. Evolution and applications of 3D scanning discharges to excite atoms and release them, which in turn emits energy in the form of Late 1800s photons (i.e., light energy) that are reflected off Invention of the stereoscope1 a mirror and propagated. The uses of lasers Applications: 3D scanning tomorrow expanded into the medical and manufacturing • Capturing photos with depth industries shortly after.10 The advantages of Photodetector using two offset pictures 3D scanning is continuously becoming Camera, Lens/Sensor Early 1980s more efficient through higher resolution using lasers in 3D scanners are that they can Invention of the digital camera, CCD4 cameras and increased RAM. This will gather data more quickly and in areas with less Applications: enable even more portability and ease lighting, and they can cover a larger area (e.g., • Capturing still images that can be of use in various applications. uploaded to TV monitors outdoor environments).
3D scanning 3D scanners can also use white light or LEDs instead of lasers to illuminate and collect data on the object being scanned. This technique requires repeatedly projecting a “fringe” pattern 1950s Late 1980s 2000s 2010s on the object being scanned to estimate the 2 Contact scanning Early 3D scanning 5 3D scanning 6 3D scanning today 7 shape of the object. The repetition required in Applications: Applications: Applications: Applications: this method allows for an accurate image, even • Digitizing physical objects • Land surveyors • Archiving historical • Gaming consoles (durable goods only) • Motion capture in films artifacts (e.g., Xbox Kinect) if the object moves slightly (e.g., in face and 1960s • Reengineering and • Smartphone scanning body scanning). In addition, white light scanning Invention of lasers 3 QA for manufacturing (e.g., AutoDesk 123D) does not have the same level of eye safety Applications: parts Light source • Medical surgery concerns as laser scanning. Lasers, LEDs • Manufacturing/cutting
Sources: 1. Jon Brouchoud, “Scanning reality into virtual reality,” Arch Virtual, June 15, 2015, https://archvirtual.com/2015/06/15/scanning-reality-into-virtual-reality/. 2. Ibid. 3. https://officialreubenlangdon.files. wordpress.com/2015/07/str_n11_uk_p03_05_for-reuben.pdf; Ann Davlin, “History of cameras: Illustrated timeline,” http://photodoto.com/camera-history-timeline/, last accessed May 28, 2018. 4. Fausto Bernardini and Holly Rushmeier, “The 3D model acquisition pipeline,” Computer Graphics forum 21, no. 2 (June 2002): 149–72, https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8659.00574. 5. Ibid; Melinda Rose, “A history of the laser: A trip through the light fantastic,” http://www.photonics.com/EDU/Handbook.aspx?AID=42279, last accessed May 28, 2018. 6. Melinda Rose, “A history of the laser.” 7. Jon Brouchoud, “Scanning reality into virtual reality.”
4 5 Using 3D scanning to drive supply chain innovation Using 3D scanning to drive supply chain innovation
Photodetector/Sensor Computing system Photodetectors first implemented the “3D” conceptCase in the study: mid-1800s Drones As the cost of computers and graphic processors decreases and with the invention of the stereoscope,11 which used two offset images availability of 3D applications increases, computing systems for Benefits of 3D scanning to create the illusion of a “foreground” and “background.” However, it 3D virtualization are becoming more widespread.16 Both software was not until the late-1900s that photodetectors became advanced and hardware are integral to a computing system utilized in 3D enough to support the concept of 3D scanning. It was at this time scanning. Mainstream components such as the CPU, GPU, and RAM that sensors in digital cameras were popularized and information are instrumental to providing computational power while advance in the supply chain they captured could be sent to a computer for further analysis.12 software applications provide the processing capabilities and 3D scanners use this information to calculate geometric points and visualization means. distances between the photodetector and the object.13 To capture dimensions of a real-world object in 3D space, 3D 3D scanning across industries Construction variety of purposes such as video games There are two main sensors that are generally used within a digital scanning utilizes a triangulation methodology. An array of captured The 3D scanning industry is experiencing High-end scanners enable rapid surveying, and virtual cinematography. 