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Z Corporation ZScanner User Manual

Self-positioning 3d scanner
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Summary of Contents for Z Corporation ZScanner

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Laser Warning ........................... 1   User License..........................1   What’s New in ZScan v.2 ......................3   System Overview .......................... 5   Minimal System Requirements ....................5   System Specifications ......................5   Scanner General Care ......................5  ...

  • Page 5: Laser Warning

    • The ZScanner 800 should NEVER be opened for any reason as there are no internal adjustments. In case of a malfunction, contact the manufacturer or distributor.
  • Page 6 ZScan Manual The ZScanner 800 system and the ZScan software are provided according to a license agreement. Any partial or complete copying of this software without proper authorization is prohibited. Distribution of the software without a written authorization from ZCorp is forbidden. The Purchaser shall not reproduce or duplicate, dissemble, decompile, reverse engineer, sell, transfer or assign, in any manner the Scanner, the Software and the System.

  • Page 7: What's New In Zscan V.2

    ZScan User Guide What’s New in ZScan v.2 Support for all ZCorp scanners • ZScan v.2 remains the unique platform for the complete ZScanner line-up of scanners Automatic Multiresolution • The new Decimate Triangles slider makes it possible to keep a higher resolution when needed, while keeping larger triangles on flat surfaces •...
  • Page 8 ZScan Manual • Immediate on-selection activation for selection tools • Confirmations required when exiting with active selection New Powerful Scanner Manager • Update, add or delete a scanner safely in seconds • Access scanners information within ZScan New Powerful Installer •...

  • Page 9: System Overview

    Laptop computer (optional) Scanner General Care The ZScanner 800 contains optical precision parts and must be handled with care to avoid damage to the components or the calibration system. For transportation, the system must be placed in the carry-on case provided with the kit. The system must be stored in a dry, dust-free place and kept at room temperature.

  • Page 10: Software Presentation

    Scan Surface or Scan Features mode, can then be exported for later use. During scanning, if a target is detected more than once, the ZScanner 800 will update the position of the target with the new detected position, therefore increasing the precision of the positioning model during the scan.

  • Page 11: Surface And Volume

    Facets represent the final output of the scanner which is structured as a continuous mesh of triangles. Contrary to many scanners, the ZScanner 800 does not rely on a point cloud that is later triangulated but generates directly a surface.

  • Page 12: File Types

    ZScanner 800. .CST Configuration file that contains data specific to each ZScanner 800. The file contains calibration parameters and information needed to create a new session .CSF Session file containing all the data related to a session, such as the scans, the resolution parameters, the deleted facets, etc.

  • Page 13: Getting Started

    ZScan User Guide Getting Started Software installation If the computer was purchased from ZCorp with the ZScanner 800 scanner, the software is already installed. Follow these instructions only to install the software on another computer. First of all, verify that the computer meets all requirements. Note that Administrator’s privileges are required to complete the installation correctly.
  • Page 14 ZScan Manual The user will be prompted to enter his name and the organization for which the software is installed. It is recommended to install the software for all users, so everyone on the machine has access to the software. When all these fields are correctly filled, click on Next >...
  • Page 15 ZScan User Guide The user is then asked to select the components to install along with ZScan. By default, the files for ZScan and the relevant sensor are selected. Also, if versions of Geomagic are installed, the plugins for this software will be installed. It is possible to select not to install one of those components by clicking on the icon next to its name.

  • Page 16: Connecting The Scanner

    Once the software is correctly installed, the scanner may be connected to the computer. The following steps show you how to connect and store your ZScanner 800. Also make sure that the working environment is clutter-free and that the cables are safely placed.

  • Page 17: Starting Zscan For The First Time

    The other end of the power supply cable must be plugged into a power outlet, and the other end of the FireWire cable must be plugged into the ZScanner 800. The scanner is now correctly connected and is ready to use. Place the scanner safely on its stand between manipulations.

  • Page 18: Zscan

    ZScan Manual ZScan General Interface When opening ZScan, the user first sees the main interface shown above. It is subdivided in 5 main parts: 1. Menu 2. Toolbar 3. Scan Tree 4. Expanding Panels 5. 3D Viewer The Menu and the Toolbar are complementary to each other. The toolbar offers the main functions to the user, while some more advanced functions are located only in the menu.

