Laser Scanning, Theory and Applications

"In modern engineering, the term laser scanning is used with two related, but separate meanings. The first, more general, meaning is the controlled deflection of laser beams, visible or invisible. Scanned laser beams are used in some 3-D printers, in rapid prototyping, in machines for material processing, in laser engraving machines, in ophtalmological laser systems for the treatment of presbyopia, in confocal microscopy, in laser printers, in laser shows, in Laser TV, in ceramic laser treatments, and in barcode scanners. 3D Laser Scanning is a noncontact, non-destructive technology that digitally captures the shape of physical objects using a line of laser light. 3D laser scanners create point clouds of data from the surface of an object. In other words, 3D laser scanning is a way to capture a physical objects exact size and shape into the computer world as a digital 3-dimensional representation. 3D laser scanners measure fine details and capture free-form shapes to quickly generate highly accurate point clouds. 3D object scanning allows enhancing the design process, speeds up and reduces data collection errors, saves time and money, and thus makes it an attractive alternative to traditional data collection techniques. 3D scanning is also used for mobile mapping, surveying, scanning of buildings and building interiors, and in archaeology. Laser Scanning, Theory and Applications emphases on the current developments related to laser scanning, a very powerful technique used in features detection and measurement. The book explores fundamental work in laser scanning theories or applies the principles of laser scanning to tackle problems encountered in medicine, geodesic survey, biology and archaeology."