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Measuring Up: Laser Scanning Software Tools |
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by John Myers, Connect Press Editor
While laser scanners are the keystone of any laser scanning operation, the software that organizations use to clean up and alter their data also play a critical role in the process. The software tools used with most laser scanning projects allow engineering organizations to define how the data will be used and how to implement it with maximum effectiveness.
Presented below are some of the most exciting entrants into the competitive world of laser scanning software.
PolyWorks
Polyworks has been in the business of creating software for 3D scanners and CMM arms for the last 15 years. The company is heavily focused on the field of manufacturing engineering, with an extra emphasis on the phase between the design of a part and its production. “We focus on areas that have not really used a lot of 3D metrology in the past,” said Marc Soucy, President of Polyworks. The reason for this is that in the past they relied on unwieldy devices that were very difficult to use while accessing machinery within a product.
With the release of portable machines, the devices became capable of using the measuring system inside the process to discover problems that might have an impact. “This can help reduce costs and lead time. Our goal is to help engineers do their jobs to help analyze things they could not attempt before,” said Soucy.
There are a few major features that distinguish Polyworks’ products from the competition, according to Soucy. “Our software can handle all kinds of measurements; we can do point clouds, we can do arms, photo trackers and manual CMMS and we can let users operate these instruments from a single platform. “I think universal platform capability is a huge trend right now and it is where we are putting most of our focus,” said Soucy.
Secondly, Soucy said PolyWorks includes a number of engineering software capabilities. “The majority of point cloud software is focused on dimensional control. This means that if you measure a part you can compare it to a CAD design. We can do that but we have a whole set of tools that are not related to dimensional controls, such as virtual assembly which allows customers to create virtual simulations of their parts and check interferences and clash. In the past, this was something customers had to do physically. Polyworks will allow users to efficiently find errors, we call it point cloud engineering because it allows users to use point cloud data inside the engineering process. Lastly, we can also handle complex assemblies. We are really pushing the limits for the ability to handle assemblies,” said Soucy.
In summary, Soucy said that PolyWorks will release a new version in the early first quarter of 2009. The latest version will support a higher number of devices and improved probing capabilities to increase the quality of point cloud data. It will also feature a higher number of instruments that can be run from the same platform and new engineering analysis tools. “These trends will define our direction,” said Soucy.
Quantapoint
Quantapoint created the technology to help companies working in the design industry create what they describe as “laser models.” The company was founded in 1991, and according to James McGill, Vice-president of Marketing and Business Operations for Quantapoint, the company has logged over 150,000 man-hours working on laser scanning projects.
McGill said Quantapoint’s goal is to help their customers create a zero-defect work process, by using their software products to create a laser model. A data set is distinct from the more common point cloud solution because it creates a solid model rather than a transparent model. The result is a photorealistic panoramic laser image with a high definition 3D model that can be accessed in 3D CAD.
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| Published 2008-12-03 21:57:03 |
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