The 3D printing industry reviewed the Peel 2-S 3D scanner.
With more than ten years of R&D experience in the field of 3D scanning, peel 3D relies on its latest handheld full-color 3D scanner, peel 2-S, to target the mid-range market again. Based on the peel 2 that the company just released a few months ago, we have improved the peel 2-S to optimize the scanning of small and complex parts, with a smaller field of view and a resolution of up to 0.1 mm. Yes, S stands for "small".
This professional-grade 3D scanner is relatively affordable at US$7,890 (US$8,090 from October 1st). It is aimed at artists, designers, engineers, educational institutions and anyone else who wants to balance cost-effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in their 3D scanning projects. Performance people. Very similar to the rest of the Peel 3D product portfolio (including the original Peel 1), Peel 2-S is supported by electronics supplier AMETEK and metrology specialist Creaform (peel 3D's parent company).
It is worth noting that there is also a higher performance version of the device, called peel 2 CAD-S (10,090 USD), which is more suitable for hard core reverse engineering projects. The CAD-S version is designed to be fully compatible with the most commonly used engineering CAD software, enabling users to directly export scan results to various 3D environments without first needing a third-party conversion program. For this review, we will use Basic Peel 2-S.
Out of the box, Peel 2-S's eye-catching new matte black skin is eye-catching. So far, the company has specially developed a 3D scanner with a white-gray body, so the visual change is a welcome one, adding a certain style to the otherwise monotonous product lineup.
What hasn't changed is peel 3D's focus on ergonomics and ease of use. Just like its old brother, peel 2-S feels like at home in the user's hands. It has an intuitive pointing scanning workflow and can easily handle longer and more tedious scanning sessions. Compared with the original Peel 2 (950 grams), the company even managed to reduce the weight of Peel 2-S (930 grams) by 20 grams. The size of the scanner itself is 154 x 178 x 235 mm.
So far, all the scanners of peel 3D have adopted the company's iconic structured white light technology, and peel 2-S is no exception. Unlike laser-based scanning technology, white light LEDs are safe for the human eye and work by projecting a pattern of visible light onto the object being scanned. Then, the camera of the scanner determines the exact position of the projected pattern in real time, so that the system can generate a textured 3D model. Especially Peel 2-S, it has three cameras, each of which is surrounded by a set of four white light LEDs and an additional white light projector.
The device is designed to handle objects on the smaller side, and the recommended part size is 0.05 – 0.5m (scanning area is 143 x 108mm). As for material compatibility, peel 2-S should have no problems when scanning metal castings, polymers and clay-based ceramics. Peel 3D's white light technology is also suitable for full-color body scanning, but there may be some problems with hair and fur.
Darkness and mirrors can also be a bit difficult to capture, but this is to be expected, as these surfaces are either over-absorbent or over-reflective. To solve this problem, it is not uncommon to apply a lighter or less reflective material on the scanned part. We recommend primer spraying, or even a special powder spray spray designed for 3D scanning applications.
If Peel 2-S is still difficult to track the part (maybe the surface is too large or flat), you can always choose to use the positioning target included in the box. Targets are small, reflective, sticky points that help the scanner maintain its orientation and track its movement relative to the object. We found that these methods work best when we always have at least three or four targets visible to the scanner.
Calibration and setup process
So, how friendly is peel 2-S to users? Facts have proved: very. Everything you need to start a 3D scan is included in the box, including a calibration plate and a USB key containing a user manual and software installer.
The calibration process is the same as that of Peel 2, which means that getting started is as easy as ever. Although not required, it is recommended to calibrate the scanner before each subject scan-this will ensure the best results.
To calibrate the peel 2-S, just place the dot-shaped calibration board on a flat horizontal surface (such as a table), and then scan at ten different positions specified by the peel 3D software. Starting from a vertical angle and a distance of approximately 20 cm, slowly move the scanner away from the flatbed until it can scan the entire object, taking the necessary snapshots along the way. This takes only about two minutes to complete and is intuitive enough, even for beginners.
If the user is not completely ignorant of technology, the peel 3D software on the USB key is also easy to use. The program features its iconic banana UI and has a "basic guided workflow" on how to obtain high-quality scans, allowing beginners to quickly select the best parameters for their projects.
In addition, the peel 3D software also does a good job in guiding the user through the post-processing stage, which can be said to be as important as the scan itself. The program enables users to remove unwanted background elements, plug loopholes, and align and merge multiple scans in components. We think the video explaining the basics of how to clean the grid is particularly useful.
It's time to get Peel 2-S on track through the comprehensive 3D scanner testing mechanism in the 3D printing industry. Just like our review of 3D printers, we took the time to evaluate the performance of the scanner, including various parts and 3D printed models from works of art to functional components. It should be noted that the average accuracy of our printer is about ±0.05 mm, so there may be errors in the parts we scan.
Each test was performed multiple times with different resolutions (2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm) in an open office space with sufficient lighting to obtain consistent results. We also calculated the offset between the scan and the original STL of the 3D printed part to test the dimensional accuracy of the scanner-this is what the 3D heat map and bell curve describe.
The first is the white PLA print of the sanitary statue in the Schönbrunn Palace park in Vienna. This model was chosen because of its high surface detail and a lot of cracks and overhangs.
