Eric D. Colburn, PLS

Professional Land Surveyor News

Professional Land Surveyor News-Leica’s Laser Scanners Used for 3D Survey of Mount Rushmore

Leica Geosystems’ Laser Scanners used by International Team to Complete First-Ever 3D Survey of Mount Rushmore National Memorial

(Norcross, Ga., 19 July 2010) Leica Geosystems announced that the first ever 3D survey of Mt. Rushmore National Memorial has been successfully completed using its scanners and software. The work was preformed by CyArk, a non-profit organization whose mission is to digitally preserve cultural heritage sites by laser scanning, digital modeling, and other state-of-the-art technologies, in partnership with the National Park Service, Historic Scotland, and the Glasgow School of Art.

Read the rest of this entry →

Professional Land Surveyor News

Professional Land Surveyor News-PPI Adds New Topcon Precision Mobile 3D Mapping and Survey System.

Here’s some recent news about one company, the PPI Group, that is using cutting edge surveying and mapping solutions for infrastructure and mapping projects. To do this they are using Topcon’s vehicle-mounted, mobile 3D precision mobile mapping and survey system, the Topcon IP-S2.

Since 1927, the PPI Group has served the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and GIS industries of the Pacific Northwest. They offer complete field to finish solutions, technology leadership to solve business challenges, and more than 80 years of hands-on experience. The PPI Group is one of the largest survey and construction supply companies on the West Coast and an authorized dealer of Topcon equipment and Autodesk software solutions.

Read the rest of this entry →

3D Laser Scanner Combines Phase and Time of Flight Technologies
for Fast and Accurate Data Capture

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 29, 2009 — Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today the Trimble® CX 3D laser scanner with Trimble’s proprietary WAVEPULSE™ technology. WAVEPULSE combines the high short-range accuracy of phase-shift technology with the low-noise sensitivity and high-distance characteristics of time-of-flight technology. The result is high-precision measurements over the full operating range that provides the clean 3D data needed for industrial plant scanning applications—allowing the user to realize increased productivity and reduced operating costs. And by requiring fewer setups and enabling faster processing time in an industrial plant environment, the Trimble CX solution can contribute to improved worker safety.

Built for Efficiency in the Plant

The Trimble CX solution is built for efficient data capture in the plant. With reliable scanning at 50,000 points per second and an 80 meter range with a 360 degree x 300 degree field of view, the solution provides widespread and efficient data capture from a single setup. A rugged design, IP54 rating and protective housing for the rotating laser allow the scanner to deliver continuous and reliable results even in difficult industrial environments. An integrated camera collects additional image information that can improve the visualization, post-processing and communication of the captured data.

The Trimble CX is supported by Trimble Access™ software for Spatial Imaging, which runs on the Trimble Tablet rugged PC. Powerful and built for industrial conditions, the Trimble Tablet combines a large, daylight readable display, IP67 environmental rating and long battery life that can easily withstand the demands of plant environments. With intuitive and streamlined Trimble Access Software, capturing data with the Trimble CX requires a very short learning curve. Data can be seamlessly transferred to Trimble’s 3D scanning office software packages: Trimble RealWorks™ and Trimble LASERGen™ software.
Read the rest of this entry →