The way a 3d laser scanner works is by accurately projecting the laser light it produces onto the desired object or required surface needing scanned. The technology has the ability to capture reflected light to the highest of detail. The scanner captures the different areas where the light falls on the surface, differentiates them in order to calculate the specific measurements, and positions this information forming it into a point cloud. The point cloud then collates and renders it into a 3d graphic image into a software program.
Over the last ten years, this equipment has grown in popularity and many industries use it as a resource, including leading academic researchers. They are benefiting from the highly accurate and detailed results, using it within the field of medicine to improve people’s lives. Manufacturers are also benefiting by being able to recreate specific parts of old models and update existing parts with high success.
Laser scanning technology is used to scan terrains, helping archaeologists and historians gain a clear picture of what once was. It helps in the rebuilding of historical structures, damaged or decayed by the aging process. It has the ability to scan and collect data from points where it would be too dangerous for people to think of treading.
Laser scanning technology has exploded onto the scene, and just about every industry is embracing its capabilities. What it has done is speed of the process of production, lower the cost of production, while offering high quality every time. Laser scanning has limitless possibilities and achieves outstanding results repeatedly. It begs the question, “If 3d scanning has come this far in the past ten years, what will it look like in the next five years? How far will this technology have advanced by then?”