3D Scanning for Advanced Manufacturing, Design, and Construction

Chapter 2 3D Scanning Basics

2.1 BASICS OF LASER LIGHT TECHNOLOGY

Today we find lasers being used in a variety of ways in industry. From light shows and CDs to cutting metal, and cauterizing wounds, lasers have earned their way to becoming an invaluable tool in today’s world.

3D laser scanners have found their way to Hollywood as advanced technology with a “WOW” factor sought after by TV and movie producers. It gives us a futuristic glimpse of what science and crime fighting will be like. Who knew metrology could be so fun?

Lasers has been around for several years now and continues to improve. Various materials and designs now have lasers small enough to be soldered to a circuit board with their light beam channeled through a maze of fiber optics. But before we go any further, let’s discuss these futuristic devices and learn a little bit about lasers, safety concerns and how they work for metrology applications.

2.2 LASER SAFETY

Lasers used to measure are generally considered safe though some are safer than others by design. Lasers used in high precision metrology are tuned to measure smaller objects with more detail. This is done using a more focused laser beam programmed to scan smaller details at high frequencies. Thus, the target gets more radiation from the laser than a broad swept target typically observed with overhead LIDAR surveys. Both instruments operate using visible and IR (infrared) wavelengths. The IR beam is normally the data or “information” beam and the ...