When to Choose: Static Laser Scanning vs. Mobile Laser Scanning

Laser scanning is an established method in industrial 3D documentation, but even at the project planning stage, the same question often arises: should you choose static laser scanning or mobile laser scanning? The answer is not straightforward, as both methods are suited to different situations, and the wrong choice will result in either unnecessary costs or insufficient accuracy.

In this article, we go through the technical differences between the methods, the most typical use cases, and the practical factors that guide the choice in industrial environments. The goal is to give you a clear picture of when each method is justified and when a combination delivers the best result.

Key technical differences between the methods

Static laser scanning means that the scanner is placed on a single tripod at a time and scans its surroundings spherically from that point. By combining multiple scanning positions, a comprehensive point cloud is obtained. In mobile laser scanning, the scanner is mounted on a moving platform, such as carried by a person or a vehicle, and collects data continuously during movement.

The technical differences are directly reflected in performance. Static scanning achieves an accuracy of approximately 2 mm and covers around 6,000 square meters per day. Mobile laser scanning, such as when carried out with NavVis equipment, reaches an accuracy of approximately 5 mm but covers up to 20,000 square meters per day. Both produce point clouds in the most common file formats, such as E57, LAS, or PTS, which are directly usable in design software and exportable to the Reality Twin™ platform.

Static laser scanning: what types of targets it is suited for

Static laser scanning is the right choice when measurement accuracy is the primary requirement. Typical targets include pipe lines and process equipment where millimeter-level positional data is needed for design or clash detection purposes. Confined or structurally complex spaces, such as ATEX zones or compressor environments, are also best suited to static scanning, as the device can be carefully positioned in exactly the right place.

FARO and RIEGL equipment are commonly used in static scanning and enable a high LOD (Level of Detail 350) point cloud. This is essential when an as-built environment is modeled from the point cloud in IFC, DWG, or STEP format and the project requires documented accuracy targets. Shutdown preparation, expansion planning, and deviation documentation are typical use cases where the static method is justified.

Mobile laser scanning: what types of targets it is suited for

Mobile laser scanning is at its strongest in large-scale targets where speed and coverage take precedence over extreme accuracy. A factory’s overall layout, long walkways, spatial mapping of warehouse halls, or general documentation of a large plant area are examples of situations where the mobile method delivers more value in less time.

In practice, mobile laser scanning is often the better choice also when the plant area is in operation and extended stops cannot be arranged. A moving scanner disrupts production considerably less than setting up multiple static stations. NavVis equipment also enables 360-degree imaging alongside the point cloud, which directly supports fieldwork and remote inspection in the Reality Twin Field mobile application.

Factors influencing the decision in practice

The choice of method does not come down solely to accuracy or speed. In practice, the decision is influenced by at least the following factors:

• Purpose of use: Are changes being planned to an existing facility, or is the current state being documented for general management?
• Accuracy requirement: Does the project require millimeter-level data, or is 5 mm accuracy sufficient?
• Scope and geometry of the target: Is it a large open area or a confined process unit?
• Production continuity: Can the target be freely accessed, or is scanning time limited?
• Delivery schedule: Is there an urgent need for the data, for example for shutdown planning?

A single technical specification rarely determines the choice on its own. More important is understanding what the data will be used for and what decisions will be made based on it.

Combined scanning as one option

In many industrial projects, the best result is achieved by combining both methods. A typical approach is to cover a large plant area with mobile laser scanning and supplement critical locations — such as the immediate surroundings of process equipment or specific pipe lines — with static scanning. This provides both broad coverage and sufficient accuracy where it is truly needed.

SolidComp carries out both methods under the same partnership, meaning the right combination of methods can be selected on a project-by-project basis without coordinating multiple suppliers. The collected data is delivered as a single package — from point clouds and 3D models — directly for the client’s use or to the Reality Twin™ platform as operational plant information.

If the project requirements are still open, it is worth starting from the intended use rather than the method. Once it is known what the data is needed for, the right method or combination can be found considerably more easily.