I came across this interesting bit from www.FedBizOpps.gov today: The United States Military Academy is looking for a very specific laser scanner. Noting with lots of caps and stars that this is NOT AND RFQ/RFP, they nonetheless outline a piece of machinery that it would seem they would like to purchase. Does such a thing exist?
Here are the details:
The United States Military Academy is looking for sources for a 3D Laser Scanner with the following capabilities:
+ Scanning capacity of at least 10 inch diameter and 16 inch height
+ Self-contained, eye-safe cavity enclosure with automatic rotation and fully automatic scanning capability
+ 110 VAC input power; no additional facilities (water, compressed air, etc.)
+ Minimum table load capacity of 5kg
+ Uses non-contact laser technology in both plane and rotary modes
+ Plane scanning pitch in width of 0.2 to 254mm, height 0.2 to 406.4mm or better
+ Rotary scanning pitch in circumference of 0.18 to 3.6 degrees, height 0.2 to 406.4mm or better
+ Repeat accuracy of 0.05mm or better
+ Power supply, USB connectivity and cable and full documentation
+ Full feature scanning software compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7 and able to run on platform independent devices (computers already on hand)
+ Software must be capable of saving file formats in STL, GSF, and PIX and be fully compatible with SolidWorks
+ Full feature reverse engineering software
+ 3 year warranty coverage
If you can provide an item that meets these specifications, please email a corporate capabilities statment to: [email protected]
So, it’s a close-range thing they’re looking for. I’m guessing most scanners can handle 10 inches by 16 inches. But it can only weight five kilos, which is sort of interesting, and those pitch numbers are awfully specific. Looks, too, like the Army has invested in SolidWorks.
Makes you wonder what project they’ve got in mind, doesn’t it? And if they find the one they’re looking for, how many will they buy? And if they buy a lot, will they help standardize file formats, as software producers and manufacturers make sure to comply with what the Army uses?
