Tag: laser scanner

Topcon Tech Used to Digitally Preserve Japanese Heritage Site

Data from Topcon’s participation in the digital preservation of the historic Sogi hydroelectric plant in Japan was unveiled at a special event in Bonn, Germany, in conjunction with the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meetings, held June 15-25. The committee examined proposals to inscribe 36 properties on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Located in Isa, the Sogi power plant was constructed in 1909. At its height, the hydroelectric plant generated 6,700 kW of power. The Sogi plant closed in 1965 with the construction of the larger Tsuruda dam downriver. The new dam caused Sogi to flood seasonally, endangering the unique representation from the Meiji industrial revolution.

Considered a significant contribution to the Meiji industrial revolution, the plant was mapped as part of the CyArk 500 Challenge — an international project to digitally preserve and create awareness of some of the world’s most significant cultural heritage sites.

The Sogi site was recorded in 3D by an international team using the latest Topcon geopositioning technologies including the GLS-2000 scanner, the IP-S3 mobile mapping system, and aerial mapping solutions.

“We are proud to have provided our technology and resources to the Sogi project,” said Eduardo Falcon, Topcon executive vice president and general manager of the GeoPositioning Solutions Group. “As a global company headquartered in Japan, we particularly understand the importance of this site and appreciate the CyArk efforts to digitally preserve it for future generations. The Sogi hydroelectric plant was a pinnacle of the industrial ingenuity of the period, and we are honored to have this opportunity to link our technology with the technology of the past.”

The National Congress of Industrial Heritage, in collaboration with the Japanese government, nominated the Sogi plant to the CyArk 500 Challenge in December of 2014. Topcon teamed with CyArk and the National Congress to develop a three-dimensional map of the site for future preservation and visualization.

CyArk archived the captured data and used it to build an interactive online map of the site to promote the preservation and study of Japan’s industrial heritage.

“We are very excited for the digital preservation of the Sogi hydroelectric plant,” said Ben Kacyra, CyArk founder. “The CyArk 500 strives to connect the international heritage community in an effort to preserve and experience incredible places in a way previously impossible.”

July 13, 2015
4D Inspector for Building Monitoring Comes to MundoGEO

Gexcel’s 4D Inspector will be officially presented to the South American market during MundoGEO, to be held in Brazil May 5-7.

4D Inspector software can remotely manage any Focus3D laser scanner and run an automatic 3D monitoring session of buildings and infrastructures. 4D Inspector automatically transfers the scans to a remote PC where automatic deformation check runs and alarm emails can be sent to the site managers.

If required, 4D Inspector can also control a protective enclosure (ScanArmor) that can protect the Focus3D from damages.

The 4D Inspector+ScanArmor system has won the FARO Asia Pacific Product Innovation Award 2014. Designed for real-time monitoring of indoor application, 4D Inspector is has easy-to-use interface and installation procedures, according to maker Gexcel Software Solutions.

Gexcel will provide will provide an interactive demo at its booth, #187, at MundoGEO.

May 1, 2015
Trimble Expands Geospatial Portfolio to Increase Productivity

Trimble has expanded its portfolio of geospatial solutions for surveyors, engineers and mapping professionals. Highlights include new total stations, a new GNSS receiver and new field and office software features. The solutions save time, reduce costs, streamline workflows and produce high-quality geospatial deliverables across a wide range of industries, Trimble said.

“Trimble’s portfolio expansion will enable our customers to work in a more efficient, seamless and collaborative manner,” said Chris Gibson, vice president of Trimble. “Trimble’s solutions are best known for quality, dependability and performance. Our vision is to equip customers with the most innovative tools, which includes a focus on offering new software applications that streamline and elevate the value of geospatial data to guide smart decision-making and transform the way organizations work.”

The expanded portfolio of productivity solutions include:

Total Station Solutions

A range of new and enhanced robotic total stations — the Trimble S5, S7 and S9 — improve project efficiencies, productivity and deliverables. Times saving enhancements include improved Trimble VISION technology, SureScan technology included in the S7 and optional in the S9 total station, and the DR Plus electronic distance measurement technology as a standard feature.

