Terrestrial laser technology in sporting craft 3D modelling

The urgent need to increase productivity and competitiveness demands from sporting craft builders the incorporation of newer design and manufacturing technologies, as CAD/CAM and CNC machining systems. This paper describes the sporting boats’ 3D surface modelling, needed for automated manufacturing processes, throug terrestrial laser scanner technology. The methodology followed for data collection and data processiong is described in detail, advantages and limitations of this technique are displayed and the accuraccy of the obtained results is also estimated. According to obtained results, this technology proves to provide accurate results and to be cost and time effective. (Extended paper from the International Symposium CompIMAGE – Coimbra, Portugal, 20-21 October 2006.)