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| 2010 3D Laser Scanning and Reverse Engineering Industry Spotlight |
Laser scanning technology has made leaps and bounds in just the past five years. While laser scanning is an important part of both the MCAD and AEC spaces and the general process is the same, it is used in different ways. None-the-less, some laser scanning trends in the MCAD and AEC realms seem to parallel each other, while other laser scanning trends are specific to the industry.
For laser scanning with regards to the MCAD industry, there are three major trends to highlight. First, even though data translation issues aren’t as big of a deal as before, there has been continuous improvement in making a closer integration of laser scanned data with CAD software. Second, there has been progress in just the amount of data that can be worked with. And third, reverse engineering software and scanning devices are coming down in price, and even though they are still expensive, it is becoming more economically viable for companies to invest in the technology.
Laser scanning, and as-built modeling, what some call the process of laser scanning and bringing the data into a 3D model form, have seen changes in the AEC space. Similarly to laser scanning in the MCAD space, the prices of scanning devices and software are coming down, and although still expensive, some large firms are investing in the technology. Also, the laser scanning market is broadening from being primarily used in the creation of 3D models of old buildings that have no 3D model records, to covering areas like facility management, detailing and mechanical equipment rooms.
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Published February 2010 |
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