The FARO FOCUS laser scanner allows you to adjust various measurement parameters.
However, we’ve always wondered how the quality level settings affect our scans.
To find out, we conducted a small experiment.
Background:
The “Quality” parameter in the device settings affects the observation time and thus changes the exposure time for each quality level.
1x = 1 µs
, 2x = 2 µs
, 3x = 4
µs, 4x, 6x, 8x = 8 µs
In the experiment, we performed many different scans from the same device position in our in-house measurement room. Additionally, we measured a panel with various reflective foils from different viewing angles.
For this test, the 2x, 3x, and 4x quality levels were considered. The 6x and 8x quality levels were not considered due to the very long scan times.
Our conclusion:
- Contrary to initial expectations, increasing the scan quality does not lead to a significantly improved measurement result.
- Nor is there any noticeable reduction in measurement noise on flat surfaces.
- Increasing the quality level is only useful for reflective objects or, possibly, under poor environmental conditions.
- With regard to the formation of scan artifacts, there are only minor differences between the quality levels.