Voxel octree intersection based 3D scanning

Abstract

Recent developments in the field of three dimensional (3D) printing have resulted in widely available low-cost 3D printers. These printers require 3D models, which are traditionally created in 3D modeling software or are created from 3D scans of existing objects. To be printable, these models must exhibit the property of being watertight. In this thesis, a technique is developed, which, in combination with a custom built low-cost 3D scanner, produces watertight 3D models. Models produced by this technique - the voxel octree intersection technique - do not require any additional processing prior to 3D printing. Results from using this technique with the custom built scanner are examined, and along with the effects of changing various parameters to the technique.