Tech Tuesday - Applications of lasers in architecture

Applications of lasers in architecture

Laser scanning are essential for pre-existing architectures-that is from the start to the final stage of construction. Data collected from the scans are important because information that supports analysis, design and prefabrication are provided to the architects. 3D scanning offers a cost-effective, accurate and a resourceful means of capturing data which is necessary for design documentation and construction. The data obtained has a continued value during basic services involved for architectural contract. Its accuracy reduces construction rework. High definition scanner allows non-destructive technique for recording 3D image for a building. Its distinctive ability to accurately record flat and irregular surfaces makes it a precious tool within an industry. When appropriately scanned in a field, the consequential data will capture each nuance of the building’s surface, like the variations on the surface plane of rusticated stone wall, or the distension and tilts in apparently horizontal planar wall and floors. Modern designs seek on creating buildings with many undulating surfaces or non-planar walls hence 3D scanning is demanded and an effective method of gaining accurate documentation for design and construction.

Laser scanning in architectural field result in high precision and the choice of materials is unlimited. Implementation of 3D scanners creates even building information modeling (BIM) workflow that is from acquiring of data to a polished architectural model. Scanning to BIM service is becoming popular thus the growth of 3D scanners. The uses of 3D scanners assist while creating something from initial study to refined rendering of the location. It in turn provides data to generate polished and accurate deliverable. In development stage laser scanning construction enables architects to work with finer details without documenting excessively.

Laser Scanning being the modest measurement technique, it allows an individual to monitor the progress of construction and verify the exactness of work. Whether using it as a gadget for quality control, proving contract fulfillment, identifying and determining clashes between a plan and the reality. Laser scanning so provides an extensive documentation of the site unrivaled through other technologies. The reference points from original scanning and from registration process permits for seamless assimilation and instant clash detection.

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Tech Tuesday - Applications of lasers in historical preservation

Applications of lasers in historical preservation

Capturing our legacy and artifacts within its existing state is vital for preservation and also to gain comprehensive knowledge. The use of 3D scanners allows current state data to be captured promptly including images with no disruption and getting in touch with the artifacts. Analysis and visualization is performed easily inn a virtual environment created. Laser scanning are essential for pre-existing historical preservation. Modeling construction from point clouds grants avenues for surveying virtual interactivity especially in inaccessible environment. The use of laser scanners together with digital documentation techniques and also traditional method it provides a useful way of documenting spatial characteristics of the sites. Through this spatial information provided the archaeologist, conservators and site managers are able monitor sites and perform any renovation work which ensures physical integrity.

3D terrestrial scanners are becoming a common technique which is accepted because of it’s entirety, accuracy and fastness specifications. It is able to document historical tribute façade information in a 3D environment, owing to its capability of providing users with superior spatial data for constructions in difficult 3D scenes within a short time. The colored point cloud information/data obtained from the 3D scanner is used to offer a realistic notion of a monument for users to navigate the view point around it and viewing it from all angles. This technique provides high efficiency in data collection which is useful in unreachable places. Digital photogrammetry and scanning using lasers are the two main techniques used in acquiring data for digital heritage models. Digital photogrammetry method for capturing objects is already established. Combination of digital photogrammetry and laser scanning produces a better 3D model. FARO photon scanners captures up to a 976,000 points/second that is 153metres. These systems are based on phase shift measurement principle and provide large field of view of about 360⁰ for horizontal direction and 320⁰ for vertical direction.

Data obtained are made accessible to a wider audience. This data facilitates educational purpose and also opening up these sites for the general public to take electronic tour via virtual tourism. Lasers are also used in historical space preservation. A laser in preservation of cultural heritage offers a systematic outline of the fundamental and applications of laser scanning techniques in artwork preservation and also archaeological science.

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Tech Tuesday - Application of laser in interior design

Application of laser in interior design

Interior design involves planning of indoor spaces and ensuring objects are placed inside whether it’s for a private residence, recreational, business or commercial space. It takes advantage of high- tech material thus laser technology is used for creating unique and matchless items. Laser technology combines high-quality devise and elegant products to produce a brilliant result that satisfies the customers.

There are various applications of laser in interior design. They include: manufacture of wooden furniture, textiles, furnishings, tiles and granite objects, Velcro and polyester material, laser cutting, engraving of materials, marking, etc. Laser scanning is more profitable since with the unlimited choice of materials, it grants you freedom while designing your personal model.

Laser technology has enabled individuals to customize their materials accordingly. Natural woods, MDF and other materials are cut and engraved concurrently. Lasers also produce fine work even on contour curves and indentations below 0.1mm. The use of cutters or saws is inconceivable for this process. Designs which are based on sketches are advanced by use of software which in turn transfers information into manageable format. The uses of laser in modern manufacturing industry result in time saving.

