Skip to main content
                     
As-Built As-Built - Revit As-Built - AutoCAD VirtuSurv - VirtuSurv 2018 As-Built - Modeler VirtuSurv - VirtuSurv 2019          
BuildIT BuildIT - Projector BuildIT - Construction BuildIT - Metrology              
CAM2 CAM2 - SmartInspect CAM2 - 2023 CAM2 - 2018 CAM2 - Measure 10 CAM2 - Measure Q CAM2 - Measure X CAM2 - Measure 3/4 CAM2 - AnthroCAM CAM2 - 2019 CAM2 - 2020
CAM2 CAM2 - 2021                  
Cobalt 3D Imager 3D Imager - Cobalt                  
Cobalt Design Cobalt Design - M Cobalt Design - S Cobalt Design - Dual              
Computers Computers - All Computers                  
FARO Aras 360 & CAD Zone FARO CAD Zone - Fire & Insurance FARO CAD Zone - Crime & Crash FARO CAD Zone - CZ Point Cloud FARO CAD Zone - First Look Pro FARO 360 - Reality FARO 360 - HD FARO 360 - Blitz FARO 360 - Genius    
FARO Connect FARO Connect - Connect                  
FARO Zone present4D - present4D                  
FARO Zone 2D FARO Zone 2D - 2018 FARO Zone 2D - 2019 FARO Zone 2D - 2020 FARO Zone 2D - 2021 FARO Zone 2D - 2022 FARO Zone 2D - 2023        
FARO Zone 3D FARO Zone 3D - 2018 FARO Zone 3D - 2019 FARO Zone 3D - 2020 FARO Zone 3D - 2021 FARO Zone 3D - 2022 FARO Zone 3D - 2023 FARO Zone 3D - 2024      
FARO Zone 3D Advanced FARO Zone 3D Advanced - 2018 FARO Zone 3D Advanced - 2019 FARO Zone 3D Advanced - 2020 FARO Zone 3D Advanced - 2021 FARO Zone 3D Advanced - 2022          
FaroArm/ScanArm FaroArm/ScanArm - Quantum S FaroArm/ScanArm - Quantum M FaroArm/ScanArm - Quantum E FaroArm/ScanArm - Edge FaroArm/ScanArm - Fusion FaroArm/ScanArm - Prime FaroArm/ScanArm - Platinum FaroArm/ScanArm - Legacy Quantum FaroArm/ScanArm - Titanium FaroArm/ScanArm - Advantage
FaroArm/ScanArm FaroArm/ScanArm - Digital Template FaroArm/ScanArm - Gage FaroArm/ScanArm - Quantum S Max FaroArm/ScanArm - Quantum M Max FaroArm/ScanArm - Quantum E Max FaroArm/ScanArm - Gage Max        
GeoSLAM Software GeoSLAM Software - Connect GeoSLAM Software - Draw GeoSLAM Software - Hub GeoSLAM Software - Volumes            
GeoSLAM ZEB GeoSLAM ZEB - Horizon GeoSLAM ZEB - Horizon RT GeoSLAM ZEB - Revo GeoSLAM ZEB - Revo RT GeoSLAM ZEB - Go          
Hand Held Scanner 2D Hand Held Scanner - ScanPlan 3D Hand Held Scanner - Freestyle3D 3D Hand Held Scanner - Freestyle3D X 3D Hand Held Scanner - Freestyle3D Objects 3D Hand Held Scanner - Freestyle 2          
Language Quality HT MT AT NT INT - Internal Sales - Internal Resources Sales - Order and Quote Sales - Product Info Sales - Sales Readiness Sales - Training
Language Quality Sales - Product Launch Sales - Promotions CS - Quote to Invoice CS - Phone System CS - New Hire Training CS - General CS - Product Info CS - Licensing CS - Procedures General CS - Procedures Salesforce
Language Quality CS - Procedures Loaner CS - Procedures SAP                
Languages Language - English Language - Japanese Language - German Language - Chinese Language - Spanish Language - Italian Language - Portuguese Language - French Language - Korean  
Laser Projector RayTracer - RayTracer Laser Projector - Tracer M Laser Projector - Tracer SI              
Laser Radar Imaging Laser Radar - VectorRI                  
Laser Scanner 3D Laser Scanner - Focus S 3D Laser Scanner - Focus M 3D Laser Scanner - Focus3D 3D Laser Scanner - Focus3D X 3D Laser Scanner - Focus3D X HDR 3D Laser Scanner - Focus3D S 3D Laser Scanner - Photon 3D Laser Scanner - Focus S Plus 3D Laser Scanner - Swift 3D Laser Scanner - Focus Premium
Laser Scanner 3D Laser Scanner - Focus Core                  
Laser Tracker Laser Tracker - Vantage Laser Tracker - ION Laser Tracker - Vantage S Laser Tracker - Si Laser Tracker - X Laser Tracker - Xi Laser Tracker - Vantage E Laser Tracker - Vantage S6 Laser Tracker - Vantage E6  
Legacy Gage Legacy Gage - Bluetooth Legacy Gage - Plus Legacy Gage - Standard Legacy Gage - Power            
Legacy Software Legacy Software - CAM2 Gage Legacy Software - Gage Software Legacy Software - Insight              
Mobile Scanner Mobile Scanner - Orbis                  
PointSense PointSense - Basic PointSense - Pro PointSense - Building PointSense - Plant PointSense - Heritage PointSense - Revit CAD Plugin - TachyCAD Building CAD Plugin - TachyCAD Archeology CAD Plugin - TachyCAD Interior CAD Plugin - PhoToPlan Basic
PointSense CAD Plugin - PhoToPlan CAD Plugin - PhoToPlan Pro CAD Plugin - PhoToPlan Ultimate CAD Plugin - DisToPlan CAD Plugin - MonuMap CAD Plugin - hylasFM CAD Plugin - VirtuSurv      
RevEng RevEng - RevEng                  
ScanArm ScanArm - Design ScanArm 2.0 ScanArm - Design ScanArm ScanArm - Forensic ScanArm ScanArm - Design ScanArm 2.5C            
SCENE SCENE - Capture and Process SCENE - WebShare Server and 2Go SCENE - WebShare 2Go App SCENE - 2018 SCENE - 7.x SCENE - 6.x SCENE - 5.x SCENE - 4.x SCENE - LT SCENE - 2019
SCENE SCENE - 2go App SCENE - 2020 SCENE - 2021 SCENE - 2022 SCENE - 2023          
Serial FaroArm Serial FaroArm - Silver Serial FaroArm - Gold Serial FaroArm - Bronze              
Sphere FARO Sphere - Sphere                  
Visual Inspect Visual Inspect - App Visual Inspect - CAD Translator                
WebShare WebShare - Enterprise WebShare - WebShare Cloud                

