Texel Portal RX: Assembly Guide

Overview

The Texel Portal RX 3D scanner is a hardware and software complex for quick acquisition of color 3D models of people and large objects. The main feature of Texel Portal RX is that the person remains stationary during 3D scanning, while a column equipped with depth sensors (RGB-D cameras) rotates around them. The main components of the 3D scanner include a scanner base with a rotating assembly, a stand for the object, two horizontal beams (for a sensor column and a laptop stand), and a vertical column, that provides vertical movement of the sensors and LED illumination of the object being scanned. The kit may also include a high-performance laptop configured to run Texel software. Texel Portal RX 3D scanner provides quick and smooth rotation of the sensors around the object being scanned (scanning takes about 30 seconds) and gathers the data from 4 depth sensors, each equipped with a color (RGB) camera. Acquired video streams are then processed by the Texel software to produce a color 3D scan and other derived data, such as body measurements. Texel Portal RX is a powerful and user-friendly solution for full-body 3D scanning with color.

Fully Assembled View

Unpacking

Texel Portal RX is shipped partially disassembled in two rigid plywood boxes. Individual components of the 3D scanner are protected with bubble wrap, foam polyethylene, cardboard, or other packaging materials. To open the plywood boxes, unscrew the screws on the top lids of the boxes using a screwdriver. The screws holding the top lids are marked with red circles in the photo below:

Package

When taking components of the 3D scanner out of the box, care must be taken to prevent damage to parts, cables, and other equipment components. Care must also be taken when moving the packaging and heavy components of the 3D scanner to avoid injury.

Package Contents

Package contents

The Texel Portal RX 3D scanner package includes the following items:

3D scanner base with a rotating assembly
Round stand for placing the person or object being scanned
Stand mounting hardware (12 M6 screws with washers)
Horizontal beam for a sensor column
Horizontal beam for a laptop stand
3D scanner column with a control unit and magnetic sensor mounts
4 depth sensors (RGB-D cameras) on magnetic holders
Column mounting hardware (4 M8 bolts)
Laptop stand (a telescopic rod and a top shelf)
Column power cable (internal)
Laptop power cable (internal)
Power cable for the 3D scanner (for connecting to a wall outlet)
2.5 mm and 5 mm Allen (HEX) keys
A 13 mm wrench tool for securing a column
High-performance laptop (optional)

Please note that individual visual elements or components of the 3D scanner may differ slightly in appearance between different versions of the equipment, but their functionality and consumer properties remain unchanged. We will update this guide if there are significant changes in the design.

Assembly Instructions

3D scanner should be assembled according to the steps below. We recommend strictly following the instructions and not altering the order of steps. Although Texel Portal RX can be assembled by one person, we recommend two people to minimize the risk of damage to the 3D scanner components or injury. All assembly steps must be performed with the device completely disconnected from the power outlet. Plug the device into a power outlet only after assembly is complete according to the instructions.

Unpack and place the base with the rotating assembly on the floor, on a level, solid surface. The maximum height of the assembled 3D scanner is at least 2650 mm. The recommended ceiling height at the installation site is 2800 mm (2.8 m), with an absolute minimum of 2700 mm (2.7 m). Also, please consider the preferred power connection location when positioning the 3D scanner.
Locate and unpack the horizontal beam for a laptop stand:
From the drive side of the rotating assembly, unscrew the 6 screws securing the laptop stand beam using a 5 mm Allen key:
Align the flange of the laptop stand beam with the mounting location on the rotating assembly:
Carefully holding the laptop stand beam, insert and tighten the 6 screws securing the beam to the rotating assembly using a 5 mm Allen key (it’s easier to start with the top two screws, then you won’t need to hold the beam anymore):
Locate and unpack the horizontal beam for a sensor column:
On the side opposite to the laptop stand beam, unscrew the 6 screws for securing the sensor column beam using a 5 mm Allen key:
Align the flange of the column beam with the mounting location on the rotating assembly:
Carefully holding the sensor column beam, insert and tighten the 6 screws securing the beam to the rotating assembly using a 5 mm Allen key (it’s also easier to start with the top two screws, then you won’t need to hold the beam anymore):

After both beams are secured, the 3D scanner base should look like this:
Locate and unpack the laptop stand (telescopic rod and top shelf):
Using a 2.5 mm Allen key, loosen the 4 laptop stand mounting screws, install the telescopic rod into the mounts and tighten the screws:
Install and secure the top shelf onto the laptop stand using the screw (marked with an arrow):

