Power lines

Large open spaces like ice rinks can be deceptively difficult to digitize. They may appear simple, but overhead steel framework, lighting rigs, and ventilation ducts create a dense web of geometry that ground-based scanners can barely see, let alone capture accurately. That’s why Artec Jet was deployed to document these overhead structures without any need for scaffolding, lifts, or time-consuming tripod-based capture.

Mounting Jet to a drone meant that it took just 15 minutes to scan the entire area. Flying to the underside of the roof meant that overhead steelwork could be captured in high detail. Despite the variation in surfaces, including painted steel, smooth ice, and bare concrete, there was no degradation in data quality. Every bolt, plate, and fixture was faithfully recorded in 3D format.

Ground-based solutions would’ve faced line-of-sight issues. But Artec Jet was able to navigate with full freedom of movement, documenting the scene in its entirety. For engineers and architects, this kind of dataset provides comprehensive, floor-to-ceiling documentation, which normally takes days to compile. With Artec Jet, it took less than half an hour.

Captured deep underground in an iron mine, this dataset demonstrates how SLAM-based LiDAR mapping can be used to scan in environments where GPS navigation is unavailable. The irregular geometry, narrow passages, and dusty spaces make this a challenging scenario for most scanning technologies. Usually, operating in light-restricted environments also makes it difficult to identify and capture dark surfaces, but this was no problem for Artec Jet.

Deployed in handheld mode, the device could be carried through this scene in minutes. No preparation was required – Artec Jet simply powered up, locked onto surrounding geometry, and began building a coherent picture in real time. The scanner transitioned from open chambers to tight passages without missing a beat, maintaining high accuracy throughout.

As you can see in the resulting dataset, rock faces, support timber, tool marks, and the subtle curvature of hand-carved tunnels are all faithfully recorded. This kind of rich point cloud allows for accurate as-built documentation, deviation analysis, and spatial measurements, supporting applications like structural assessment, maintenance planning, and ongoing monitoring.

In this case, Artec Jet was used to digitize remnants of a historical fort in an urban environment. The irregular geometry – and the way it blurs into the surrounding cityscape – makes the site quite a challenging scan. Even so, Artec Jet managed to capture all the details, including those obscured by foliage, along with very different surfaces ranging from metal posts to brickwork.

The resulting point cloud allows for the accurate documentation of heritage structures, supporting preservation efforts, structural assessment, and integration into broader urban mapping or digital twin projects.

This dataset demonstrates the capability of SLAM LiDAR to accurately capture large objects with complex geometric detail in a short amount of time. Working in handheld mode allowed for rapid, flexible data acquisition. The craft itself is also made from glossy, tricky-to-scan fiberglass, but as you can see, Artec Jet managed to achieve full scan coverage.

The resulting point cloud supports detailed inspection, dimensional analysis, and reverse engineering workflows. Other potential use cases include maintenance planning, deformation checks, and the digital archiving of classic designs.