Handheld Laser Scanner

These days, more and more businesses are recognising the benefits of using a 3D handheld laser scanner. Basically, this technology is used to capture accurate measurements and details placed in front of it. This can be either be a large surface area or a small object. Because of this feature, this state-of-the-art technology is now emerging as one of the most used equipment in a range of industries.

Whether your business is part of the automotive or manufacturing industry, a 3D handheld laser scanner is definitely something that can help you with your operations and keep up with the technological advances today. To know more about this as well as its great benefits, check out the next sections.

Design

3D measurement and scanning can be applied at the design phase by starting with a physical object and using it to design a CAD model. Oftentimes, designers need to work around or fit their design to existing objects. These mating parts can also be scanned and incorporated into the design, resulting in parts that fit better consistently. The process of using an existing manufactured part to create a CAD model is often referred to as reverse engineering or reverse modelling. Businesses can enhance their designs, thanks to this advanced technology.

Quality control

3D measurement technologies are used to analyse the “as-built” condition of parts after they have been manufactured. Most often, the best handheld 3d scanner is utilised to inspect the general shape and size of parts quickly in order to see issues on warpage or overall scale issues. Contact inspections are well suited to analyse bolt-hole locations, bores, bosses and other prismatic features. 3D scanning is used in combination with statistical analysis software to maintain and predict quality in manufacturing.

Cost-effective

With less time and labour being spent during the measurement acquisition and design iteration steps, 3D measurement is substantially more cost-effective than most other technologies. Furthermore, non-contact measurement technologies are affordable because it can easily be outsourced to a company that specialises in 3D solutions. This can lessen the labour and operator training costs.

Production

The best handheld 3d scanner can be utilised to record changes to tooling or parts, which happens on the shop floor. Tooling is often “hand-tuned” to achieve the final desired look and finish of a part. Users can transfer the optimisations and hand modifications from one tool to another. This ensures that every part matches in every tool after the production. Such technology can also be used to analyse and characterise tool wear during production. If used correctly, it can also predict or eliminate tool failure. In the event of tool failure, 3D scan data can be used to recreate the optimised part.

Safe

Worker safety is the primary concern for construction sites, and 3D measurement can improve on this aspect for surveying. The portable handheld 3D laser scanners used for surveying can record accurate measurements from any distance up to several hundred meters. Operators who are working in dangerous area with toxic conditions, like in a nuclear or chemical facility, can work more safely. In addition, proximity must be closely monitored. What’s more, the speed of such technology can lessen the time that operators may be exposed to these conditions.

Detailed documentation

3D data captured through the scanning process is so comprehensive that almost every detail is recorded. Hence, there’s just a little chance of having any errors. This vast level of detail ordinarily eliminates, almost entirely, the requirement to re-visit site on the basis that measurements missed during the survey process. The detailed documentation process also allows 3D surveyors and end clients to visit sites virtually via point cloud walk-throughs or interactive 360 image viewers. This again helps eliminate the need to “actually” visit the site when virtual visits are so realistic and easy to facilitate.

Rapid measurement

Handheld 3D laser scanners have a rapid speed of data capture, which enables millions of data points to be recorded in just a matter of seconds. This ensures that large environments can be surveyed in a short timescale, making 3D surveying ideal for work on particularly time-sensitive projects when a quick turnaround is vital. The rapid nature of the 3D measurement process greatly reduces man-hours required on-site, as well as any shutdown of facilities and overall disruption. This innate speed and flexibility are of huge benefits to the measurement industry, and it is one of the reasons that 3D measurement is becoming more and more widely utilised.

Accurate

Depending on the environment wherein the scan is conducted and the specifics of the 3D measurement software, high accuracy can be expected almost every time. This high level of accuracy helps ensure that measurements are correct the first time. Hence, less work is required to finish subsequent steps in design and production.

In conclusion

Indeed, this state-of-the-art technology can greatly help your business thrive, given its several advantages. Apart from reducing cost and time for taking a measurement, the 3D handheld laser scanner will improve your overall customer satisfaction and enhancing the product experience of your customers. With that being said, acquiring such services is truly worth considering, especially if you want to build a good reputation among your target audience. If you decided to give it a shot, just remember though that you have to find the best provider for this. By doing so, you can guarantee to maximise its benefits and get an incredible service that’s worth your money.