The other day, someone asked if it costs more to merge micro-scanning results with a point cloud from a traditional triangulation scanner. He was rather surprised by my answer.
The question came up as we were discussing how to generate a point cloud with sub-micron accuracy of a limited area on a part. I suggested that we use triangulation scanning for the entire object, scan the critical area with a confocal method, then merge the two point clouds. The result would be better than either one of the methods could produce on their own.
His concern was that this process would cost a lot more. To his surprise, the cost was virtually the same on his project. The reason is that with 5 scanning capabilities, we use the system and scanning head that best fits the outcome the client needs. If that means we move to a more accurate technology to solve the problem, it generally does not drive the cost up. When quoted that way from the beginning, merging multiple technologies may had a small amount of additional cost, but the difference is insignificant in the broad scope of most precision scanning applications.
That is one of the many benefits of operating a multitude of scanning and measuring systems, each of which excel in a particular application. It doesn’t have to cost more. But the difference in quality of output is significant.
