Carlson VS+ User manual

VS+ user manual H-5914-9502-A-02 December 2020
VS+
Underground void surveying system
User manual

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Contents
1Customer information.............................................................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Dear customer .............................................................................................................................................................................5
1.2 User manual ................................................................................................................................................................................5
2VS+ system ...........................................................................................................................................................................................6
2.1 System overview..........................................................................................................................................................................6
3VS+ hardware ........................................................................................................................................................................................8
3.1 VS+ Probe ...................................................................................................................................................................................8
3.2 Laser ...........................................................................................................................................................................................8
3.3 Yoke and horizontal housing ........................................................................................................................................................9
3.4 Power connectors ......................................................................................................................................................................10
3.5 Internal battery...........................................................................................................................................................................10
3.6 Prism and prism mounts ............................................................................................................................................................14
3.7 Transit case ...............................................................................................................................................................................15
3.8 Carlson Scan .............................................................................................................................................................................16
4Optional accessories............................................................................................................................................................................17
4.1 Boom .........................................................................................................................................................................................17
4.2 Adaptor for legacy carbon fibre Void Scanner booms.................................................................................................................23
4.3 Tripod bracket............................................................................................................................................................................24
4.4 Customised deployment devices................................................................................................................................................25
5Power management.............................................................................................................................................................................26
5.1 Internal power ............................................................................................................................................................................26
5.2 External power...........................................................................................................................................................................27
5.3 Hot swapping power sources .....................................................................................................................................................28
6Data communication ............................................................................................................................................................................29
6.1 Data channels............................................................................................................................................................................29
6.2 IP address .................................................................................................................................................................................32
7Using the VS+......................................................................................................................................................................................33
7.1 First-time use – Power ...............................................................................................................................................................33
7.2 First-time use – PC compatibility ................................................................................................................................................33
7.3 First-time use – PC set-up..........................................................................................................................................................33
7.4 Connection with PC ...................................................................................................................................................................35
7.5 Carlson Scan .............................................................................................................................................................................35
8Maintenance and care of the VS+ ........................................................................................................................................................37

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8.1 General......................................................................................................................................................................................37
8.2 In use.........................................................................................................................................................................................37
8.3 Cleaning the VS+.......................................................................................................................................................................37
8.4 Storage and transportation.........................................................................................................................................................38
9Laser safety .........................................................................................................................................................................................39
9.1 VS+ laser module with red dot laser pointer ...............................................................................................................................39
10 VS+ Specifications...............................................................................................................................................................................40
11 Product information..............................................................................................................................................................................42

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1 Customer information
1.1 Dear customer
The VS+ system is designed to be easy to operate. However, we would ask you to take the time to read these
operating instructions carefully before using the system, and to keep the manual with the instrument at all times.
For any feedback or comments, or if there are questions about the VS+ system which are beyond the scope of this
manual, contact the product support department at Carlson, or your local Carlson representative.
Alternatively, for information on your local Carlson Software-approved service centre, visit our website at
www.carlsonsw.com.
To ensure best service, please make a note of the serial number. This can be found on a label on the instrument.
1.2 User manual
It is important that you read this manual carefully before using the instrument.
There are two manuals available with the VS+ system:
1. This VS+ hardware manual which describes the VS+ probe and all accessories supplied with a standard
system;
2. A Carlson Scan software and operations manual;
It is essential that the accompanying Carlson Scan software and operations manual is also read and understood.
As well as describing the software, that manual gives a brief overview of a typical deployment. Some troubleshooting
guidelines are also offered which address the most common problems and questions that arise from users of the
VS+.
This manual has been compiled with care. However, should you discover any errors, we would be grateful if you
could contact Carlson directly.
Reproduction in whole or in part, including utilisation in machines capable of reproduction or retrieval, without the
express written permission of Carlson is prohibited. Reverse engineering is also prohibited.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

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2 VS+ system
2.1 System overview
The VS+ is a development of Carlson’s Void Scanner. Both units are ruggedised laser scanners designed to
produce fast, efficient 3D models of underground voids where access is limited, dangerous or prohibited. The VS+
can be mounted on booms, tripods or user-customised deployment devices. The small, lightweight size of the VS+
gives flexibility in the nature of the deployment and means that volumes and dimensions which have previously
been guessed or estimated can be accurately quantified.
The VS+’s laser employs the ‘time of flight’ technique to measure ranges to rock faces and other objects without
the need to place reflectors on the target. This allows measurements to be taken from a safe distance. Two hundred
such measurements are made every second, up to a range of 150 m.
Information from internal accelerometers are collected in addition to the scan data. The accelerometer data allows
scans to be correctly levelled, whichever way the VS+ is inclined or rolled.
A surveyor observes to a prism on the VS+ and a prism on the back of the deployment boom. This establishes the
coordinates and azimuth of the VS+ which ensures scans can be geo-referenced. Multiple scans observed from
different locations can then be stitched together. The scan data can be plotted against design drawings or as-built
data to help build an invaluable picture of the project site.
The VS+ incorporates an internal battery and Wi-Fi controller which means it is a completely self-contained,
cableless system. The unit is controlled remotely from a PC or handheld device running Carlson Scan software
which plots the data on-screen in real time. Carlson Scan allows the finished scan to be analysed, edited,
transformed, combined with other datasets and exported to third-party software.
Figure 1 VS+ unit

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The VS+ is just one of many laser systems that have been designed by Carlson. Other products such as the C-
ALS, Quarryman and Boretrak have all been proved over many years of demanding use around the world. These
products complement the VS+ and provide a wide range of advanced measurement solutions within the mining,
quarrying and geotechnical industries.

