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3D Laser Scanning

3D laser scanning is a great way to create as-builts of highly ornate building facades, the interior of industrial facilities that have complex piping, structural, and mechanical systems, hard to access signage, and the list of uses goes on and on. Therefore 3D laser scanning, or high-definition surveying (HDS) as it is synonymously known, could be useful to architects, contractors, engineers (e.g. civil, structural, etc.), plant designers, and others too.

The Equipment
 
leica-laser-scanner A Leica laser scanner shown at the Skylight at Clarkson Square venue for the 2015 New York Fashion Week.

There are a number of different high-definition surveying (HDS) systems on the market today. An excerpt of the product specifications of one such 3D laser scanner is as follows:

Leica HDS6200
Instrument type Compact, phase-based, dual-axis sensing, ultra high-speed laser scanner, with survey-grade accuracy and full field-of-view
Operating temp. -10° C to +45° C
Lighting Fully operational between bright sunlight and complete darkness
Humidity Non-condensing
Reflectivity No retro-reflectors
Accuracy of single measurement 5mm, 0.4m to 25m range (At 127.000 pts/sec scan rate, one sigma)
Range 79m ambiguity interval
The Procedure

The procedure to create drawings from a 3D laser scan is a three step process that consists of scanning first, scan data registration second, and lastly data modeling/processing. Below is an introductory video on HDS.

Some Project Samples

I've been a part of putting together a number of 3D laser scanning projects in New York City. Below are images of just a couple of the projects.

3d-laser-scanning.jpg Here are the laser scan results for Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY.
 
new-york-fashion-week Here is the Skylight at Moynihan Station venue for the 2015 New York Fashion Week. Two images of the point cloud results for the venue are below.
 
new-york-fashion-week-2 Skylight at Moynihan Station.
 
new-york-fashion-week-2 Skylight at Moynihan Station.
 
hospital-special-surgery Here is the point cloud data for the Hospital For Special Surgery, NYC.
 
285-Grand-Street Here is the point cloud data for 285 Grand Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It includes the building itself, the adjacent vacant lot, and the neighboring building on the other side of the lot. The rendered model for the scan data is below.
 
285-Grand-Render 285 Grand Street.
 
Contact

If you're considering implementing 3D Laser Scanning for a situation that you have, then please feel free to call me, Brian M. Curran, the NYC based computer drafting services consultant today to discuss your project. Call now at: 718.441.3968 or email at: brian@draftingservices.com

Clients Have Commented

... Thank you many many times for completing all this work so fast. Jay E. Butler, PE, February 26, 2009

... with all the great work you have done for us. Nolan R. Rogers, Turner Construction Company, April 8, 2010

... Thanks for the fast work. Adele Finer, AIA, LEED AP, July 28, 2010