Thor3D Calibry Mini In-Depth Review: High-Resolution Portable 3D Scanner

Thor3D Calibry Mini In-Depth Review: High-Resolution Portable 3D Scanner Hi everyone! This is Top 3D Shop, and in this video, we will take a thorough look at the Thor3D Calibry Mini 3D scanner. Thor3D was founded by a team of talented engineers and mathematicians. In 2015, they introduced the Thor 3D scanner, which was the first wireless 3D scanning device on the market. The next model called Drake was released in 2017. Both Thor and Drake have already been discontinued and replaced by the Calibry series of 3D scanners available in two versions: namely, Calibry and Calibry Mini. The designation ‘Mini’ does not presuppose that this scanner is smaller or less efficient. The thing is that Calibry is designed to scan large objects from 30 centimeters to 10 meters while the Calibry Mini is more suitable for scanning smaller objects, from 2 to 30 centimeters. At the same time, the proprietary Calibry Nest software allows users to engage the scanner models in conjunction and align scans of the same object obtained from different devices. Today we will talk about the Calibry Mini model. The usual Calibry is going to be reviewed in one of the following videos. Let’s start with unpacking. The scanner comes in a small cardboard box, which carries another white box with the Calibry logo, containing an aluminum stand for the calibration panel and the panel itself. The white box also includes a set of markers, which need to be glued onto the scanned object. Next come the safety leaflet, user manual, and instructions for connecting the scanner. A 12 volt 5 amp Mean Well power supply is packed in a separate box with a long 5 meter USB 3.0 cable that is connected directly to the scanner. Next, we find another smaller USB 3.0 cable used to connect the device to the computer. Another addition are markers printed on small cardboard squares that can simply be laid out around the object. A small unit called the Power Injector serves as a hub and connects to the power supply and both USB cables. The connection procedure will be discussed in detail further. Next comes the scanner itself. Let’s take a closer look at the unit. The Calibry Mini is powered by structured light technology. A small LED emitter that projects a special blue grid on the scanned object is located in the center of the front side. The camera, which is located on top, captures the distortion of this grid. The software computes the distortion of the grid and uses it to determine which sections are closer or further away. The camera in the center is responsible for scanning the textures of the object, delivering full-color 3D models. As with most handheld 3D scanners, there is a handle on the back for easy wielding. The top section of the handle houses two buttons, with one responsible for starting and pausing the scan, and the second button for stopping and turning off the scanner. In addition, the bottom of the scanner has a threaded hole to install the device on a tripod. Also, one of the important and advantageous differences of Calibry scanners is the 4-inch touch screen which is used for both configuring the basic parameters and monitoring the scanning process. This is very convenient compared to scanners with no touchscreen and monitoring the scan through a screen of a computer or laptop. Let’s quickly go over the declared technical specifications. Scanning accuracy in proper conditions can reach 7 hundredths of a millimeter. Accuracy in relation to the scanned area, or the so-called volumetric accuracy, is 1 tenth of a millimeter per meter of the scanned object. Resolution, or point density, is mm. The working distance, the so-called green zone, or more simply, the optimal distance from the scanner to the object is from 180 to 300 mm. At the same time, the area that the scanner can capture is from 86 by 115 mm to 144 by 192. The scanning frame rate depends on the object, the tracking method, and computing capacity, but on average it is about 20-30 frames per second. The scanner can capture up to 3 million points within each frame. The Calibry Mini weighs only 900 grams, which allows you to easily hold it with one hand during scanning, although sometimes you have to use both hands for smoother movement.