Portable 3D Scanning in High-Definition

Dear Desktop Engineering Reader:

FARO Technologies recently released the all-new FARO Edge ScanArm HD portable measuring system. HD as in high-definition. Today’s Check it Out link takes you to a landing page where you can get the lowdown on it. If you have anything to do with inspection, quality control, comparing point-clouds with CAD, rapid prototyping, reverse engineering or 3D modeling of free-form surfaces, you should check out the FARO Edge ScanArm HD. Here are a few reasons why.

FARO says that the Edge ScanArm HD is its next-generation portable metrology technology. The complete system comprises the new FARO Edge Arm and the new non-contact FARO Laser Line Probe attachment. You can couple the Edge ScanArm HD with FARO’s CAM2 Measure 10 metrology software and have a comprehensive, flexible and portable non-contact/contact measurement system for pretty much anything you’re likely to throw at it.

So, what does next generation mean? Well, let’s start with the new non-contact FARO Laser Line Probe attachment then look at the FARO Edge arm.

The FARO Laser Line Probe uses a blue laser rather than a red laser. The blue laser’s shorter wavelength enables higher definition data scans. FARO also equipped the laser with noise reduction technology, enabling it to provide high-resolution scan data.

On the Edge ScanArm HD landing page you’ll find a video that explains what this means in practical terms by comparing the new device to its predecessor, the ScanArm ES. The brief on this is that the FARO Laser Line Probe’s frame rate is approximately four times faster than its forerunner, and it grabs almost twice as many points per line. It also has a wider scanning stripe, which means your productivity increases since you cover more area in every pass. Ease-of-use also gets a boost from a new crosshair feature and range finding LED lights.

In numbers this translates to 280 frames per second, 2000 points per scan line and a maximum scanning width of 5.9 in. (150 mm). The math on that means you can acquire 560,000 points per second. Impressive.

The video shows other attributes about the FARO Laser Line Probe that are key to understanding what this device can mean to you. To wit: the FARO Laser Line Probe can scan ridiculously complex materials accurately without making you fiddle around with special coatings or target placements. These materials can be something like the finely detailed machine-stitched seat covers in a car or even some assembly with a variety of different materials alternating between highly reflective or contrasted surfaces.

OK, now, the FARO Edge measuring arm. It features what FARO calls “SmartArm” technology. Think of SmartArm as providing stand-alone basic measurement capabilities without requiring a laptop computer. SmartArm gives you an integrated personal measurement assistant, a built-in touchscreen, on-board operating system and onboard diagnostics.

Miscellaneous features of the lightweight FARO Edge arm include sensors to detect thermal changes and set-up problems, trigger-action to start/stop recording points and encoders that compute the probe’s exact position within a 3D space. You can switch out a laser probe for a contact probe if a job warrants it.

The FARO Edge ScanArm HD landing page opens with the video. Watch it. It’s a brisk, well-narrated 4 minutes. Under the video, click on the breakout boxes to get a quick synopsis on a feature or a benefit. (On my small screen notebook, I had to scroll down below the video to get at these links.) Then hit the link at the bottom to go to the FARO home page where you’ll find more details on the FARO Edge ScanArm HD waiting for you. So hit today’s Check it Out link to start learning about the FARO Edge ScanArm HD. Good stuff.

Thanks, Pal. – Lockwood

Anthony J. Lockwood

Editor at Large, Desktop Engineering

Go here to learn more about the FARO Edge ScanArm HD portable measuring system.