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3 VS+ hardware
This section details the range of components supplied with a VS+ system.
Various models of the VS+ have been produced and supplied, and the technology is constantly evolving and
improving. Therefore, some components described below may not feature in your VS+ system or may differ in some
way.
3.1 VS+ Probe
The VS+ instrument consists of a laser module held between two pivots on a yoke. The yoke itself is held on the
end of the horizontal housing. The horizontal housing contains the battery that powers the system and the Wi-Fi to
communicate with a PC.
3.2 Laser
The laser module houses the optical and electronic components that allow distance measurements to be recorded
to reflectorless targets up to 150 m from the instrument. The laser rotates vertically within the yoke.
Figure 2 Component parts of the VS+
Laser module
Yoke
Horizontal housing
incorporating battery,
accelerometers and
Wi-Fi module
Internal battery
connector, power
switch and fuse
Front prism
mount
Rear prism mount
5/8” thread on
base for boom &
tripod adaptors
Carlson
‘pyramid’ logo

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Two large lenses are visible in the laser module. These are the transmitting and receiving optics. The infrared
measuring laser is fired through the transmitting optics. Its reflected light is then received back into the instrument
through the receiving optics. A smaller window protects the visible red dot laser pointer which can be switched on
to assist tracking of the VS+ distance measurement laser. The pathway of the visible and infrared lasers is co-linear,
but not co-axial.
3.3 Yoke and horizontal housing
The yoke which holds the laser module contains the vertical motor. This motor drives the vertical rotation of the
laser module between the pillars of the yoke. The yoke also houses the vertical encoder which measures the angle
through which the laser is rotated.
The yoke is attached to the horizontal housing. The horizontal housing contains the horizontal motor which drives
the rotational movement of the yoke. The horizontal housing also houses the horizontal encoder which measures
the angle through which the yoke is rotated.
The combination of the two axes of rotation gives the VS+ a view encompassing 360° horizontal and 270° vertical
rotations respectively. The yoke itself prevents the laser from viewing a 90° sector of the vertical rotational sweep.
Both motors are protected with clutches. This means that if the unit is rotated by hand or
prevented from moving by an obstruction, the motors will not be damaged. It is advisable,
however, to minimise any manual movement of the unit and to keep the instrument away from
potential obstructions so the motors may turn freely. Nevertheless, the possibility of finger or
clothing entrapment exists. Users should not obstruct the operation of the motors or allow
clothing to come into contact with the device.
Accelerometers are also contained within the horizontal housing. These sensors automatically record the inclination
and roll of the VS+. This ensures that all scans are correctly levelled in Carlson Scan software. Information from
the accelerometers, when combined with coordinate and heading information, helps to georeference the scan.
Red dot pointer
Transmitting
optics
Receiving optics
Figure 3 The VS+ laser module

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The ‘top’ of the horizontal housing is marked by a Carlson pyramid logo. This side of the VS+ incorporates two M6
threads which provide positions to mount the supplied prism. These are the ‘front’ and ‘back’ prism positions referred
to in Carlson Scan software.
On the ‘underside’ of the horizontal housing is positioned one M6 thread. This thread is used for securing the VS+
to optional jigs and adaptors, but is not required for standard operations using a Carlson-supplied boom.
The base of the VS+ horizontal housing incorporates a 5/8” thread. This is used for securing the VS+ to the Carlson-
supplied boom, and also to optional jigs and adaptors. This thread can also be used to attach the VS+ to a tripod in
a vertically upright position.
3.4 Power connectors
The VS+ is powered by an internal battery. Where necessary, the VS+ can also be powered by an optional external
battery.
On opposite sides of the probe, there is a separate connector, power button, and fuse holder for internal and external
power.
An information sticker on the underside of the probe indicates which side of the probe relates to the internal and
external power sources. The sticker also outlines VS+ power information.
3.5 Internal battery
The VS+ incorporates a 14.4 V lithium-ion battery. The battery can power the VS+ for at least 6 hours of scanning.
If the battery is charged, press the Internal Power Source button to power on the VS+. The button illuminates with
a blue light to indicate that the unit is powered on. Press the Internal Power Source button again to power off the
VS+.
Figure 4 Information sticker