FARO - 3D Measuring Scanners and Software

With more than 16,000 installations and 7,400 customers globally, FARO Technologies design, develop and market both software and portable, computerised measurement devices.

3D LASER SCANNER FOR MEASUREMENT

The FARO Photon Laser Scanner is a portable non-contact measurement system using laser technology to accurately capture measurements. The system rotates 360º and automatically measures everything within the line of sight from the scanner's position up to 76m away.

The high-performance FARO Photon Laser Scanner can be used with minimal training. The Photon produces black-and-white or colour 3D images where every pixel has an X, Y and Z coordinate. Measurements can be made immediately after scanning and 3D objects can be generated to create dimensionally accurate CAD models. Other features include:

• Scan speed: 120,000 3D measurements per second
• Surrounding field of view: 360º horizontal and 320º vertical – the largest field of view on the market
• High resolution: a scan typically has 28 million 3D pixels
• High accuracy: 2mm systematical distance error at 25m
• Repeatability: 0.60mm rms @ 90% refl. (filtered data)
• Up to 100 times faster than time-of-flight scanners
• Optional camera for realistic colour scans
• Automatic high-resolution colour overlay with colour option
• Modularity
• Independent web server; data recording on internal hard disk – no laptop needed
• Universal quick-mount, for mounting on a surveyor tripod

3D PETROCHEMICAL FACILITY SCANS

Petrochemical facilities built in an era before computer-aided design often have little or no documentation whatsoever of what was constructed. Even those with detailed plans often underwent changes and restructuring, meaning the old plans do not accurately match what exists today. Pipes, valves and reducers may have been moved or replaced to accommodate a change in the facility; storm damage may have caused rework of a particular area.

Whatever the reason, planned or unplanned changes to offshore facilities mean that any records kept during the initial construction become outdated and refits planned on inaccurate data cause unexpected last-minute alterations to be made. Even a day's delay during a refit can cost millions of dollars of lost production time.

When planning refits or alterations accurate data of what currently exists (as-built) is necessary to ensure an on-time turnaround. This can be provided by 3D laser scanning.

DATA-PROCESSING 3D POINT CLOUD SOFTWARE

FARO offers a high-performance and practical 3-D point cloud software tool for the professional user, called FARO Scene.

The software is specially designed for viewing, administration and working-on of extensive 3D scan points from high-resolution 3D laser scanners. The tool allows the user to manipulate raw 3D scan points and – through analysis functions – acquire initial point cloud data comprehension. Through data analysis and manipulation, scan points may be prepared for export into the user's CAD system.

3-D PETROCHEMICAL FACILITY MODELS

The combination of the FARO Laser Scanner LS's high-quality data capture and the INOVx 3D PlantLINx® provides a powerful tool for capturing 3D CAD models of existing plant configurations and allows full utilisation of INOVx's asset documentation services solution. It employs a unique technology to convert the superior output of the FARO Laser Scanner LS into an accurate 3D model of an existing plant.

CONTACT-MEASUREMENT PORTABLE ARMS AND LASER TRACKERS

FARO also offers contact-measurement tools like portable arms and laser trackers. FaroArms are ideal for completing surface measurements and dimensional calculations to the highest degree of accuracy. They are available in various lengths and offer accuracies of up to 0.0007in (0.018mm).

The FARO Gage is the world's first personal CMM with accuracies up to ±0.005mm. With their 1.2m working volume they are the 'mount to where you make it', truly portable, cost effective, 3-D gage.

ISO 9001:2000 CERTIFICATION

FARO Technologies is ISO 9001:2000 certified, and accredited to ISO-17025 calibration laboratory standard.