FTG ENG | eBooks

Checklist: Scanning Features to Prioritize Once you know what your objectives are, you can outline your requirements for a scanning solution. Use this requirements checklist as a guide: Does the scanner perform phase- based or time-of-flight measurement? Why it's important: The speed at which the laser pulses depends on whether the scanner uses phase-based or time-of-flight measurement. Phase-based scanners pulse faster and are appropriate for close-range, high- definition scanning (think millimeter accuracy), while time-of-flight scanners are typically ideal for longer-range measurements, from a meter to a kilometer. Scanners are not a one-size-fits- all solution, so choosing the right measurement method for your applications is the first step. Is it intuitive enough for anyone to use? Why it's important: With an intuitive scanner, your teams can quickly get trained on it and start confidently using it in the field, which saves you from having to outsource scanning to service providers or special technicians and incur the extra cost or delays that can sometimes come with those requirements. Does it auto-calibrate? Why it's important: A scanning solution with auto-calibration not only ensures greater accuracy during scanning, it also eliminates the need for annual calibration service and downtime, effectively reducing your maintenance costs and total cost of ownership. Does it offer in-field registration capabilities? Why it's important: In-field registration allows you to gather measurements of all the points on a site and build a composite point cloud you can take back to the office to incorporate into CAD software, reducing the risk of missing data and having to return to the field to rescan. Does it offer in-field referencing and model verification? Why it's important: In-field referencing and model verification software allows you to process, view, compare, and validate scan data and models right in the field so you can uncover potential design or layout issues, solve problems, and make faster decisions on the spot. Does it support in-field workflows? Why it's important: A scanner that supports in-field workflows enables you to perform tasks, such as in-field registration of point cloud data, using a tablet controller without having to return to the office. You can make more efficient use of your time during scanning because the data is registered when you leave the jobsite. Can it effectively scan all kinds of surfaces? Why it's important: Traditional laser scanners aren't always effective at scanning black, reflective, or shiny surfaces, so a scanning solution that can capture measurement data on these and all surfaces using high dynamic range (HDR) electronic distance measurement (EDM) ensures you're getting complete and accurate scan data. Does it provide automatic level detection? Why it's important: A scanning solution that uses automatic level detection can determine where the level plane is in the scan by taking measurements before you scan. This ensures the accuracy of the overall registration. Automatic level detection also allows you to be more efficient in the field since you can simply set up the scanner and start scanning, instead of leveling the instrument yourself. Does it offer an integrated laser pointer? Why it's important: An integrated laser pointer lets you register scans to the project coordinate system and provide basic field layout of points in the model. When your scans are on the project coordinate system in the field, the data shared after scanning will align with the 3D models being used by the design and construction teams without the need for additional processing in the office.

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