Once a tool designed exclusively for trained technicians, 3D printers are now almost as easy to use as your desktop inkjet — except when it comes to designing and prepping the requisite 3D models. That step still requires an expertise with 3D modelling software, and is a barrier to 3D printing that MakerBot hopes to remove with its new Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner.
When combined with a 3D printer, the Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner is almost like a Xerox machine for real-world objects. Need to replace a small part that’s broken? Instead of contacting the manufacturer you can simply toss it on the laser-based scanner, generate a 3D model and then print it off on your 3D printer.
The scanner was revealed for the first time at SXSW today, and while MakerBot does plan to put it into production once the hardware is finalised, they’re only showing a prototype that is still undergoing extensive testing and refining.
While the Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner will certainly be another big step towards making 3D printing more common, it’s also sure to fuel the debate over the legality and copyright issues when it comes to duplicating real-world objects. [MakerBot]