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This section provides an overview for laser scanning as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 22 laser scanning manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked laser scanning companies as of December, 2024: 1.C.R. KENNEDY, 2.Datum Tech Solutions, 3.Testrite Visual Products.
Table of Contents
Laser scanning is a technology that measures the three-dimensional shape of an object. It can also refer to a suite of applications including laser scanning.
Laser scanning systems can be operated via a browser by connecting a LAN cable to the device, enabling remote adjustment of device settings and image processing.
This method, compared to binocular stereo vision and other laser methods, achieves higher distance accuracy with simpler mathematical processing. However, for high-resolution and real-time imaging, scanning the projected light and capturing images at high resolution is necessary.
Due to its potential in accurately measuring and inspecting three-dimensional objects, laser scanning is a subject of active research and development.
Laser scanning has diverse applications across various industries, such as automotive, shipbuilding, and manufacturing.
In the automotive industry, it's used for measuring the shape of auto parts and molds during the inspection and prototyping phases. It aids in shape inspection to ensure parts conform to design specifications and in prototyping for accurate data measurement.
In shipbuilding, laser scanning is vital for precise measurement of components like ship propellers during casting and cutting processes. It ensures accurate final product inspections by measuring the overall shape of objects. In these processes, parts such as ship propellers are measured at every stage of casting] and cutting.
Additionally, in manufacturing, particularly in soldering processes, laser scanning helps inspect for defects like insufficient or excessive solder and blowholes by analyzing the external shape.
The core technology involves an optical cutting method where a laser beam is projected onto an object, then diffused and reflected. The reflected light is captured by a CMOS sensor to form an image, providing details about the object's height, shape, and position.
Traditional laser scanning methods involved separate devices for emitting slit light from a laser light source and capturing the reflected light. These images were initially monochromatic.
As the demand for precision in object measurement increased, integrated systems combining laser scanning with other technologies emerged, enabling more stable and accurate inspections. Recent advancements also allow for color data display, enhancing visibility and analysis.
Modern laser scanning applications are designed for flexible equipment setting adjustments, catering to various conditions and contributing to labor savings and enhanced inspection quality in production processes.
The optical cutting method was first explored in the early 1970s at the Electrotechnical Laboratory in Japan and Stanford University in the USA. It laid the groundwork for pattern recognition research and vision robotics in Japan.
General Motors Corporation of Canada was the first to apply slit light projection, a type of optical cutting method, in foundry assembly plants. Here, objects on conveyor belts were detected using slit light and line sensors.
In the late 1970s, light began to replace radio waves in image measurement, although initially considered challenging due to the high speed of light and radio waves.
Optical cutting methods fall into two main categories: passive and active. Passive methods include stereo imaging, while active methods encompass optical laser, optical cutting, photometric stereo, focus adjustment, and contour measurement methods.
Among these, the optical cutting method is further divided into spot light, slit light, and pattern light projections. Spot light projection is a non-video method, while pattern light projection is a video method. Slit light projection encompasses both categories.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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NMB Technologies Corporation, founded in 1951 with facilities in the USA, is a MinebeaMitsumi Group company and a manufacturer of electromechanical and semiconductor components such as small motors, backlights, sensors, and wireless technology. The company's products include cooling fans, precision small motors, mechanical bearing assemblies, battery protection components, and programmable drivers. NMB Technologies Corporation also offers custom design, engineering, and manufacturing to its customers in the automotive, robotics, medical, consumer technology, and industrial markets.
Pepperl+Fuchs, Inc. was founded in Mannheim, Germany in 1945 developing the forerunner of the proximity switch. Pepperl+Fuchs continues to develop proximity sensors as well as other industrial sensors including ultrasonic sensors, rotary encoders, positioning systems, display and signal processing, vibration monitoring, industrial communication, and signal processing as well as related accessories and software. Explosive protection products include safety barriers, surge protection, wireless solutions, HMI systems, power supplies, electrical explosion protection equipment, level measurement, and related software.
