A typical portable 3D scanning solution consists of an articulated measuring arm (portable CMM), a Perceptron 3D scanning system and a 3rd party point cloud handling software for either reverse engineering or inspection applications.
I. Articulated Arm
(Portable Coordinate Measuring Machine – PCMM)
Articulated measuring arms consist of a series of tubes that are connected through mechanical joints. One end of the arm is fixed, and on the opposite a Contour Probe sensor is mounted. Each of the joints has encoders that provide accurate positional information as the arm is moved during the scanning process. The hard touch probe can also be used for additional inspection applications.
Arms range in volumetric length from approximately 1.2 M (4 ft.) up to 3.7 M (12 ft.). Portable CMM arms typically are available in 6 and 7 axis configurations; 7 axis being the most common for 3D scanning applications. Portable CMM arms are easy to setup, lightweight, accurate and reasonably priced given their performance capabilities.
II. Perceptron ScanWorks' System Components
The ScanWorks system consists of 4 main elements:
1. Contour Probe
2. Controller & Cables
3. ScanWorks Software
4. Calibration Sphere Kit
- Contour Probe
The Contour Probe is mechanically connected to a device that moves the sensor in a defined volume of space where the scanning of objects will occur. The type of mover selected is a function of the size of objects to be scanned, accuracy requirements, speed of scanning required, flexibility, portability and other considerations. Typical devices are portable CMM arms, CMMs, robots and other special machines.
- The Controller & Cables
The ScanWorks controller unites all scanning components. The controller is the hub that the mover device, Contour Probe, and computer all interface with to synchronize scan data with machine movements and position information. All cables provided with the ScanWorks interface through the controller. - ScanWorks Software
The ScanWorks software controls 4 processes and provides users with two interface options:
- Communication between the host computer and other hardware devices such as the portable CMM (PCMM), the scanner and scanner controller.
- Synchronization between the Contour Probe and PCMM
- Sensor-to-PCMM Calibration
- Scan Data Acquisition and Export
- Interface Options
- ScanWorks
- 3rd Party Software
- ScanWorks Calibration Sphere Kit
The ScanWorks Calibration Sphere kit consists of software, a spherical artifact and a routine that operators use when attaching and calibrating the contour probe to the articulated arm. The calibration routine has been specifically developed to provide accurate calibration with the Contour Probe and various devices used to move the sensor. Perceptron’s extensive engineering and development has made the process easy to learn, while delivering a robust and reliable calibration process.
III. 3rd Party Point Cloud Handling Software
The ScanWorks system provides a set of point cloud data in file formats that are compatible to most third-party point-cloud handling software in the market. The selection of an appropriate third-party package depends on the intended use of the scan cloud data. ScanWorks is not only compatible with many third party software programs, but it also provides a direct integrated-interface to selected third-party software packages, while providing the convenience of one-stop solution.
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