Reconstruction sphere makes a flawless digital copy of anything… @ DVICE -

The OrcaM Orbital Camera System will take any object placed into its maw and create a submillimeter accurate 3D model, complete with color, texture, and reflectivity maps. Seven individual cameras orbit around the sphere with the object inside it, taking simultaneous high resolution pictures while different combinations of projected light and shadow are used to help define object geometry. It’s completely automatic, and when OrcaM is done taking pictures, you can pull the original out unharmed along with a perfectly rendered digital copy.

I think there’s a DIY-style way to make one of these with a few hacked Kinects, maybe not this round of hardware but certainly the next. Combine a copy-sphere with a Makerbot and you’ve got a scan and print system. Coming soon to Fedex/Kinkos! Bring your object in, swipe your card, put in the ball, print!