3D Laser Scanning Technology
3D laser scanning technology, simply put, quickly captures 3D coordinates of object surfaces and converts them into point cloud images with high precision and good efficiency.
In industrial settings, this technology is being used more and more. There's an industrial-grade scanner equipped with Tantu Zhixing's M360 LiDAR that works great in scenarios like plant renovations and warehouse modeling.
Real-World Performance
This industrial scanner uses an integrated, rugged design that combines M360 LiDAR, visible light camera, and RTK modules. It can quickly process large amounts of point cloud data and images. Technicians in factories can see results immediately after scanning, eliminating rework.
Unlike conventional mounting approaches, the M360 LiDAR on this scanner is installed at a 15° downward tilt, allowing it to cover ground, forward, and ceiling directions simultaneously. During operation, technicians don't need to repeatedly adjust angles - they can achieve comprehensive data collection in a single scan, significantly improving efficiency.
In industrial environments, heavy equipment is physically demanding to handle. Most traditional mechanical LiDARs weigh nearly 1kg, and when combined with other components, the entire industrial scanner can weigh several kilograms, making them cumbersome to use.
This industrial scanner uses M360 LiDAR (weighing 408g, with dimensions of 78×78×81mm) and can be operated by a single person. Although slightly heavier than traditional equipment, the M360's IP67 protection ensures reliable operation in harsh environments like dust and humidity, making it more dependable in industrial settings.
While providing industrial protection, the M360 still delivers strong performance: it features an ultra-wide 360°×70° field of view, 200kHz point cloud output capability, broader scanning range, higher efficiency, with a measurement range of up to 50m@90%. It's suitable for both industrial indoor and outdoor environments, accurately capturing every detail to meet various industrial surveying needs.
Compared to traditional mechanical LiDARs that cost tens of thousands of yuan, the M360 offers excellent cost-effectiveness, significantly reducing industrial application costs and enabling large-scale adoption of industrial scanning equipment.
M360 Core Advantages: 70° vertical FOV is 11° more than traditional LiDAR, 5cm near-blind area detects small obstacles that traditional LiDARs miss, IP67 protection ensures normal operation in harsh environments.
Industrial Applications
Nowadays, this industrial scanner is being applied in various factory scenarios. Let's look at how it's used in plant renovation, warehouse modeling, and equipment maintenance.
1. Industrial Plant Renovation Projects
Using LiDAR to scan workshops and create centimeter-level point cloud models
A manufacturing company wanted to upgrade an old plant. However, after equipment updates, there was a significant discrepancy between old drawings and actual conditions, requiring new measurements and layout drawings.
Traditional measurement methods are inefficient, have large errors, and easily miss data points. When data is missed, rework measurements are needed, causing delays.
In this company's plant renovation project, staff used industrial scanners with LiDAR to obtain centimeter-level high-precision point cloud data.
The industrial scanner is equipped with M360 LiDAR. Its 70° vertical FOV is 11° more than traditional LiDAR, and its 5cm near-blind area can detect small obstacles that traditional LiDARs miss. The dual-echo technology allows normal operation even in rainy weather. The effect is significant: previously it took 3 people 7 days to collect data plus 1 person 7 days for modeling; now it only takes 1 person 1 day for data collection and 1 person 1 day for modeling, greatly improving efficiency while reducing workforce requirements.
2. Warehouse Environment Modeling
Fast, accurate, and precise measurement
A warehouse planned to implement an AGV system and needed high-precision warehouse models for path planning. The warehouse had dense shelving and narrow aisles, making traditional measurement methods difficult and costly.
Staff used industrial scanners to scan the warehouse, obtaining precise position data and calculating specific dimensions of shelf aisles to assist AGV path planning. Using scanners saves 70% compared to total stations and is 3 times faster.
Point cloud data clearly shows shelf layout and aisle widths with excellent clarity.
3. Industrial Equipment Maintenance
Point cloud and image fusion to create 3D equipment models
This industrial scanner can integrate M360 LiDAR with visible light cameras, enabling real-time fusion of point cloud data and images. After importing into professional software, it can create 3D models of industrial equipment.
In large CNC machine tool maintenance projects, staff used scanners to collect data and reconstruct refined models with clearly visible internal structures. This model accurately reflects the equipment's geometry and assembly relationships, allowing maintenance personnel to view and analyze from different angles and perform digital archiving. Later, this 3D model was used for virtual training, shortening training time and providing technicians with a more intuitive learning experience.
Summary
3D laser scanning technology provides a new method for 3D modeling. As the core component of industrial scanners, M360 LiDAR features excellent IP67 protection, a wide 70° vertical FOV, close 5cm blind area, strong dual-echo penetration, and low power consumption below 4.5W. These advantages make industrial surveying fast and efficient, helping users save costs and time.
Tantu Zhixing specializes in 3D LiDAR technology for industrial mobile robots. The M360 product uses non-repetitive scanning technology and performs excellently in industrial environments.