Technical specification
The equipment, measurement methods and results behind Pile3D. A practical reference for your team.
Equipment and measurement modes
Scanning requires a supported physical iPhone Pro or Pro Max with LiDAR. Check the App Store for current iOS requirements. Choose photo measurement, a walk-by scan or individual logs. Trial use does not require a portal account; an eligible device receives 10 trial credits.
Pile height and access
Piles up to 3.5 m high have been tested. Measurement of taller piles is assessed individually, depending on visibility and safe access to the measured face. The operator must be able to capture the relevant log ends.
Results and exports
Results include log-by-log diameters on the measured side, gross volume from the pile envelope and net volume calculated from log diameters and lengths. An Excel export with a unique ID for each log supports further analysis, including grouping by diameter. Available photos and 3D views retain the context of the measurement.
Editing and calculation
Adjust the pile envelope to recalculate gross volume. Set log length and recalculate the result. A custom conversion factor β can convert gross volume to estimated net volume. This estimate is distinct from net volume calculated from individual log measurements.
Device checks and calibration
Our experience with iPhone LiDAR shows centimetre-level distance measurement at a range of 2–3 m. This is not an Apple-issued calibration certificate or a guaranteed accuracy for the volume of an entire pile. A calibration service and annual device checks are planned for Enterprise subscriptions; scope and terms are agreed individually.
Planned capabilities
Adding missed logs and removing false detections are planned for a future app release. Availability will be confirmed in the release notes; these are not part of this specification's current feature set.