We live in an era where digital transformation is reshaping industries across the board, from commercial to construction. The rise of digital solutions in the AEC sector is revolutionizing the way we design, build, and restore structures, making what was once deemed impossible now within reach.
A prime example of this is the restoration of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was devastated by a fire on April 15, 2019. The restoration process went beyond traditional craftsmanship, integrating cutting-edge technologies like 3D LiDAR Scanning and BIM (Building Information Modeling). These innovations played a pivotal role in accurately bringing this iconic monument back to life.
click here to know more about this majestic architectural Icon and its restoration using 3D laser scanning technology.
Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace across every sector, from healthcare to construction to aviation. Among the most incredible advancements is the 3D LiDAR Scanning Technology, a technology that is revolutionizing the way we capture and analyze the physical world.
But what exactly is 3D laser scanning, and why is it becoming so essential? Find out by clicking here.
One of the leaders in this space is Leica Geosystems, a company with a remarkable legacy spanning over 200 years. Leica has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, pioneering solutions that have helped shape industries around the world. From land surveying and construction to geospatial mapping and infrastructure management, Leica’s laser scanning technology has enabled professionals to work more precisely and efficiently. Their commitment to continuous advancement ensures that industries are equipped with the best tools to tackle today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Leica Geosystem
Leica Geosystem is a Swiss based company which has established itself as a leader of Geospatial measurement and surveying solutions. In the sector of 3D laser scanning, Leica geosystem has been at the forefront of innovations.
- The first laser scanner which was used by engineers and surveyors was created by Cyra Technologies in 1998, named the Cyrax.
- It weighed approximately 40 kgs and it scanned at an angle (or Field of View – FOV) of 40° x 40° and 1200 points per second.
- This scanner was then sold to Leica Geosystems and rebranded as the HDS 2400, marking the entrance of the company into the high-definition scanning (HDS) market.
- By the year 2007, Leica shipped approx. 1500 laser scanners, which solidified its presence in the market. The company’s good reputation is built on its precision, reliability and commitment towards the quality of their products.
Leica Geosystems has a diverse range of scanners which are tailored to specific needs of surveying, which includes-
Leica RTC360: High-Speed, High-Precision 3D Scanning
It is a high-performance 3D laser scanner which captures environments in 3D. This scanner enhances efficiency and productivity in field and office settings.
- The Leica RTC360 is a high-performance 3D laser scanner designed for rapid and precise environmental capture.
- The scanner boasts an accuracy of 1.0 mm + 10 ppm and features an Integrated Visual Inertial System (VIS) for real-time registration and automated target less field alignment.
- The RTC360 efficiently processes and stores large datasets, making it an excellent tool for professionals needing speed and accuracy.
Leica Scan Station Series:Versatile and Survey-Grade Scanning
Image Source: leica-geosystems.com
This scanner series is comprised of models like the P30, P40, and P50. All these scanners are designed for high-speed, versatile scanning tasks, delivering outstanding range, speed, and data quality.
- The Leica ScanStation Series, comprising models like the P30, P40, and P50, is built for high-speed, versatile scanning across various industries.
- With a measurement rate of 1 million points per second and a scanning range that varies
- These scanners are ideal for large-scale surveys. Their high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging system ensures top-tier data quality, while dual-axis compensation guarantees survey-grade accuracy.
Leica BLK360:Compact and User-Friendly Imaging Scanner
This scanner is recognized as the smallest and easiest-to-use imaging laser scanner globally, the BLK360 captures full-dome scans with high-dynamic-range imagery in just 20 seconds.
- Recognized as the world’s smallest and easiest-to-use imaging laser scanner, the Leica BLK360 is designed for portability and efficiency.
- It captures 360,000 points per second within a scanning range of 0.6 meters to 60 meters.
- The BLK360 features a 15MP, 3-camera system for 360° x 300° full-dome scans and an integrated longwave infrared camera for thermal imaging.
Leica BLK2GO: Handheld Wireless Reality Capture
- The Leica BLK2GO is a lightweight, handheld scanner designed for fast and seamless reality capture on the move.
- It has a measurement rate of 420,000 points per second
- With a battery life of 45-50 minutes of continuous scanning and an internal storage capacity that holds up to 24 hours of compressed data, the BLK2GO is ideal for professionals needing rapid, flexible scanning solutions.
Leica BLK2FLY:Autonomous Flying Laser Scanner
This is an autonomous flying laser scanner which is equipped with advanced obstacle avoidance and is suitable for capturing building exteriors and structures.
- The Leica BLK2FLY is an autonomous flying laser scanner designed for scanning building exteriors and large-scale sites with minimal human intervention.
- Constructed with a carbon and glass fiber frame, this drone scanner has a flight time of 13 minutes per charge and captures 420,000 points per second within a scanning range of 0.5 meters to 25 meters.
- The BLK2FLY is equipped with advanced obstacle detection for safe navigation making it perfect for large-scale aerial documentation.
Leica BLK ARC: Automated Robotic Scanning Module
It is an autonomous laser scanning module which is designed for integration with robots, enabling automated reality capture in challenging environments.
- The Leica BLK ARC is an autonomous laser scanning module designed to integrate with robotic carriers, enabling efficient reality capture in challenging environments.
- It measures 420,000 points per second, covering a scanning range from 0.5 meters to 25 meters with a 360° horizontal and 270° vertical field of view.
- The BLK ARC is controlled via a browser-based mission interface, facilitating seamless robotic integration for automated scanning in complex environments. With a storage capacity of 24 hours of compressed data, it is well-suited for industrial and construction applications.
