The Scan Lounge, developed by Scanlogics BV of the Netherlands, has been on tour across its home territory recently, showcasing its professional 3D scanning and 3D printing solutions to a range of new audiences, which included visitors at the MARCOM event in Amsterdam and attendees at the 3D Print Experience in Haarlem. This week however, the Scan Lounge will be at the HEMA retail store in Amstelveen for three days.
Shoppers in the store will have the opportunity to be 3D scanned, and subsequently 3D printed at the Scan Lounge by virtue of the innovative scanning solutions that work on the basis of photogrammetry. This means that many photographs are taken at the same instant — Scanlogics quotes ‘dozens’ — which can then be converted into an accurate 3D model of the subject.
In many ways, this is reminiscent of the story Land reported last week, which saw Asda place a scanning booth in its Trafford Park store in the UK. Reminiscent, but there are some notable differences. For a start, Asda customers have longer than three days to take up the service, it is a long term installation. Also, the Artec scanning booth at the Asda store requires the ‘scanee’ to hold still for 12 seconds in order to gather accurate scan data. In the Scan Lounge however, the subject of the 3D portrait only has to hold for a one hundredth of a second. And this is what Scanlogics believes is the advantage of the Scan Lounge — it’s certainly more child / animal friendly. Even my son could manage that!
However, there are some limitations — shiny and / or dark clothing is not recommended. Neither is wearing glasses or ear-rings. People being scanned will also be advised to remove or fasten up open jackets or coats. This is because, while the data can be captured, it does not translate well if the ultimate aim is 3D printing. Which, generally, it is.
People are loving their 3D printed selfies. The phenomenon continues to hold fascination for the public at large.
For people scanned at HEMA, the 3D digital files will be sent to an external service where they will be 3D printed in full colour and can be picked up, in store, within 28 days.
The cost of the standard sized model will be €59.
The Scan Lounge arrives at HEMA on the evening of 3rd July for a special late-night shopping event and will remain for the following two days, until closing time on July 5th.
