AHS owns and operates an HP 3D SLS Pro S3 (formerly DAVID SLS 3) structured light scanner to produce digital models of artifacts. Digital models are superior to traditional representations of artifacts in many ways:
- Bias fee representation of textural detail and design
- Allows all angles of an artifact to be illustrated from a single model, no need to produce numerous, time intensive hand illustrations
- Allows accurate measurements to be taken of an artifact in a fraction of the time it would take a technician using calipers.
- Allows for reproduction of fragile artifacts
The production of digital models of artifacts is an important step prior to curation or repatriation of the artifact. This allows a digital record to be stored for future analysis.
