FARO Flatness Check: Augmented Reality Technology for Concrete Experts

In the concrete industry, one of the first and most important steps for any job site is to pour a completely level slab to lay the perfect foundation. Traditional methods for concrete pouring are time-consuming and more prone to errors – often resulting in tedious and costly rework for the team on site.

FARO has designed the first of its kind in Augmented Reality (AR) for the concrete industry that will enable real-time visualisation of floor flatness, to completely transform the traditional workflow. Keep reading to find out what the FARO Flatness Check app is, how it works, and how it will optimise your operation.

What is the FARO Flatness Check App?

Working alongside the Focus Premium laser Scanner, the FARO Flatness Check app was developed to eliminate expensive errors and completely streamline the documentation process. The app allows you to instantly find flatness variations in concrete slabs and other floor surfaces without the need for a reality capture expert.

Using an iPad to navigate the simple workflow, construction professionals can use the data captured by the FARO Focus scanner to analyse the surface through AR. This means that the floor can be viewed through the app with a heat map superimposed onto the surface, to show exactly where the flatness variations are.

How does it work?

To get started with FARO Flatness Check, all that is needed is an iPad with the Flatness Check app installed and a supported FARO Focus laser scanner (including the new Focus Premium, M70, S70, S150, or S350). The user interface includes straightforward gestures and icons to guide users through the simple navigation, to make for an effortless experience. Flatness Check also integrates perfectly with the FARO Sphere cloud-based software to keep all data consolidated in one centralised location.

Once the laser scanner has been properly set up and configured as a WiFi access point, users can connect it directly to the iPad to begin scanning a project. A scan only takes around 1.5 minutes to complete with a Focus Premium, and once completed, the scan data is transferred to the iPad for analysis.

By tapping on the scan, users can choose their reference elevation, which defines the plane that will be used in the analysis process. From there, it’s simply a matter of choosing the area that needs to be checked and setting the heat map parameters to get high-quality results.

With the chosen parameters, the heat map will show a full visualisation of the surface to determine what is considered level, and what falls outside of the specified tolerance. Users can choose between two heat map types, showing either a “pass or fail” analysis or a rainbow view, depending on preferences and requirements.

The AR function then merges the point clouds that have been analysed with the view from the iPad’s camera, and lets users see the objects that have been scanned with the heat map colours from the analysis. As the iPad is moved around, the coloured analysis moves with it to clearly show areas that require more attention.

Check out the video to see the Flatness Check app in action.

What are the benefits?

Utilising this level of quality control comes with a number of key benefits for construction experts, and will reshape the traditional approach to concrete work. FARO Flatness Check will allow users to:

Save time on site

Projects will be finished on schedule thanks to the immediate visualisation of site data, allowing field crews to identify out-of-tolerance areas while the concrete is still wet. By adhering to the schedule, other trades can complete their work efficiently and on time.

Cut costs associated with rework

The near real-time functionality of the app will cut costs for contractors due to the improved quality of data. Jobs can be completed within the specified tolerance the first time, and contractors can rest assured knowing that the work was done to a high standard. This will also reduce the amount of material wasted by eliminating expensive rework typical in commercial construction.

Integrate all data

Using the fully compatible FARO Sphere software, all data can be housed in one ecosystem and easily shared with any additional project stakeholders. Having this seamless accessibility means that office staff don’t have to wait to have field data shared with them.

Additionally, Alistair Wells, Director of Project Management explains,

“by helping the concrete industry prevent waste, reduce materials usage and speed time spent on-site FARO is taking an important step in its ongoing corporate sustainability efforts to reduce carbon emissions and to ensure greener, cleaner communities wherever FARO products are in use.”

Check out the video to see the Benefits of the Flatness Check app.

This innovative development by FARO is the first of its kind in construction quality control solutions. Using this technology, the concrete industry can streamline projects with a complete view of the data to quickly make informed decisions. This will result in huge cost savings, less rework, and less time on site, allowing companies to achieve more with the resources they’ve got available.

Head to the app store to download the FARO Flatness Check app today. 

Ready to transform your workflow? Get in touch with the team to learn more about how you can utilise FARO Flatness Check on your next project.