FARO @ INTEC 2013, Coimbatore, INDIA 6 – 10 June, CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex

1) FARO 3D Documentation Conference Keynote Speech
At the recently-concluded FARO 3D Documentation Conference that was held for the first time in AsiaPacific in Singapore, FARO had the honor of hosting Dr. Bharat Lohani who delivered the keynote speech.

“A Technique for Motion Correction for Laser Scanning of a Moving Object”

Dr. Bharat Lohani, Associate Professor Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India

The currently developed techniques of laser scanning work only if the object being scanned is stationary during the scans. This is true for all cases of laser scanning, e.g., terrestrial or mobile. This restriction limits the application of laser scanning to several cases where it is not possible or is not cost-effective for the object to remain stationary. The obvious examples of such cases are the scanning of ships or aerostats or hot air balloons, which move with the waves or wind despite being anchored.

Dr. Lohani presented a novel approach developed by his research group for carrying our laser scanning of moving objects. In this approach, a GPS and an INS are rigidly mounted on the body of the object and the trajectory data generated by these, when processed along with the laser scanner data, permits motion correction.

The motion correction transforms each laser scanner generated coordinate, of points on the body of the object, to an object body coordinate system, which remains fixed with the object. The final result is the corrected 3D point cloud of the object. The talk focused on the theoretical development of the method and some results obtained in the field.

2) User Stories
Worldwide, approximately 15,000 customers are operating more than 30,000 installations of FARO’s systems. This segment highlights a selection of user stories that feature customers from Asia Pacific, using FARO devices in various applications across different industries.

a) JBM Neel Metal Maintains Market Leadership with FARO
JBM Neel Metal Products, India | FaroArm

The automotive components manufacturer supplies components and fixtures for two-, three- and four-wheelers to domestic and export markets. The portability and versatility offered by FARO enabled JBM Neel Metal Products to deliver high quality with less time and labor.

Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Operations and Systems Manager of JBM Neel Metal Products revealed, “Using the FaroArm, we can complete the same measurement task with half the resources previously required!” Mr. Kumar also shared, “The FaroArm had no problems accessing difficult-to-reach areas at all. Without the need to manufacture expensive, customized templates for those components, we not only saved time but will also enjoy cost-savings in the long term.”

b) Tokai Engineering expands its in-house measurement capabilities with FARO
Tokai Engineering, India | FaroArm

This specialist toolmaker manufactures precision dies, jigs and fixtures, and supplies to companies from the automotive industry mongst them are well-established firms such as Jay Bharat Maruti Ltd. (JBML), Caparo and Krishna Maruti. Prior to owning the FaroArm, Tokai Engineering handled all basic metrology needs in-house, mostly with hand tools, and farmed out complex jobs to vendors. This was costly for the company and it meant longer production schedules with low predictability dependent on vendors. Mr. Rajesh Khanna, Director of Tokai Engineering shared, “With the FaroArm, we save time from doing complex measurements in-house and complete inspections more quickly in general. Having seen how user-friendly the FaroArm and its software were, we were certain that our staff could be trained in no time too.”

c) Machining Specialist Achieves Higher Accuracy Within Half the Time with FARO Laser Tracker
Self Levelling Metal Machines, Singapore | FARO Laser Tracker

Self Levelling Metal Machines (SLMM) provides companies with large-scale, in-situ precision machining (e.g. boring, milling, drilling), servicing mostly the Marine and Offshore industries. With the FARO Laser Tracker, SLMM achieved higher accuracy in half the time than before. Mr. LokQiuquan, Project Engineer of SLMM expressed, “When we started using the FARO device ourselves, it improved our work flow in so many aspects, surpassing our expectations by leaps and bounds. Not only did the FARO Laser Tracker help us achieve repeatable measurements with tighter tolerances, it also helped us complete measurements in half the time. The new capabilities that we now enjoy with FARO have definitely translated into greater efficiencies and long-term cost savings.”Beyond the performance of the device, Mr. Lok revealed that the presence of local support offered by FARO in Singapore played a big part in helping SLMM make the final decision. “The winning factor was the proximity and availability of FARO’s calibration services in Singapore.”

d) PROTON Chooses FARO for Inspection Needs
PROTON Holdings Berhad, Malaysia | FaroArm

The global automotive player that started as a National Car Project is now a force to be reckoned with. FARO’s portable CMMs enabled PROTON the liberty to perform high-accuracy measurements right on the assembly line, achieving higher accuracy levels and repeatability during its inspection checks.

Mr. Zulhasni Bin Abdul Rahim, Senior Executive (Group Quality – Head of Project for Quality Digitization and Quality Metrology Innovation Program) of PROTON Shah Alam plant, shared, “1 portable CMM now replaces the multitude of conventional hand tools we used in the past. Coupled with the arm’s user friendliness, we have saved plenty of time. On average, it used to take us up to 4 days to properly inspect 1 car unit from measuring, to inspecting and producing reports. Now, we only need 2 days to complete the entire task!”

Mr. Zulhasni revealed, “With the FaroArm in operation for 75% of the time, we promptly realized a positive ROI within the first 18 months.

e) Sophia University Racing Team Fulfill their Dreams Using FARO Measuring Equipment
Sophia University, Japan | FaroArm

The Sophia Racing team emerged as the Overall Champions in the 9th Student Formula SAE Competition of Japan, using a car that was built with the latest FaroArm FARO Edge. The device was used to locate accurate positions where holes had to be drilled while constructing the vehicle.

A cautious drilling process with successive stages was planned and executed by the team. This was recorded as a “new technology” in the event report that Sophia University submitted. Graded as static events of the competition, the reports placed Sophia University in second place, out of 75 teams that participated.

f) FARO Laser Scanner captures as-is documentation after disaster event
High-fidelity digital archives created for Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial Beijing Institute of Surveying & Mapping, China | FARO Laser Scanner

FARO Laser Scanner was used by the institute to capture as-is documentation after the Great Sichuan Earthquake. High-fidelity digital archives were created for the Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial Park, making it the largest life-sized 3D virtual reality scan of any subject matter, both domestically and globally. Mr. Yin Wenguang, Project Leader from Beijing Hao Yu World Mapping Technology Development Co., Ltd. shared, “The scanner gave us exceptionally accurate scans in a very short amount of time. Its ease of use helped us complete the necessary surveys and generate the 3D model outputs efficiently.”

About FARO
FARO is a global technology company that develops and markets computer-aided coordinate measurement devices and software. Portable equipment from FARO permits high-precision 3D measurement and comparison of parts and compound structures within production and quality assurance processes. The devices are used for inspecting components and assemblies, production planning, inventory documentation, as well as for investigation and reconstruction of accident sites or crime scenes. They are also employed to generate digital scans of historic sites.

With FARO, 3D measurement and documentation needs can be fulfilled confidently. As a pioneer and market leader in portable computer-aided measurement, FARO consistently applies the latest advances in technology to make its industry-leading product offerings more accurate, reliable, and easy to use. The focus is on simplifying workflow with tools that empower customers, thereby dramatically reducing the on-site measuring time and lowering overall costs. Worldwide, approximately 15,000 customers are operating more than 30,000 installations of FARO’s systems. The company’s global headquarters are located in Lake Mary, Florida, with its European head office in Stuttgart, Germany and its Asia-Pacific head office in Singapore. FARO has branch locations in Japan, China, India, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and The Netherlands.

For more information:
Web: www.faroasia.com/in