TerraDat Laser Scanning

3D Laser Scanner & Software Sales

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:48 +0000

Welcome to TerraDat Geomatics (UK) laser scanning website. Building on our expertise in 3D imaging based on Topcon’s state of the art photogrammetry software combined with our 16 years of experience in the field we are pleased to offer Topcon’s laser scanner sales, hire and training to a wide range of end users including architects, land surveyors, forensics, quarrying, mineral and geotechnical applications.

: Topcon GLS-1000 Laser Scanner (new GLS-1500 now available)

GET A QUOTE FOR LASER SCANNER SALES, RENTAL OR SERVICE

Latest Sample Laser Scan Data

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:13:58 +0000

: Close range scan of some heavy vehicles.

: 3 Scans of a Welsh castle inside and out

: Scanning the Glamorgan Heritage Coast

: Modern opera house and streetview

: Very complex detailed scan of substation

Summer 2010 Scanner Deals

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:40:39 +0000

Autum/Winter 2009 Topcon Laser Scanner Deals

We have a selection of used and ex-demonstration Topcon scanners available for sale at prices starting from £35,000 ($58,000). The package includes the GLS-1000 scanner kit, ScanMaster software, training materials and a full manufacturers warranty. Further discounts are available for academic institutions.

Example packages:

Ex-demo GLS-1000 (5 months old), ScanMaster software, Full warranty: £POA

Brand new GLS-1000, ScanMaster software, delivery & warranty: £POA

Scanner + Network RTK GPS package:

This combination is ideal for terrain mapping, quarry work, coastal geomorphology or monitoring work. Included with the GLS-1000 is Topcon’s GRS-1 network GPS receiver – an incredibly compact “on the pole” system that tracks GPS+GLONASS satellites and uses its built in SIM card to receive network RTK corrections for sub-centimetre positions. Thus the scanner and backsight target can be located for easy real-world coordination and pointcloud registration making repeat surveys extremely simple. Because this type of application often requires a walk in to site, the scanner is supplied with the backpack solution. Price: £POA

We have a selection of used and ex-demonstration Topcon scanners available at highly discounted prices. The package includes the GLS-1000 scanner kit, ScanMaster software, training materials and a full manufacturers warranty.

Example packages:

1. Ex-demo GLS-1000 (12 months old), ScanMaster software, Full warranty: £37,500

UPGRADES: If you are considering getting into laser scanning, or would like to expand an existing capability, the Topcon scanner is worth serious consideration with its class-leading data quality, 4mm accuracy throughout the 0-150m range, onboard control and hot swappable internal batteries.

What’s more, all GLS-1000 laser scanners are future-proof through their ability to be upgraded, if the user feels they would like to take advantage of greater scan speeds.

Improving visual clarity of point clouds using occlusion

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:15:04 +0000

Complex architectural scenes suffer in clarity due to points in front of and behind other data. Occlusion culling has been implemented in ScanMaster to improve visual clarity in point clouds. The image below shows a point cloud of a complex building. The aim is to examine the wall either side of the archway (viewpoint and direction annotated).

With occlusion “false”, it is difficult to see foreground pounts because of may additional layers of data in the background. Rendering speed is also lower because of the higher number of points in the dataset.

With occlusion “true” (below) the foreground points are now much easier to see due to background data being hidden. Note that windows, doorways amd other surface “holes” are correctly handled.

Laser scanning on busy roads

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:38:35 +0000

Laser scanning targets where there are high amounts of traffic (vehicle or pedestrian) can be problematic if maximum coverage is required. The Topcon GLS-1000 scanner has the facility to undertake “detailed” scan. In this mode, it repeats the data acquisition within the specified scan area two or three times. The final dataset will contain only the most distant returns and noise will be effectively removed.

The example here was on a busy dual carriageway at rush hour. A comparison of the two datasets is shown below. Scan time is increased, however the most important thing -- maximum data coverage is easily achieved.

Side view comparison

There are still some elements of noise which may be attributable to objects (i.e. vehicles) that were in the same location for each of the multiple passes.

Innovative features in Topcon’s laser scanner

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:27:53 +0000

Small size, big performance
The GLS-1500 is a robust scanner that captures data at 30,000 points per second at a range of 500 ft. (150m) to a typical surface, and with an extended range to 1100 ft. (330m) for more reflective surfaces. Unique to Topcon’s GLS-1500 is the mechanical ability to select from multiple lens arrays to control the laser beam. This provides consistent 0.16 in. (4mm) accuracy throughout the range from 3 ft. to 500 ft. (1m to 150m).

Onboard control means that the workflow in the field is significantly smoother without the need for a laptop (although of course the SD data card can be quickly downloaded for data QA).
Internal batteries mean that no heavy external batteries are needed (up to 5 hours scanning on one charge).
Eye-safe class 1 laser beam (invisible).
PST (precise scan technology) means very clean, accurate data with minimal ranging errors.
Unique ability to input, occupy and back-sight known real world coordinates on board and scan a BS target from known OBS

Laser Scanning for Collision Investigation

admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:27:21 +0000

Laser scanning collision investigation

TERRADAT recently untertook a trial of laser scanning for a two car collision with the help of South Wales Police.

The Topcon GLS-1000 laser scanner was used on two stations either side of the scene. The stations were referenced using the BS/OBS method (stations and one BS target were georeferenced with a total station).

A test was also carried out to investigate the use of a grey masking spray to increase the reflectance of the car body panels. Click here to view the data and photographs from the survey.

The main conclusions are as follows:

- the silver and green cars gave usable returns although low intensity
- spraying the grey masking paint significantly improved things (see
comparison images) and enabled the tyres to be scanned
- the rear bumper of the Fiat was not resolved. I think this was due
to the incident angle in relation to the scanner.
- the skid marks on the ground caused by the Fiat were mapped
- the test was very quick: we achieved two scans, and coordinated them
using a total station to enable quick registration in under 45 minutes
- the scanner also picked up surroundings within a range of around 175m which could be of interest for getting a scene overview

The data could be measured and analysed in the free Topcon Imagemaster
viewer. I will send you the project to look at in the viewer.

Ability to accurately record texture

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:55:18 +0000

The Topcon GLS-1000 / GLS-1500 laser scanner uses a unique technology called Precise Scan Technology (see FAQ). The combination of phase and pulse technologies gives our scanner the ability to superbly map texture in scan targets such as building structures. The results below show a comparison of the GLS1000 and another rival scanner.

Data quality comparison with “scanner A”

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:01:57 +0000

The example presented here shows a 10mm point cloud intensity acquired on a rock face from a distance of over 100m. On the left is the Topcon GLS-1000 and on the right “scanner A” from another instrument manufacturer. The data quality of the Topcon GLS-1000 is significantly better.