Parisian ENSCI Design Graduate Thomas Lebéce has developed a new 3D scanner. The innovative new design uses a large ring shaped track, set around the object being scanned, to guide a laser pointer that finds a set of 3D points on the object.

‘3D scanners are a good alternative for drafts of 3D files, starting from simple modelling with clay or play dough,’ says Lebéce. ‘This technique does not discern any that may be hollow objects. For these reasons, I was directed to a system using a lens proximeter rotate around the object. This technique allows me to capture a greater amount of detail.’

As new printing and scanning technologies such as Rapid Prototyping have become increasingly used in design schools, it may just be a matter of time before this new wave of designers turn their sights to completely re-designing the tools of their trade.