FARO Introduces New Generation of Best in Class 3D Laser Scanners and Software

Coventry/UK, 30th March, 2009 – FARO, the world’s leading provider of portable measurement and imaging systems, has launched a new generation of 3D laser scanners.

The two new models, Photon 120 and 20, both feature measuring rates of up to 976,000 points-per-second. The 120 also offers an unprecedented operating range of 153 metres making it the longest-range phase-shift laser scanner in the world. The Photon 20, in comparison, has been designed for scanning objects within a range of 20 metres. The new models provide an eightfold increase in speed and double the distance scanning capacity of the previous generation FARO offerings.

The company also introduced FARO Scene V4.6, the latest version of its scan processing software, which accelerates the registration of scans by 90 percent compared to manual completion.

FARO is presenting both of the market's fastest laser scanners and its new processing software at the SPAR 2009 conference in Denver (USA) from 29th March to 1st April and at the GEO-9 conference in Coventry from 1st - 2nd April. Delivery of the new offerings will begin this summer and an upgrade path from previous generation FARO Laser Scanners will be available.

"Large imaging assignments such as 3D documentation of shop floors or buildings require hundreds of scans and a significant investment of time and resources," said Jay Freeland, FARO Chief Executive Officer. "To remain cost-effective, such projects must be completed as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality of the output. The new Photon laser scanners greatly enhance both the productivity and quality equations for our customers."

"The long range of Photon 120 eliminates the need to reposition the device in most application scenarios," stated Dr. Bernd Becker, Director of Laser Scanner Marketing & Product Management for FARO.

The FARO Scene V4.6 software automates registration of the data captured by the scanner, that is, its target recognition, naming and matching.

"Instead of returning to the office to manually register scans and overlay them with colour, users can have these time-consuming tasks performed by FARO Scene V4.6 either on-the-spot or, overnight through batch processing," added Dr. Becker. "As a result, in an average imaging project involving 300 scans, labour input can be reduced from several days to only a few hours for end control and troubleshooting."

About FARO Laser Scanner Photon
The FARO Photon line of phase-shift laser scanners provides a fast and simple method for 3D data capture and highly detailed measurement of large objects or environments. Application areas range from civil engineering, including tunnel and mining, through architecture, road mapping, plants, surveying, accident and forensic research to heritage.

About FARO
FARO (NASDAQ: FARO) develops and markets computer-aided coordinate measurement devices and software. Portable equipment from FARO permits high-precision 3D measurement and comparison of parts and compound structures within production and quality assurance processes. The devices are used for inspecting components and assemblies, production planning, inventory documentation as well as for investigation and reconstruction of accident sites or crime scenes. They are also employed to generate digital scans of historic sites.

Worldwide, approximately 8,600 customers are operating more than 18,000 installations of FARO's systems. The company's global headquarter is located in Lake Mary, Florida, its European head office in Korntal-Münchingen near Stuttgart (Germany). FARO has branches in Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.

Subjects