Countertop Scanning

Planning: ensure Leica, tablet and pen are fully charged the night before. Confirm a roll of blue tape and a black sharpie are in the case.

Upon arrival, make note of available parking, closest route to installation site, and restrictions to access  (guards, hours of operation, cargo, elevators, tight corners and doorways). 

Include street address and apartment number, if applicable, in your notes. Provide primary contact person and phone number. Confirm email for party responsible for approving quote and shop drawing. 

Scanning for countertops provides a great resource for the shop. However, one incorrect measurement can ruin many hours of labor and expensive material. Insist that all small talk be taken care of before turning on the Leica laser and tablet. There should be no interaction during measurements. Insist on this with others nearby. Let them know that there’s only one thing you have to get right today: these measurements. Any further, discussion or questions can be handled after the laser and tablet are packed up.

Before scanning, take photos of each area to be scanned. Use handheld scanner to collect pertinent measurements. This documentation will provide people back in the shop a handy reference. Should there be any question about the scans. Be sure to measure any obstacles or restrictions that may not be evident in the scans (casing, doorways, appliances, etc.). Do not assume cabinet installers have provided standard openings for any appliance. Include these measurements in the photos.

Choose position of laser carefully. Too high an angle can create issues when measuring object in a tight space or in close proximity to the laser. Typically for countertop measuring, locating the laser slightly above the level of the base cabinets provides a good vantage point for picking up most points. 

Scan the perimeter of the walls first, then the face of the cabinets second. Make note if any cabinet components are missing. This includes drawer faces, cabinet doors, and finished end panels. 

If cutouts for sinks or other hardware is required, scan the specific cabinet in which these objects will be located. Placing these points on a separate layer in the Leica software is additionally, helpful.

Take extra time to clean up geometry for the corners. This avoids extra work and possible misinterpretation later. Save your work repeatedly throughout the process of scanning.

When moving the Leica laser between locations, lift the tripod and turn the entire unit 90°. This ensures the laser detects movement, and it will recalibrate once stationary in a new location. Occasionally, an error message will show up after re-leveling in the new location. If you are unaware of any disturbances since the Leica started it recalibration, simply click OK to dismiss.

When all points have been collected and geometry reviewed and cleaned up as needed, export the files before shutting down. This insures you will not leave the job site if there is any problem with the files. After successful export, click the X in the top right hand corner of the software. You’ll be given the option to shut down both the laser and the tablet. Finally, power down the tablet to conserve battery power. 

Pack up the equipment and scan the area for any items you may have forgotten. Accessories for this laser can be difficult and expensive to replace.

Transfer 2-D and 3-D exported files from the tablet to the server in the office. Notify stakeholders.