3D laser scanner for computer-aided design and geometric modeling research

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This proposal is to request the funding for a 3D laser scanner together with its control computer and one educational license of the associated data processing software.  The laser scanner is used to collect dense sets of data points (point clouds) from the surface of a physical object.  The scanned point clouds are needed to support the proposed research program aiming at developing advanced computer-aided design (CAD) and geometric modeling technologies.  Although the existing CAD technologies have been widely used in practice, they do not completely meet the designers' demand for accurate modeling of the desired product geometry and more importantly, their constant demand for facilitating human creativity in the CAD environment.  To enable the accurate model creation and mimic the human cognitive design process, a point-based geometric modeling scheme based on the scanned point cloud is proposed.  The development will lead the way in revolutionizing the CAD design process, resulting in superior product designs and greatly reduced design cycle times.The proposed research program supported by the requested laser scanning equipment is unique and directed at major advancement in the existing CAD technologies.  This advanced research initiative will put the University of British Columbia (UBC) as one of the world's leading institutions in CAD research.  Canadian industries will benefit significantly from the developed technologies and be able to design better and functionally enhanced products much more effectively.  Development of the prospective technologies will involve considerable training to the graduate students.  They will be trained in the latest 3D scanning technologies and obtain skills that are in great demand in industry as well as in many applied fields such as geology and medical image processing.  The laser scanner will also enable the establishment of a novel Rapid Product Development research facility, valued over $250,000.  For this planned networked facility, the high-priced rapid prototyping machine has already been acquired and available at UBC Department of Mechanical Engineering.