SHINING 3D FreeScan Trak Nova – wireless metrology 3D scanner

Key features

• Accuracy up to 0.02 mm for metrology, inspection and reverse engineering.
• Up to 6,140,000 points/s for large parts and complex surfaces.
• Field of view up to 2600 × 2200 mm with FreeScan UE Nova.
• Dynamic tracking between TE Nova and FreeScan UE Nova without markers on most parts.
• 50 laser lines for speed, 7 parallel lines for detail and 1 line for deep holes and pockets.
• Integrated Video Photogrammetry (VPG), wireless operation and the option to use FreeScan UE Nova as a standalone handheld scanner.

Dynamic tracking, wide-area capture and detailed scanning

SHINING 3D FreeScan Trak Nova is a modular metrology system combining dynamic optical tracking, precise handheld scanning and wide-area laser capture. TE Nova captures fine detail. FreeScan UE Nova tracks TE Nova in Trak mode and can also be removed from its stand for use as an independent wide-area handheld 3D scanner.

Large vehicle panels, machine housings and aircraft components need rapid surface coverage, while holes, channels, mounting features and small radii need denser local data. Trak Nova combines these approaches within one measurement workflow.

In Trak mode, FreeScan UE Nova follows TE Nova's position in real time. This allows movement around most objects without attaching reference markers to their surfaces, reducing preparation on large bodies, welded structures, moulds, fixtures and industrial equipment.

For rapid large-area capture, use FreeScan UE Nova independently with a field of view up to 2600 × 2200 mm, then refine critical areas with TE Nova. This avoids collecting fine-detail data across an entire object when it would only increase file size and processing time.

Accuracy and laser modes

The system reaches 0.02 mm accuracy, with volumetric accuracy of 0.062 mm at 12 m³. Volumetric performance matters when inspecting large panels and assemblies with widely separated measurement features.

Integrated Video Photogrammetry supports expanded measurement volumes with accuracy of 0.046 + 0.012 mm/m. It uses a calibration reference and global reference points without requiring coded markers, helping control accumulated spatial error on long structures.

TE Nova offers 50 laser lines for high-speed surface coverage, 7 parallel lines for fine local geometry and a single laser line for deep holes, narrow channels and pockets with limited optical access.

Point spacing is adjustable from 0.01 to 10 mm. Use a moderate density on large flat areas and finer settings on small functional features. Maximum density everywhere is unnecessary and increases processing load.

Productivity and wireless workflow

Capture speeds up to 6,140,000 points/s help cover vehicle bodies, railway components and large castings with fewer repeated passes. Productivity depends on the amount of useful geometry captured with each movement as well as operator speed.

FreeScan Trak Nova supports wireless Wi-Fi operation and a wired optical connection. Wireless mode reduces cable restrictions around vehicles, inside structures and between production equipment.

The system is designed for the supplied Wi-Fi router; Wi-Fi 6 is appropriate when using another compatible router. Replaceable batteries allow power modules to be exchanged during the workflow. TE Nova operates wirelessly for up to 2.5 hours; FreeScan UE Nova for approximately 1 hour per active battery set.

1. Position FreeScan UE Nova with a clear view of the measurement area.
2. Connect TE Nova, FreeScan UE Nova and the workstation.
3. Check calibration and system status.
4. Select Trak, standalone UE Nova or VPG mode for the object size.
5. Set laser mode, brightness and point spacing.
6. Capture the overall geometry at a suitable density.
7. Increase resolution locally in critical areas.
8. Optimise, align and prepare the data for inspection or reverse engineering.

Intelligent Resolution adapts mesh density to curvature, keeping simple surfaces efficient while retaining more information in complex areas. AI Feature Recognition helps identify circular holes, rectangular holes and slots for measurement analysis.

Software and professional integration

FreeScan Trak Software manages capture, alignment, optimisation and export. Export point clouds as ASC and mesh geometry as STL, OBJ, PLY or 3MF. Global reference points can be saved as P3, ASC or TXT for reuse of a coordinate reference.

Mesh tools include simplification, smoothing, isolated-fragment removal, automatic and manual hole filling, and coordinate-system adjustment. Retain the geometry needed for measurement analysis before applying aggressive simplification.

Integration with SHINING3D Inspect, PolyWorks, Geomagic Control X, EXModel Pro, BlueStar Mapping and Geomagic Design X supports CAD comparison, deviation analysis, geometric inspection, surface reconstruction, reverse engineering and preparation for manufacturing.

The recommended workstation is Windows 11 Professional 22H2 64-bit, Intel Core i7-13700H or better, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU or better, at least 8 GB VRAM, 64 GB dual-channel DDR5 RAM and USB 3.0. Larger projects benefit from additional RAM and a stronger GPU.

Mobility and applications

TE Nova weighs 1.2 kg and FreeScan UE Nova weighs 1.6 kg. Their handheld design supports extended measurements involving frequent repositioning, high surfaces or restricted spaces.

TE Nova has a 380 mm depth of field over a 170–550 mm range. FreeScan UE Nova provides a 2700 mm depth of field over 800–3500 mm in the system configuration. In standalone wide-area mode, UE Nova can capture large objects from farther away than a typical close-detail handheld scanner.

• Automotive: body panels, body-in-white structures, chassis, interiors, modifications and reverse-engineered parts.
• Aerospace: panels, wings, body components and large freeform surfaces with local high-resolution capture.
• Rail: inspection of large components in service or production environments.
• Energy and heavy industry: turbines, housings, welded structures and equipment that is difficult to move to stationary measurement systems.
• Tooling: moulds, dies and fixtures compared with nominal CAD geometry.
• Reverse engineering: digital reconstruction where original CAD is missing or no longer represents the physical part.

Limitations and calibration

Dynamic tracking needs optical visibility between FreeScan UE Nova and TE Nova. Obstructing the tracking elements or leaving the active tracking area may interrupt capture. Plan tracker placement so the critical surfaces remain accessible without prolonged occlusion.

Use the appropriate modes and brightness for normal, dark and reflective surfaces. Transparent and mirror-like materials should be tested in advance. Where the process allows it, a dedicated temporary matting spray can improve capture stability.

Calibrate at first use, after strong impacts or vibration, after an extended idle period and when quality or alignment stability deteriorates. A practical routine-check interval is around two weeks. Recalibrate before critical measurements when temperature, environment or location changes, and allow the components to reach a stable operating temperature first.

Technical specifications