In this blog, we’ll take an in-depth look at one of Leica’s standout innovations : the Leica RTC30 laser scanner.
Leica RTC360 Laser Scanner
The Leica RTC360 is an advanced 3D laser scanner equipped with reality capture technology. This tech enables its users to document and capture the existing site environment in stunning 3D detail. Designed to meet the demands of AEC professionals, the RTC360 provides a reliable and precise representation of sites. This makes it an invaluable tool for managing complex projects.
One of the standout features of the RTC360 is its ability to automatically pre-register point cloud data in the field. This capability allows for rapid quality control checks, significantly enhancing productivity. By streamlining the data collection process, the RTC360 empowers teams to make more informed decisions on-site.
To get a more comprehensive insight let’s look into the features of Leica RTC 360. These features result in improving the accuracy of project execution.
Features of Leica RTC360
Speed
- The Leica RTC360 LiDARr scanner captures 3D reality much faster than previous scanners. It has a measuring rate of up to 2 million points per second and an advanced HDR imaging system, the creation of colored 3D point clouds can be completed in under two minutes.
- This scanner also has an automated target less field registration, which is based on VIS technology which automatically transfers data from site to office. This automation reduces a lot of time which is spent in the field.
Portable and Robust
- The weight and size of RTC360 is very compact. Its total weight including the tripod is only 17.45lbs. It has a really portable design as it is collapsible and can be compacted enough to fit in a backpack.
- This scanner can be taken anywhere, and it has an easy-to-use one button operation which makes it fast and hassle free on site.
High Precision & Accuracy
This scanner’s low noise data allows for better images, resulting in crisp, high-quality scans that are rich in detail and ready for use in a range of applications.
Seamless Integration with Software
- The Leica RTC360 scanner has outstanding precision that can be checked on-site by using the Cyclone FIELD 360 software.
- Leica Cyclone FIELD 360 mobile-device app for edge computing for automatically registering scans in real time, and Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS office software to integrate your 3D model seamlessly into your workflow.
User-Friendly Interface
- You can directly publish your captured data from Cyclone FIELD 360 to Reality Cloud Studio, powered by HxDR.
Two-pass function for Data Integrity
One of the unique features of RTC360 is its Two-pass function. This function is specially added to cater to the challenge of moving objects during the scanning process. This function eliminates the extra data created due to moving objects by conducting two scanning processes and comparing them.
Comparing Leica RTC 360 with Other 3D Scanners
When it comes to the high precision 3D lasers scanners in the AEC industry, companies mostly compare the best products to choose from. The Leica RTC360, FARO Focus series, and Trimble X9 are three of the most advanced terrestrial laser scanners available where each offers unique strengths in speed, accuracy, automation, and ease of use.
Let’s compare these scanners based on their accuracy, range, capture rate, scanning time, weight and portability, and affordability to find the best product.
Tejjy’s Expertise with Leica RTC 360
We have recently expanded our technological expertise by investing in the Leica RTC360 to our repertoire to further enhance the quality of precision in our work. With our expertise in laser scanning, we are actively integrating RTC360 in our various scanning projects of various sectors like commercial, Federal, Utility, etc.
Pepco Substation, Bethesda, MD, and Washington, DC
The Pepco substation project was subcontracted by Black and Veatch to Tejjy Inc., with the project requirements for laser scanning services, As-bult modeling, point-cloud to MicroStation, etc.
For the Laser scanning work, we deployed Leica’s RTC360 to accurately capture the on-site facility data and conditions. The RTC360 has high speed scanning capabilities which were utilized in this project to create detailed and accurate point cloud data of the substation. This detailed data ensured that every structural and mechanical component was precisely documented to reduce errors. This point cloud data was then converted to MicroStation for assisted design intelligence.
Big Walker Mountain Tunnel Project VA
The project contractor required an as-built BIM of the Big Walker Mountain tunnel from us. This tunnel includes approaches, roadways and utility renovation. To achieve this, our team used Leica RTC360 in this project as in the Mountain tunnel integration of topographical data and simulation of long approach routes in required. The 3D laser scanner was used to accurately capture the site conditions, which were then utilized to develop the digital model in Revit and AutoCAD formats.
We also used as-built BIM models throughout renovations by precisely capturing the intricacies of the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel using Leica’s RTC 360 of project case study.
Office Buildings, Maryland
The primary requirement of this project was a comprehensive as-built interior model of the 1801 office building to facilitate future restoration work. To achieve these as-built models, the client chooses the Laser scanning services for accurate and speedy work.
For this commercial project, our team used Leica RTC360 scanner to achieve high-resolution 3D-scans. There high-density point cloud data imaging and scans were then used to enhance documentation precision. These scans were converted to CAD/BIM drawings for optimal set of facility management operations in the future.
Our team used a waterfall methodology for the work execution during the pre-project planning, on-site scanning, and final data integration. To read about the project in detail, click here.
Final Words
In conclusion, Leica RTC360 has best speed and Automation in comparison to other scanners but it is on slightly expensive side of the spectrum. Leica RTC360 is more efficient as it can automatically pre-register point cloud data in the field which helps us to quickly conduct quality control checks on site itself. This scanner has good on-site work capability as per the project’s history.
Further Reading
Leica Scanner Comparison: RTC360 or BLK360?
The Ultimate Dilemma of Total Station vs Laser Scanner
Laser Scanning to Measure Floor Flatness and Levelness
3D Laser Scanning in Construction Complete Guide
Laser Scanning and Modeling: Unlocking Creativity for Artists and Product Designers
