For several years, the Education component is one of Creaform's top priorities. For us, there is no doubt that teachers and researchers must have access to the latest 3D measurement technologies, in order to train the next generations of engineers and designers.
With this in mind, in 2021 Creaform began a collaboration with the Pôle Technologies et Industrie (Pôle TI), a technical training center in the Neuchâtel region of Switzerland.
What the school does
At the Locarno site, the IT cluster provides training in mechanics, IT, automation, automotive mechanics, microtechnology and watchmaking - a specialization that lies at the heart of Switzerland's heritage.
The pôle TI is part of the Neuchâtel vocational center, active in fields as diverse as commerce, health, construction and applied arts.
Requirements and equipment used
In April 2021, the IT cluster's prototyping center acquired a scanner HandySCAN 3D|Black Series. At the time, the school had never worked with 3D technologies, and was facing a number of challenges: the IT department wanted to teach reverse engineering, and could do so in 2D but not 3D, for example.
Following the acquisition of the 3D scanner, theory master (teacher) Mr. Damien Grob was able to test the 3D scanner in self-taught mode, with the help of a Creaform application engineer.
Then, in June, the IT team received a week's formal training to "acquire the right reflexes and a better understanding of the machine's settings," explained Mr. Grob. Throughout the process, the IT department felt well supported by the Creaform team, which provided regular follow-up, as well as information and advice.
In order to obtain high-quality STL files, the IT department also called on Creaform's software. VXmodel. VXmodel is a post-processing module for optimizing meshes and preparing 3D scans for other applications, such as 3D printing.
Integrating the 3D digitization project into a diploma project
When the HandySCAN was purchased, Yoan Jeanfavre was a student in the IT department, studying for a Technicien ES diploma in Microtechnology, with a major in Design and Industrialization.
Having shown a keen interest in the 3D scanning project, Mr. Jeanfavre was commissioned to carry it out. Not only did he take the training with Creaform, but he also carried out several small scanning jobs with the HandySCAN 3D|Black Series, in order to better target its functionalities.
This work, along with the drafting of a report containing parameters and recommendations, was incorporated as diploma work for Mr. Jeanfavre, who was "highly motivated by the use of this equipment with its futuristic aspects."
Case study: scanning the bust of a famous watchmaker
To learn more about 3D measurement technologies, Mr. Jeanfavre digitized the bust of Ferdinand Berthoud, a Swiss watchmaker and timekeeper from the 18th century.e century, considered to be one of the greatest of all time. The bust in question, carved in white marble and measuring around 75 cm in height, is housed at the Musée International de l'Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, in the canton of Neuchâtel.
After scanning, Mr. Jeanfavre created an STL file, using VX-Scan and VX-Model. He explained that "this work demonstrated the power of this 3D scanner and the possibilities it can offer. The result is quite simply impressive: certain details that are practically invisible on the sculpture appear very clearly on the scanned model", he added. Those involved in the IT division particularly appreciated the fact that the HandySCAN 3D|Black Series was so effective when used on an object "with relatively complex shapes and reflective surfaces".
Using the resulting file, the IT department now plans to produce a 3D print of the bust. It's not hard to imagine that Mr. Berthoud himself, renowned for his rigor and character as a scientific engineer, would have fully appreciated this cutting-edge technological project!
HandySCAN|Black Series applications for the IT division
Following this positive experience, the TI cluster is keen to continue training its students in 3D scanning and to develop applications in the field of prototyping, such as 3D printing, CAD/CAM and CNC machining.
For the technical school, the HandySCAN 3D "has opened up new avenues for work that was previously impossible".