Metrological Comparative Analysis of 3D Printing Technology and the Applied Coordinate Measurement Methods

This article presents the results of comparative studies on the measurement of geometric features of models produced using selected industrial 3D printing technologies. Measurements were performed on a self-designed model, the shape of which was inspired by artifacts compliant with the standard for assessing 3D printer accuracy. Three different structured-light 3D scanners manufactured by SMARTTECH Sp. z o.o. and marketed under the SMARTTECH3D brand were used for the comparative studies, and a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) was used as a reference measurement. The aim of the study was to determine the capabilities and limitations of 3D scanners in performing metrological measurements of geometric models with advanced freeform and inclined pocket shapes, and to determine the impact of the measurement/metrological strategy on selected measurement quality characteristics. The results showed significant differences in the number of measured points and the ability to analyze freeform geometric features, depending on the selected measurement strategy—the angle of the 3D scanner camera and the kinematics of the scanning system. The two scanners, S/T 2401 (with a robotic arm) and S/T 2402 (with a rotational table), showed point clouds of 22–26 million records, and the high-resolution S/T 2502 (with a rotational table) showed a point cloud of 64 to 82 million records, which is 300% more.