For the first scan, we were very impressed with how the peel 2-S was processed. The fine feature details of the physical model are cleverly preserved, and the device is as easy to use as its predecessor. We noticed that the number of faces increased significantly with the increase in scanning resolution: 168,150 faces at 1mm, 2,461,746 faces at 0.5mm, and 14,086,457 faces at 0.2mm. Therefore, the scanning time and post-processing time also increase as the resolution increases.
Unsurprisingly, we found that the speed of the 2-S scanning model was slightly slower than that of the original peel 2 due to increased attention to small parts. Nevertheless, the scan is completed in one run, our scan time is only 8-13 minutes, and there are 5-12 minutes of post-processing.
Checking the dimensional accuracy of the scan, the average offset of the vertices between the scanned model and the original STL (this is what we want to simulate) is only 0.005 mm, and the standard deviation is 0.075 mm. Excellent results.
The next scan test is the 3D printed version of "Still Water", a bronze sculpture located in London's Marble Arch. The model we are using is sprayed with silver and is about 30 cm high.
Again, Peel 2-S performed admirably here, capturing the image of a horse's head as expected. Geometrically, still water is much simpler than a sanitary statue, which is obvious in the scan time. This scan runs only 4-12 minutes, and requires an additional 3-8 minutes for post-processing.
The average vertex offset of the still water scan is 0.043 mm, and the standard deviation is 0.321 mm-another great result.
Moving on, we scanned a 3D printed model of a Neapolitan fisherman. The original marble sculpture was designed by the Swedish sculptor Carl Gustaf Qvarnström in the 19th century, but our slightly less impressive version is made of white PLA, about 50 cm high, and roughly a part of Peel 2-S Size restrictions.
Due to the huge scale and complexity of the sculpture, this scan is by far the most difficult for us. Although 1mm and 0.5mm scans are easy to complete, our high-resolution 0.2mm attempts were unsuccessful at all, because Peel 2-S keeps losing its positioning and scanning the entire model at once is very tedious.
For a successful attempt, the scan time is 9-13 minutes, and the post-processing time takes another 12-15 minutes. Since we used the recommended part sizes to the maximum in this test, you can expect these time frames to be the approximate limits for scanning with Peel 2-S.
As for the actual quality of the scan: great. The average offset between the scanned model and the original STL file is only 0.061 mm, and the standard deviation is 0.158 mm. Our 1mm resolution scans were particularly impressive because the peel 2-S managed to capture the entire model within ±0.20 mm of the expected geometry.
Of course, we must also try some functional scan tests to understand the performance of 2-S in a more industrial or workshop environment. The first is the triple clamp.
The scan results are very clean, accurately capturing many subtle details of the part. The texture is vivid, and we can even read the part number etched on one of the faces. Although the scan does lose track many times, the post-processing steps are very fast and only involve grid alignment and removal of some unwanted background elements. The scanned triple fixture model is accurate enough to be used for designing, for example, a set of custom motorcycle speedometers for workshop projects.
Then we scanned the full-color model of the shoe. Even with a large amount of black material, scanning is easy. The only real flaw is the shoelace that moves on the inside of the shoe and around. Nevertheless, we are still happy with the quality of the scan, because the colors and textures are almost the same as the real thing.
The next line of Peel 2-S is the anatomical model of the skull. It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the most perfect scans we have ever produced in the 3D printing industry. The scanner manages to capture the finest details, and the texture is accurate to the smallest cavities. The scan itself can be completed with only one shot, and the complete grid can be generated with just a few clicks in the post-processing stage. Our digital skull can be easily used for medical training and education purposes.
Finally, we scanned the Canon EOS 700D digital camera. So far, we have begun to look forward to the excellent performance of Peel 2-S, and it did. Although the camera housing is absolutely black, the 3D model is as clean as ever. The texture is vivid and you can read all the text on Canon. Post-processing is also a breeze, because it is enough to remove the background of each scan and align them to obtain the final complete grid.
In a true Peel 3D way, peel 2-S once again combines cost-effectiveness, performance and accessibility in a very ergonomic package. We did not encounter any errors during the testing of this scanner, and it passed most of our tests with excellent performance. Peel 3D software is as user-friendly as ever, and the new black skin makes it look like something from the Dark Knight movie.
Peel 2-S does feel different from its predecessors. It is more accurate than Peel 2 and can track smaller parts more easily. On the other hand, this also means that it is difficult to track larger parts, and the scan itself often takes a few more minutes. However, unless you follow a tight schedule in all aspects of your life, you should not be discouraged.
One thing of particular note is the ability of Peel 2-S to scan black surfaces, although the disclaimer states otherwise. We threw black polymer and fabric at this scanner, and it caught them effortlessly. We began to think that the only way was to use an object painted with Vantablack.
Ultimately, if you are looking for professional-grade full-color 3D scanning in the market (and you don't have more than $15,000 to buy more expensive industrial equipment), then it will be difficult for you to make a mistake on Peel 2 -S.
Buy Peel 2-S 3D Scanner here. The device can be ordered now at a price of US$7,890 (US$8,090 from October 1st).
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The featured image shows the Peel 2-S 3D scanner. Photo courtesy of the 3D printing industry.
With a degree in mechanical engineering, Kubi Sertoglu combines a passion for writing with a technical background to provide the latest news and reviews in the field of additive manufacturing.
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