Hi, I like your 3D scanner project, and plan to try making one this winter based on yours.
My plan is to use:
An old record player as platform modified with a nema17 stepper motor
- 30mw red line laser
- Logitech HD webCam
- Hope to use a spare Rumba 3D printer controller (based on RAMPS/Arduino Mega) + LCD panel to controll the motor, laser..

I have 3D printer, so I can print mounts.. + I have some alu and carbon tubes I can use for camera/Laser mounts..

I have been wanting to do a scanner like this as well but instead of a turntable i wish i could point the laser arbitrary unto any surface and at any angle .. then a camera would constantly pick up where the laser lands and builds the environment.

Do you have any ideea on what kind of detecting algorithm this might need ?

I am talking about something like the first scanner from the below video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt85NirrDw0#t=253