Safety Precautions

The following section contains important safety information. Read it carefully and always adhere to the instructions shown here.

Definitions

This section defines the hazard symbols shown in this User Guide.

The following information is shown when there is a hazard symbol:

• Type of hazard

• Result of hazard

• How to avoid the hazard.

Caution: A caution notice indicates a hazard that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury or could damage or destroy the product or your work.

Warning: A warning notice indicates a hazard that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

General Safety Notices

Always follow these safety instructions when using the NavVis VLX.

The NavVis VLX is intended for professional use only. It should only be used by competent persons. A competent person is one who has been trained in the use of NavVis VLX by NavVis and who is familiar with the contents of this User Guide. Failure to comply with the advice given in this guide violates the safety standards of the intended device usage. NavVis GmbH assumes no liability for failure to comply with this advice.

Caution: Heavy object.

• Injury, especially to back or shoulders.

• An individual should not use the NavVis VLX more than eight hours in one day. Use safe lifting technique. Only lift and carry the full box with two people. Stop using if you feel pain. Take regular breaks. Use in an upright position. Always use the supplied belt. Adjust the belt hook so the weight is distributed correctly. Do not drop the device or its accessories. Insert the batteries correctly. Pay attention.

Caution: Warm surfaces.

• Overheating may damage electronic components.

• Avoid prolonged skin contact with warm surfaces. Switch off if you notice excessive heat as this may indicate an electrical fault. Do not cover the vents as this will obstruct the airflow (there are two vents at the top and one at the bottom).

Caution: Short-circuits.

• Damage to electronic components.

• Do not open or dismantle. Do not attempt to repair. Do not expose to air outlets or liquids (except as recommended in the cleaning instructions). Do not expose to heavy rain. Keep the device in an upright position if it is exposed to rain. Do not use if there is a risk of condensation inside the device (such as when moving from a cold to a hot environment). Do not use if damaged. Do not pierce the housing.

Caution: Fragile components.

• Damage to the NavVis VLX.

• Always handle with care and pay attention to your surroundings. Avoid collisions. Do not drop. Do not crush. Do not use or store outside the recommended temperature range. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not allow use by untrained personnel. Do not use when damaged.

Laser Safety Information

The NavVis VLX is equipped with Class 1 laser scanners that are safe under all conditions of normal use.

Warning: Laser Radiation.

• Eye injury.

• Never use a magnifying device to look directly at a transmitting laser scanner.

Caution: Spinning components.

• Moving parts inside the laser scanners can crush or cut.

• Never remove the casing from the laser scanners.

The NavVis VLX laser scanners comply with FDA performance standards for laser products except for deviations pursuant to Laser Notice No. 50, dated June 24, 2007.

The NavVis VLX laser scanners fulfill the requirements of IEC 60825-1:2014 +A11:2021 (Safety of laser products).

There are no controls or adjustments on the sensor itself that are user accessible.

Battery Safety Information

Lithium ion batteries contain a flammable electrolyte and must be handled according to these safety instructions.

Warning: Explosion / burn hazard.

• May cause severe injury or death; electrolyte can burn skin and eyes.

• Follow the safety instructions.

Battery and charger safety instructions

• For professional use only.

• Do not throw or drop, handle with care.

• Do not attempt to open, disassemble, or repair.

• Always keep away from water, heat, and fire.

• Never leave the charger and batteries unattended during operation/charging.

• Do not use or charge a damaged battery.

Battery safety Instructions

• Read the battery MSDS before use (here).

• Only use the batteries supplied with the device.

• Keep batteries out of reach of children and personnel that have not been instructed in the use of high-capacity Lithium-ion batteries!​​​

• Only charge the batteries using the supplied charger.

• Do not short-circuit.

• Do not exceed a maximum discharge current of 10A.​​​​

• Store in a dry and fireproof location away from heat.​​​​

• Do not put the batteries in electrostatic discharge (ESD) bags.​​​​

• Do not expose to temperatures over 60°C.

• Do not expose the battery to fire! May explode if thrown into the fire!

• If electrolyte leakage occurs keep the chemical away from water and fire. Remove contaminated clothing and do not allow contact with skin or eyes. Do not breathe any dust generated. Only handle while wearing personal protective equipment including a face mask, gloves, protective glasses, and long-sleeved working clothes. Clean using an absorbent material and dispose of in accordance with local regulations.

Battery charger safety instructions

• ​​​Only use with the supplied batteries.​​​​

• Keep charger out of reach of children and personnel that have not been instructed in the use!

• Always ensure adequate air circulation (never cover while in use).​​​​

• Remove the battery from the charger after the charging process is complete.

• Do not use or store the charger in unstable, dusty, or damp environments.

• Do not use below -10°C (14°F) or above 35°C (95°F).​​​​

Hazardous Environments

The NavVis VLX is not ATEX certified, meaning it is not certified for explosive or hazardous environments of any kind. Examples of hazardous environments can be oil plants, oil refineries, etc., and their description can be called ATEX Zone 2. More information on ATEX Zone 2 and other hazardous environments can be found here.

Caution:

• Usage within such environments is a personal risk, therefore any damages resulting directly from such usage will not be covered by the NavVis device warranty.

• More information on the NavVis warranty can be found in NavVis General Terms and Conditions:

  • for NavVis GmbH in Germany

  • for NavVis US (since March 2020)

  • for NavVis China (since march 2020)

NavVis VLX Warning Messages

Collision Warning

Beware of obstacles at the height of the camera head. If the camera head comes close to a wall, door frame, or other obstacle, the internal collision detection alerts the operator:

Note: Always be careful when carrying or moving the device. The collision warning is only active during mapping and does not guarantee that every potential collision can be detected, for example when going though doors or through narrow environments.

Critical Errors

If a sensor or critical software component fails, an alert dialog with a stop sign appears. Errors cannot be resolved by the operator while mapping; the map is most likely broken. To address the issue, try these steps:

• Stop mapping and create a new dataset before continuing.

• First aid: If the alert dialog re-appears after stopping and restarting mapping, try either to restart the mapping application or to cold-reboot the system. If the stop sign still appears, contact NavVis technical support.

• Diagnosis: Go to the Help Menu and click Show Log to view live logs. This window shows the system state in more detail.

• Take a screenshot of the system status and send it to NavVis technical support along with the log files (see Log Files) from the affected dataset.