Photoneo PhoXi 3D Scanner Gen3

The Photoneo PhoXi 3D Scanner Gen3 is a structured light 3D scanner for static scenes. It delivers a 5.1 Mpix depth map at 2472 x 2064 alongside an integrated color camera at up to 8 Mpix. Acquisition starts at 190 ms and total scanning time starts at 250 ms. Every model runs on PoE or 24 V over a single 1 Gbit Ethernet connection, performs all 3D computation on an onboard NVIDIA Jetson TX2, and is rated IP65. Four scanning ranges and two laser wavelengths are available.

Photoneo is part of Zebra Technologies, which completed its acquisition of Photoneo on March 3, 2025. Automation Distribution is an authorized distributor for both. Select your scanning range and laser wavelength above to configure the correct part number.

Part Numbers

Scanning Range by Model

Photoneo lists a family working distance of 0.3 m to 6 m with factory calibration to 4 m. Each individual model carries its own calibrated scanning range, published below. Use the per-model range to specify.

Ranges overlap between S and M from 458 to 520 mm, and between M and L from 870 to 1118 mm.

Accuracy and Point Density by Model

Values at the near, sweet, and far scanning distance for each model. Blue and red variants publish identical values for every parameter in this table.

Blue Laser or Red Laser

Across the eight Gen3 datasheets, the blue and red variants publish identical values for scanning range, relative distance accuracy, global and local planarity, temporal noise, point-to-point distance, acquisition and scanning time, dimensions, baseline, and weight. The one published difference is the scanning area at the sweet spot, which is taller on the blue variant of every model.

On surface performance, Photoneo states that blue laser technology delivers up to 2.5 times better 3D data completeness on complex materials, and names black plastics, reflective metals, rubber, matte finishes, and translucent surfaces as the cases it addresses. Photoneo notes that the projection unit laser color can affect scanning performance on specific scenes and objects.

Full Specifications

Mechanical, by model

Photoneo defines weight as the device without accessories, and dimensions as length, height, and depth. Current CAD models and technical drawings are published at photoneo.com/kb/device-resources.

Software and Integration

• Bin Picking Studio is Photoneo's robotic intelligence system for bin picking, combining Photoneo 3D sensors with path planning and collision avoidance. Photoneo maintains a database of robot models spanning leading robotic manufacturers and publishes the current supported list, along with per-brand robot modules, at photoneo.com/downloads/robot-modules.
• Locator Studio is Photoneo's tool for picking oriented and semi-oriented objects from collision-free environments, which Photoneo describes as flat surfaces where there is no risk of collision, such as trays, blisters, shallow bins, stop-and-go conveyor belts, and racks. Photoneo also lists simple delayering, destacking, deracking, and part localization for assembly, screwing, and precise placement. Photoneo stated of version 1.0.0 that it was primarily designed for vacuum or magnetic grippers, because it does not offer collision avoidance and cannot prevent a mechanical gripper from colliding with mechanical parts. Confirm the current version's scope with us before specifying a mechanical gripper.
• AnyPick for Boxes and the LayerPick delayering module extend Bin Picking Studio into logistics depalletization and layer separation.
• Photoneo 3D Meshing converts scans into meshes.

For third-party pipelines, Photoneo states that Gen3 supports GigE Vision 2.1 and integrates with GenICam-compliant platforms, including C++ and Python workflows.

Zebra states that Photoneo's sensors are certified to interface with many of the largest robotic manufacturers. Photoneo lists Yaskawa, Universal Robots, ABB, FANUC, Techman Robot, Kawasaki Robotics, and Omron on its Gen3 product page. Automation Distribution supplies Universal Robots, Yaskawa, and ABB arms.

Accessories

• Power: PoE injector for DIN rail, the DIN rail injector with 48 V adapter set, or the M12 A-coded power cable for 24 V.
• Data: M12 X-coded to RJ45 Ethernet cable, or the Hi-Flex version.
• Calibration and maintenance: the 300 x 300 mm marker board and calibration balls. Photoneo's published accuracy figures assume maintenance with the marker-based Maintenance Tool.
• Service coverage: repairs-only and advance replacement plans in 2, 3, 5, and 10 year terms.

Selecting a Model: Automation Distribution Application Notes

The specifications above are Photoneo's published figures. This section is Automation Distribution's application guidance, based on the published data and our experience specifying these systems. It is not manufacturer specification.

