NEWS: FARO launches the Freestyle3D handheld laser scanner

The FARO Freestyle3D is a new handheld laser scanner for use in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), Law Enforcement, and other industries.

The scanner is equipped with a Microsoft Surface tablet so users can view point cloud data as it is captured. The Freestyle3D scans to a distance of up to 3m and captures up to 88K points per second with a claimed accuracy better than 1.5mm. The patent-pending, self-compensating optical system is also said to allow users to start scanning immediately with no warm up time required.

The handheld scanner features a lightweight carbon fibre body and weighs less than a kilogramme.

“Following the successful adoption of our Focus scanners for long-range scanning, we’ve developed a scanner that provides customers with the same intuitive feel and ease-of-use in a handheld device,” said Jay Freeland, FARO’s President and CEO.

The portability of Freestyle3D enables users to maneuver and scan in tight and hard-to-reach areas such as car interiors, under tables and behind objects. According to Faro, this makes it ideal for crime scene data collection or architectural preservation and restoration activities. Memory-scan technology enables Freestyle3D users to pause scanning at any time and then resume data collection where they left off without the use of artificial targets.

The Freestyle3D can be employed as a standalone device to scan areas of interest, or used in concert with FARO’s Focus X 130 / X 330 scanners. Point cloud data from all of these devices can be integrated and shared with all of FARO’s software visualization tools including FARO SCENE, WebShare Cloud, and FARO CAD Zone packages.

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