What is a Laser Scanner and how does it work?

In recent years, digital scanning has been a new method of mapping and geometric documentation of buildings, architectural and archaeological monuments, major technical projects such as roads, bridges, tunnels, dams and in general special constructions.

Laser Scanners are also known as LIDAR (Laser Induced Differential Absorption Radar or Light Detection And Ranging).

  • The 3D laser scanner provides speed and ease of field imaging.
  • The Laser Scanner creates a “pointcloud” by capturing very thick discrete points on the surface of the object.
  • The 3D scanner in the field, for lengths up to 2 km, scans the terrain and the digital information is transferred to the computer as a point cloud.
  • Its technology is based on the dense recording of millions of points (1,000,000 points / sec).
  • The end result is a cloud of points where each point has xyz coordinates in space.
  • The high density of points in combination with the possibility of color information in each point approaches the term “virtual reality”.

Why with Laser Scanner?

Because now everything is really done in Three Dimensions:

• With point densities up to 0.5mm!
• At exceptional speeds up to 1 million points per second!
• With an accuracy that reaches 2mm in Absolute Position!
• Fully Automated Method
• Capture of all Details with the same Completeness and Reliability
• Real-time results – error checking
• Texture information – reflectivity
• Regardless of lighting conditions Measurements and Complete Model even in Absolute Darkness!
• 3D As Built Modeling with every detail
• 1: 1 scale without assumptions and generalizations

What is the process of processing the Point Cloud?

One of the basic steps of the laserScanner capture process is the post-field work in the office.
Because the scanner captures millions of points, it is necessary to process them using specialized software programs on powerful computer systems.
The steps to process point cloud processing are:

  • Monitoring work progress
  • Creation of models of the findings for reassembly of deconstructed monuments, statues, utensils and so on.
  • Unload points from the instrument and load the points into the software
  • Data preparation
  • Association of models (different scans)
  • Geo reference
  • Clearing clouds from “Noises”
  • Creating a 3D model
  • Export of 3D models – 2D Drawings

What are the final products delivered?

  • Colored Cloud Dots or Photo Pixels (pixels) with 3 dimensional coordinates (x, y, z)
  • Horizontal, vertical sections, faces
  • Orthophotos – Surface development
  • 3D digital models DTM, DSM
  • Mining volumetric measurements
  • Profiling – possibility to choose sections
  • Topographic yields (floor plans, sections)
  • Αs built (Capture of existing status)
  • Comparison of “clouds”, control of micro-movements
  • Raised photographic views of monuments – buildings
  • Travel videos
  • Create high fidelity 3D copies
  • Geometric documentation and correlation with a theoretical model

Why with XYZ?

Where does Laser Scanner have applications?

  • Architectural Impressions, Facade Impressions of Buildings with Laser Scanner Imaging
  • Impressions of geometrically complex constructions – Precise geodetic measurements
  • Tunnel Impressions
  • Impressions of Mines – Mines
  • Impressions and monitoring of large technical works (roads, bridges, junctions, dams, etc.)
  • Cave Impressions
  • Complete documentation of Archaeological Sites and Monuments
  • Industrial applications – As built 3D drawings – Industrial geodesy for construction in factories, metal structures
  • 3D ship images
  • Impression of hard-to-reach areas
  • Captures of sensitive areas of high cultural value
  • Immediate and documented recording of accident sites