2009 Article Archive
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Noting that "cultural expertise transcends national borders", the Nov. 5, 2009 issue of the New York Times reports on the use of Leica Geosystems High-Definition Surveying laser scanners by leading Scottish organizations to provide detailed, 3D documentation of key world heritage sites.The sites not only include famous sites in Scotland, such as Rosslyn Chapel (of The DaVinci Code fame) and Stirling Castle, but also Mount Rushmore in the United States. These projects are also being supported by CyArk (www.cyark.org) which focuses on documenting key world heritage sites for archive, preservation, and education. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This online article in the Dec 22, 2009 issue of the LANDonline newsletter was sent to 18,000 members of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Written by Bob Oelberg, ASLA, the article describes how easy and cost effective it is to create compelling 3D fly-throughs of proposed landscape designs using rich, laser scan data and simple CAD and animation software. He further projects that in the future this will be standard practice, expected by clients. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This editorial review notes that the 2009 annual conference reinforced the fact that "laser scanning is opening new business opportunities and allowing many organizations to survive and even thrive in today's economy." Gibson summarizes many presentations, including ones on scanning cell towers for asset management; scanning historic ships for archive and tourist promotion; technical insights into the new Leica ScanStation C10 laser scanner; university research on automated feature extraction from point clouds; 3D laser scanning of Istanbul for better city planning; daily use of a Leica Geosystems HDS laser scanner by a 2-person survey business in England; and, a Florida firm's increasing emphasis on scanning for surveying & mapping. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
POB's Dec 2009 issue details the application and efficiency benefits of a Leica HDS6000 laser scanner and Cyclone software for documenting a 32-acre site, including 1 million square feet of building space. Designers needed accurate existing conditions information to develop concepts for the adaptive reuse of the buildings and site for a new community college campus, mandated to comply with the U.S. Green Building Council's "Leadership in Energy and Environmental (LEED) green building certification system. Architectural Resource Consultants (ARC) provided the laser scanning services and coordinated the project documentation with a network of Leica Geosystems HDS service providers. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Nov. 2009 article in POB describes how Sunrise Engineering, a multi-discipline consulting firm, succeeded in building "a buoyant and diverse" laser scanning business, with project bookings nearly exceeding the company's initial investment within only eight (8) months of their February 2008 purchase of a Leica ScanStation2 and Cyclone software. This was achieved without an existing backlog. HDS champion Burton Christensen states" ... you can integrate it [HDS] into your daily operations to both secure new business and to increase revenue without increasing staff ..." more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This article, written by Coastway Surveys of the Republic of Ireland, describes an innovative approach for performing sub-surface laser scanning by inverting a laser scanner within a manhole. The scan results are combined with above surface scan data to form a complete infrastructure model. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The July 29, 2009 issue of USA TODAY reported that this famous archaeological site will take advantage of laser scanning to accurately record its complex geometry in 3D. The data will be insurance against possible damage to the site, as the resulting computer model will enable precise reconstruction. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Dynasty Group used their Leica laser scanners and software to successfully survey a major Chicago landmark bridge. The accurate as-builts were needed for a detailed design of a major modification to the historic bridge. Dynasty saved project time while providing higher quality client deliverables. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Laser scanning provides service organizations with many more options for deliverables to give clients, in addition to traditional deliverables. These additional types of deliverables offer benefits to clients and they can provide competitive advantage for service organizations. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Angus Stocking, reporting for the March 2009 issue of The American Surveyor magazine, states "I believe that scanning will continue to grow, even in a tough economy. Here's why: many industries are turning to laser scanning in an attempt to save money." This report is based on the reporter's attendance at the recent Leica Geosystems HDS Worldwide User Conference. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cianbro Construction company describes how they successfully used a Leica ScanStation2, Cyclone 6.0 and CloudWorx 4.0 to aid in the construction and QA of large modules being fabricated for a major refinery project in Texas. The American Surveyor magazine, March 2009. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CNN's reports on how government agencies in California are using Leica scanners and software to quickly capture forensic scenes with high detail in 3D. In interviews with CNN reporters, users also describe the benefits of opening traffic lanes faster, improved staff efficiency, and delivering more compelling evidence for jurors. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cadalyst Editor Kenneth Wong describes how a Gridpoint Solutions, a small surveying company equipped with a Leica laser scanner and software, successfully documented the very detailed stonework of Ireland's Nanagh Castle tower. He discusses the benefits of using laser scanning for this type of work and the field and office processes that enabled the challenging project to be completed with high-quality results. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editor Christine Grahl describes how Optira teamed with two other firms to provide critical as-built data using Leica scanners and software for a major upgrade to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The article references the use of a Leica HDS time-of-flight scanner and two (2) Leica HDS phase-based scanners for capturing building geometry - including above-ceiling plenum areas - efficiently and accurately. Deliverables included 3D CAD models. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This cover story article describes how Todd Beers of Nolte Associates went about educating management about the business benefits of laser scanning for a civil/survey firm to the point where they recently acquired a ScanStation2 and associated Leica software. The benefits include being more productive with existing business and securing new business via diversification. The article also describes various projects where the technology has been successfully used and why the company chose Leica Geosystems as their supplier. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The surveying firm of Glahe & Associates writes about their use of ScanStation, TruView and other tools for a monitoring survey for Idaho Power of sand bars and other terrain in a river gorge . The cover story article describes benefits to the client that include more complete information that gave the client a more comprehensive understanding of the river's effect on river bed materials. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article details why and how HDS laser scanning users are doing well in tough economic times. Many examples are given along with guidance of low risk paths to enter scanning. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geomatics World (UK) reporter Nick Day covers the October 2008 HDS & Airborne Sensor Worldwide User Conference in detail, describing many individual presentations and discussions with users. He writes, "Many surveyors I talked to reported a downturn in regular survey work, but a surge in scanning." The article discusses uses in civil, building, plant, heritage and forensic applications. more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
POB editor reviews 2008 HDS & Airborne Sensor User Conference in this feature article. She notes "A number of industries contracted severely in 2008 and are expected to remain weak. Notably absent from this trend, however, is the broad field of geospatial data capture using laser scanning, LiDAR and other technologies." more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
