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3D laser scanning probes are faster

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Mar 23, 2007

The next-generation line of 3D laser scanning probes will be available in the second quarter of 2007 from Laser Design.

Laser Design, manufacturer of 3D laser scanning systems, announced that its next-generation line of 3D laser scanning probes will be available starting in the second quarter of 2007.

The company's improved Surveyor Laser Probes (SLP) are faster and more accurate than their predecessors.

"We believe that 'faster and more accurate is better' when it comes to maintaining the competitive edge in 3D scanning technology," commented C.

Martin Schuster, President of Laser Design, about the latest improvements.

Included in the improved line are the high precision SLP-250 and the SLP-2000 which features a laser line more than twice as long as competing probes.

Both of the SLP models deliver virtually noise-free scan data as a result of breakthrough, proprietary advances in the electronics and optics architecture.

The SLP-250, with a laser line length of 25 mm, scans at ultra high speeds with an accuracy of up to +/-6u and is primarily used for small or highly detailed objects.

The surprisingly lightweight SLP-2000, with its laser line length of 200 mm and accuracy of +/-80u, is the industry's most efficient 3D laser scanning solution for large parts.

The company indicated that the new SLP models would be available with their fully integrated DS-Series line of CMM-based scanning systems.

In response to the needs of the automotive, aerospace, automobile and other industries, the new SLP probes were also designed to be fully integrated with the portable 7-axis arms from Faro, as well as with the Renishaw PH10 indexing system used on most traditional CMMs "These SLP probes can be used interchangeably with portable CMMs, traditional CMM's and Laser Design's own Surveyor DS-Series, DT-Series and TS-Series 3D Laser Scanning Systems that provide highly automated, programmable scanning of parts or objects," according to Schuster.

All of the new probes gather data with higher densities than ever before, upping the resolution by 50 percent to 750 points along the laser line.

"The data from the new models is less noisy, especially on reflective surfaces," said Schuster.

"With less noise, the results are more accurate and less data editing is required." Each of the probes has dual CMOS receptors that capture up to 75,000 points per second, making them an excellent choice for high-speed, non-contact 3D scanning.

The dual receptors inside the probe reduce the number of scanning passes because they capture much more part geometry per pass than low-tech single receptor laser probes.

"SLP laser probes interface to PCs using a standard USB connection," said Jon Zora, Product Manager for the SLP product line.

He continued, "They are easy to install and can scan everything from small, detailed parts to large automotive and aerospace parts." In addition, the SLP probes are also integrated with Laser Design's Surveyor Scan Control software for ease of use and compatibility with numerous positioning systems.

Zora added that additional SLP models using the new electronics and optics architecture are under development and will be introduced later this year.