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This section provides an overview for 3d laser scanners as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 3 3d laser scanner manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked 3d laser scanner companies as of April, 2025: 1.ShapeGrabber Inc., 2.ZG Technology, 3.Leica Geosystems AG.
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A 3D Laser Scanner is a device designed to accurately measure the shape and position of objects or environments in three dimensions with high precision.
When laser light is emitted towards the target object, the laser light reaches the object, reflects, and returns. By measuring the time and angle until it returns, the distance and position can be determined. The 3D Laser Scanner uses this laser-based measurement to rapidly and voluminously acquire distance and position data, generating digital data (point cloud data) that reproduces the three-dimensional shape by combining this data.
Due to its capability to measure distance and position data with extremely high accuracy, it is advantageous in applications where precise three-dimensional models or measurements are required.
Furthermore, it can operate quickly and non-contactly, allowing the acquisition of a large amount of data without damaging the surface of the object. Hence, it is considered a high-performance device used in various applications such as architectural, civil, and topographic surveys, contributing to tasks involving urban space investigation.
3D Laser Scanners find applications in various industries, and the primary uses are as follows:
3D Laser Scanners are used to capture complex shapes and details accurately and non-invasively at high speed. They are employed in current-condition surveys of existing buildings and structures, as well as in the planning of renovations and expansions for buildings without drawings. The rapid and non-contact measurement, along with the ability to visualize point cloud data and 3D models digitally, improves the accuracy of architectural design, leading to cost savings in terms of work hours and labor.
In civil engineering, 3D Laser Scanners are utilized for the maintenance, design, and construction of civil infrastructure such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and dams. They are used for tasks such as detecting unevenness and cracks on road surfaces, evaluating the safety of structures like bridges and tunnels, and conducting condition surveys during disasters.
Moreover, on construction sites, they are used for real-time progress and quality assessment, as well as detecting differences between design plans and the actual construction site. In the field of civil engineering, they serve as effective tools to enhance infrastructure quality, prolong lifespan, and improve management and quality on construction sites.
Due to its ability to accurately understand complex situations, 3D Laser Scanners are applied in the management of factories, facilities, and equipment. Factories and facilities often undergo frequent equipment replacement and expansion, making it difficult to understand the layout through drawings. 3D Laser Scanners digitize the current situation, facilitating the optimization of layouts and equipment configurations, planning facility renovations, and managing periodic equipment replacements, contributing to the efficient management of factories, facilities, and equipment.
3D Laser Scanners are employed in the research, preservation, and utilization of cultural heritage. They are used to record ruins and excavated items at excavation sites, as well as to digitally capture detailed information on a wide range of cultural heritage, including historical buildings and sculptures. The digitization of cultural heritage enables tasks such as restoration, replica creation, monitoring of damage progression, and virtual public display and educational use of cultural heritage in remote or restricted locations.
3D Laser Scanners are utilized to reproduce real locations and objects as high-precision digital data, creating digital twin spaces that closely resemble reality. Additionally, by editing and processing the data from 3D Laser Scanners, it is more efficient to produce new digital content with a realistic feel compared to creating it from scratch. This makes 3D Laser Scanners essential tools for creating a wide range of digital content, including 3DCG, game characters, background designs, video production, tourism content, and metaverse applications.
The 3D Laser Scanner directs very fine laser beams toward the surface of the target object. These laser beams, characterized by their linearity, reflect partly upon hitting the object's surface, and the 3D Laser Scanner detects the reflected light.
There are multiple methods for measuring distance, with the two main ones being the "Time of Flight (TOF)" method and the "Phase Shift" method. The TOF method calculates distance by measuring the time it takes for the laser beam to be emitted and returned. On the other hand, the Phase Shift method modulates the phase of the laser light while irradiating it and detects the phase difference in the reflected light to calculate the distance to the object.
The 3D Laser Scanner covers the entire scanning area by rotating the laser light source, enabling the acquisition of many distance data points at once. The collected distance data is integrated with the irradiation angle information, resulting in the calculation of XYZ spatial position coordinates. This data constitutes the three-dimensional point cloud data, a set of data that reproduces the position and shape of the object in the digital domain.
There are factors to consider when selecting a 3D Laser Scanner. As the applications of 3D Laser Scanners are diverse, selection based on the intended use is necessary. Below are some examples of selection criteria for 3D Laser Scanners commonly used indoors and outdoors:
Measurement accuracy indicates how accurately a 3D Laser Scanner can reproduce the actual shape of an object. It is usually expressed in millimeters. The choice of a 3D scanner should be based on the required accuracy.
The maximum measurement distance indicates how far a 3D Laser Scanner can measure the distance to an object. Particularly in outdoor environments or large areas, products with longer maximum measurement distances are required.
Resolution indicates the detail of the 3D data generated by the 3D scanner. Higher resolution allows for a detailed capture of the object's surface and small features.
Depending on the usage environment, water resistance and dust resistance may be essential. These are generally indicated by an IP rating, with two digits representing the level of protection. A higher first digit indicates higher water resistance, while a higher second digit indicates higher dust resistance.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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ZG Technology, established in 2014 and based in China, is a manufacturer of professional metrology-grade 3D scanner solutions. The company specializes in developing, manufacturing, and selling portable 3D measurement technologies while offering services like engineering, 3D scanning, and quality control. Its products include portable blue laser 3D scanners, professional metrology-grade 3D laser scanners, and cutting-edge software catering to the automotive, manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare sectors. With a global reach encompassing North America and Africa, the company delivers products and unparalleled technical services, ensuring accurate and efficient measurement solutions for diverse objects and environments.
Leica Geosystems AG, founded in 1921 and based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, is a manufacturer of systems and products in surveying and geographical measurement. The company is part of Hexagon. Its products include laser scanners, machine control systems, lasers, levels, and mobile mapping systems used in several fields, including mining, monitoring, agriculture, natural resources, and transportation. It is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, and in 1985, it launched the first GPS receiver, WILD WM101, for surveying applications. It acquired civilian businesses from Magnavox and introduced the first in-house GPS product in 1994.
Ranking as of April 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ShapeGrabber Inc. |
42.9%
|
| 2 | ZG Technology |
38.1%
|
| 3 | Leica Geosystems AG |
19.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the 3d laser scanner page as of April 2025. 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.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
1 | 100.0% |
63 products found - Page 2
63 products - Page 2
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■Summary Confused about whether to implement TLS or SLAM? There is no need to hesitate anymore, the answer is FLEX SCAN22 manufactured by Z+F. ■Fe...
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■Features Achieves excellent cost performance and proposes a 3D scanning environment for each application. The AutoScan DS-EX series is an applicat...
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■Features Equipped with a 5-megapixel high-resolution camera, this is an industry-leading high-precision/high-speed 3D scanner. The AutoScan DS-MIX...
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Standard Response
Equipped with two laser scanners, it is possible to stably acquire point cloud data in 360 degree directions just by walking. ■Features ・360 degr...
