What Is 3D Laser Scanning Technology?
What Is 3D Laser Scanning Technology?
For those in the industrial manufacturing sector and other relevant industries, 3D laser scanning services are quickly becoming standard in many facets of 3D laser scanning processes. From the design process to inspection and distribution of products, 3D scanning services are a must-have.
Before you learn how to use a 3D printer step by step, you should first understand how the 3D laser scanning process works, how it can benefit your company, its various applications and the trends in the industry today.
What Is 3D Laser Scanning?
3D laser scanning is a technology that allows you to capture a physical object's exact dimensions and recreate that object as a virtual 3-dimensional representation. This technology is used throughout a number of industries and settings, as 3D laser scanning can capture three-dimensional data of objects, regardless of their surface features or size.
As the scanning is done with lasers, the objects do not need to be physically touched to take precise records of the existing dimensions of the object. From these scans, you'll be able to generate a model using 3D imaging software.
What Is 3D Imaging?
Essentially, 3D imaging is the ability to create an illusion of depth in a 2D image. A program manipulates the data in a 2D image to make it appear in a 3D format. Practically, 3D imaging is useful if you need to construct an object digitally, and it can also be helpful when you need to print out a 3D model.
The 3D models generated by laser scanning are constructed by capturing measurements from a variety of viewpoints with laser points or lines. The thousands of data points captured by the lasers and computer software are grouped into point clouds. These point clouds contain coordinates that all have x, y and z values, with x standing for easting, y for northing and z for elevation. The amount of detail and information contained in these point values allows users to build the most accurate models possible digitally.
Top 4 Applications of 3D Laser Scanning
There's a reason 3D laser scanning is used throughout the industrial manufacturing industry. It's useful in a variety of applications that can provide a significant amount of value to a company. Below, you'll find some of the most important ways companies use 3D laser scanning:
1. 3D Modeling, Design and Printing
Once you've made a 3D laser scan, you'll have several different ways you can use the data. For example, one of the most common applications of a 3D laser scan is to turn it into a digital model. Often, these digital models are converted into 3D CAD formats, using 3D software such as Artec Studio. In the program, you can view and interact with the model, which is perfect for companies that want to make adjustments to an existing product.
Many times, companies use 3D data gained from scanning products or facilities to help themselves design similar products or facilities. Additionally, one of the most impressive new applications of 3D laser scanning is 3D printing. With 3D printing, objects or models of buildings can be scanned and printed out in a variety of sizes.
2. Reverse Engineering
If you have an object with dimensions you don't know, you can use 3D laser scanning to get the most accurate measurements. The data from the scan can then produce a 3D model of the object or space in multiple formats. This sort of reverse engineering functionality means that companies can figure out how to reconstruct an object even without its design documents.
3. Planning
One of the most beneficial applications of 3D laser scanning across several industries is the ability to plan future actions and prototypes better. Say you have a facility and are looking to add a new machine or area to it. You can scan the current facility to find where new parts of the facility or machines can fit in with the current structure. The same principles can be applied to products that need to be compatible with other products from the company.
4. Marketing and Educational Applications
For companies that work with clients and are engaged in design work, 3D laser scans can help marketing teams bring their product to clients virtually. In the educational sphere, 3D laser models can be used as an instructional tool to show people how to construct or produce different items properly. For example, architecture students may find it valuable for an instructor to show them how a building maintains its structural integrity through the data that a scan provides.
Though 3D scanning still sometimes seems like magic, it’s made possible through highly advanced technology that has been continually improving for years. A 3D laser scanner is a non-contact, non-destructive digital technology that captures the shape of a physical object by using a line of laser light. It creates a point cloud, or a set of data points in a coordinate system, that represents the exact size and shape of a three-dimensional object.
3D scanners measure an object’s finest details, capturing free-form shapes and generating accurate point clouds for objects with complex geometries and contoured surfaces. This allows you to quickly capture precise data and deliver it quickly.
How It Works: The 3D Laser Scanning Process
3D laser scanning has gone through a revolution over the years that has provided enhanced precision, faster scanning and better results. Controlled steering of laser beams, in addition to distance measurements, makes the process possible. An internal rotary encoder in the machine controls the motion of scanning by adjusting several scanning mirrors to guide the laser beams. The process happens in several steps:
- Quality control. When it comes to ensuring that products are being properly produced, 3D laser scanning is quickly becoming a must. It has proven its value by being able to provide users with a quick update on a product's construction. For example, a company can take the data gained from a scan to catch any errors that have been made and correct them before a product is unveiled to the public.
- Rapid prototyping. A top benefit to 3D laser scanning is the ability to reduce how many prototype cycles are needed. With 3D scan data, you'll reduce the prototypes created, as you'll have the ability to get the measurements right before going to production. Before it's produced, the object will be constructed with the correct physical measurements, giving it the right scale and proper functionality.
- Optimizes engineering and manufacturing. The data gathered by a 3D scan can be applied to the engineering portions of the project. For example, the 3D scan data will help you perform CAE, FEA and CFD engineering analysis on your created or modified products.
- Accurate documentation. In a variety of industries, 3D laser scanning provides companies with the ability to precisely document products that they offer. With a 3D laser scan, companies can quickly have precise measurements for all of the products that they offer.
- Meet deadlines. Though it might not be obvious, 3D scanning services can help companies keep tabs on the progress of their work. If you're a construction company, regular laser scanning will give you a detailed breakdown of how much has been accomplished on a worksite, which will then ensure that deadlines are met. The same principle applies to the manufacturing of objects, as laser scanning can keep tabs on the progress of whatever is being produced.
1. Scanning
The first step to the 3D laser scanning process is to pick out an object or facility that you'd like scanned. Once you select your object, you'll need to scan it. For smaller objects, you'll place them on the bed of a digitizer to begin the scanning process. For larger objects, such as buildings, you'll need to use other types of portable 3D laser scanners that can be brought out to the site.
What Are The Different Types of 3D Scanning?
To scan an object properly, you'll need to know the two main types of 3D scanning on the market today: time-of-flight and triangulation.
- Triangulation
Triangulation uses trigonometry to get the most accurate dimensions of the object. This method involves the use of a scanner and a camera, with the camera sitting at the top vertice of a triangle and the laser scanner sitting beneath the camera at the second vertice. The object is located at the third vertice, waiting to be scanned.
Once the scanner, camera and object are in place, the scanner scans the object. As the distance and the angle between the laser and the camera are known, the scanner can calculate the distance to the object and then begin taking the measurements of the entire object.
The scanner takes its measurements by emitting a laser line. This line lets it scan and measure the object's cross-section all at once. The laser moves up the object's surface until it captures all of its dimensions. The data gained is then fed into a computer where you can then put it to use in a variety of applications. Typically, companies use this type of scanning for short-range applications, with the objects usually being smaller.
- Time-of-Flight
In contrast to triangulation, time-of-flight scanning can occur at a great distance and is often used for larger scanning jobs, such as a building or vehicle. In practice, these scanners can be considered laser range finders, as they determine the distance to the object or surface they are scanning to help them take measurements. The way they make these measurements is through a LiDAR system.
How does LiDAR work? In short, LiDAR gathers accurate data by emitting laser light and then measuring how long it takes for the light to hit the surface and bounce back to the sensors. As the speed of light is a constant that's known, the amount of time that it takes to get to the surface and bounce back tells the 3D scanner the distance between them.
Once the distance is determined, the laser will begin scanning, measuring distance one point at a time. The scanner will automatically move the laser to each point of the surface in its field of vision, with the process being extremely fast. The majority of time-of-flight scanners can measure thousands of data points per second. Due to their medium to long-range scanning capabilities, this method is often used in environmental or surveying scanning.
2. The Data
The resulting data from this process is the point cloud. Millions of points appear on a computer monitor during the laser’s movement, which captures the entire surface shape of any scanned object. The process gathers up to a million points per second with cutting-edge models like the TX8 laser scanners and others. Scanners maintain a precision within .0005 inches of the exact value.
Point cloud data files are huge. After their generation, they are registered and merged into a 3D representation of the object. Then, they’re post-processed with various software packages depending on the specific application.
3. Data Uses
Once the data has been collected and the image has been fully rendered in whatever scanning software you're using, you'll be able to select the kind of model you'd like to create through your software's 3D imaging capabilities. Sometimes you may only want a digital model, but you can also print out the model if you'd like to see a more tangible visual representation of the product.
If you're using the data you gained for inspection purposes, you can compare the designer's CAD nominal data to the object you scanned. From that comparison, you can receive a deviation report that utilizes a color map. This report will show the difference between any CAD data and scan data.
Additionally, the data can be used for reverse engineering with a CAD model. The laser scan of an object will deliver plenty of information that you can then use to reverse engineer an object. In the software, the point cloud data from an object can be plugged in to build a 3D CAD model of the object's geometry.
After the CAD model has been generated, it's easy to then to quickly reproduce an exact copy of a scanned object. Reverse engineering also allows companies to correct any imperfections in previous models. By reverse-engineering them, they can find the flaws and then keep what works while adjusting the parts that have issues in the CAD model.
Benefits of Using 3D Laser Scanning
3D laser mapping and scanning carry with them several benefits that industrial manufacturers and other businesses would be wise to utilize. To give you an idea of how 3D laser scanning can assist your company, consider the following benefits:
Technology Trends Influencing 3D Laser Scanning Capabilities
Currently, there's a debate going on in the 3D laser scanning industry about the merits of using photogrammetry or 3D laser scanning to craft 3D interactive models. Generally, it's better to use photogrammetry if you need to cover a large amount of space quickly, but for those who want a higher level of accuracy, laser scanners should be your top choice.
One main technological trend that has made 3D laser scanning faster has been the advent of drones that can quickly gather data in hard-to-reach areas. This new piece of technology closes some of the gap between photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning in terms of speed. Companies are also starting to use UAVs to eliminate LiDAR collection processes, which can cut some costs associated with LiDAR.
As reverse engineering and part inspection continue to become a major fixture of industrial manufacturing, the accuracy that 3D laser scanning provides makes it the clear choice over previous photogrammetry methods. Other new trends include more mobile LiDAR scanners, greater automation and faster processes, the growth of multimodal scans and greater AR/VR integration.
Contact Duncan-Parnell With Any Questions About 3D Scanning or Imaging
3D scanning services are vital to modern industrial manufacturing processes. 3D laser scanning technology has many applications and benefits that can affect virtually every stage of the design and manufacturing processes of products. For those interested in adding 3D scanners, 3D software or 3D scanning services, consider browsing our vast selection of 3D scanning products.
If you're just looking for more information, we have you covered as well. For those who want to know more about the 3D printing process, consider reading our blog about how to use 3D printer software and the various printing methods. Additionally, if you have other questions, feel free to contact us today!
