3D Laser Scanning Services: How To Improve 3D Surface Analysis

3D laser scanning services are used across the manufacturing industry to measure surface irregularities. The digital twinning technology produces accurate measurements allowing manufacturers to increase product quality and reliability, expanding production yields. 

Impacts of Low-Frequency Vibration on 3d laser scanning services

Manufacturers get precise measurements using 3D scanning services, but low-frequency vibrations can cause interference. As a result, imaging is affected, resulting in less-precise measurements which interfere with product quality. 

Vibrations are caused by multiple factors in a factory or shop. Production machinery, forklifts, HVAC systems, fans, and compressors are a few items producing vibrational noise. The effect the vibrations have on 3D laser scanning depends on the proximity to the scanner. 

External noises can also cause vibrations affecting measurement accuracy. 

Options On Isolating Vibrational Noise

Low-frequency vibrations can not be eliminated, but there are ways to reduce the noise. Each option has advantages and disadvantages but will optimize vibration isolation. 

Stone Slabs

Two-foot thick granite slabs weighing around 600 lb. are commonly used to reduce vibrations around 3D scanning services. It is an effective solution, but the slabs are difficult to move. As a result, the 3D scanning equipment is essentially stuck in place.

Air Vibration Isolation Tables

Commonly used in the manufacturing industry for vibrational noise isolation, air tables are not equipped to isolate low-frequency vibrations. As a result, these vibrations negatively affect instruments operating at nanometer-scale resolutions. 

Air isolation tables also generate low-frequency vibrations from the power pump and air hoses. Setting the tables up is a complicated process, and a large footprint makes the equipment ill-suited for smaller spaces. 

The tables can isolate vertical low-frequency vibrations but offer little protection from high-frequency vibrations. With more businesses using 3D scanning services, a new challenge is improving the effectiveness of air vibrations isolation tables. 

Active System Electronic Vibration Cancellation

Using electronics to detect motion, these systems counteract electronic measures. The system runs on algorithms to sense and isolate low-frequency vibrations. The system uses positive and negative feedback to isolate vibrations. 

The systems are performing well after 25-years, and some can isolate vibrations as low as 0.7 Hz. However, not all systems are as dynamic. Exceeding their range can result in positive feedback that generates low-frequency noise. 

Negative-Stiffness Vibration Isolation

Negative-Stiffness isolators are seeing an increase in use. They are highly effective at isolating low-frequency vibrations allowing highly-precise instruments like 3D scanning services to operate precisely in harsh environments. 

The isolators are passive machines. They do not use air or electricity, eliminating the need for pumps, motors, and chambers. The machines are maintenance-free. 

A Negative-Stiffness Vibration machine isolates horizontal and vertical low-frequency interference at 0.05 Hz. It is the most effective way to isolate low-frequency vibrations.