3D models are camera. They both collect imaging information by converting light values is converted to 3D points within the scanning coordinate high growth with the emergence of low-cost site modeling, and layout design. With quickly and accurately created by scanning into electrons within the photovoltaic cells of the sensor, but they system via software.17 The hardware governs the speed of converting systems, improved scanning capabilities, accurate and quickly produced scans, real-world objects, including actors, instead differ in how they “read” the information: and summing values to produce each data point.18 The subsequent and increased availability of data storage structural designing can be completed much of creating the models from scratch. CAD conversion and summation of collected coordinates is processed •• A charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor is a component and data processing capabilities. As a result, more quickly. In addition to user-operated software coupled with portable 3D scanners by the overall computational system to develop a 3D visualization of a digital camera that takes a charge (from a light source) and a number of industries are benefiting from devices, 3D scanning technology has the allow entertainment design companies to in which the real-world object is digitized.19 The exponential transports it across the chip to an analog-to-digital converter greater accessibility and capabilities of 3D potential to be a key component in service make sets, costumes, and props in a matter improvement in computing power and processing capabilities over where it is read and digitized. It is the more expensive option scanners. Examples are illustrated below. robotics. In one case study, a rotary laser of hours as opposed to weeks.23 the years has played a pivotal role in expansion of 3D scanning and consumes more power, but it is the most mature technology scanner was used to function as an “eye” technology commercially. As computing technology improves, more Overall, 3D scanning technology offers Life Sciences for an autonomous robot to navigate today. A CCD produces higher-quality images because of its special a versatile array of tools that can benefit data points can be processed quickly in an effort to produce a more 3D scanners can readily scan and image 22 manufacturing process that allows the charge to move through it sewer pipes. granular and rich 3D visualization. a number of industries. Organizations 14 a human body, enabling more accurate without distortion. may leverage 3D scanning in order to and cost-effective customization in a Media and Entertainment remain flexible and adapt to continually •• A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image number of use cases where products In the entertainment industry, 3D scanners changing demands. sensor is a more flexible and cheaper option that uses transistors must be individualized. One such use is in are used to create digital models for a and wires to amplify and move the charge. CMOS image sensors prostheses. Using 3D scanning, SHC Design use traditional manufacturing processes to build. They require less has developed a prosthetic leg that can power but have lower light sensitivity and higher image noise.15 quickly be designed and built by scanning the patient’s leg and his or her desired Case study: 3D scanning in Construction industry 24 footwear. While prosthetics of this kind are 3D scanning offers construction companies the ability to perform scans that typically handmade and cost on average Figure 2. Key developments in 3D scanning technology facilitate more accurate and rapid planning. $4,200, SHC’s product is rapidly made and costs only $100.20 Providence, Rhode Island–based construction company Gilbane has used a 3D laser scanner in a number of projects to drastically improve efficiency and enable savings. Improved ard are eat res Consumer Products On one project, the company’s 3D scanner greatly facilitated up-front preparation 3D scanning is making modeling and design and planning for a renovation project. Kreger Hall at Miami University was an capabilities available to the masses. With 85-year-old building that is now home to Miami’s Physics department. When new technology, smartphone owners are o er Cost renovations were being discussed, Gilbane only had the original, hand-drawn plans now able to take accurate scans of objects of the building to start with. Using their 3D scanner, Gilbane was able to scan 50,000 using just their mobile devices. On a larger square feet of the facility in a single day and get accurate measurements for scale, new apps with attachments for tablet prefabrication, scheduling, and sequencing of what would be a $12 million upgrade. ore dvanced oft are pplications devices are giving homeowners the ability to 3D scan their homes for DIY projects.21 On another project, performing a 30-minute scan, upload, and conversion to a digital design file, 3D scanning saved Gilbane $30,000. Cost savings such as this help to justify the up-front cost of a 3D scanner, which can be a huge barrier of entry to reater Comp tational o er smaller companies. Gilbane uses a FARO Focus 3D laser scanner, which costs approximately $60,000 after software and operations training.