EoW July 2007

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EuroWire – July 2007 63
english technology news
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
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.
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.
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
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:
Website:
The LS-880 scanner (photo courtesy of Faro) ▲
Measuring the world with 3D terrestrial laser
scanning services