Handheld scanner for on site reality capture and as-built documentation
Faro Technologies has just released a new portable hand-held scanner aimed at those requiring reality capture in the construction market. Called the Freestyle 2, it’s targeted for use in creating as-built documentation.
Unlike the firm’s other scanning solutions, the Freestyle 2 is ideally used to capture details which may be hard to capture with traditional tripod-based scanning solutions. This could be in tight spaces, such as mechanical rooms, interstitial voids, or above ceilings. It’s also often the case that mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems are often intertwined, making it challenging to get a comprehensive picture using a fixed scanner as pipes and ducts can obstruct other systems creating shadows in the point cloud resulting in incomplete data.
The new Faro Freestyle 2 enables construction teams to get accurate dimensions and locations for coordinating elements such as underground stub-ups, water utility ties-ins or duct riser penetrations, to ease the handoff between contractors.
The Faro Freestyle 2 captures colour scan data and is designed for single handed use. Built-in tracking works while moving and walking. The device provides haptic feedback guiding the user to better capture data and comes with an app that allows real-time visualisation of the captured data. It can work in any lighting conditions, even in the dark and does not require annual calibration.
“We are very excited to offer the Freestyle 2 handheld scanner for the construction industry,” said Matthias Koksch, global director AEC, product marketing at Faro. “We believe this is the most versatile, portable and easy-to-use 3D data capture tool in the market today and will significantly improve contractors’ productivity and efficiency through improved documentation and understanding of their projects.”
A video showing the quality of point clouds generated by the Freestyle 2 can be seen below
