Tech Tuesday - Laser applications in construction

Laser applications in construction

In construction, laser level is a control tool that consists of laser beam projector and is affixed to a tripod leveled according to the device’s accuracy. Therefore laser technology is embraced by contractors working in larger scale projects. Lasers are used while carrying out grading, leveling and alignment activities.

a) Grading

Laser-based machine control systems are simple to use modular systems which are flexible and configured to machine and site requirements. It is designed so that it can provide visual guidance to machine operators for manual grading operations; the system contains a laser transmitter which emits a beam of light rotating 360 degrees and a laser receiver that is mounted on to the machine. The laser beam can either be flat plane for flat grade work or tilted for sloping work depending on the transmitter. Magnetically mounted receiver displays the grade status that is on, above or below. Laser based display systems are used to guide the cutting edge to grade and also it speeds up the operation of grading making the work being carried out to be more precise and profitable. Laser based display systems are very flexible consequently are used on wide variety of machines.

b) Leveling

A constant horizontal reference plane is provided by a laser level. The receiver detects the laser plane and grade rod while the operator can control level and elevation over the job site. Lasers are used in checking cut and fill requirements, leveling concrete forms and controlling excavation depth. Rotary lasers levels are commonly used in interior design.

c) Alignment

Interior and exterior applications it requires level and vertical alignment, usually a vertical and horizontal laser are used to provide horizontal and vertical reference for job site. Other applications include alignment and plumb of concrete forms, the layout of interior walls and hanging suspended ceilings. The main feature is that a visible beam enables the user to see laser position easily without necessarily using a laser receiver. Rotary lasers levels are commonly used in interior design. This type of a laser has a diode that projects a straight beam and an angled beam that directs the beam horizontally.

Lasers provide a competitive return to a contractor. Lasers are faster than traditional techniques. They are used during the construction process hence it result in increased productivity and profitability.

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3D Printed cityscape of Winterfell (Game of Thrones)

Winter is Coming

In honor of today's season premiere of Game of Thrones Season 6 and DimTec 3D's NEW addition of a FLUX 3D printer. 

3D Model by Thingiverse and dteck

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Sarah 

Tech Tuesday - Applications of Lasers in Engineering

Applications of Lasers in Engineering

      a) Optical communication:

Lasers are preferred for light source for the transmission of audio, video and data over a long distance without encountering attenuation and distortion. Voice or data is converted to a coded pulse of light. Optical fiber carries this stream to its regenerating or receiving station where the light pulse is converted to electrical signal. The main advantage of laser is that it has a large capacity for carrying information. Laser beam has a thin angular spread thus is recommended to be used while communication take place between the earth and the moon or satellites. Since laser radiation cannot be absorbed by water, then laser beam is used in sea water for communication networks.

An industrial application for laser in optical communication includes petrochemical, process control in nuclear, chemical and food industry.

      b) Lasers cutter

Carbon dioxide gas(CO2) lasers are used for cutting extensive range of materials like graphite, carbide, ceramics, ferrite, sapphire and also tungsten. Continuous cutting with the aid of oxygen, carbon dioxide or air results in chemical and mechanical reaction which intensifies thermal effect. This kind of cutting is applicable with metals having a thickness of up to 5mm and width of 30micrometer.

In garment industry laser cutter computer controlled systems are programmed so that it cuts out garments of desired sizes. This programmed cutter cuts dozens to hundreds of thicknesses of cloth in a single run and cuts very faster than tailors using old method. This operation is achieved by a highly collimated beam which is focused onto microscopic dot and its energy density used for cutting is extremely high.

c) Laser micromachining

Laser beam interact with circuit boards and the semiconductor chip which contains memory and also logic circuits directly. The increased stability, higher repetition rates, a good wavelength and pulse durations being short of lasers makes possible to heat discrete micrometer-sized regions effectively at very high temperatures. This is achieved without damaging the neighboring or adjacent circuitry. Laser machining has an ability of forming small electronic circuit patterns on to a ceramic substrate in one step.

