Portable laser scanners have several advantages, mainly regarding efficiency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Such a device will allow one to capture high-precision 3D data in a compact format and will be of particular indication for restricted environments or when mobility is an important issue of the project. For example, the accuracy provided by the portable laser scanner Revopoint METRO X can reach as high as 0.03 mm while managing to scan at a speed as fast as 1,200,000 points per second. Major players in industries like architecture, engineering, and even archaeological surveys will do all it takes to reduce costs in saving time through accurate measurement capturing.
One of the major advantages with portable laser scanners is that they can be easily operated in various environments. Using a company such as Shining 3D, they have developed portable devices such as the EinScan HX, which has become very popular in reverse engineering and quality inspection applications. Most of these scanners weigh less than 2 kg-light enough for a single operator to use in difficult or out-of-the-way locations, such as construction sites or historical sites, without heavy, fixed-position equipment. The same aspect of portability means that projects can be completed in shorter periods, as users will be able to move around effortlessly from one scanning area to the next, avoiding lengthy setups.
Moreover, portable laser scanners save a lot of time spent on scanning large or complex objects. For instance, the full scene capture can be performed in several minutes by the Revopoint METRO X, while this could take several hours using the more traditional approaches. According to the International Society of Surveying and Mapping, portable laser scanners use large-scale scanning in urban planning that will reduce time spent scanning up to 50%, reducing labor costs and save time in the projects.
Another advantage is versatility. Portable laser scanners can be used for small object scanning in industrial design, all the way to large-scale building scans in construction. Artec 3D, for example, manufactures the Artec Leo, which can handle scans of objects as small as 10 mm and as large as entire buildings with ease. This is what makes portable laser scanners a very important asset for any professional.
Another important advantage of portable laser scanners is cost-effectiveness. Whereas traditional methods of surveying involve a lot of expensive equipment and considerable labor, portable laser scanners reduce these costs by providing a more streamlined, less labor-intensive approach to data collection. According to a report by Deloitte, companies that use portable scanning technologies can save up to 25% on operational costs, especially in industries like construction and manufacturing where precise measurements are crucial to preventing costly errors.
As Elon Musk once said, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” The fact that portable laser scanners can heighten efficiency and effectiveness in more than one industry has encouraged their rapid adoption. Combining all factors of portability, speed, accuracy, and cost savings, the continuous revolutionizes fields from construction to the preservation of cultural heritage. For more about portable laser scanning technology, check out the portable laser scanner by Revopoint.