Theft and loss risks are also minimized now with Locate2Protect technology embedded in each instrument, allowing users to remotely track the location of their equipment in real-time using Trimble InSphere Equipment Manager.

In the office, Trimble Business Center software can be used to create high-dynamic-range (HDR) images using data captured with total stations. A new total station data editor enables fieldwork to be rapidly reviewed and allows surveyors to create deliverables with confidence, Trimble said.

Scanning Solutions

Trimble continues to blend powerful 3D laser scanning and imaging hardware with workflow-based software to drive new efficiencies for survey applications and construction planning and design.

The Trimble TX8 3D laser scanner now offers greater accuracy (down to 1 mm) and streamlined onboard operation when measuring to longer ranges, decreasing the field time required for capturing reliable high-accuracy data.

Enhanced tools in Trimble RealWorks software version 9.1 further reduce the time to produce high-quality deliverables from Trimble TX8 data. The new version of Trimble RealWorks software includes improved workflows for creating floor settlement plans and 3D pipeline models as well as complete storage tank inspection and reporting capabilities.

GNSS Solutions

The new Trimble R8s Integrated GNSS receiver and updated version of Trimble Access field software combine to offer configurable and scalable settings. Surveyors have the flexibility across their workflows by being able to tailor the Trimble R8s receiver with the updated field software for their specific application. The ability to customize provides flexibility for future business requirements and allows customers to maximize efficiencies across their workflows.

Imaging Solutions

Trimble enhancements to Trimble VISION workflows increase the value of highly accurate image data. Survey, engineering and civil infrastructure professionals can now generate dense point cloud deliverables in Trimble Business Center from images captured using the Trimble V10 Imaging Rover. Users can also quickly generate 2D CAD and 3D real-world models from images captured with Trimble total stations using the streamlined workflows created within Trimble Business Center and SketchUp software.

Availability

Trimble Access field software, Trimble Business Center version 3.50 office software, the Trimble R8s GNSS receiver, Trimble S5, S7 and S9 Total Stations and TX8 3D Scanner are available now through Trimble’s Geospatial Distribution Channel.

April 24, 2015
Leica Offers New ScanStation, Software for 3D Laser Scanning

Leica Geosystems has announced a group of six major new products for terrestrial laser scanning: three new laser scanners and three new point cloud software products. Together, thes products raise the industry’s bar for laser scanning data quality and productivity, both in the field and the office, Leica said.

Leica ScanStation P40, P30 and P16 Laser Scanners. Leica ScanStations P40, P30 and P16 feature advances in LIDAR and digital imaging as the eighth-generation of Leica Geosystems’ high-performance laser scanners. These new, ultra-high-speed scanners increase field and office productivity, while simultaneously grabbing users’ attention with strikingly sharper, crisper scans and HDR true color images — even under many conditions traditionally difficult for scanning, the company said.

Users will be able to capture more useful data from a single set-up, which translates into fewer instrument setups and greater productivity. Three models meet different user needs: the Leica ScanStation P40 and P30 add survey functionality, longer range capabilities (to 270m for P40), and advanced scanner controls for additional versatility and productivity while the Leica ScanStation P16 is a short-range introductory model.

Point Cloud Software. In addition to the major new software releases Leica JetStream and TruView Global products, Leica Geosystems is now offering Leica CloudWorx for Navisworks — a popular design review application from Autodesk — as its newest family member of CloudWorx plug-ins for CAD and VR applications.

JetStream is a combined project data vault and high-performance data streaming server that takes Cyclone data and serves it up in a high-performance format that enables a CloudWorx user to be up to 40 percent more productive when working with point clouds. Much of that gain comes from instantaneous loading and navigation of point clouds — eliminating traditional “waiting times” long associated with point cloud office work.

Lastly, TruView Global greatly increases anyone’s access to TruViews — Leica Geosystems’ application for viewing and measuring scans. Shaking free from prior constraints, TruViews will be accessible within any Internet browser on any mobile device or computer, with no app or plug-in to install.