  • Page 19: Main Interface Description

    ZScan User Guide The Expanding Panels are used to convey relevant information to the user about the current situation of the scan and to propose advanced functions to the user where applicable. The displayed panels once again depend on the mode chosen in the scan tree.
  • Page 20 ZScan Manual Mouse Active Mode Effect Action Move Object Click and hold to rotate the object Mode Move Volume Click and hold to rotate the volume bounding Mode Selection Mode Click and hold to draw a selection box Opens a contextual menu containing display All modes options and commonly used tools Move Object...
  • Page 21 ZScan User Guide When in Move Volume mode, hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard to use the mouse to move the object instead of the volume 3D Viewer contextual menu In all modes, a right click in the 3D Viewer will open a contextual menu with relevant functions for the user.

  • Page 22: General Functions

    ZScan Manual Different functions can also appear in that menu, depending on the mode under which the software is currently operating. • In Facets mode, the user can choose to display either the facets or the Wireframe. • In Facets mode, it is possible to enable a quick rendering of the facets. This will improve performance on a slower machine and with a large model.
  • Page 23 Scan | Remove Remove the current scan from the session. Scan Select the scan mode. In Scan Features, the ZScanner 800 will only Scan | Change acquire targets. In Scan Surface, the Scan Mode features and the surface will be acquired simultaneously.
  • Page 24 The default value is the type of features that was shipped with the scanner, but it can be changed to work with other positioning features by ZCorp Please note that only ZScanner features can be used with the scanner. Contact your reseller for more information about the different choices in positioning features.
  • Page 25 The Optimize Features has already been launched once Reference Mode The ZScanner 800 is self-positioning and must find its position in space by itself; to do so, it must determine an origin for each scan. The scanner will use the first detected position to fix the coordinates system.
  • Page 26 ZScan Manual to set the surface settings and to visualize the result during the acquisition process. Since ZScan 2.0, the rendering of the surface has been redone and improved for more performance and better looks. When this mode is activated, the surface functions are activated in the toolbar. These functions are summarized in the table below.
  • Page 27 ZScan User Guide when the Apply or Optimize surface button is clicked on. That way, the surface reconstruction algorithm is launched only once, saving a considerable amount of time. It is also possible to specify a position and an angle for the volume bounding box by editing the fields Position and Angle.
  • Page 28 ZScan Manual Edit | Edit Scan Enter the Facets Edition mode Edit | Increase Increase the resolution of the currently Resolution (while in selected facets by 4 Edition mode) Edit | Decrease Decrease the resolution of the currently Resolution (while in selected facets by 4 Edition mode) Edit | Recycle...
  • Page 29 ZScan User Guide respecting the normal orientation of the facets, which will smooth the spike while retaining the shape of the acquired data. This function has been reviewed and improved in ZScan 2.0. • Remove Isolated Patches: This filter makes it possible to remove automatically small patches which are not connected with the main object.

  • Page 30: Configure Zscan

    ZScan Manual Recycle Bin When selected, the Recycle Bin mode expands to show all the deleted facets patches for the current scan. Two actions are available to the facets currently in the Recycle Bin when right-clicking on the facets in the scan tree: 1.

  • Page 31: Add Reference

    • Play sound when position lost: If this option is checked, the computer will play a sound when the ZScanner 800 is unable to position itself. • Show message when position lost: If this option is checked, a message will appear on the screen when the ZScan is unable to position itself.

  • Page 32: Sensor Calibration

    2. Lay the calibration plate on a stable plane surface. Position the scanner at approximately 10 cm (4 in) from the calibration plate. 3. Use the Preview button on the ZScanner 800 to position the laser cross in the white cross of the calibration plate.

  • Page 33: Sensor Configuration

    ZScan User Guide It is possible to see your factory calibration date as well as last optimization date. Please note that for you to see your factory calibration date, your scanner must have been calibrated after the ZScan 1.3 release date (July 1 , 2007).