Trimble, a company founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is an industrial technology manufacturer that provides solutions to enable professionals to improve their work processes. The company offers a wide range of products and services, including guidance and steering, agronomic solutions, displays, and more. It also offers satellite navigation systems, hardware, and software. Its software enables surveyors to transform field data from GNSS receivers, total stations, laser scanners, mobile mapping systems, and more. It has achieved ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 certification. It maintains a business in the US, Sweden, Germany, Finland, and more.
Datum Tech Solutions is a manufacturer and supplier of BIM technologies offering 3D laser scanning equipment including total stations, laser scanners, survey equipment and scan & go laser scanning accessories as well as 3D scanning software sales established in 2012 and headquartered in Boise, Idaho. The company also offers rental services and has a field team providing expert insight and training in 3D laser scanning, and BIM and construction software such as total station & GPS/GNSS software, laser scanner software, and software & firmware updates.
RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems, headquartered in Horn, Austria, is a manufacturer and provider of laser scanning solutions for applications in surveying. They produce LiDAR systems commercially and focus on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths. RIEGL’s products include airborne laser scanners, UAV-based laser scanners, terrestrial laser scanners, mobile laser scanners, and industrial laser scanners. These laser scanners provide detailed and accurate 3D data for applications such as topography, mining, as-built surveying, architecture, and more. They also offer software packages that are designed to optimize the acquisition workflow in the field and provide tools for data control and processing.
Leuze was founded in Owen/Teck in Southern Germany in 1963 as a manufacturer of sensors. The company's product range encompasses switching and measuring sensors, identification systems, data transmission, and image processing solutions which are further classified as optical sensors, inductive switches, area scanners, IP cameras, and various cables and connectors. They serve a broad spectrum of industries including machine tools, packaging, automotive, intralogistics, and laboratory automation where they provide sensor solutions for various processes
Teledyne DALSA was established in 1980 in Ontario, Canada, and is known as the manufacturer, designer, and marketer of digital imaging products and solutions. The imaging products which the company deals in include industry-standard digital frame grabbers, area and line scan image sensors, and laser profiling 3D sensors. The inventory also includes X-ray detectors, infrared detectors, and various systems and software to run the equipment. There are also MEMs and semiconductors for different applications. The industries that benefit from these products are aerospace, medical and life sciences, machine vision and inspection, nondestructive testing, and more.
NIKON CORPORATION was founded in Japan in 1917 and is a global manufacturer of imaging products, optics, precision equipment, and instruments. The company's main product offerings include the Nikon Z series of mirrorless cameras, digital SLR cameras, and COOLPIX. It also offers consumer and professional accessories such as NIKKOR brand optics, Speedlights, system accessories, and software products, along with premium sports and recreational optical products, including full-line binoculars, Fieldscopes, and rangefinders. The company complies with international standards such as ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018, catering to industries such as photography and videography, healthcare, manufacturing, and research.
Bodor Laser is a manufacturer of Research & development, production, and marketing of laser cutting machines. The company is located at Shandong, China and established in 2008. The company’s diverse product range caters to industries like manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and more. The company has 10 unit sub department, including plate cutting, pipe cutting, application engineering. The company's laser products are high powered and range from 25000W, 30000W, 40000W, and 22000W laser cutting machines.
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., established in 1953 and headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a manufacturer of sensors and emitters for both visible and invisible light. It stocks products like LEDs, lamps, and photodiodes used in several industries, including consumer electronics, dental imaging, and environmental monitoring. The sensor and light source components are also available as modules and units that can be incorporated into systems the company develops, like optical measurement systems or imaging systems. The ISO 9001-certified company stocks over 15,000 devices, units, and systems that ship to over 100 destinations worldwide, and it has ten research and production bases.
