The FARO® Focus Core - laser scanner in focus
The Faro Focus Core represents the next generation in Faro's extensive portfolio of precision laser scanning systems. As a stationary 3D laser scanner, it was designed to enable detailed and accurate data collection in a wide range of industries, including construction, surveying, architecture, and reverse engineering. The FARO® Focus Core is an innovative tool for advanced 3D scanning tasks, offering comprehensive solutions for fast, color-accurate on-site reality capture. The following product description considers the advanced features and elaborates on the advantages and disadvantages to provide an informative and clear overview of the scanner's capabilities and draw a corresponding conclusion.
Advanced features:
With a remarkably low weight of 4.4 kg (including battery) for a portable precision instrument, the FARO® Focus Core is easy to transport and position, making it ideal for use in a variety of locations. The size and dimensions of the device (230 x 183 x 103 mm) are designed to be used equally well in confined spaces as in large open spaces.
The Focus Core features an impressive 70-meter scanning range, within which it operates with a remarkable distance accuracy of ±2 mm. This extended range perfects the detection of medium to large objects while providing precision data for detailed tasks. The Focus Core masters an impressive distance range, effectively scanning surfaces with up to 90% reflectivity from 0.5 to 70 meters. Even with surfaces with only 2% reflectivity, such as black plastic or rubber, the scanner can still cover an incredible 0.5 to 50 meters.
The scanner's noise level, a measure of data purity, directly influences scan quality. The FARO® Focus Core impresses with low noise, reaching just 0.4 mm at a distance of 10 meters on a white, 90% reflective surface and 1.0 mm on a dark gray material with 10% reflectivity. For difficult-to-detect objects, such as black surfaces with only 2% reflectivity, this noise level is 2.0 mm at 10 meters and 4.0 mm at 25 meters. This is very close to the premium segment.
The impressive speed of up to 0.5 million points per second (MPTS/s) makes the Focus Core a powerful tool for large-area, detailed scans. It remains incredibly precise, with 3D accuracy of 2-3 mm at 10 meters and 4 mm at 25 meters.
With an angular accuracy of 19 arcseconds, the Focus Core's detail is invaluable when capturing three-dimensional structures and surfaces. This precise angular measurement contributes to the accuracy of point clouds and is essential for error-free design and analytical applications.
Equipped with LaserHDR, the FARO® Focus Core can deliver clear and defined data even in high-contrast environments. Last but not least, the scanner demonstrates impressive environmental flexibility: It operates in normal operation from 5°C to 40°C and supports extended operation from an incredible -10°C to 55°C, making it suitable for all types of construction sites and projects in extreme climates. Even storage is unproblematic between -10°C and 60°C.
The FARO® Focus Core is protected against dust and water according to IP rating class 54. This protection rating guarantees that the device operates flawlessly even in challenging environments, such as construction sites or industrial facilities. At the same time, the specified humidity tolerance ensures that high humidity or condensation will not impair the scanner's functions.
In terms of color capture, you get color scans quickly and efficiently with an internal SDR capture time of just 1 minute per scan or an HDR capture time of 2 minutes. Optionally, the speed can be further increased with a panoramic camera add-on to meet the demands of rapid reality capture.
The FARO® Focus Core Laser Scanner sets the standard for visual data capture and processing with its integrated camera technology. High-quality images are essential for creating realistic 3D models, and the Focus Core delivers. With a color resolution of up to 165 megapixels (MPx) for color capture, this scanner has the ability to collect high-resolution color information, resulting in particularly detailed and lifelike results. Furthermore, the raw color resolution delivers an impressive 527 MPx, while the integrated HDR camera supports up to 8 MPx – equipped with various mount options for 2x, 3x, and 5x zoom levels.
The camera's technical design, with its coaxial construction, minimizes parallax errors, which are essential for the precision of the final product. Combined with a deflection unit that offers a field of view of 300° vertically and a full 360° horizontally, the Focus Core covers a considerable area. The point acquisition step size is set at 0.009° both vertically and horizontally, resulting in an enormous wealth of detail across 360° with 40,960 measurement points.
But the scanner's performance isn't limited solely to its visual capabilities. A remarkable vertical scanning speed of 97 Hz enables fast and efficient project execution. The laser, as the optical transmitter, belongs to the safest Class 1 laser and operates at a wavelength of 1553.5 nm. The beam divergence is set at 0.3 milliradians (1/e), and the diameter of the laser beam at the output is 2.12 millimeters (1/e), ensuring extremely high accuracy in measurement data acquisition.
