Need Recommendations

nickseman · Newbie Joined: Jan 19, 2009 Posts: 2

Hello. I have been asked to research how laser scanning may be able to be used for a particular type of application. The need is to be able to scan portions of a building within hard to access areas with little free space, for example wells, manholes, pipe and conduit corridors/chases, elevator pits, escalators, etc. The use of traditional survey type equipment would most likely not work due to access difficulties. We have the need to acquire reasonable accurate general measurements via scanning with more accurate measurements taken traditionally. I would appreciate some recommendations as to the types of equipment most applicable and perhaps some links to sites that may talk about this in more detail. Thanks, Nick

sweeper240 · Newbie Joined: Jan 21, 2009 Posts: 3

I have worked with a variety of different systems and the one which is the most versatile in a variety of mounted orientations is the FARO laser scanner. It has no minimum distance, will not do anything unless you tell it to - so you have complete control, and it can be mounted in any orientation and it scans equally well, in either day or night, hot or cold.

Where generally are you located?

-Paul

reutroniori · Newbie Joined: Jan 23, 2009 Posts: 2

Hi,
We operate laser scanners during the past 10 years and have vast experience with different scanners. If versatility is of your concern I would strongly recommend ScanStation2 of Leica. If the majority of your works is in a range below 30m (100ft) then HDS6000 or Z+F (same system) is the answer. We have done many of the jobs you mentioned with SS2 and Cyclone and had great results.
Another great scaner for short range (<25m) /high accuracy tasks is Surphaser (www.surphaser.com) but this is a different story.

CoreyCPC · Newbie Joined: Dec 01, 2008 Posts: 10

what need do you have to scan open holes???, any measurements needed for those applications can be taken easier (and a hell of a lot cheaper) without a scanner. i think the problem in the industry is people are thinking of scanners just as a survey instrument, think of scanning as an entirely seperate service from survey and youll find much more work out there and end up with some really cool projects. take a look @ my companies site/blog for some ideas or shoot me an email (corey@cpconsult.us) the potential of scanning is limitless and most of the projects youll find yourself on dont require the supervision of a PLS. The future of scanning in the AEC industry imo is more towards models and analysis rather than just doing topography or asbuilt surveys. here at centre pointe we are pioneers in the industry as far as modeling within scan clouds many of the services we provide can be done with nothing but the cyclone software and a scanstation2 and nobody out there that i have seen (or leica geosystems for that matter) is doing what we're doing here.

Corey
Centre Pointe Consultants
cpconsult.us
3dtech.typepad.com/virtual_construction

nickseman · Newbie Joined: Jan 19, 2009 Posts: 2

Not sure if you have ever been within the structural framework of an escalator but it is certainly not an "open hole". Out intent is to model exsiting infrastructure as part of our retrofit design services. I took a look at your web page but the Technologies page is "Under Development" so I was unable to see just what you are doing along these lines. If you have a specific link, please post it and I will take a look.

Thanks;
Nick

CoreyCPC · Newbie Joined: Dec 01, 2008 Posts: 10

i was referring more to the elevator pits and utility structures, i could definitley see the advantage with the escalator and any other structural framework but you still have to remember that you can only scan what you can see so collecting a complete scan of the framework with no "holes" will be dificult, so if this is your task then keep in mind you will have to build models to complete your data sets so note that the proccessing/modeling workflow should be part of your criteria when shopping for a scanning system. Our page is under construction but i was referring more to the services page and pics on our site and the blog page has some great images from some of the different models we build here with scan clouds, it was more to give you an idea of the different uses of scanners outside the realm of what we would conventionally think of as "survey" work. i'm currently working on an article im writing on the uses and advantages of laser scanning in an evolving industry from which i will post excerpts here and the whole article (whern completed!) will be available on our blog page http://3dtech.typepad.com/virtual_construction/

-Corey

p.s. we've just started the blog page and will put more time and attention into it in the coming weeks so if you want to know what others like us are doing on the forefront of this technology we invite anyone to leave comments to drive the conversation and it's open to any aspect of virtual design and construction not just scanning (although that is MY specialty here)

CoreyCPC · Newbie Joined: Dec 01, 2008 Posts: 10

another important note here is that a scanner in actuality is larger than a total station and to maintain high levels of accuracy in your registrations targets should IMO ALWAYS be used for "stitching" i know some people out there would argue that fact but in my experience targets keep your registrations as accurate as possible and make it easy for trained survey field personel to obtain scan data in a way that any technician can register it, and really you don't need to buy the expensive targets marketed by the hardware manufacturers (i use ping-pong balls glued to magnets) any perfect sphere will work as a hemispherical target. SO what im saying is you still need a lot of bulky equipment to scan and it might not be the best option in tight spaces, on the other hand a leica scanstation2 can be set on the ground with its built-in "tripod" and small targets can get in spaces where you couldn't fit a conventional survey tripod/target setup

CoreyCPC · Newbie Joined: Dec 01, 2008 Posts: 10

sorry about the excessive posting, but i never really answered your questions. I would suggest for these applications and generally for anyone getting into scanning for survey type applications to start with the leica scanstation2 this imo is the most versatile scanner for these uses and like i noted before has a built-in "tripod" to help get into low ceiling type areas and the software is easy to use/learn and with the majority of people in this type of scanning using it there are always other users to answer your questions (not having to pay $10k a year for customer service sound enticing?). As far as whether this is the option for you, like i've been saying here as well as on other forums there are other possibilities your not even thinking of yet for a scanner and even if it isnt what you need for this application if you had a scanner you could expand on the services you can provide and therefore your buisness portfolio too.

-Corey

EVERY SURVEY FIRM THAT WANTS TO STAY RELEVANT SHOULD HAVE A SCANNER!!!

awerby · Newbie Joined: Jul 11, 2009 Posts: 5

AF · Newbie Joined: Apr 10, 2010 Posts: 4

Hello nickseman,

If you are looking for a "cheap" solution and do not need to exceed 30m range, go with the Faro. I agree with the previous post, it is an excellent system and can be oriented any way you want it to be.

If you need to exceed 30m you need a Time of Flight scanner. In general, the TOF scanners are more expensive, but necessary for longer ranges. If this is your need, let me know and I'll give you some recommendations. If not, go with the Faro.