1. Roland 3D laser scanner
THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
New York City College of Technology
Architectural Technology Department
PICZA LPX-600
written by Marco Dwyer
October 11, 2017

2. Roland 3D laser scanner
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Machine Overview
Getting Familiar With The 3D Laser Scanner
/Safety
It’s important to understand the Roland 3D scanner
and its components before operating the machine.
As shown in Fig. 1 -a some of the key components
of the Roland is it’s door, table and power button
Refer to Fig. 1 -a and Fig. 2 -b for an overview of
the Roland
Table: This is the base where you place ob-
jects to be scanned. It rotates during scan-
ning.
Never touch any internal area other than the
table
Interlock Switch: This is one of the saftey
devices. Never insert any objects here. Do-
ing so may keep the door open and prevent
the saftey device from working properly.
Door: When preforming scaning be sure to
close this. The power can not be switched
on while the door is open. Opening the
door while the power is on switches off the
machine.
Power Button: This switches the power on
and off. press the button to switch on the
device. To power down the device press and
hold of at least a second. The color of the
light indicates the status of the machine.
Fig. 2 -b
Fig. 1 -a
T
p
ro
N
o
Door Table
Interlock Switch
Power

3. Roland 3D laser scanner
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Fig. 3 -a
Fig. 4 -b
Machine Overview
Scanning Compatabilities
Never try to scan an object that protrudes beyond
the table or whose size exceeds the scanning area.
Doing so may cause the machine to malfunction or
damage the object to be scanned.
Objects must not pass light
Objects must be brightly colored: white, yellow,etc.
Objects must be non-glossy
Objects should have smooth surfaces
Refer to Fig. 3 -a for scannable objects.
Mounting Objects
Secure object with clay or glue to the base template
Mount to the center of the template
Do not block notch on the table

4. Roland 3D laser scanner
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Fig. 5 -a
Fig. 6 -b
Fig. 7 -c
Fig. 8 -d
Object Analysis
Prep 1
Here is an example for mounting an object to the
3D laser scanner bed.
This is a 3D printed object with a matte like
finish. This object isn’t very reflective and is not
transparent making it the ideal item to scan.
Fig. 5 -a The object is hollow, in this case it is still
scannable
Fig. 7 -c Very rough surfaces will not be able to
scan with high accuracy
Fig. 8 -d Scanners bed notch should be cleared at
all times

5. Roland 3D laser scanner
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Mounting
Prep 2
If the object is mounted at the edge of the table,
it may not be possible to scan the entire object
correctly. In the case of the apple shown at left,
the area enclosed by the shaded portion is not
scanned. (fig. 9)
The machine’s sensors detect the reflection of the
laser beam, allowing the object to be scanned.
Although the machine has a scanning table that is
able to scan up to 254mm(10 inch) x 406mm(16
inch) from the center the most efficient scanning
area is 203.2mm(8 inch) x 304mm(12 inch) from
the center, making it very important to center your
object when placing it on the table template. (fig.
11)
The surfaces that reflect laser light as the table
rotates and the object passes through this area
can be scanned. When scanning an object that is
considerably uneven, or that is crank-shaped, you
may need to take this effective sensor area into
account.
Fig. 9 -a
Fig. 10 -b
Fig. 11 -c

6. Roland 3D laser scanner
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Template Placement
Prep 3
As shown in Fig. 10 -b on page 5 not much adhesion
is need to mount this object on the template in many
cases all that is needed is enough to secure your
object to the template for minimal to no movement
while rotating. (fig. 10 & 12)
After Placing you object into the scanner press the
power button located on the Roland’s lower right
hand corner.
Note: when the button is pressed you will see the
lights flashing, allow the machine load and when
only the machines power button it lit proceed to the
following steps
Also unsteady or moving objects will result in low
quality scans.
Important: Once your object is placed into the
Roland do not open the door or your scan will be
cancled
Fig. 12 -a
Fig. 14 -c
Fig. 13 -b

7. Roland 3D laser scanner
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Software Steup
Scanning Prep
The Roland has two different scan types, Rotary
Scans and Plane Scans. Page 9 goes over this
in greater detail. Generally if an object is circular
and does not have a set amount of planers faces it
would be scanned as a rotary object.
Scan Types
-Rotary Scans
-Plane Scans
In a case where you have a closed extruded
hexagon, you have the option of trying both the
rotary or plane scan due to the object having
consistand planer faces.
.
Fig. 15 -a

8. Roland 3D laser scanner
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Software Steup
Scanning
IMPORTANT: Once your object is placed into the
Roland do not open the door or your scan will be
cancled
Once you press the [Preview] button the machine
will automatically display information of your object
as shown in (Fig. 16 -a)
The dialog box is automatically updated when you
change the scanning area or scanning pitch. When
this amount of memory exceeds the amount of free
memory on the computer, performing scanning
may result in extremely slow processing by the
computer.
Make sure enough free memory is on the computer
when you are performing scans that use up large
amounts of memory.
Most of the setting will be setup when the scanner
produces the preview, make sure all settings are
correct and press scan. (Fig. 17)
Fig. 16 -a
Fig. 17 -b

9. Roland 3D laser scanner
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Software Setup
Overview
When Scanning, depending on your scan type
(plane/rotary), you can control the resolution
by manipulating the “pitches.” The 3D scanner
measures your object using a binary point cloud
system placed on your object, so lowering the pitch
will increase the number of points places on your
object and essentially increases the resolution of
the scan.
Plane Scan
- Heigh Pitch
- Width Pitch
Rotary Scan
-Circumferential Pitch
-Height Pitch
IMPORTANT: At the lower right of the [Settings
for Scanning] dialog box is automatically updated
when you change the scanning area or scanning
pitch. When this amount of memory exceeds the
amount of free memory on the computer, performing
scanning may result in extremely slow processing by
the computer. It is recommend that you make sure
enough memory is installed in the computer when you
are performing scans that use up large amounts of
memory.

10. 10
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation
under Grant Numbers 1141234.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
National Science Foundation.