Completing Surveying Solely with 3D Point Clouds: A Private Company's New Challenge in Utilizing Point Clouds
JFD Engineering has established a method to complete surveying tasks using only 3D point cloud scanners, handling 6,000 cases annually. An interview reveals how they overcame initial challenges like merging errors and PC specs.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 22:09
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 13:34
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Is it possible to complete surveying work using a 3D point cloud scanner without using a total station?
There is a pioneer company in 3D point cloud surveying that has concluded that it is 'possible.'
This time, we interviewed Mr. Minowa (left) of the Technical Team and Mr. Sato (right), General Manager of the DX Solutions Department at the Survey Tech Division of JFD Engineering Co., Ltd., which provides technical cooperation to our corporation, the Real Estate Inspection and Warranty Organization (REIWS).
REIWS is a general incorporated association that operates the 'Point Cloud Surveyor Qualification Exam' for point cloud surveying engineers.
[Image: Mr. Minowa (left) and General Manager Sato (right)]
Handling 6,000 surveying jobs a year, mainly for detached houses, using point cloud surveying with 3D scanners, JFD Engineering Co., Ltd. was founded as a surveying company and has grown through ground investigation and ground improvement businesses. Out of this grew the desire, 'JFD's origins lie in the surveying business. We want to create new value in the surveying field.' From there, the entire company began working on the development of 'new surveying.'
Trigger for the Introduction of 3D Point Cloud Surveying
[Please tell us what prompted you to introduce 3D point cloud surveying]
'Originally, we conducted surveying using total stations (hereinafter TS), but two people had to spend a whole day surveying, and they had to draw plans after returning, which presented efficiency challenges.
So we considered whether there was a way for one person to survey, and ideas like single-person TS and drones came up.
Among them, we decided on the ground-based 3D scanners that were beginning to spread at the time.
3D scanners are closer to photography than measurement, and the fact that they are easy to handle even without specialized surveying knowledge was a deciding factor. The short time required for human resource training was also a major point.'
Challenges at the Time of Introduction
[Were there any skeptical opinions upon introduction?]
'Yes, there were (laughs).
We created a CAD center in Vietnam, and after much trial and error from merging point clouds to dropping them into 2D drawings, we were able to bring it to a level we could somewhat put out to the world.'
[What are the challenges in surveying with 3D scanners, which have a different principle from TS?]
'Accuracy and PC specs.
With PCs at the time, point cloud processing was heavy, and we had to procure high-performance PCs.
Also, there were places where a 1 to 2 cm error occurred when merging point clouds, and particularly at boundary points in site surveys, that error could sometimes develop into a major problem.'
Overcoming Accuracy Challenges
[Was the accuracy required by users for current condition surveys higher than expected?]
'That's right.
Initially, we judged that it was releasable, but regarding that 1 to 2 cm error, we sometimes received feedback regarding accuracy when conducting definitive surveys or laying out foundations.
At the time, an operational method combining TS and 3D scanners was mainstream. However, our company has aimed to complete the process solely with 3D scanners.
Therefore,
we devised ways to raise the level of merging, and also different from boundaries...'
There is a pioneer company in 3D point cloud surveying that has concluded that it is 'possible.'
This time, we interviewed Mr. Minowa (left) of the Technical Team and Mr. Sato (right), General Manager of the DX Solutions Department at the Survey Tech Division of JFD Engineering Co., Ltd., which provides technical cooperation to our corporation, the Real Estate Inspection and Warranty Organization (REIWS).
REIWS is a general incorporated association that operates the 'Point Cloud Surveyor Qualification Exam' for point cloud surveying engineers.
[Image: Mr. Minowa (left) and General Manager Sato (right)]
Handling 6,000 surveying jobs a year, mainly for detached houses, using point cloud surveying with 3D scanners, JFD Engineering Co., Ltd. was founded as a surveying company and has grown through ground investigation and ground improvement businesses. Out of this grew the desire, 'JFD's origins lie in the surveying business. We want to create new value in the surveying field.' From there, the entire company began working on the development of 'new surveying.'
Trigger for the Introduction of 3D Point Cloud Surveying
[Please tell us what prompted you to introduce 3D point cloud surveying]
'Originally, we conducted surveying using total stations (hereinafter TS), but two people had to spend a whole day surveying, and they had to draw plans after returning, which presented efficiency challenges.
So we considered whether there was a way for one person to survey, and ideas like single-person TS and drones came up.
Among them, we decided on the ground-based 3D scanners that were beginning to spread at the time.
3D scanners are closer to photography than measurement, and the fact that they are easy to handle even without specialized surveying knowledge was a deciding factor. The short time required for human resource training was also a major point.'
Challenges at the Time of Introduction
[Were there any skeptical opinions upon introduction?]
'Yes, there were (laughs).
We created a CAD center in Vietnam, and after much trial and error from merging point clouds to dropping them into 2D drawings, we were able to bring it to a level we could somewhat put out to the world.'
[What are the challenges in surveying with 3D scanners, which have a different principle from TS?]
'Accuracy and PC specs.
With PCs at the time, point cloud processing was heavy, and we had to procure high-performance PCs.
Also, there were places where a 1 to 2 cm error occurred when merging point clouds, and particularly at boundary points in site surveys, that error could sometimes develop into a major problem.'
Overcoming Accuracy Challenges
[Was the accuracy required by users for current condition surveys higher than expected?]
'That's right.
Initially, we judged that it was releasable, but regarding that 1 to 2 cm error, we sometimes received feedback regarding accuracy when conducting definitive surveys or laying out foundations.
At the time, an operational method combining TS and 3D scanners was mainstream. However, our company has aimed to complete the process solely with 3D scanners.
Therefore,
we devised ways to raise the level of merging, and also different from boundaries...'