LiveStrong Optoelectronics Co. Ltd., established in 2014, is a manufacturer based in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, specializing in optoelectronic technology. The company provides various photoelectric characterization and analysis platforms, including electroluminescence and photoluminescence image systems. It also offers solutions for material and thin film surface characterization. The company caters to specific industries, such as the aerospace sector, by offering space solar modules and automated inspection systems for space solar cells. It further develops reliability tests such as salt mist, ammonia, and environmental corrosion testing.
Micro-Epsilon was originally founded in Osaka and Micro-Epsilon America was founded in 1998, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Micro-Epsilon develops, manufactures, and distributes sensors to aerospace, battery production, glass production, wind power, precision optics, medical technology, transportation, semiconductor, and other industries. Micro-Epsilon’s sensor product categories include inductive, capacitive, laser, confocal, laser distance, magneto-inductive, draw-wire, rotation speed, color, paint thickness measurement, and fiber optic sensors in addition to interferometers and other sensor equipment.
Omron Corporation, started in 1933 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of automation components, equipment, and systems, and it developed the first contactless proximity switch in 1960. It has four domains, including industrial automation, electronic components, healthcare, and social systems, and it provides products and services in around 120 countries and regions. Some of its products include microsensing devices, access control systems, industrial robots, surveillance cameras, and blood pressure monitors. In 1971, it developed the first online cash machine, and in 1972, it established Japan’s first welfare factory.
HOYA CANDEO OPTRONICS CORPORATION, established in 1988 with headquarters in Shinjuku, Japan, is a manufacturer of light sources, laser oscillator systems and equipment, and electro-optical glass for customers worldwide. The company offers three categories of products that cover laser systems, UV products, and electro-optical glass equipment. HOYA CANDEO OPTRONICS CORPORATION offers standard laser systems used in microprocessing applications, including LCD and semiconductor repair requiring superior precision down to the submicron level. The company also offers customized laser systems to meet customer requirements.
RIFTEK LLC, a company established in 1993, based in Minsk, Belarus, is a manufacturer and supplier of optoelectronic instruments for measuring geometrical quantities. The company provides various products such as laser triangulation sensors, 2D and 3D laser scanners, absolute linear encoders, optical micrometers, and specialized systems for measuring dimensions, displacements, thickness, and diameter. These products are used for various applications such as power generation, distribution, industrial automation, railway transport, machine vision, and others. The company also offers engineering, installation, testing, and maintenance services for its customers.
Leica Geosystems AG (formerly known as Wild Heerbrugg), founded in 1921 and now a subsidiary of Hexagon AB, is a manufacturer and supplier based in Heerbrugg, Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland, providing geographical measurement solutions. The company’s product lineup includes laser measurement tools, reality capture tools, utility and subsurface detection tools, as well as complementary accessories and software. The company also offers various survey gears and compact rovers. Since 2008, the company has been a strategic member of the Open Geospatial Consortium, an international standards organization for geographic information system data processing and sharing, as well as geospatial content and location-based services.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C.R. KENNEDY |
15.0%
|
| 2 | Datum Tech Solutions |
10.0%
|
| 3 | Testrite Visual Products |
7.5%
|
| 4 | Haag |
7.5%
|
| 5 | KUMONOS Corporation |
7.5%
|
| 6 | NMB Technologies Corporation |
7.5%
|
| 7 | HOYA CANDEO OPTRONICS CORPORATION |
7.5%
|
| 8 | Pepperl+Fuchs Inc. |
7.5%
|
| 9 | RIFTEK |
5.0%
|
| 10 | BODORLASER INC. |
5.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the laser scanning page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
5 | 31.3% |
|
Japan
|
3 | 18.8% |
Taiwan
|
2 | 12.5% |
|
Austria
|
1 | 6.3% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 6.3% |
|
Canada
|
1 | 6.3% |
|
China
|
1 | 6.3% |
| Belarus | 1 | 6.3% |
|
Switzerland
|
1 | 6.3% |
39 products found
39 products
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The optical cutting device is a device that can obtain height data at high speed. Precision is required these days. Devices that use laser scanning...
