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RE Technology Comparison Chart ...
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Dozens of companies make three dimensional digitizers and scanners, and it’s a frequently changing cast of characters. Instruments are available to digitize objects from microscopic in size to entire construction projects or large portions of oil refineries. Data acquisition speeds range from a few points per minute using manual technologies, to more than a million points per second. Prices range from a couple of thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. To a great extent this situation reflects the wide range of applications that are presented to this class of devices. But the very exuberance of engineering approaches may also be indicative of an immature market and technology base. Rapid prototyping is another field that exhibits a similarly wide range of technologies, and perhaps it is not a coincidence that reverse engineering may be considered reverse-rapid prototyping.
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Accuracy and resolution are related, but not the same. Accuracy refers to how precisely the measurements correspond to dimensional standards. Resolution specifies the smallest increment of distance or volume that the instrument can measure. It’s possible for an instrument to have high resolution and be inaccurate, and vice versa. Some manufacturers specify one value and not the other, and each uses its own terminology and conditions. Different specifications can apply to each axis of measurement, as well. Accuracy and resolution are the main "weasel clauses" in most digitizer specs. If they are critical to your application, it may be necessary to get further data from the manufacturer or perform certification testing.