Volumental on target to make 3D scanning mainstream
Volumental has reached almost 50% of its funding goal to create an app that will allow anyone with a depth camera to create 3D printable models
Typically, to create a 3D printable model, one has to either scan an object using an expensive 3D scanner, or model it in software. Data obtained from 3D scanning often needs a lot of post correction and modelling from scratch is equally a skilled job, especially as designs have to be watertight for 3D printing. Volumental aims to change this.
Volumental was founded in 2012 as a spinoff from a research project called Kinect@Home at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. They have been running a beta web based 3D scanning service for over a year now. Using a 3D sensor such as a PrimeSense or Kinect, a fully-textured 3D printable water-tight models can be loaded into a web browser. This file can be then sent off to a 3D printing bureau. You can check it out here.
According to the Kickstarter page: “Our amazing technology is the world's first that allows users to create usable, shareable 3D models of your living room sofa, grandfather, or a kitchen appliance all without leaving your browser window. “
However, currently, the 3D scans are more suited for life online than 3D printing. The Kickstarter project will create a separate web app that will allow users to create 3D models perfectly suited for 3D printing.
Talking to 3D Focus, Ernest Ang Business & Marketing, Volumental said: "Volumental can reconstruct models of almost anything – people, objects, nature. As long as you film most sides of the object, or just want the front face for example, there should be no issues with the scans. However, all models may not be 3D printable in one piece in any material, this depends on the material and method you choose for printing! For example it's hard to get good prints of very thin shapes, the prints may be fragile. But one of the best things with the 3D revolution is that you can print almost anything, and we are confident that 3D printing will continue to become more robust and versatile.”
The Volumental team are seeking $20,000 to hire a full-time developer and fund upgrades in server and processing hardware to develop Volumental's 3D Scan-to-Print web app to support the 3D scanning solution.
The main task for the app is going to be to take current models and isolate the object within the model to 3D print, and then transform that 3D model into a water-tight and closed, printable model.
This will be the world's first browser-based 3D printable model creator and is set to smash its modest $20,000 funding target.
Ernest confirmed to 3D Focus that the company will be partnering with 3D printing companies but is not able to reveal any details.
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