The scanner's data is stored securely and reliably on an internal 128 GB SATA 3.0 SSD or a 64 GB SDXCâ„¢ V30 SD card, which can be expanded up to 512 GB as needed. The device is highly flexible and can be controlled directly via the scanner's touchscreen display or wirelessly via a Wi-Fi connection. Furthermore, the scanner can be used either via the FARO Stream app for iOS and Android or via any mobile device with an HTML5 browser.
The connectivity interface is equally advanced and adaptable: With support for WLAN IEEE 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n 2x2 MIMO, the scanner can serve as both an access point and a client in existing networks. This supports frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz to ensure smooth and fast data transmission. Additionally, a USB 3 port offers the option for even faster and more direct data transmission.
The optional Stream pre-registration feature allows you to upload registered scan data on-site via the Stream mobile app, saving valuable time and sharing data in near real-time with project stakeholders worldwide via FARO Sphere. However, FARO Stream access requires Focus Core devices to purchase either a paid Sphere subscription or a standalone Stream access subscription.
Power supply and management are crucial for mobile scanner use. The Focus Core features an efficient power supply (19 V external, 14.4 V internal) designed for long periods of use. With average power consumption, which keeps the device's energy footprint low, the scanner is ideal for extensive scanning sessions. The battery life also meets this requirement by enabling average operations without interruptions for recharging.
Annual calibration is essential to maintain the accuracy and reliability of scan results. The Focus Core is designed to make calibration straightforward and minimize downtime, helping maintain productivity. The Focus Core also has its own calibration function within the scanner.
Price-performance analysis: At approximately €29,000, the Faro Focus Core is positioned in the lowest price segment of laser scanners, and with its precision and point cloud quality, this scanner has nothing to fear from the premium segment. Considering its powerful features, remarkable precision, and robust construction, the price is certainly justified for users who rely on reliable and precise measurement data. This represents an optimal price-performance ratio.
Advantages and disadvantages at a glance:
A key element that sets the Focus Core apart from other scanners is its smartphone integration. Using optional Stream support, it's possible to remotely control scans and quickly transfer data via Wi-Fi. This flexibility makes it easier for users to share data in near real time and coordinate with project stakeholders around the world.
The FARO® Focus Core isn't limited to a single niche. Whether in construction, public safety, or facility management, the scanner delivers data quality at faster scan speeds. For public safety agencies in particular, the scanner offers a way to optimize their work in the field through improved evidence documentation.
In addition to the advanced technology and diverse application possibilities, it's important to consider the cost-effectiveness of the FARO® Focus Core. The Focus Core is a scanner that offers unparalleled value for money. Low price and high accuracy are paired with premium features such as app registration and a dedicated calibration function.
By collecting data quickly and accurately on-site, whether for forensic investigations or construction operations, the Focus Core minimizes the likelihood of errors and eliminates the need to revisit a location multiple times. With the option to deliver scan data early via the Stream mobile app and share it via FARO Sphere, users can be confident that complete data has been captured by the time they leave the job site. A two-year manufacturer's warranty supports the product's longevity and ensures that the total cost of ownership is minimized over the entire lifetime of the device. This warranty ensures consistent performance and support-oriented solutions.
No direct disadvantages are apparent. However, this doesn't mean there's no room for improvement; especially with regard to increasing workflow efficiency on-site or user-friendliness, there's still some room for improvement on the path to perfection. This has already been considered and implemented by the manufacturer in the latest Faro model, the Faro Premium. More on this in the next blog post.
All in all, the FARO® Focus Core is an outstanding example of technological innovation in the field of 3D laser scanning. With its advanced features, flexibility, and ease of use, it combines speed and accuracy in a robust system that meets even the highest professional requirements. Due to its precision and data quality, the FARO Focus Core is a worthwhile investment for large-scale surveying projects and users who value accurate measurement results.
Finally, we would like to assure you that this is only a first glimpse into the diverse possibilities of laser scanning and construction. If you are interested in further development or have specific questions about your project, please do not hesitate to contact us. The team at www.Laserscanner.info is always available to provide comprehensive support and meet your individual requirements. A heartfelt thank you also goes to Laserscanning Experts (www.laserscanning-experts.de) , whose expertise and willingness to share information contributed significantly to the success of this overview. We are happy to support you with all your laser scanning and construction needs.