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The use of 3D laser scanning for composite manufacturing has become more widespread now more than ever.
Laser scanning solutions have proved to be an incredibly cost-effective and valuable solution in the overall manufacturing industry, including the ship and marine industry.
Below, we’ll learn about some of the numerous uses and benefits of 3D laser scanning within the marine industry and how our 3D measurement and metrology solutions can help you analyze and measure large complex geometric objects with an accuracy of ±2mm.
3D Laser Scanning in the Marine Industry
Hundreds of thousands of older aging ships are looking to perform maintenance and equipment retrofit construction projects, which most tasks will have to be performed in tight, narrow, and confined space areas.
These retrofit projects and equipment replacements, primarily within the Naval industry, are typically expensive, extensive, time-consuming, and oppressed with all sorts of measurement errors (due to the traditional approach where engineers and contractors would use tape measures to record measurements of the existing conditions and systems).
However, things have changed….
A more modern, suitable, and faster approach involves scanning the ship using a 3D laser scanner to collect and establish an incredibly accurate and highly detailed 3D point cloud model. The point cloud model can then be used to extrapolate the shape of the object for shipbuilding and or reverse engineering applications.
Our enterprise-level laser scanners are very efficient for this purpose as they can take collect hundreds of millions of data points in just a span of a few minutes.
Scans are taken from multiple positions to provide ample coverage around the different equipment and project conditions. These scans are then registered and tied together to bring all the point cloud data into the same coordinate system.
3D laser scans of the keel and hull of the ships can also be taken, in which a surface model and hull curves can be developed and reviewed for stability or fuel analysis.
Laser scanning is also be used to accurately measure the openings for the complex curved glass and prefab systems that are typically installed on ships and superyachts.
3D laser scanning is very efficient for complex measuring tasks as it gets rid of the need for templating and can significantly reduce rework due to measurement errors.
3D laser scanning allows users to generate a highly accurate and “as-built” cloud model of the scanned areas. The point cloud model can then be further processed by extrapolating the actual dimensional data to provide actionable deliverables, that are typically utilized for various purposes, like:
Ballast Water Treatment System Installation
Air Ducts
Scrubber System Installation
In-service pipe spool replacements
Production of Lines Plan / Hull Geometry
Any modifications to a ship system or structure
Ventilation upgrade (duct modifications)
Visualization of damage to the vessel structure
Verification for Glass / Glazing Systems.
Using 3D Laser Scanning Solutions in the Marine Sector for Shipbuilding
Since our 3D laser scanners are completely non-intrusive and super quick, it usually isn’t mandatory to wait until the ship or boat is in the dry dock for the survey / scanning to be performed. The scanning can be conducted long before the scheduled repair.
This early adoption of using our laser scanning solutions upfront can allow shipyards and maintenance projects to progress ahead with renovation design, project planning, and the procurement of materials (allowing the work to start as soon as the vessel boards at the dock).
1. Fewer modifications and repairs with higher quality prefabrication.
In the shipbuilding field, laser scanners can measure the complex and massive vessel parts quickly. This way, the ship parts and components can be planned and constructed with precision.
Since long lead-time parts and custom fabrication allow little to no tolerance, modifications, and any rework of vessel parts during the assembly phase can be costly.
To guarantee the parts are fitted correctly, it is essential to use accurate data and precise coordination throughout the various stages of the production and installation process.
2. Precise planning - Saves time and effort.
Time, effort, and costs are minimized drastically with the use of our quick and accurate measurements, deliverables, and planning solutions.
Modifications and repairs tend to become superfluous in aircraft and shipbuilding projects and is primarily due to inaccurately fitting and coordinating parts.
Our team can help you plan to utilize laser scanning solutions upfront, to provide profitable and efficient solutions within the production process.
In addition, our 3D laser scanning solutions can provide an array of solutions for automated assembly, reverse engineering, and final inspections.
3. Laser scanning reduces manpower.
Marine and shipbuilding is an industry with a high demand for metrology, particularly when it comes to prefab vessel parts or retrofit construction.
Our laser scanning services can significantly lesser the need for qualified on-site manpower for when measurements are needed.
And once the scanning is done, volume / surface models and collision detections can be quickly generated and analyzed off-site.
Our team can analyze and provide actionable deliverables for the verification of parts and the components, along with their deviations (EGCS - Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems, Chiller Systems – Scrubbers, BWTS - Ballast Water Treatment Systems, Prefabricated Systems, etc.).
Benefits of Using 3D Laser Scanning in the Marine Industry:
Data reduces field welds, ultimately minimizing the shipyard downtime and costs.
Data enables a more significant portion of replacement components and new pipe spools to be fabricated accurately upfront.
Eliminates or minimizes the need for follow-up visits on the site.
Minimizes clashes in your design work. Laser scans provide a 3-dimensional environment where available space, proper placement, and pipe routing can be verified easily.
It allows for safe and precise measurements to be taken off-site, eliminating several hand measurements in the field.
Reconditioning work can be started almost instantly and done quicker, with hardly any need for rework since the new components will be verified accurately against the vessel “as is.”
Structural elements or pipes captured in the 3D point cloud can be identified and transformed interactively into smart 3D model objects with related attributes.
Get in touch with our team of professionals to learn more about our solutions!
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