FARO manufactures 3D laser scanners and coordinate measurement systems used by surveyors for building documentation, forensic analysis, and construction control since 1981.

FARO Technologies 3D Scanning & Measurement Systems

Overview

FARO manufactures 3D laser scanners and portable coordinate measurement machines (CMMs) that capture precise dimensional data for surveying, construction, and forensic documentation. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida, FARO employs approximately 3,500 staff across manufacturing, software development, and support operations. Surveyors rely on FARO systems to document building interiors, generate point clouds for BIM workflows, validate construction geometry, and produce evidence-grade 3D records for legal investigations. The company's product range spans from handheld laser distance meters to industrial-grade scanning hardware paired with proprietary software for data processing and visualization.

Company History and Development

FARO Technologies began operations in 1981 with a focus on precision measurement instruments for manufacturing quality control. The company's initial product line centered on coordinate measurement machine (CMM) technology, addressing industrial demand for portable alternatives to fixed laboratory systems. This early specialization in dimensional accuracy created organizational expertise that later transferred to emerging 3D capture modalities.

The company's trajectory shifted significantly during the early 2000s when laser scanning technology matured into a viable field tool. FARO invested in R&D to adapt laser scanning from stationary research applications into mobile, surveyor-friendly hardware. This strategic pivot coincided with growing demand from the construction and architecture sectors for rapid, non-contact building documentation methods. By the mid-2000s, FARO had released the Focus laser scanner series, establishing market credibility in the surveying and construction documentation space.

Key acquisitions expanded FARO's software and service ecosystem. The 2015 acquisition of GOM (a German metrology firm) strengthened the company's quality control and inspection software division. Strategic partnerships with BIM software vendors integrated FARO data into mainstream design and construction workflows. These moves positioned FARO as a hardware-software vendor rather than a pure equipment manufacturer.

Product Portfolio

Laser Scanning Hardware

FARO's laser scanner product line divides into terrestrial (land-based) and portable systems. Terrestrial scanners mount on tripods and perform 360-degree sweeps from a fixed position, capturing millions of points per second. Portable scanners integrate into handheld or arm-mounted configurations for scanning interior spaces, structural details, and confined areas where traditional surveying instruments cannot access.

The Focus series represents FARO's primary offering for surveying and construction documentation. These phase-shift scanners operate at ranges up to 120 meters and deliver point accuracies of ±3–6 mm depending on distance. Survey-grade models include integrated digital cameras for colorization and GNSS modules for absolute positioning when deployed outdoors.

Coordinate Measurement Technology

FARO maintains a portfolio of portable CMMs and handheld measurement arms. These devices use mechanical or optical articulation to record point coordinates, serving applications where laser scanning is impractical (heavily occluded spaces, reflective surfaces, or outdoor conditions with direct sunlight). The measurement arm category includes both traditional spring-balanced designs and newer DCC (Direct Computer Control) configurations that transmit real-time positional data to field software.

Software and Data Processing

FARO Scene (point cloud processing), FARO BuildIT (construction control and comparison), and FARO Zone 3D (forensic and crime scene documentation) form the software component of FARO's value proposition. These applications perform point cloud registration, convert raw scan data into deliverable formats (E57, LAS, PDF), and integrate with third-party BIM platforms. BuildIT specifically addresses construction quality control by comparing as-built point clouds against design models to identify deviations.

Product Specifications and Key Models

| Product Line | Key Model | Use Case | |---|---|---| | Terrestrial Laser Scanner | Focus S70 | Building documentation, heritage recording, construction progress monitoring | | Handheld Laser Scanner | Focus X70 | Interior space documentation, facility surveys, forensic scene capture | | Portable CMM | Quantum Axiom | Dimensional verification in manufacturing and on-site construction assembly | | Measurement Arm | DCC Series | Confined space measurement, shipboard inspection, repetitive component verification | | Software Suite | FARO Scene | Point cloud registration, noise filtering, format conversion, BIM integration |

Applications in Surveying Practice

Surveyors deploy FARO systems across distinct workflow categories. In building documentation, laser scanners generate comprehensive interior and exterior point clouds that support historic preservation, renovation planning, and BIM modeling. A single scan campaign typically requires 8–15 scanner positions to cover a multi-story structure, with total point counts reaching 500 million to 2 billion points per project.

In construction control and quality assurance, contractors compare as-built scans against digital design models using FARO BuildIT software. This workflow identifies dimensional non-conformances, coating thickness irregularities, and structural misalignment before completion. Scan-to-BIM conversion enables downstream trade coordination and clash detection.

Forensic and legal documentation represents a specialized but high-value segment. Law enforcement, insurance adjusters, and legal teams use FARO systems to generate evidence-grade 3D records of accident scenes, property damage, and crime locations. The resulting point clouds serve as immutable documentation that supports courtroom visualization and expert testimony.

