| 3D laser scanning services refer to services | | | | purposes. Surface models use curved surface |
| offered by companies that specializing in providing | | | | patches (e.g. NURBS or TSplines) to model a |
| laser scanning-also known as laser | | | | distinct shape. Surface models are more editable |
| surveying-solutions to companies that conduct | | | | than polygon mesh models. But as their name |
| business in the following areas, among others: | | | | suggests, they are only editable at their surface, |
| engineering, reverse engineering, architecture, | | | | making them ideal for modeling organic and artistic |
| construction, telecommunications, entertainment, | | | | shapes. Solid CAD models are supremely editable |
| medical, quality control, law enforcement, | | | | and can incorporate design intent. For example, a |
| manufacturing and historical preservation. Laser | | | | solid CAD model could be used to make lug nuts |
| survey services' diverse clientele stems from the | | | | concentric with a drum hole, which could not be |
| fact that any company that needs to accurately | | | | done by simply modeling a lug nut's surface. |
| survey spatial data in order carry out a task, | | | | The type of scanner that is used during laser |
| make a product or ensure the quality or | | | | surveying depends mainly on the subject matter. |
| preservation of an existing system or object can | | | | For example, for the manufacturing of smaller |
| benefit from 3D laser surveying services. | | | | objects, contact scanners that actually probe a |
| Traditional surveying methods that rely on | | | | model's surface are often used. But for larger |
| analogue and GPS technology can take weeks to | | | | subjects and smaller objects that might be |
| produce results that are less than precise; a fact | | | | damaged by the probing, non-contact active |
| that establishes a corollary selling point of laser | | | | scanners are typically used. The type of |
| surveying over traditional surveying methods: | | | | non-contact active scanners used for surveying |
| laser surveying can yield precise results in as little | | | | projects can vary widely. Commonly used types |
| as one surveying session, which also means that | | | | of 3D non-contact active scanners include: |
| it decreases the cost of the surveying process | | | | time-of-flight scanners, triangulation scanners, |
| by requiring less involvement from the surveyor. | | | | conoscopic scanners, hand-held laser scanners |
| When a laser scanner records spatial data, it | | | | structured light scanners and modulated light |
| records it to a computer contained within the | | | | scanners. In most cases, customers don't request |
| laser scanning unit. After being recorded, the data | | | | a scanning method and rely on the expertise of |
| is transferred to a computer where the customer | | | | the scanning provider. If your company could |
| can access it through a user-friendly interface and | | | | benefit from laser surveying but there are no |
| repurpose it for numerous tasks. In most cases, | | | | providers in your area, many surveying providers |
| the data is repurposed into one or more of the | | | | offer their services regionally or even nationally. |
| following data models: polygon mesh model, | | | | Because laser surveying requires only light |
| surface model or solid CAD model. Polygon mesh | | | | equipment and the principles behind it don't differ |
| models represent survey data as a curved | | | | from area to area, most providers are happy to |
| surface that is composed of numerous flat | | | | increase their business by welcoming a broader |
| surfaces. Polygon mesh models are not easily | | | | customer base. |
| editable and are typically used for visualization | | | | |