Holography is applicable in interior design. Specific kind of holograms allows each colour of diverse objects within a scene. Others allow partial mixing of colours at some specific views. In order to display these colours laser beams of red, blue and green are dropped on holograms. Designers employ technical holograms to attract the viewers, hence excellence in design.

Laser cutting, digital knitting and CNC machining are technologies and tools used in interior and fashion design. Digital knitting technology enables dresses to be weaved from digital fashion design.

The advantages of using laser in interior design includes

• It is simple in productivity through PC design program.
• Has high precision of fit
• High edge quality for both interior and exterior contours. No fraying of fabric in that it’s lint-free and clean.
• Tools do not wear or lose quality.
• There is significant prospective of cost saving for a higher quality raw materials.
• Since its contact free and force free processing then there is no material fixation.

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Tech Tuesday - Applications of lasers in ship building

Applications of lasers in ship building

A high-accuracy method of building commercial ships is anticipated to reduce the amount of time required for building a ship and also to improve the quality of a product. Laser and arc welding is employed such that a hybrid laser arc welding technique is achieved and it uses low heat welding. It also reduces deformations of the welded parts.

Hybrid laser arc welding coalesce the deep welding penetration and the associated heat input is low and the laser welding with power efficiency and greater gap tolerance of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) thus creates a new welding alternative. Deep penetrations and faster welding speeds in laser welding leads to reduction of heat infusion into the part and consequently reduction of distortion that causes plates to bulge and warp. Addition of GMAW in tandem with the laser and moderate amount of filler metal creates a wider weld bead which is capable of bridging large weld gaps. Addition of GMAW on to the welding mix enhances metallurgical stability, with a slower cooling rate of GMAW result in welds with less brittleness, greater strength, tough and ductile. Hybrid laser arc welding process resolves a demerit of laser-only welding. It has allowed the industries to shift to higher strength and designs which are of lightweight without distortions that usually result from conventional welding. Hybrid laser arc welding is used to build ship decks and stairs. In shipbuilding metallic sandwich panels are used. Sandwich panels have three layer structures, which consist of a higher strength material which is separated by low weight and density core material. It is designed with fiber reinforced polymer composite.

Construction application for ship building

Owing to the stiffness of steel sandwich panels, it can span over a longer distance. It also holds more floors hence providing enough space. Sandwich panels have two main advantages in transportation industry. Its reduced weight result in saving fuel cost. Reduced weight allows a subsequent increase of the product volume and also cargo weight. A Sandwich panel structure offers a highly superfluous load path. If at any instant is damaged the load is redistributed and it absorbs energy from the crash thus protecting the cargo and passengers.

Hybrid laser arc welding reduces production cost, improves weariness and corrosion life, and reduced phase costs thus has led to improvement in manufacturing fields.

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Tech Tuesday - Applications of lasers in crime scenes

Applications of lasers in crime scenes

FARO Laser Scanner provides a precise record of the whole scene by touching the button this permits the site be returned to its normal after a short time. A 3D scanner replaces crime scene sketches. Forensic scientists have come up with a technique which analyzes line of sight, blood group antigens and bullet trajectories to harmonize other techniques like offender’s height evaluation from surveillance video. The applications include

        i) Preserves evidence digitally

Evidences collected from the scene using 3D laser scanner are preserved digitally, so that investigators can use data stored from the crime scene to carry on their investigations. Investigators operating exclusive of the help of laser scanners, data is lost. With the use of digitally preserved crime scene, investigators can trace back - virtually - and get the measurements needed. It also provides the view of whatever it has captured like a person.

ii) Room visualization

This is achieved from one or more color range data files. A 3D color model offers realistic views of scanned scene. With the use of several software tools measurements for any scene within a certain point can be collected.

iii) Bullet Trajectories

Implementation of laser scanner on to the workflow generates benefits. Once the laser has scanned data it is brought into a software program where the data points are registered, hence a 3D photorealistic model is generated. Addition of 3D sight lines on to a model for simulations and analysis enables investigators to calculate easily bullet trajectories. This model is used in courtrooms to accurately and also interactively bring adjudicators to the crime scene. Generating this model of a scene aids the jury to come up with decisions through judgment. The versatility of laser scanners provides for high resolution credentials for both indoor and outdoor scenes thus helps the investigators to develop efficient workflow within a shorter time.

iv) Blood stain analysis:

Blood stain is one of the forms of evidence in crime scene. Laser technology in conjunction with FARO Scene Bloodstain plug in is authenticated and highly efficient technique for performing area-of-origin analysis with an advantage of incorporating non-orthogonal surfaces. This has enabled technicians to work with blood stain photos using 3D model hence produce blood trajectories which are viewed within the scene.

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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

Scan On,
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