  • Page 34: Sensor Manager

    ZScan Manual that a majority of detected laser points are included in the reliable zone (yellow). If the laser lines are underexposed, they will not be detected entirely. On the other hand, if laser lines are saturated, there will be a lot of noise in the resulting scan and the laser lines will not be detected precisely.

  • Page 35: Software Uninstallation

    ZScan User Guide When clicking on the New button, the user is prompted to enter the scanner serial number and to browse to the location of the configuration and license files. These files are located on the CD provided with the scanner. Click on OK to install the files. Once this is done, the scanner is ready to be used.

  • Page 36: Help

    ZScan Manual The Uninstallation tool will give the user the choice of keeping his license and configuration files. If Yes is selected, the folders ZScan\Configuration and ZScan\Licence will not be removed. Help Should you have issues with some of ZScan's functionalities, please refer to the Help function of this manual to find the required help .

  • Page 37: Scanning Techniques

    ZScan User Guide Scanning Techniques Object Preparation Applying targets It is essential to prepare the object prior to scanning. Reflective targets must be affixed randomly on the object with a minimal distance of 20 mm (0.75 in) between them. For surfaces with a low curvature, the distance between each target can reach 100 mm (4 in).

  • Page 38: Importing Positioning Features

    Importing Positioning Features It is possible to import in ZScan a previously acquired positioning model or positioning features acquired by the ZScanner 800 or by a photogrammetry system. The two types of files that can be imported are .txt and .obc files.

  • Page 39: Calibrate Scanner

    Before starting the acquisition process, it is important to optimize the configuration of the ZScanner 800 for the part being scanned. An adequate scanner configuration will ensure a good detection of the laser lines and a proper reconstruction of the surface. Please...

  • Page 40: Proper Scanning Distance

    This meter is also represented on the scanner by 3 LED located on the upper part of the ZScanner 800 (red, green, red). The table below illustrates the relationship between the distance meter in ZScan and on the ZScanner 800.

  • Page 41: Editing The Scan

    When a temporary malfunction occurs,it is indicated by 2 red LEDs located on the upper part of the ZScanner 800. Editing the Scan ZScan offers some editing functions in order to clean the 3D model before publishing a final result.
  • Page 42 ZScan Manual result, it may be necessary to delete these undesirable facets. It can be done in two different ways. The small facets can be removed with the Remove Isolated Patches slider in the Facets Parameters expanding panel. In the example below, a specular reflection created artifacts in the STL.
  • Page 43 With the ZScanner 800, if you want to increase the resolution on a part of the piece, use the High Resolution mode on the scanner. This option will turn on the third camera of the scanner and acquire the laser curves directly in high resolution for better precision and accuracy in these zones.
  • Page 44 ZScan Manual Any facet removed using the Recycle function or the Remove Isolated Patches slider will be put in the Recycle Bin. In the case of facets deleted with the Recycle Facets function, enter the Facets Edition mode and right-click on the corresponding mode in the Scan Tree. The Restore function will become available.

  • Page 45: Miscellaneous

    ZScan User Guide Miscellaneous Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Hardware • The Power LED on the scanner does not turn on even when I connect it. • I get the following message when I start the software: The scanner is disconnected. Scan functions will be unavailable. •...
  • Page 46 ZScan Manual supply connectors and wires by replacing the parts one by one. You can also check your FireWire cable for any connection problem. I get the following message when I start the software: "The scanner is disconnected. Scan functions will be unavailable." There is no scanner connected to your computer or there is no valid configuration file installed on the computer for this scanner.
  • Page 47 ZScan User Guide First, make sure that you are scanning your calibration plate properly. You can also check for any reflective object as far a 2 feet around the plate on each side. You can also try to "Reset" your Configuration File by using the Default button in the Calibration Window.
  • Page 49 Index...
  • Page 50 ZScan Manual 3  Planes ............28 3D Viewer ..........13 Positioning Features ......19, 35 3D viewer controls ........15 Positioning Targets ........28 A  Protect Patches ........23 Add Reference ....... 5, 21, 28 R  AICON ............35 Recycle Bin ........5, 26, 39 Auto Adjust..........

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