Handheld 3D Measurement Systems

Our approaches for active-stereo 3D measurement systems with gobo projection or LED-based multi-aperture pattern projection as well as passive-stereo and photogrammetric approaches developed in-house are highly miniaturizable and enable the realization of handheld 3D measurement systems.

Handheld 3D measurement systems are characterized by a very fast image recording but nonetheless precise measurement. A high-resolution recording of color and texture is possible. Wireless system design and low weight enable mobile use indoors and outdoors. The sensor head positioning is flexible, no register marks or external tracking are necessary.

Our "goSCOUT3D" and "kolibri CORDLESS" systems are very user-friendly and allow easy handling with a modern user interface. These systems are used in the recording of 3D data for quality assurance, rapid prototyping, design, archaeology, criminology and CAD/CAM applications as well as underwater applications.

Our services

In the department of Imaging and Sensing at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering handheld, mobile sensor technologies and metrological software solutions are developed and applied for a variety of industrial and real-world tasks.

Concepts for innovative sensor systems according to individual customer requirements
Mobile 3D sensor solutions based on photogrammetry or active and passive stereo sensing
Mobile multimodal camera technology for the characterization of objects and scenes
Development of sensors for 2D, 3D and multimodal data recording in mobile use
Integration of sensors into customers' operating processes
Demonstration of new sensor solutions
Transfer of sensor technologies into challenging areas of application

goSCOUT3D

The handheld 3D scanner goSCOUT3D, developed at Fraunhofer IOF, is based on the passive photogrammetric measuring principle and consists of a high-resolution color camera, a ring light, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a 5.5-inch touchscreen. Power is supplied by batteries, which are housed alongside the control unit in a separate bag. The scanner head weighs around 1.3 kg. At the standard measuring distance of one meter, the field of view is approximately one square meter. The color camera features a 20-megapixel chip and thus achieves a measuring point resolution in the object area of approximately 0.2 mm.

© Fraunhofer IOF
Handheld 3D scanner goSCOUT3D (left) and captured object (right) with visualized trajectory information

© Fraunhofer IOF
Recording an aircraft engine with the goSCOUT3D 3D handheld scanner

System parameters

measuring field per image record: 1000 x 1000 m²
working distance: 1000 mm
camera resolution: 4480 x 4496 pixel
lateral resolution: 250 µm
sensor head weight: 1,3 kg

System family kolibri CORDLESS

Based on the kolibri CORDLESS system, we develop measuring systems according to customer-specific requirements. Using our high-speed pattern projection, the adapted fringe projection with phase shift makes systems possible that can be used in miniaturized, handheld form in complex applications. Applications that have already been realized include the digitization of historical globes, forensics and underwater use.

kolibri CORDLESS – Handheld 3D measurement system for underwater use

© Fraunhofer IOF
kolibri CORDLESS 3D scanner in underwater use

system parameters

single measurement field: 250 x 200 mm²
working distance: 500 mm
camera resolution: 1600 x 1200 pixel
lateral resolution: 150 µm
measurement uncertainty: 200 μm
capture time: 0,4 s
max. diving depth: 40 m
sensor weight: 11 kg

kolibri CORDLESS – Handheld 3D measurement system for forensics and the digitization of cultural heritage objects

© Fraunhofer IOF
kolibri CORDLESS 3D scanner during scanning of a shoe print

© Fraunhofer IOF
kolibri CORDLESS 3D scanner while 3D recording a raised relief globe at “Ernst-Haeckel-Haus” museum in Jena

system parameter

single measurement: 325 mm x 200 mm²
measurement uncertainty: 20 μm … 100 μm
capture time: < 0,25 s
resolution: 170 μm
sensor weight: 3,6 kg
(optional with color 4,4 kg)
number of views: freely selectable
Number of pixels: 2048 × 1280 pixel

Downloads for product sheets on our research topics

Our data sheets summarise relevant information on our current research highlights in a compact and clear format. Use the download function to save interesting and relevant topics for later and to save important data and visualisations for later retrieval.

goSURF^msfr – Flexible Optical Surface Sensor: Measurement of Mid-Spatial-Frequency Roughness of High-Performance Metal Optics
goSCOUT3D – Portable 3D sensor: Scanning large complex objects by hand
goDEEP3D – Underwater 3D sensor: Accurate 3D scanning of large complex underwater structures
goQUALITY3D – 3D sensing of transparent objects: Quality assurance of products with uncooperative surfaces
goROBOT3D – 3D robot vision of transparent objects: Position and orientation detection of transparent objects for robotic handling
goSPE3D – High-speed 3D sensor: Shape measurement of (large) dynamic situations
goCRASH3D – Robust and compact high-speed 3D sensor: Onboard sensor for shape measurement in dynamic situations

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