Taken together, advances in the new scanners and software elevate laser scanning to a new performance and data quality level, Leica said. The new scanners are all ultra-high speed (up to 1 million points/sec) and can capture more useful data from a scene. In addition, increased user access to TruViews plus good HDR digital images will encourage users to publish TruViews even more frequently.

All of these factors drive users to create more dense scans and larger data sets. With the complementary Leica JetStream software, users have the ability to handle these larger data sets with astonishing ease.

The Leica ScanStation P40, P30 and P16 are immediately available. Leica JetStream, Leica TruVeiw Global and Leica CloudWorx for Navisworks are planned for release Q2 2015.

Photos: Leica Geosystems

April 3, 2015
Topcon Releases Next-Generation 3D Laser Scanners

GLS-2000 laser scanner by Topcon.

Topcon Positioning Group announces the release of the newest edition to the GLS line of laser scanners, the GLS-2000. Featuring an expanded field of view, the GLS-2000 is designed to pair with ScanMaster v3.0 software for quickly capturing and processing 3D point-cloud data.

“The GLS-2000 is the fastest and most versatile scanning system in its class,” said Charles Rihner, vice president for the Topcon GeoPositioning Solutions Group. “With a scan range of more than 350 meters, the GLS-2000 is capable of accurately capturing long-distance measurements in applications where access is limited due to safety or logistics concerns.”

Using Topcon Precise Scan Technology II, the GLS-2000 is designed to emit pulse signals three times faster than earlier models. “Using faster pulse signals enables timing to be detected more precisely, which results in reduced noise and higher-accuracy data,” said Rihner.

“With the on-board control software, scanning can simply be started with the touch of a button. Even entry-level users can intuitively operate the GLS-2000 that comes complete with a color graphical display,” said Rihner.

Additional features include a full-dome scanning range, user selectable Class 3R or 1M laser, and an exclusive laser plummet function that measures instrument height with a one-touch operation.

August 22, 2014
Quarryman Laser Scanner Offers Speedy Rockface Profiling

The new Renishaw Quarryman Pro 3D laser scanner system uses innovative technology to help optimize blasting and increase the profitability of quarrying operations, according to Renishaw. The system, which also helps to improve safety, was launched at the Hillhead 2014 Tradeshow, held June 24-26 in Buxton, UK.

Quarryman has offered on-site systems for quarries for more than 20 years, improving safety and allowing quarry managers to modify processes simply and swiftly, the company said. The new Renishaw Quarryman Pro is optimized for speed of operation in tough environments, with swift set-up, programming, scanning and data processing, and offers significant benefits over previous models.

New viewing and editing software is quicker to operate, easier to integrate with other mapping software, and includes filtering and data processing functionalities. The sun-readable screen is larger than on previous models, for better visibility, and is now in full color. Data is saved to a USB, rather than a flashcard, for ease of data transfer and larger file capacity.

A GPS mount is built into the handle for quick positioning and easy mapping of point-cloud data to other quarry maps using coordinates, and auto date and time stamping help operators find files, without needing to enter details.

A new Li-ion battery is lighter, provides a greater scan time, and issues a warning when power is low. It also shuts down automatically if not recharged, retaining data for operators to retrieve later. The system’s operating temperature range and processing power have also been increased.

“Customers using the new Quarryman Pro alongside Renishaw’s Boretrak system will see a significant competitive advantage,” said Martin Carr, Business Manager, Mining Systems. “Quite simply, they will access accurate data more quickly, in a wider range of conditions, and be more easily able to export data to other mining software packages. In 20 years of working with quarries, including some of the world’s largest and most competitive global quarrying companies, Quarryman Pro is the best product we have developed, and marks the beginning of a new era for laser scanning systems for the mining and quarrying sectors.”

“The new Quarryman Pro is the first system developed, engineered and manufactured by Renishaw, and customers now have one of the world’s leading engineering technology companies behind the support and service of every unit sold,” said Will Lee, Director and General Manager of Renishaw’s Spatial Measurement Division.

August 20, 2014