Performance evaluation of handheld laser-based sensor: analysis of shutter-speed effects on different surface types

As handheld laser-based sensors are relatively recent there are no dedicated international standards for their performance evaluation at present. For this reason, to assess the performance of such sensors, manufacturers often refer to current ISO 10360-13:2021 for the acceptance and reverification tests of coordinate measuring systems (CMS), which is built on VDI/VDE 2634 part 3 now withdrawn. The proposed work presented in this thesis aims at addressing the challenges related to the evaluation of the metrological performances of handheld laser-based sensors when used in industrial conditions, more specifically when employed for the inspection of workpieces of varying material and surface finish. This thesis work has two main objectives: (i) defining a rigorous protocol to evaluate the metrological performances of handheld laser scanners using the ISO 1360-13 framework as foundational reference and adapting this procedure to a Creaform HANDYScan 3D Silver handheld multi-line laser-based sensor; (ii) investigating the effects of different shutter speed levels (i.e. a setting that can be controlled in the sensor’s software interface) when measuring both cooperative and non-cooperative materials. Using calibrated spheres as tests artefacts (e.g. matte and shiny metallic spheres), the instrument performance is quantified through key performance metrics, both metrological and point-based: probing errors (size and form), surface coverage, and point cloud density. The results show how the correct selection of shutter speed can improve measurement accuracy and data completeness. This work provides valuable insight for a future standardization protocol for the performance verification of handheld laser scanners. In addition, it provides a practical framework for achieving highly accurate 3D inspections performed in challenging industrial environments.