Notably, 3D Laser Scanning is a sophisticated technique that uses laser light to digitally record the outlines of physical objects. The laser scanner captures fine details as well as shapes and patterns with extreme precision. Technically, all these details are then employed to transform object outlines into three-dimensional textured models, maps, and elevations.
With the data obtained by the scanner, these objects may now be replicated using 3D printers. But, let’s be clear that 3D laser scanning is not magical. True, the technologies that make it possible are very advanced and quite amazing. However, behind the mirrors — found in the laser probe (without any smoke) — there is a lot of know-how and experience all along.
Something that makes the 3D Laser Scanning experience seem so easy to Laser Design customers. As we’ll come to learn, given its technology, 3D Laser Scanning provides several benefits for engineers in various sectors. And, we’ll highlight some of the most important ones in this post. So, read on to learn about the primary benefits of 3D laser scanning in engineering.
What A 3D Laser Scanning Process Really Entails
3D Laser Scanning, the process of converting physical objects into precise digital models, enables you to quickly and accurately capture your object’s shape and geometries. Raw 3D scan data consists of millions of XYZ data points, called “point clouds,” which can be manipulated and delivered in a number of native file formats.
This process supplies you with a complete digital representation of your part to be used for reverse engineering, quality inspection, or analysis at any point of a typical manufacturing cycle. Simply put, 3D Laser Scanning is a non-contact, non-destructive technology that digitally captures the shape of physical objects using a line of laser light.
3D laser scanners create “point clouds” of data from the surface of an object. In other words, 3D laser scanning is a way to capture a physical object’s exact size and shape into the computer world as a digital 3-dimensional representation. 3D laser scanners measure fine details and capture free-form shapes to quickly generate highly accurate point clouds.
Ideally, 3D laser scanning is suited to the measurement and inspection of contoured surfaces and complex geometries. In most case, some of which requires a massive amount of data for their accurate description. As well as where doing the same is impractical with the use of traditional measurement methods or a touch probe.
Data Acquisition
3D Laser Scanning Process An object that is to be laser scanned is placed on the bed of the digitizer. Specialized software drives the laser probe above the surface of the object. The laser probe projects a line of laser light onto the surface while 2 sensor cameras continuously record the changing distance and shape of the laser line in three dimensions (XYZ) as it sweeps along the object.
Resulting Data
The shape of the object appears as millions of points called a “point cloud” on the computer monitor as the laser moves around capturing the entire surface shape of the object. The process is very fast, gathering up to 750,000 points per second, and very precise (to ±.0005″).
Modeling Choice
Forthwith, the preferred modeling choice highly depends on the application type. After the huge point cloud data files are created, they are registered and merged into one three-dimensional representation of the object and post-processed with various software packages suitable for a specific application.
Data Inspection
Also known as Point Cloud Data for inspection, if the data is to be used for inspection, the scanned object can be compared to the designer’s CAD nominal data. The result of this comparison process is delivered in the form of a “color map deviation report,” in PDF format. Basically, which pictorially describes the differences between the scan data and the CAD data.
Reverse Engineering
Laser scanning is the fastest, most accurate, and most automated way to acquire 3D digital data for reverse engineering. Again, using specialized software, the point cloud data is used to create a 3D CAD model of the part’s geometry. The CAD model enables the precise reproduction of the scanned object, or the object can be modified in the CAD model to correct imperfections. Laser Design can provide a surface model or the more complex solid model, whichever results are needed for the application.
The Main 3D Laser Scanning Benefits In Engineering
Laser Design, a CyberOptics Corporation Brand is a good example — the premier provider of ultra-precise 3D scanning systems and 3D measurement services. Markedly, they have helped customers successfully complete their most complex inspection, analysis, and reverse engineering projects for more than 30 years. Ask their experienced metrologists and engineers.
Perse, they all know one thing in common — that today more than ever, speed and quality give manufacturers a competitive advantage. Since 1981, Laser Design has been committed to tackling the most challenging 3D scanning & measurement problems. Whilst, measuring and scanning everything from small, highly detailed parts to complete vehicles.
They even scan buildings, bridges, power plants, and other large-scale objects. Among many others, such an agency will make use of unique, ultra-precise systems that perfectly capture 3D shapes – even in objects with complex geometries and free-form surfaces. The lab employs numerous CMMs, vision systems, 3D scanners, surface analyzers, and other inspection equipment.