In industrial and manufacturing quality control, FARO measurement arms and handheld scanners verify component dimensions during fabrication and assembly. Automotive suppliers, aerospace manufacturers, and shipbuilders routinely use FARO hardware to validate tolerances that mechanical calipers and traditional surveying instruments cannot efficiently check.

Technical Specifications and Field Performance

FARO laser scanners employ phase-shift measurement technology, which calculates distance by emitting modulated laser pulses and measuring the phase delay of reflected signals. This approach differs from time-of-flight systems; phase-shift delivers higher point density and better accuracy at shorter ranges (under 100 meters), but performance degrades in direct sunlight or against reflective surfaces.

Standard Focus scanners achieve ±3 mm to ±6 mm accuracy at 25 meters. Range extends to 70–120 meters depending on target reflectivity and ambient light. Scan speed reaches 976,000 points per second, allowing complete building interiors to be documented in 2–4 hours of fieldwork. Data files typically occupy 50–200 MB per scan position depending on resolution settings.

Portable CMMs introduce mechanical degrees of freedom (six to seven axes) that allow articulated positioning without moving the base unit. Measurement uncertainty ranges from ±0.05 mm to ±0.2 mm relative to the arm's base, making these systems suitable for precision dimensional verification in controlled environments.

Market Position and Competitive Context

FARO competes directly with Leica (owned by Hexagon), Trimble, and Z+F in the surveying laser scanner market. Leica focuses on high-volume construction markets with cost-optimized hardware; Trimble emphasizes integration with construction management software; Z+F prioritizes maximum range and accuracy for heritage and industrial metrology. FARO differentiates through balanced performance across scanner categories and integrated software that reduces data processing time.

The company's CMM and measurement arm divisions face competition from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (Absolute Arm, ROMER), Nikon Metrology, and Zeiss. These markets emphasize precision over speed, and FARO maintains competitive standing through portable configurations and field-hardened software.

Integration with Surveying Workflows

FARO systems integrate with established surveying workflows through data format compatibility. Point clouds export to standard formats ([E57](https://www.astm.org/e2807-21.html), LAS, XYZ, ASCII) that feed into CAD platforms, BIM software ([Revit](https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit/overview), [ArchiCAD](https://www.graphisoft.com/)), and specialized surveying tools. [GNSS receivers](/instruments/gnss-receiver) on survey-grade FARO scanners enable georeferencing of point clouds, allowing integration with [total stations](/instruments/total-station) and other conventional survey measurements.

The combination of FARO hardware with [GNSS positioning](/instruments/gnss-receiver) creates hybrid workflows where laser scans provide local detail while [satellite positioning](/techniques/gnss-rtk) establishes site-wide coordinate systems. This approach reduces reliance on conventional [surveying networks](/techniques/traversing) for documentation projects that prioritize speed and point density over sub-centimeter positioning accuracy.

Specification Considerations for Field Deployment

Surveyors selecting FARO hardware must evaluate several technical factors. Measurement range determines optimal scanner position spacing; Focus scanners effective to 70–120 meters require more positions in large spaces than longer-range competitors. Ambient light conditions significantly affect phase-shift performance; direct sunlight reduces effective range and requires neutral-density filtering or schedule adjustment.

Point density versus file size presents a trade-off; maximum resolution (6 mm spacing at 10 meters) produces files exceeding 150 MB per scan, increasing processing and storage overhead. Registration complexity varies with geometry; highly repetitive interior surfaces (corridors, grid ceiling systems) challenge automatic point cloud alignment and may require manual intervention or artificial targets.

Software learning curve affects project productivity; FARO Scene requires familiarity with point cloud terminology and workflows, while BuildIT demands understanding of design model preparation and tolerance specification.

Services and Support Infrastructure

FARO operates regional service centers in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Warranty coverage extends 2–3 years on hardware depending on product line. Extended support contracts provide onsite recalibration, software updates, and technical consultation. Annual recalibration costs approximately $800–1,200 per scanner, required to maintain manufacturer-specified accuracy.

FARO offers training programs through certified reseller networks and direct corporate training divisions. Certification credentials validate operator competency in scanning procedures and data processing, though neither formal certification nor licensing is required in most jurisdictions for surveying-related scanning work.

Summary

FARO Technologies manufactures hardware and software solutions that enable rapid, non-contact 3D documentation across surveying, construction, forensics, and manufacturing sectors. The company's 40+ year operational history reflects sustained investment in precision measurement technology, first in CMM systems and increasingly in laser scanning and point cloud processing. Current product offerings balance accessibility (handheld scanners, intuitive software) against technical performance (survey-grade accuracy, extended range), positioning FARO systems as practical tools for surveyors managing complex documentation workflows. Integration with BIM platforms and conventional survey data sources makes FARO technology a functional component of modern surveying practice rather than a specialized alternative.