SHINING 3D Expands FreeScan Omni into a Modular Metrology Series
Production and maintenance environments are becoming less centralized and more dynamic. Inspection tasks that once took place in controlled metrology labs are now expected to happen directly on the shop floor, at supplier sites, or in field-service scenarios. Automotive, civil aviation, and heavy machinery sectors in particular are seeing growing pressure to verify parts and assemblies closer to the point of manufacture or use.
Conventional high-accuracy 3D scanning systems, however, often depend on external high-performance computers, cabled connections, and multi-component setups. While these systems remain effective in laboratory settings, their complexity and infrastructure requirements can limit responsiveness in mobile or space-constrained environments.
Against this backdrop, equipment manufacturers are exploring new system architectures that combine metrology-grade performance with greater portability and operational independence.
SHINING 3D Metrology has introduced the FreeScan Omni Series, positioned as a wireless, standalone 3D scanning platform developed specifically for mobile metrology workflows. The system delivers a stated certified accuracy of 0.02 mm, targeting applications where precision remains critical even outside traditional inspection rooms.
A defining feature of the series is onboard computing, which allows scanning and certain inspection processes to be executed directly on the device rather than relying on a connected workstation. By integrating processing capability within the scanner platform, the system architecture is intended to reduce setup time and simplify deployment in varied industrial settings.
This approach reflects a broader shift in metrology toward edge processing – moving data capture and analysis closer to the measurement source. In practice, this can support faster decision-making during production checks, maintenance assessments, and dimensional verification tasks conducted outside fixed inspection areas.
A Modular Platform for Different Workflows
Rather than offering a single fixed configuration, the FreeScan Omni Series is structured as a modular platform with two primary configurations available, both based on the same hardware foundation:
FreeScan Omni: A fully integrated configuration designed to handle scanning, inspection, and reporting on the device. This setup is aimed at users seeking a consolidated scan-to-inspect workflow within one system.
FreeScan Omni Lite: An entry configuration that maintains the same core hardware and certified accuracy, focusing on high-performance data capture. Additional functionality can be added through dedicated modules as application requirements expand.
This structure allows organizations to align system capability with current use cases while retaining the option to extend functionality over time, rather than replacing the platform entirely.
Optional Modules and Advanced Functions
The modular concept is further supported by a set of optional add-ons intended to address specific inspection scenarios:
On-device inspection module (PTB-certified): Designed for scalable quality checks on the shop floor, this module enables dimensional inspection workflows directly on the system, supporting traceable measurement processes in production environments.
Video Photogrammetry (VPG): SHINING 3D’s VPG technology is aimed at maintaining consistent volumetric accuracy when scanning large objects. Photogrammetry-assisted workflows are commonly used to manage error accumulation in large-scale measurements, and integrating this capability into a mobile system broadens its applicability to sizable components and structures.
AI-based feature recognition: Automated identification of common geometric features – such as holes, planes, and cylinders – can streamline measurement tasks and reduce manual processing time. This type of function is increasingly seen in metrology software as part of wider efforts to improve workflow efficiency and repeatability.
The combination of wireless operation, standalone computing, and scalable functionality reflects a design philosophy centered on adaptability. Instead of treating 3D scanners as fixed-function devices, the FreeScan Omni Series positions the scanning platform as a base system that can evolve with changing production programs, part sizes, and inspection requirements.
For manufacturers operating mixed production lines or managing assets across multiple sites, this type of architecture may support more flexible equipment allocation and phased investment strategies. Systems can begin in a data-capture role and later expand into deeper inspection functions as workflows mature.
A Step Toward More Distributed Metrology
As manufacturing and maintenance operations continue to decentralize, metrology technology is following a similar trajectory. Systems that reduce dependence on external infrastructure while maintaining high accuracy are becoming increasingly relevant, particularly where measurement must happen quickly and close to the process.
The FreeScan Omni Series illustrates how hardware integration, edge computing, and modular design are converging in portable metrology solutions. Whether used for in-process verification, large-part inspection, or on-site assessment, such platforms point toward a future where metrology capability is more distributed – embedded directly within the environments where decisions need to be made.
For more information: www.shining3d.com
