3D metrologists are forever balancing three critical needs: measurement volume, measurement accuracy and capturing speed.
This is especially true when it comes to large-volume workflows. Increasingly, that balance is best achieved via 3D laser scanning, combined with sophisticated software like FARO® BuildIT Metrology Software that embeds SCENE registration algorithms allowing the import and registration of point clouds directly in BuildIT Metrology.
This streamlined approach, fully integrated with the FARO Focus line of Laser Scanners, allows customers to use a single software for their entire workflow, saving significant time. Additionally, in the recently released BuildIT Metrology 2021, FARO has improved the CAD alignment and analysis speed by 10X to 100X (depending on the CAD model and point cloud size). That means BuildIT Metrology, coupled with the Focus Laser Scanner, is the fastest solution for large volume inspection applications.
A look under the digital hood
From data acquisition to reporting, BuildIT Metrology 2021 offers all the tools needed to perform any laser scan workflow from beginning to end. Key features include:
- Multi-device connection: Connect to any number of Focus Laser Scanners via Wi-Fi or via Ethernet where each device can be triggered simultaneously, reducing the cycle time to a minimum.
- Target extraction: Extract checkerboards and spherical targets from large point clouds in seconds and used for accurate, virtually instantaneous registration.
- Point cloud manipulation: Split the point cloud for isolating sections of interest. The resulting point cloud can then be quickly aligned against CAD models or even other point clouds for displaying colored analyses, inspection annotations and more.
- Quality control system integration: Integrate extracted information in a quality control system that can be leveraged for guiding the manufacturing process.
- Workflow automation: Record and save your work as an automated process that can be played back with the push of a button.
It is ideal for quality inspection of large casting parts, in-process verification while forging large parts, quality control of large assemblies, wear analysis of refractory liners in foundries, and the digital twinning of aircrafts, where submillimeter accuracy is not needed. This makes BuildIT Metrology software and the Focus Laser Scanner the perfect software-hardware combination.
Additionally, with Focus, users can trigger and transfer scans wirelessly, saving time by eliminating SD card manipulation. What’s more, multi-scanner configuration mode for simultaneous scanning workflows minimizes cycle time for time sensitive applications. Automation enabled, Focus scanners and the latest BuildIT Metrology update all but eliminate the need for human intervention during the scanning and registration process.
Last, from all of this enhanced data acquisition and in-software manipulation of that data to capture the as-built condition, additional objects can be created, derived from the measurements, and be projected directly on the part with FARO Tracer Laser Projectors. This allows users to see meaningful information such as hole locations, directly on the part, and perform the next task.
It is easy to assume that Laser Scanners are best intended for AEC and Public Safety applications. But with BuildIT Metrology 2021 and the Focus Laser Scanner working in tandem, it is clear the companion hardware and software solutions are an ideal pairing for 3D metrology as well.
