So I've decided to build a 3D scanner, actually a scanner attachment for the Phoenix Redux, anyway, after looking at the way it's normally done, I decided to try a different design.
      Normal scanners usually project a line on to the object to be scanned while rotating the object. The problem with this method (as far as I am concerned) is that the object to be scanned must be able to fit on the rotaing table, thus limiting size. Shape is also a restriction, the rotating table method is all well and good if all you're scanning is some freaky looking clown head but not if you wanted to scan something like a keyboard, wing section, or anything else that isn't roughly cylindrical.
      Also, since they use a line to scan you need some complicated algorithms to extract the necessary information that then has to be converted into points for the point-cloud. Since I didn't feel like making a laser line generator or a turntable, I decided to go another route...
      My design will be much simpler than the turntable method. Mainly I will just be using a regular laser diode (the kind you get out of laser pointers to project a single point on the object to be scanned, then using a cheap webcam to capture the image, the software to calculate the location of the point, then move the entire laser/camera module to the next point.
      I find this method easier since, already having a CNC machine there is no need for me to build another motion-controlled device (turntable). Also, from a software end it is much, much, much easier to detect a single point of light in an image then convert to a single point in a point-cloud than having to deal with splines.

The scanner module:


The First scan subject:


First scan results:


Second scan subject:




Second scan results:




Third scan results: