EoW July 2007

english technology news

Measuring the world with 3D terrestrial laser scanning services

The collected data can be used to create dimensionally accurate 3D CAD models or conventional 2D line drawings. Terrestrial laser scanning is invaluable in conditions that are less than optimal for manual measurements, such as on oil rigs and in poorly lit mines or tunnels. The laser scanner can take accurate measurements even in the dark. The GKS team recently used the Faro LS-880 to document the interior of a 58 year old church building. The original blueprints had been lost long ago, and accurate measurements were needed prior to the start of possible building renovations. Built with neo-gothic style architecture, the church has a unique cross-shaped nave. Due to the high vaulted ceiling, massive wooden

GKS Inspection Services Inc, USA, a provider of dimensional measurement and 3D laser scanning services, has announced the immediate worldwide availability of terrestrial 3D laser scanning services. The company, a division of Laser Design Inc, recently acquired a top-of-the-line Faro LS-880 terrestrial laser scanner and hired a specialised engineer dedicated solely to this application. Terrestrial laser scanning is a ground- based technique for collecting high- density 3D geospatial data. GKS’s new LS-880 scanner is designed for very large- scale, complex 3D scanning, such as entire

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 CADmodels. The LS-880 laser scanner has a range of up to 80m per scan, with a linearity error of only 3mm. Multiple scans are easily connected enabling the creation of a comprehensive CAD model for each project. The LS-880 clocks in at 100 times faster than conventional scanners, and can collect 8 megapixels of data in less than one minute.

buildings, factories, rooms, landscapes, and other large structures and locations, both inside and out. Since the unit is compact and quick to set up, high- speed non-contact data acquisition with the LS-880 is ideal in environments where health and safety issues must be considered, such as in a landslide area, or where access is limited, such as on roadways.

beams, and wide variety of colours and materials inside the church, obtaining accurate measurements with other types of digitising equipment would not have been time or cost justifiable. GKS Inspection Services – USA Fax : +1 734 582 9610 Email : info@gks3d.com Website : www.gks3d.com

The LS-880 scanner (photo courtesy of Faro)

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EuroWire – July 2007