Carlson Void Scanner User manual

Void Scanner user manual H-5914-8501-03-A September 2018
Void Scanner
underground void surveying system
user manual

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Contents
1Customer information.............................................................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Dear customer .............................................................................................................................................................................4
1.2 User manual ................................................................................................................................................................................4
2Laser safety...........................................................................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Void Scanner laser module with red dot laser pointer...................................................................................................................5
3Void Scanner system.............................................................................................................................................................................6
3.1 System overview..........................................................................................................................................................................6
4Void Scannerhardware..........................................................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Void Scanner Probe.....................................................................................................................................................................7
4.2 Interface box..............................................................................................................................................................................10
4.3 Data cable .................................................................................................................................................................................11
4.4 Battery pack...............................................................................................................................................................................12
4.5 Alternative external power connections......................................................................................................................................13
4.6 Main Void Scanner cable...........................................................................................................................................................13
4.7 Boom adaptor and spigot...........................................................................................................................................................14
4.8 Prisms........................................................................................................................................................................................15
4.9 Transit case...............................................................................................................................................................................15
4.10 Void Scanner Wi-Fi box .............................................................................................................................................................16
4.11 Booms and deployment devices.................................................................................................................................................17
5Maintenance and care of the VoidScanner...........................................................................................................................................19
5.1 General......................................................................................................................................................................................19
5.2 In use.........................................................................................................................................................................................19
5.3 Cleaning the Void Scanner.........................................................................................................................................................19
5.4 Storage and transportation.........................................................................................................................................................20
6Cavity Profiler – VS software................................................................................................................................................................21
7Void Scanner Specifications.................................................................................................................................................................22
8Product information..............................................................................................................................................................................24

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1 Customer information
1.1 Dear customer
The Void Scanner 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 Void Scanner 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 three manuals available with the Void Scanner system:
1. This Void Scanner hardware manual which describes the Void Scanner probe and all accessories supplied
with a standard system;
2. A Cavity Profiler – VS software and operations manual;
3. A manual for the Void Scanner Wi-Fi box which is an optional accessory.
It is essential that the accompanying Cavity Profiler – VS 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 Void Scanner.
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 Laser safety
The Void Scanner is supplied with the standard laser module described below which has an integrated red dot laser
pointer.
2.1 Void Scanner laser module with red dot laser pointer
The laser classification of the Void Scanner is a Class 2M laser product in compliance with the British and European
standards for the safety of laser products BS EN 60825-1: 2007.
WARNING: invisible and visiblelaser radiation. Do not stare into thebeam or direct it into theeyes of others.
Do not view directly with optical instruments, e.g. binoculars, theodolite or telescope.
CAUTION: use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other that those specified herein
may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
WARNING: opening the protective housing may result in exposure to Class
3B radiation.
All the laser safety labels are located upon the laser module head.
Only qualified and trained persons should be assigned to operate the Void Scanner. When not in use, the laser
should be stored in a location where unauthorized personnel cannot gain access.
We recommend that the instrument is not directly pointed at people’s eyes, especially if they are using optical
instruments. Do not unnecessarily look into the transmitter lens of the Void Scanner laser scanner.
Eye protection, designed to provide adequate protection against specific laser wavelengths (905 nm typically),
should be used in all hazard areas. Any exceptions should only be undertaken with the approval of the laser safety
officer. All laser protective eyewear shall be clearly labelled with information adequate to ensure proper choice with
the particular laser. For the Void Scanner instrument, the recommended CE marked laser eyewear shall be marked
as “R 905 L1”as specified to EN 207, or equivalent. Note that protection shall be afforded to infrared laserradiation,
and not the visible laser radiation.The visible laser is however Class 2 when operated by itself and as such is safe
to use without eyewear (unless deliberately stared at).

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3 Void Scanner system
3.1 System overview
The Void Scanner is a ruggedised field instrument designed to produce fast, efficient 3D laser scans of underground
voids where access is limited, dangerous or prohibited. The instrument can be mounted on booms, tripods or user-
customised deployment devices. The small, lightweight size of the Void Scanner 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 Void Scanner’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.
Data from the internal pitch and roll sensors are collected in addition to the scan data. This means that all points
collected can be accurately geo-referenced and multiple scans can be stitched together. The output data can then
be plotted against design drawings or as-built data to help build an invaluable picture of the project site.
The Void Scanner is controlled remotely from a PC or handheld device running Cavity Profiler – VS software which
plots the data on-screen in real time. Cavity Profiler – VS allows the finished scan to be analysed, edited,
transformed, combined with other datasets and exported to third-party software.
The Void Scanner is just one of many laser systems that have been designed by Carlson. Other products such as
the C-ALS (Cavity Auto-scanning Laser System), Quarryman and Boretrak have all been proved over many years
of demanding use around the world. These products complement the Void Scanner and provide a wide range of
advanced measurement solutions within the mining, quarrying and geotechnical industries.
Figure 1 Void Scanner unit

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4 Void Scanner hardware
This section details the full range of components that are available in a Void Scanner system.
Various models of the Void Scanner have been produced and supplied, and the technology is constantly evolving
and improving. Therefore, some components described below may not feature in your Void Scanner system, or
may differ in some way.
4.1 Void Scanner Probe
The Void Scanner instrument consists of a laser module held between two pivots within a yoke. The yoke itself is
held on the end of the horizontal housing.
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.
Two large lenses are visible in the laser module which represent 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 aiming of the Void Scanner distance measurement laser. The pathway of the visible and infrared lasers is
co-linear, but not co-axial.
The yoke which holds the laser module contains the vertical motor which drives the movement of the laser module
between the pillars of the yoke. It also houses the vertical encoder which measures the angle through which the
laser is rotated.
The horizontal housing contains the horizontal motor which drives the rotational movement of the yoke. It also
houses the horizontal encoder which measures the angle through which the yoke is rotated.
Figure 2 Component parts of the Void Scanner
Vertical pivot
Horizontal pivot
Horizontal housing
Main cable
connector
Collar
Yoke
Laser module

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The combination of the two axes of rotation gives the Void Scanner 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.
The horizontal housing incorporates four threads which provide flexibility in the method of deployment used and the
mounting position of the prism. Two 5/8 in threads – one on the base of the unit and one on the underside of the
collar – allow the boom adaptor bracket to be attached to the unit.
One other 5/8 in thread, together with an M6 × 1 thread, are located along the topside of the horizontal housing and
allow two alternative positions to mount a prism during horizontal boom deployment. See section 4.8.
Power and data communications with the Void Scanner are via a 13.6 m Void Scanner power/data cable. The cable
connects to a 6-pin connector on the side of the probe’s horizontal housing. A 4-pin connector on the other end of
the cable connects directly to either an interface box or a Wi-Fi box.
Transmitting
optics
Red dot laser
pointer
Receiving
optics
Figure 3 The Void Scanner laser module

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Main cable
connected to
probe
Boom
adaptor
Figure 4 Connector port location with boom adaptor
M6 x 1 thread
for prism
5/8 in thread
for prism
Figure 5 Threaded hole locations for choice of prism mounting location

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4.2 Interface box
The Void Scanner unit is supplied with an interface box. This box acts as a power/data splitter.
5/8 in thread
for adaptor
5/8 in thread for boom
adaptor spigot or
boom fitting
Main cable
connector to probe
Figure 6 Threaded hole locations on the underside of the Void Scanner used for the supplied boom adaptor or other
mounting devices and booms
Power input
Connection with Void
Scanner
Serial data cable to
PC
Figure 7 Void Scanner interface box