• Working inside a range overlap. Where two models both cover your distance, we suggest the one whose sweet spot sits closer to it. Photoneo's own tables show planarity, temporal noise, and point-to-point distance all degrading toward the far end of each range, so a part at 1000 mm generally sits better near an L's near limit than at an M's far limit.
• Footprint check. Compare the published scan area at the sweet spot against your bin or fixture footprint before committing. As a reference point, the M at its 655 mm sweet spot covers 623 x 467 mm, and the XL at its 2331 mm sweet spot covers 2008 x 1656 mm, which brackets a 48 x 40 inch pallet.
• Tolerance-sensitive work. If your application is metrology-adjacent, we suggest budgeting for periodic marker-based maintenance and thermal stabilization rather than relying on Autonomous Maintenance alone, given Photoneo's stated accuracy allowances above.
• Hand-eye mounting. For any cable that moves with a robot arm or through a drag chain, we recommend the Hi-Flex cable rather than the fixed-run version. Check the device weight against your robot's payload budget together with the gripper and cable carrier mass.
• Multi-sensor cells. If you are covering occlusion or a wide work area, ordering one blue and one red unit lets both channels scan in parallel using MultiView.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PhoXi 3D Scanner Gen3?

The PhoXi 3D Scanner Gen3 is Photoneo's structured light 3D scanner for static scenes. It captures a 5.1 Mpix depth map at 2472 x 2064 and an RGB color image at up to 8 Mpix, is rated IP65, computes on an onboard NVIDIA Jetson TX2, and is available in four scanning ranges covering 384 mm to 3780 mm and in blue or red laser.

Is Photoneo part of Zebra Technologies?

Yes. Zebra Technologies announced completion of its acquisition of Photoneo on March 3, 2025. Photoneo product documentation is now published by Zebra Technologies Slovakia s.r.o., and Photoneo, PhoXi Control, PhoXi 3D Scanner, and MotionCam-3D are registered trademarks of that entity. Automation Distribution is an authorized distributor for both Photoneo and Zebra Technologies.

What does Gen3 improve over the previous generation?

Photoneo reports 60 percent more 3D points per scan, up to 1.6 times the 3D data, an integrated RGB camera at up to 8 Mpix, a blue laser option delivering up to 2.5 times better data completeness on complex materials, a 20 dB wider dynamic range for up to 10 times shorter exposure, and single-click Autonomous Maintenance. Gen3 requires PhoXi Control 1.16 or higher.

What is the difference between the blue and red laser variants?

Across the Gen3 datasheets the two variants publish identical values for scanning range, relative distance accuracy, planarity, temporal noise, point-to-point distance, dimensions, baseline, and weight. The one published difference is scanning area at the sweet spot, which is taller on blue. Photoneo states that blue laser technology delivers up to 2.5 times better 3D data completeness on complex materials including black plastics, reflective metals, rubber, matte finishes, and translucent surfaces.

What is the scanning range of each model?

S covers 384 to 520 mm with a 442 mm sweet spot. M covers 458 to 1118 mm with a 655 mm sweet spot. L covers 870 to 2150 mm with a 1244 mm sweet spot. XL covers 1680 to 3780 mm with a 2331 mm sweet spot. Photoneo separately states a family working distance of 0.3 m to 6 m with factory calibration to 4 m.

How accurate is the PhoXi 3D Scanner Gen3?

Relative distance accuracy is 1.25 parts per thousand on the S, M, and L, and 1.60 on the XL. At the sweet spot, local planarity ranges from 0.16 mm on the S and M to 0.59 mm on the XL, and point-to-point distance from 0.16 mm on the S to 0.83 mm on the XL. Photoneo states these are maximum values across the production population at standard conditions on a device maintained with the marker-based Maintenance Tool, that Autonomous Maintenance alone may raise relative distance accuracy by up to 0.2 percent, and that each 10 C of ambient deviation may add up to 0.15 percent.

Can two Gen3 scanners run at the same time?

Photoneo states that Gen3 supports parallel scanning with blue and red laser variants operating simultaneously without interference between wavelengths, which increases throughput and data density. This requires the MultiView software module.

Can the Gen3 scan parts that are moving?

No. Photoneo defines Scanner mode as requiring both the device and the scene to be static during scanning, and the PhoXi 3D Scanner Gen3 operates only in this mode. For parts in motion, or a sensor moving on a robot arm without stopping, specify MotionCam-3D instead.