Operating Properties of the SW1050UW Advanced Underwater ROV
Mounted with the Newton M310UW Laser Scanner
Precise, Reliable and Efficient Inspection and Dimensioning
In-air laser scanners mounted on drones have existed for years, but precise underwater laser scanning is much more challenging due to currents and turbidity. Newton developed ROV position software and the gyroscopic mounting of the laser makes precision underwater laser scanning possible by mitigating water turbulence while producing an accurate point cloud of great detail and density.
It has always been difficult to scan underwater with ROV mounted scanners due to the difficulty of holding the scanner still. Any movement of the scanner itself adds directly to the error budget of the laser scanner generated Point Clouds. Newton's SW1050UW Advanced Inspection ROV greatly reduces or eliminates these issues by holding the ROV stable with Newton designed software and additionally mounting the laser scanner in a gyroscopic mount for virtually absolute stillness.
The SW1050 Advanced ROV allows for precise stable positioning of the M310UW scanner using similar technology to that employed on many air drones for stability. The SW1050 can position the M310UW scanner precisely in any orientation to allow for the acquisition of pictures and scans. Newton-developed positioning software makes underwater high resolution pictures and laser scanning possible in this environment.
Operational Characteristics
- The SW1500 uses precise positioning software to hold position during the acquisition of pictures and laser scanning. For perfect laser scans the scanner head is additionally gyroscopically stabilized.
- The SW1050 mounted with the M310UW laser scanner is able to scan a target as close as 6 in. (150mm) and out to a distance of 5 Meters (16 feet) for a scan coverage area of 4.2 Meters x 5.5 Meters (13.8 feet x 18 feet).
- The M310UW laser scanner mounted on the SW1050 is designed to scan and capture much larger target areas by combining several point clouds together to form larger composites.
- The laser scanning system measures underwater targets to an accuracy of +/-.005 inches (0.127mm).
- In the visual observation mode, the fully controllable high-intensity LED ring arrays on the ROV illuminates the area and the ultra-high-definition color camera transmits a color image to the control console screen to assist the operator for optimum positioning and visual inspection. In addition, the SW1050 includes 4 other controllable lights to assist in visual inspection.
- The control console powers and communicates with the SW1050 and M310UW scanner through the tether via low-voltage DC power and signals, and the SW1050 sends control signals, pictures and scan results up via Gigabit Ethernet.
- All data (high resolution video and laser scans) acquired by the SW1050 and the M310UW is permanently stored for later analysis and study.
For full details on the M310UW Laser Scanner, please click here: Newton M310UW Underwater Laser Scanner