At first, the 3D Laser Scanning Technology seemed mysterious and magical. The industry has since caught up with us and 3D scanning has become an essential and integral part of the manufacturing process. As always, businesses want to improve their customers’ efficiency, quality, time-to-market, and ultimately their bottom lines, among other benefits like:
Save Time In The Overall Design Work
3D Laser scanning is a fairly new technology that allows businesses to conserve key resources while increasing profits in several ways. Professional 3D scanning services may assist you in creating exact 3D models with exact dimensions, allowing you to save waste in your firm by eliminating excessive ordering. You’ll be able to calculate exactly how much of a particular resource you’ll need to properly complete your project.
Because 3D laser scanning technology reduces HSE concerns, requires fewer man-hours for accurate surveying, and causes no interruption or shutdown of equipment and facilities, it allows you to save time and money. Nothing can truly go wrong!
Ensure A First Try Fitting Together For Parts
3D scanning may be used at the start of the design phase to create a CAD (computer-assisted design) model from a real object. Typically, designers have to work with or adapt designs to already-existing objects. These parts may be scanned and included in the design. As a result, parts reliably fit, even on the first attempt.
The technology can assist in swiftly recording all of the quantifiable metrics of any physical entity, as well as ensuring that the pieces are constructed properly enough to fit together on the first try.
Get Fast Plus Thorough Data Collection Points
3D laser scanning collects important information as well as high-precision data to back up the point cloud model, which provides all of the specifics required to finish a project. 3D scanners can record a single pixel and manipulate its current state. This technique eliminates the need to consider human errors. The contractors may require all of the information acquired.
Specifically, in order to do the jobs efficiently and successfully. The 3D data obtained during the scanning procedure is so detailed that nearly every aspect is documented. The possibility of omission is diminished significantly, with a very low risk of mistake.
Reduce Risks And Increase Project Sites Safety
3D laser scans are extremely useful for preventive maintenance because they allow you to spot possible issues before they become too difficult to resolve. The data collected by a 3D scan may be employed for augmented reality and virtual reality simulations.
As well as to create more useful and effective maintenance and safe operating guides and deliverables. You can do 3D laser scans from a safe distance, removing the need for a complete survey team to visit potentially hazardous areas. This remote scan is quite useful if an occurrence has resulted in several ambiguous situations.
Similarly, since as-built drawings are virtually invariably incorrect and incomplete, using 3D laser scan data to produce as-builts will give precise, rapid, and extensive documentation.
Enjoy Long-Term Benefits Beyond Design & Build
3D laser scanning data may be compared to fresh designs as a project advances, to ensure quality. Using laser scanning throughout the process ensures that data at important phases in the project’s evolution is recorded.
This information monitoring and collection is useful once construction is done and throughout site maintenance. Site managers are always able to swiftly look back to the original model to see precisely where and when project components were put. The scanned data can also be a valuable resource for asset management throughout the project’s life cycle.
Furthermore, because there is no need to deconstruct the entire structure if there is a design defect, the 3D model scanned by the scanner may be utilized to remodel the structure in the future, promising greater performance and part alignment.
To Sum Up:
Using 3D laser scanning, a physical object can be translated directly to the engineering stage of a project, and the project can proceed from there. Engineering professionals can save time and money with 3D laser scanning tools. Whilst, ensuring that all key parts will fit together correctly on the first try. To collect important information and the high-precision data needed.
More so, in order to complete any given project, thus they are incredibly helpful for preventive maintenance. Particularly, by allowing you to spot potential issues before they become too difficult to resolve. 3D laser scanning also makes sure that data is recorded at key points in the project’s evolution. Thus there are many benefits of 3D laser scanning in engineering.
And, as such, there is no denying its importance throughout the whole process of bringing an engineering concept into existence. On that note, whatever the need is, Laser Design is a great CyberOptics Corporation Brand that you can lean on. Not to mention, it has been a leading supplier of 3D scanning systems and services since 1987 all around the world.
Uniquely, it helps customers successfully solve their most complex 3D inspection, analysis, and reverse engineering challenges quickly, giving them a competitive advantage. Whether the 3D solution needed is a new 3D scanner or a service project performed in their lab or at your site – Laser Design’s expert metrologists and experienced engineers have you covered.
They’ll walk with you from start to finish – on your schedule, within your budget, and with ultra-accuracy data results – most of their customers have come to terms with their efficiency. That said, if you’ll need more support, you can always Contact Us and let us know how we can sort you out. Our team of Web Tech Experts Taskforce will be more than glad to come in handy…
