A 3D scanning system based on laser triangulation and variable field of view

The most efficient 3D scanning systems use either the principle of laser triangulation or the principle of time of flight - TOF. In triangulation based systems, the range and depth variation are limited, but they have a great precision. On the other hand the opposite occurs to TOF systems have low precision, great range and depth variation. This work describes a development of a 3D scanning system, with precision and range better than traditional laser triangulation 3D scanners, and also, it is as versatile as TOF systems. A prototype of the proposed system had been implemented and the results are shown.