Coal Miners Using 3D Laser Scanning

February 9, 2020
coal mining

3D Scanning Technology can impact our everyday lives

The hottest topic in the technology industry is 3D scanning and how it can impact our everyday lives. The industry is rapidly growing and evolving to enhance consumers’ lives and can benefit everyone in so many different ways. Researchers are using these to spread knowledge around the world, and many more professionals have adopted this technology.

3D laser scanners are being used to survey buildings for renovations. Firemen can gain access to significant buildings with these accurate scans, they can study floor plans and figure out where most people stay during the day to save the most lives. Finally, this technology can help rebuild homes in third world countries.

3D laser scanning involves taking thousands of pictures per second to collect data on an object. The data can be stored and saved forever and sent across the world and a matter of minutes. 3D laser scanners are now one of the best things for consumers and businesses can use. The 3D scanners are accurate and precise, they are able to pick up the smallest details.

3D laser scanning was initially created in the 1960s using lights and cameras to capture the information of an object. Since then, this technology has developed into handheld laser technology that is easy to use and relatively affordable.

3D laser scanning solutions for coal mining

CSIRO has developed a new scanning system that is able to give real-time results. This is able to map out actual tunnels for coal miners to see in order to make sure the entire team is safe. This is an accurate way to study tunnels without risking anyone’s lives. However, this scanning system has to be certified and tested beforehand to make sure it is able to go through these tunnels without causing harm.

Peter Reid, the electronic engineer, says, “Nothing can go underground in a coal mine unless it’s certified to be in that environment. You can’t even take an aluminum can; it’s a potential spark hazard if it gets crushed by a vehicle. So, getting electronics down there is a tricky process.”

Making sure the 3D laser scanners are certified is a huge step in making sure they are able to scan the surrounding area underground. This technology can help pick up minor details that standard cameras are not able to see and measure any object or surrounding area.

This technology can help save the lives of many coal miners, making it unquestionably safer. 3D laser scanners can also help the speed of the process it takes for examining new tunnels and speed up the process of bringing coal to the surface.

Reid also says, “This technology provides us with information that cameras on their own can’t It allows us to measure in 3D anything we see as if we were there.”

3D laser scanning has found many ways to improve the safety of our lives, and this is one of many ways it can help us regain control of an unstable environment.