FaroArm/ScanArm

Quantum S Max

Quantum M Max

Quantum E Max

Quantum S

Quantum M

Quantum E

Edge

Fusion

Platinum

Legacy Quantum

Titanium

Advantage

ScanArm

Design ScanArm

Forensic ScanArm

FARO® Knowledge Base

Scanning Complex Part Surfaces With the Laser Line Probe (LLP) or ScanArm

Quantum_x_200-bty.png

Overview

You get consistent high quality results, and are the most efficient, when you use best practices for scanning complex part surfaces with the Laser Line Probe (LLP) or FARO ScanArm. Before you begin your project, review the video and the list below for tried-and-true pointers that yield foolproof non-contact scanning.

Video

In this video, watch how best practices are applied. Paying attention to how he handles the LLP, and how he places his body to get the most accurate results.

 

Best Practices

  • Angle the LLP correctly depending on the type of surface you are scanning.
    • For non-reflective or matte surfaces, the angle of the laser beam should be perpendicular to the part surface. This enables the camera to get the most return from the laser.
      LLP Laser Beam Orientated Perpendicular to the Part
    • For reflective surfaces, the angle of laser beam should be at an angle to the part surface. Achieve the optimal angle by aligning the camera  perpendicular to the part surface. This ensures that noise reflections are projected away from the camera.
      LLP Camera Orientated Perpendicular to the Part
  • When calibrating the V3 or ES LLP, start with the Normal algorithm, then adjust the Advanced settings to match the surface finish.
    • The Normal setting is good for matte surfaces that are not too dark. The exposure adjusts automatically  withing a range of 0-50.
    • Full is good for darker matte surfaces. The exposure adjusts automatically within a range from 0 to maximum.
    • Highly Reflective is good for reflective surfaces. The exposure adjusts automatically within a range from 0 to maximum, and also adjusts other settings to better manage gloss.
  • When calibrating the HD LLP, start with the Automatic-Normal algorithm, then adjust the settings and filters to match the surface finish.
    • The Reflection Filter removes data noise created by shinny surfaces.
    • The Automatic-HDR algorithm normalizes areas with high contrasts between dark and light areas
  • Hold the LLP at a consistent distance from part surfaces while you are moving the LLP over the part to reduce noise. The LLP has a tighter point density in the near field, when you hold the LLP close, than it does in the far field, when you hold the LLP further away. Increased noise in the far field is related to the distance the laser beam travels to the surface and back to the camera. When the laser beam travels further, the return signal is not as defined as when it is up close. It is similar to the beam of a flashlight. When you shine the beam up close, the light seems brighter and the edges of the beam are more defined. When you shine the beam further away, the light seems less bright and the the edges of the beam are more defused. 

  • Set the Accuracy Mode to High in the Settings dialog box. This setting filters out points further from the scanner in the far field. While this reduces the depth of field from approximately 4.5 inches (115 mm) to 1.25 inches (32 mm), tests on calibrated surfaces with a matte finish show the scan noise is reduced by approximately 50%. Setting to High Accuracy mode for V1, V2, V3, and ES may increase the accuracy, but for the HD model, it will only decrease the noise significantly.
  • Hold the grip handle steady while you are moving the LLP over part surfaces. Avoid rotating it.
  • Position part surfaces closer to the LLP rather than further from it.
  • Scan one adjoining surface then the other when scanning surfaces that meet at a corner. First position the LLP perpendicular to one surface, scan it completely, and stop. Then, reposition the LLP perpendicular to the adjoining surface, scan it completely, and stop. Do not move the LLP as if you are rolling over the corner of the two adjoining surfaces.
  • Do not overreach when scanning. Position your own body, arms and hands, such that the section of the part you are scanning fits comfortably within your reach and body stance.
  • Divide your scanning project into logical parts that enable you to observe best practices when scanning.    

 

See Also

 

Keywords:

scan corners, scan complex parts, scan difficult parts, holding the LLP, pointing the LLP, normal position for the LLP