MDL Released Void Scanner 150

Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL) (United Kingdom) has released a new void scanner for on-the-spot, underground mine surveys; the Void Scanner 150 (VS150).

Developed mainly for use in underground mining, the VS150 is practical and easy-to-use for the 3D laser scanning of subterranean voids, stopes, tunnels and shafts. Designed for use by mine foremen, surveyors and engineers, the VS150 weighs only 3.5kgs and is 130mm wide and 490mm long, making it light and easy to carry where access is limited or potentially dangerous.

Versatile use by tripod, boom, mast, crane or wire line is created by mounting points on the VS150 which also has built-in digital 4 axis 'pitch and roll' sensors to automatically correct for dislevelment when deployed either vertically (+/- 70° degrees) or horizontally (+/- 70° degrees).

The VS150 scan rate is 250 points per second with a scan range of 360° degrees horizontal axis continuous and 300° degrees vertical axis continuous. Data output and control (from tablet PC's or PDA's) is via an Ethernet cable of up to 1km length. A Wi-Fi option will be available when the instrument is deployed from robotic unmanned mining machinery.

The launch of the VS150 follows the huge success of MDL’s 50mm-diameter Cavity Autoscanning Laser System (C-ALS) which is used for carrying out remote surveys, from above ground, of subterranean voids and cavities.