[Valentin] wanted to experiment with 3D scanning some objects he had around the house, but says he didn’t want to buy a line laser for the project since they are pretty expensive. Fortunately ...

It uses a laser beam to scan 2D patterns over a flat bed of powdered metal to form melt tracks that fuse with the lower layers. This 2D process is repeated thousands of times to create 3D objects.

We’ve all likely seen the amazing images possible with a scanning electron microscope. An SEM can yield remarkably detailed 3D images of the tiniest structures, and they can be invaluable too… ...