Lasers together with automatic control tools are used to trim electrical circuits. The technique which is used to switch and move laser beam is controlled automatically thus every operation was designed so as it saves time. Lasers using high power result in trimming operation to be fast.

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The Daniel Webster Memorial

The Daniel Webster Memorial

There are some political leaders who have impacted and influenced the political development of a country to a great extent. Daniel Webster is a well known and prominent political leader who has been instrumental towards the development of the United State’s political sphere. Daniel Webster, a lawyer by professional won several hearts with his exceptional oratory skills. All of his speeches were highly popular and was considered exceptional.

Development of constitutional law

As a lawyer, he was known to influence several of the laws and regulations of the country. He put forth the famous saying; power to tax was a power to destroy and that state should not be give that power in McCulloch v. Maryland in the year 1819. He has contributed vastly for the development of constitutional law by influencing judgments with his perfectly logical and well presented arguments. He represented businessman and powerful personalities and slowly he gained a strong foothold in the political arena.

Renowned politician

Daniel Webster served as a United States Congressman from the year 1813 to 1817 and 1823 to 1827. He also served as a senator between the years 1827 to 1841 and 1845 to 1850. Daniel Webster was named as the Secretary of the state by President William Henry Harrison in the year 1840. In 1841, the president died and John Tyler became the president. Webster resigned from the post immediately and later in the year 1850 he again returned to the post of secretary of the state. It was in the year 1850; Webster resolved a major dispute between Great Britain and the United States with regard to the Maine Canada border by establishing the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. By solving this issue successfully, he prevented a war possibility between the two countries.

Webster Memorial

The Webster memorial monument is found in Washington D.C. near Webster’s Massachusetts home. It is made in honor of the U.S. statesman who has significantly contributed to the development of the constitution of the country. Stilson Hutchins, the founder of Washington Post was the one who presented the statue of Webster to the United States government. The 12 foot bronze statue is placed on an 18 foot granite pedestal in a perfect manner. It looks classic and majestic. The statue was sculpted by that of Gaetano Trentanove. Along the sides of the pedestal, one can find bronze panels that reflect the life of Webster. It is also possible to see the depiction of Hayne Webster debate.

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Awaiting FLUX 3D Printer

It has Shipped

Image by http://www.3ders.org/

We were some of the first backers for the FLUX 3D Printer when it first appeared on Kickstarter back in December 2014. Now it is 17 month later and we just received the email that the printer is shipped.

Video by YouTube.com

Very excited to get our hands on it to review.

Stay tuned and Scan On

Sarah

Tech Tuesday - Applications and industries Laser scanning can be used

Applications and industries Laser scanning can be used

Laser scanning has been an evolving technology because of advances in hardware and software. A three dimension Laser Scanning is a technology that captures digitally the shape of an object using a line of sight. It is non-contact and non-destructive technique. It creates point cloud of information from the face of an object. 3D laser scanner captures a physical object’s precise size and figure into the computer as a digital 3D representation. It’s also preferred when measuring and inspecting contoured surfaces and geometries which are complex and requires enormous amount of information for accurate description.

There are different types of scanners and all work on same principle. Laser beam automatically rotates around vertical axis and moves up and down. When the beam hits object some energy bounces back to the scanner where the returned energy signal is strong enough and the scanner detects it and the time to calculate the distance between the object and the scanner. It calculates the 3D (X, Y, Z) distances. It takes 360⁰ rotations.  Scanners can be easily geo-referenced.

The advantages of using 3D laser scanner include:

     a) Accuracy

Because of sheer number of points collected, a best fit is computed to locate features like the size and shape of the object. 3D scanner surveys building features and provide incredible details thus more accurate model for existing conditions.

     b) Versatility 

It can be applied in various fields like architectural, engineering, construction, survey, interior design among others. This enables it to broaden its use and also gains acceptance of technology.

     c) Compatibility

Software developers ensures scanners work with the point cloud (X, Y, Z points) generated by laser scanners.

     d) Worker safety

Safety is paramount in any 3D laser scanning project. The scanner is located in a non-hazardous region and it collects information at varying distances like in entering roadways, or dodging any heavy equipment is eliminated.

     e) Comprehensive

3D laser scanner captures data from the entire surface within the scanner field regardless of the kind of the area. A complete model of visible areas is obtained by moving the scanned locations and data registration from every location. This minimizes the cost of revisiting a site especially for projects that involve travels

Laser scanners are applied in various fields that is; Engineering, Architecture, Construction, interior design, historical preservation, ship building, crime scenes and insurance.

