Typical Application Areas

3D laser scanners can be found in various applications like documentation of:

• industrial facilities
• infrastructure
• mining
• buildings and architecture
• cultural heritage and archaeology
• forensic sites
• prototypes
• virtual reality objects
• accidents

The “next-generation” scanners significantly reduce field costs and increases phase-based data quality for many types of as-built and site surveys where users want to take advantage of ultra-high speed, phase-based laser scanning. 3D laser scanners are the perfect instrument to capture arbitrary laminar surfaces.

As-Built 3D Models from Laser Scanning

Click text to view interactive 3D PDF model of Ore Car

This model was created from the point cloud gathered by 3D Laser Scanning. The ore car was scanned from the four corners, and the point clouds registered together through the use of intervisible targets. The point cloud has been solidified into 3D CAD solids.

Click text to view interactive 3D PDF of Propane Cooler As-built modelled from 3D Laser Scanning

The useful range of phase-based scanning has been stretched and data quality improved. This provides productivity benefits, while also expanding the types of projects where phase-based scanning can be used, such as capturing multi-story building facades.

3D Laser Scanning Projects

Below are a selection of images from other recently completed projects.

T-Junction Scan

T-Junction - CAD model from point cloud (click here to view 3D PDF)

Terrestrial Scanning Deliverables

Propane Cooler - Raw point cloud

This vessel was located adjacent to a pipe rack which was the focus of the laser scanning exercise, and was collected as overscan. The image above is the raw point cloud before any modelling has been undertaken. The density of data can be seen in the lettering midway along the main body, and the individual bolts on the front flange.

Solidification of point cloud

The point cloud is modelled as a series of contiguous solids; this transforms the data from a dense  set of individual points into a single object. At this stage the model now has all the characteristics of a CAD solid (dimensions, surface area, volume etc.).

Cross-Section Production

There are multitudinous ways of presenting the data derived from scanning. Naturally 3D presentations are an obvious choices due to the 3D nature of the scan cloud. This can include, for example 3D solids as described above.

Additionally, traditional 2D representations are often found to be of benefit due to the simplicity of working with this type of representation. An example is cross-sectional data, derived directly from the point cloud. These cross sections can be taken through any appropriate plane and at any required intervals, giving dimensional information which can be directly compared with design.

Further information about all our 3D Laser Scanning products

Further information about 3D Close Range scanning and precision measurements