Why Thunk3D Infrared Scanners are Special?

1. True Scanning Speed: It's About Points, Not Just Frames

Many 3D scanners advertise scanning speed in terms of frames per second (FPS)—for example, 15 FPS. While that may sound impressive, it doesn’t necessarily translate to more useful data or faster scanning results. A fast camera alone is not a guarantee of productivity, especially if the scanner is simply capturing more blurry or redundant images without increasing the quality or density of the point cloud.

Thunk3D takes a more meaningful approach by measuring scanning speed in terms of effective captured points per minute—and that number is substantial: up to 1 million points per minute. This method reflects the true efficiency of the scanner, as it focuses on how much actual, usable 3D data is collected—not just how many images are taken.

Importantly, with Thunk3D, captured points are directly tied to real geometric data, not just visuals. Keeping the scanner still won't artificially inflate scan data; it captures only meaningful surface points, ensuring data accuracy and integrity.

Key Takeaway:More points = richer point cloud = sharper, more accurate 3D models. In contrast, more images don’t guarantee better results—especially if each frame lacks resolution or precision.

2. Outstanding Performance on Complex Surfaces

Another area where Thunk3D excels is in capturing complex geometries, such as grooves, holes, and deep surface features. Many scanners struggle with these details due to shallow projection angles or limited depth scanning capabilities.

Thunk3D scanners are specifically designed to handle intricate surfaces with high fidelity, making them ideal for applications that demand high-detail resolution—such as reverse engineering, quality inspection, and mold design.

To see this difference in action, side-by-side video comparisons clearly show that Thunk3D achieves faster and more complete scans—especially on challenging or recessed features—without sacrificing quality.

https://youtu.be/qd1Xgqe9Tuo?si=tnrd2udgQY-zew7W

3. Anti-Interference: Scan More Surfaces Without Spraying

Infrared scanners are known for their sensitivity to reflective or translucent surfaces. Traditional systems often fail when scanning wet, oily, or semi-translucent objects, requiring the use of sprays or surface preparation to obtain usable scans.

Not with Thunk3D.

Thanks to its advanced infrared projection technology and intelligent data acquisition system, Thunk3D scanners can successfully scan a wide range of difficult materials without the need for spray. Unless the surface is completely transparent or mirror-like, Thunk3D handles it with ease—even wet or semi-translucent textures that commonly interfere with other scanners.

Benefit:Faster setup, less mess, and more time spent scanning—not prepping.

4. Precision Hardware for Superior Scan Quality

Behind Thunk3D’s exceptional performance is a combination of a 1280×1080 high-resolution projector and a 1.3-megapixel camera, carefully matched to ensure crisp and accurate projections. This ensures that the structured light patterns used for scanning are sharp, distortion-free, and tightly aligned with the camera’s capture capabilities.

Moreover, the scanner is equipped with a 600 FPS high-speed camera, enabling rapid point capture and smooth alignment, even during dynamic scanning sessions. This powerful hardware combination results in cleaner point clouds, faster registration, and significantly reduced post-processing effort.