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The Personal Life of Daniel Webster

The Personal Life of Daniel Webster

Image by US Capitol via Flickr

The Personal Life of Daniel Webster

Daniel Webster was born in the year 1782 in Salisbury, New Hampshire to Ebenezer Webster and Abigail Webster. He was one amongst the ten children to his parents who were involved in farm activities. At the early stage of Daniel’s life, it was clear to everyone that Daniel was more interested in studies and that farm life is not for him. His father gave him the best education. Webster went to Phillips Exeter Academy which was a beginner’s school in New Hampshire. Later, he went to Dartmouth College which acted as the base for honing his oratory skills. All his speeches were targeted at the development of political principles.

Little Black Dan

Ebenezer Webster was an American revolution veteran and a strong supporter of federal government. He was a farmer and well known townsman. As a child Daniel Webster was a frail boy and he was fondly called as ‘Little Black Dan’ by his family members. He was the pet for his entire family, parents, brothers and sisters who taught Webster how to read and write at a much early age. He used to entertain the whole family by reciting and reading to them which they all cherished.

As a lawyer

Webster moved to Boston to establish his legal career and it was the right move he made. Daniel Webster was a highly successful lawyer at his time and he won several acclamations for his oratory skills. He was one of the highest paid lawyers, getting around fifteen thousand dollars per year.

Married life

Daniel Webster was married to Grace who died in the year 1828. They had 5 children and only one was known to survive Webster. It was on the way to Washington from Massachusetts, his wife died. Two years after the death of his first wife, Webster married Caroline Le Roy at the age of 47.

It was a well known fact that Daniel Webster had a flair for high living and he used to spend on buying things carelessly. Daniel Webster spent a lot on luxury and comfort and was well known in the social circuit.

Memorial

Daniel Webster died on October 24, 1852 in Massachusetts. While riding his horse, he fell from it and suffered a huge blow to the head causing cerebral hemorrhage. He was buried in Old Winslow Burial Ground, Marshfield. The Daniel Webster Memorial is found in Washington D.C. It is found near Webster’s home in Massachusetts.

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Tech Tuesday - How laser scanning has improved the construction industry

How laser scanning has improved the construction industry

The construction industry has been known to be one that is slow to respond to changes. When other industries have undergone almost a paradigm shift, the construction industry is seemingly still stuck at the traditional methods and processes. However, recently, this has began to change with the industry having tailor made technologies just for it such as BIM. Laser scanning is a new technology for the industry that is not very publicized. It involves taking dimensions and spatial relationships of objects using a laser of light. The data captured is then transformed into a cloud of data points, also known as a 3D point cloud, which can then be exported to many CAD applications, BIM and other modeling applications. This can then be used to generate 2D drawings or even 3D models.

3D Laser Scanning and its accuracy is a very important technology in the construction industry. Previously, you had to go on site with bulky equipment and spend a lot of time there trying to establish levels and topographies. Even with this, accuracy was very hard to achieve. This had an effect directly on construction as costs would escalate due to undefined ground conditions among other setbacks. With laser scanning however, accuracy that was never possible to achieve with other techniques such as tape measures is achievable now. Designers can now embark on designs with pretty accurate pictures of how the conditions on site are hence coming up with more elaborate designs. This saves time and money in terms of reworking on a design. Resources spent on initial site visits have also been greatly reduced which translates to a direct cost saving. This technology has also been said to be safer by the users as it reduces the users’ exposure to harmful environments.

Laser scanning technology has been criticized to have high initial costs. However, in the long term, acquiring laser technology in your projects translates to a cost saving.

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