3D Laser Scanning
Laser Scanning is a non-contact technology that digitally
captures the shape of physical objects using laser light. A laser probe
projects a line of laser light onto a surface while cameras continuously
triangulate the changing distance and shape of the laser line as it sweeps
along, digitizing the object in three dimensions (see below for more
information about laser triangulation).
Laser Design’s patented line-range probes measure along a
whole line of laser light projected onto an object, to capture up to 144,000
points per second (pps), as opposed to a point-range probe which measures only
one point at a time and is much slower.
3D laser scanners create a point cloud of data samples from
the surface of the object from which a digital CAD model can be made.
Laser triangulation is an active stereoscopic measurement
technique that computes the distance of an object with a directional light
source and a video camera. A laser beam is deflected from a mirror onto a
scanning object. The object scatters the light, which is then collected
by a video camera located at a known triangulation distance from the laser so that
the 3D spatial coordinates of a surface point or line are calculated. The
CCD camera’s 2D array captures the surface profile’s image and digitizes all
data points along the laser.
Laser Design’s next-generation scanning technology and
Surveyor 3D laser scanning systems provide fast, ultra-precise, fully automated
laser measurement capabilities for complex geometries and free-form
shapes. Our Surveyor systems come in a
broad range of sizes for parts of all sizes, from small, intricate objects to
large aerospace or automotive vehicles.
Whether comparing a physical part to its CAD model or digitizing a
prototype with the intent of developing a new CAD model, laser scanning yields high accuracy point
cloud data that can be modeled and used for many purposes:
- Tool path creation
- Polygonal / STL meshes
- Composite blends
- NURBS curves
- NURBS surfaces
- Tooling verification
- And many more.
Dimensional Inspection
Dimensional Inspection is a broad term for any process that measures the dimensions of parts to compare to an inspection norm. GKS uses the latest digitizing and software technologies available for both contact and non-contact measurement to perform dimensional inspection.
Through the scanning of a physical part, 3D scan data is
compared directly with the nominal CAD model to verify that the finished part
or tooling conforms to the original design intent. Alternately, two sets of point cloud scan
data can be compared with each other during the manufacturing process to assure
parts stay in spec.
Since it is a much slower process, traditional touch-probe
contact measurement is usually used when only certain features or locations of
a part need to be tightly inspected. It
can be performed manually with an SCS or CMM, or automatically with a CNC or
CMM.
High-speed non-contact measurement is performed with Laser Design's ultra-accurate Surveyor 3D laser scanning systems, either manual and automated. A broad range of system sizes accomodate parts of all sizes, from small, intricate objects or textures to large aerospace or automotive vehicles.
Dimensional Inspection services include:
- Physical part to CAD model comparison (product verification/ tooling verification)
- PPAP (Production Part Approval Process)
- Process Capability Studies
- Gage R&R (Repeatability & Reproductibility)
- Impartial Evaluation
- Calibration & Certification of tooling, and all types of fixtures and gages.
Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Terrestrial laser scanning is a
ground-based technique for collecting high-density 3D geospatial data. Terrestrial
laser scanners are designed for very large-scale, complex 3D scanning, such as
entire buildings, factories, rooms, landscapes, and other big structures and
locations. The size of the specimen being scanned is not limited
by the directional travel of a machine or the reach of an articulated arm.
GKS’s terrestrial laser scanning unit
is compact and quick to set up. It
provides high-speed non-contact 3D data acquisition on-site for objects
that are virtually unlimited in size. Using the
highly accurate 3D survey scan data generated with terrestrial laser scanning, engineers
and designers can create CAD models of actual site conditions by processing the
scan data into universally useable CAD models.
The inspection or reverse engineering
of large vehicles, sculptures, construction projects like bridges, frameworks
for large structures or buildings, stadiums, etc. can now be quickly
accomplished with this scanning technology. The applications are almost
limitless in any number of industries, ranging from architecture and
engineering to automotive, transportation and energy infrastructure to
petrochemical, and anthropological to forensic.
The huge quantity of data
generated by high-speed terrestrial laser scanning produces three-dimensional
images that can be enhanced with color to make them more realistic. Multiple
scans are easily connected enabling the creation of a comprehensive CAD model
for each project. Scene specific 3D measurements can be made directly
from the 3D scan data. Non-contact laser scanning means that no detail is
omitted or disturbed.
The collected data can be used to
create dimensionally accurate 3D CAD models or conventional 2D line drawings.
Depending on the need, the raw point cloud data can be exported into a variety
of formats, including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro-Engineer, CATIA, UG,
IDEAS, DXF, DWG, IGES, ASCII, STEP, and more.
GKS’s mobile terrestrial laser scanning system can be used for scanning
projects anywhere in the world. It can even operate using a portable
rechargeable battery when there is no access to electrical power. Scanning can
be done in practically any environment including broad daylight, the dark of
night, indoors, and outdoors, while maintaining an accuracy of ± 3.0 mm or
better over its 75-meter, 360° by 320° range.
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