If necessary, adjust the height of the stand (using the telescopic rod part) and the tilt of the shelf for the most convenient and secure placement of the laptop. Make sure the fixing screws on the stand are properly tightened to prevent the laptop from falling and being damaged when the scanner rotates.
Carefully unpack the 3D scanner sensor column (shipped in a separate plywood box):
Install the column into the mounting bracket on the horizontal beam. Be careful not to damage the wires or tip the structure over. Next, secure the column with four M8 bolts (two on each side) using the included 13 mm wrench tool:
Connect the power cable to the 3D scanner column:
Route the column power cable together with the rotating assembly motor cable (the cable coming out of the control unit with a metal cylindrical connector at the end) under the column beam on the connector side, securing it with hook-and-loop (Velcro) fasteners so that the wires do not touch the floor or the base of the 3D scanner when rotating:
Connect the motor cable to the connector on the rotating assembly (it can only be inserted in one position; there is a special notch on the connector body), and then tighten the locking ring to prevent the cable from being disconnected.

Please note: connecting and disconnecting the motor cable is only allowed when the device is completely powered off. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the control electronics.
Connect the column power cable to the adjacent connector:
Route the USB cables from the column under the beam on the opposite side from the power and motor cables, securing them with hook-and-loop fasteners:
Pass the USB cables through the rectangular holes in the rotating assemnly as shown in the image below:
Place the USB cables on the holder near the laptop stand beam and then route them under the beam, securing them with hook-and-loop fasteners:
Connect the cable for the laptop power supply on the opposite side of the rotating assembly:
Place the laptop power supply cable on the holder near the laptop stand beam and route it under the beam, securing it with hook-and-loop fasteners:
Attach the laptop power supply to the laptop stand beam using hook-and-loop fasteners and connect the power cable:
Secure the power cable that goes directly to the laptop using hook-and-loop fasteners under the beam:
Install and secure the round stand (platform) with 16 M6 screws and washers using the 5 mm Allen key provided:
Place the laptop on the laptop stand shelf, secure the laptop power cable and USB cables to the vertical part of the stand using hook-and-loop fasteners:
Connect the power cable and two USB cables to the laptop. It is recommended to connect the USB cables to different sides of the laptop (one cable on the left, one on the right):

Also, please note that your laptop model may differ from the image, so the location of the power connector may be different.
Secure the depth sensors (4 pieces) to the magnetic mounts on the column, paying attention to the numbering (the numbers on the column holders and on the sensor brackets must match), and then connect the USB connectors of the sensors to the sockets on the column mounts:

Please note that Texel Portal RX 3D scanners can be equipped with various depth sensors, but the magnetic mounts are always standard.

To remove the sensor, first disconnect the USB connector and then pull the bottom of the bracket up and forward, as shown below:
Make sure the 3D scanner is level and all feet are touching the floor. If necessary, adjust the feet by rotating them. A spirit level can be used to check if the base is level.

Preparing 3D Scanner For Operation

The assembly process of the Texel Portal RX 3D scanner is now complete. There are few simple steps left to fully prepare the scanner for operation:

Connect the power cable to the 3D scanner, then plug it into a wall outlet:
Turn on the laptop.
Turn on the power for the control unit at the bottom of the column:
After completing the above steps, the LED on the control panel will start flashing red, indicating that the 3D scanner is waiting for initialization (determining its home position). To initialize, press the button on the control panel:

If the 3D scanner is moving (during initialization or during scanning), pressing the button performs an emergency stop (you can also stop the 3D scanner from the software on your laptop).
Once initialization is complete, the LED will turn green and the 3D scanner will be ready for use:
To adjust the brightness of the built-in lighting, rotate the brightness knob on the left:

At this stage, your Texel Portal RX 3D scanner is fully prepared to work with the Texel software installed on your laptop. Before starting 3D scanning for the first time, make sure that there are no foreign objects in the way of 3D scanner rotation, and that no external cables (such as Ethernet) are connected to the laptop.

If you need to disassemble the scanner (e.g. for storage or transportation), we recommend following the steps described in this guide in a reverse order. This will simplify both the disassembly and subsequent reassembly process of the 3D scanner.