3D laser scanning and modeling naval industry
We offer a 3D laser scanning service to help owners and shipyards stay ahead of the market, plan the project, design the overhaul, and procure materials ready to go to work as soon as the ship arrives at the repair dock: BWTS (Ballast Water Treatment System), EGCS (Exhaust Gas Cleaning System), Chiller Systems, Scrubbers.
We collaborate with naval companies and field specialists and offers high quality services for shipping companies in all European ports (Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, Malta, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, ...), Spanish ports (Valencia, Algeciras, Barcelona, Las Palmas, Bilbao, Santander, Tarragona, Tenerife, El Ferrol, Cartagena, Avilés ...) and North Africa
Laser scanning is accurate and comprehensive, and can be used at all stages of the upgrade process, including initial feasibility assessment, conceptual design, and final fine-tuning phase. Laser scanners have an accuracy rate of +/- 2 millimeters, allowing engineers to generate extremely precise data and therefore create optimally detailed three-dimensional images of any part of the volume to be fitted. In many cases laser scans can be done in a single day as BWTS (Ballast Water Treatment Systems) or water wash system upgrades, laser scans can often be done while the crew is still on board the ship working, saving a lot of time.
Laser scanners are also extremely useful during ship inspections as they can be used to quickly and easily prepare 360-degree images and detailed maps of scan positions, which can then be stored in a vessel's inventory library so that anyone use them. In short, laser scanning is a fast, easy and extremely accurate tool for both everyday ship management purposes and modernization projects.
The early availability of detailed and accurate 3D studies from laser scan data enables shipyards and shipowners to plan projects, design the overhaul and acquire materials ready to go to work as soon as the ship reaches the repair dock. The use of scanning helps to shorten downtime.
There is a strong case for making laser surveying of a complete ship an integral aspect of its life cycle management. This applies in particular to smaller fleets, where having a single vessel out of service has a large impact overall, and is particularly relevant for shipyards involved in maintenance and repair contracts for ships, naval support vessels.
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3D laser scanning studies help to reverse engineer smart and accurate 3D models, quickly and at low cost.
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Equipped with 3D scans, overhauls and conversions will be more efficient and benefit not only the shipowner but also the shipyard.
3D laser scanning of the shipbuilding industry
The typical approach when conducting ship verifications is to bring designers and / or engineers on board where, using tape measures, they record measurements of existing systems and spaces. These measurements are used to develop scope and construction documents. However, the uncertainty of the measurements requires that allowances be included to account for discrepancies between measurements and reality. These allocations can be expensive and / or prevent the installation of new equipment in a certain location because the space was considered too small, when in fact there was adequate free space. Or, on the contrary, it may not be enough at the time of installation.
A better approach is to scan ship spaces with a 3D laser scanner to create a highly detailed and accurate 3D point cloud model. High-speed laser scanners are well suited for this purpose, as they can take tens of millions of measurements in just a few minutes. The scans are taken from various positions to provide sufficient coverage around the equipment. The scans are recorded together to bring them all together in the same coordinate system. Scans of the ship's hull and keel can also be taken, where hull curves and surface models can be created for fuel or stability analysis if required.
3D scanning allows the user to obtain a very accurate model As Build of the scanned area. This information can be used for different purposes, such as:
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Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS) Installation
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Installation of the Scrubbers or Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) system
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Ventilation system upgrade (duct modifications)
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Pipeline replacements in service
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Air ducts
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Hull Geometry / Line Production Plan
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Visualization of damage to the ship's structure.
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Any alteration made to the structure or systems of a ship.
3D laser scanning for Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS)
According to the Convention, all ships in international traffic must manage their ballast water and sediments according to a certain standard. We help ship owners to install BWT on board with a high degree of certainty.
3D laser scanning allows you to capture the "as-built" conditions of the boat or vessel before installing a Ballast Water Treatment or BWTS system. The scan provides accurate measurements and high details of the existing pipe and structure.
3D scans for repairs or upgrades
Replacement or new parts or structures are often manufactured off-site. To ensure the perfect fit, the existing structure is scanned and modeled with very high precision and used in the design and fabrication of new components or structures.
The benefits of 3D laser scanning include:
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Measurements can be taken from a laptop or office computer eliminating multiple manual measurements in the field.
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Reduce clashes in your design work. Laser scanning provides a 3D environment where proper location, available space, and pipe routing can be easily verified.
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Ships do not necessarily need to be dry docked. Scanning can often be done without interrupting normal operations.
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We also offer hull surface fitting, bulkhead and frame modeling, and center
Methodology for marine laser scanning projects
A marine laser scanning project typically follows the steps shown below:
1. Formulation of the scanning plan
When a scan request is received, the first step is to have a good idea of the purpose and scope of the scan according to the customer. If it is not possible to visit the area to be scanned, plans of the work area are requested. Based on the information available, a scan plan will be formulated.
2. On-board scan
A work team will travel to the area that needs to be scanned to make the captures according to the work plan. It will ensure that the captures of each scan overlap enough without too many blind spots. For this, the scanning equipment will be placed in the appropriate position so that the same area is illuminated with the other scans from a different point of view.
3. Refinement of the point cloud
Once the team has performed enough scans to cover the designated area, a preliminary point cloud of the work zone can be obtained. This point cloud will be "refined", aligning the different scans to best fit, eliminate "noise", and so on.
4. Modeling and engineering
One misconception regarding 3D scanning is that the scanner does all the work and that what comes out of the scanner is a definitive model that shows everything you need. The point cloud is the raw data that needs to be designed into a viable 3D model. In many cases, the actual scanning activity is only a small part of the total project scope.
Depending on the conversation with the client's requirements, it is possible to convert the point cloud into a viable and adaptable 3D model.
5. Manipulation of the As built model
Once the point cloud has been designed in a building model, manipulations can be performed on it such as:
• Incorporate ballast water systems (BWTS)
• Incorporate the installation of the exhaust filter (EGCS)
• Make any kind of change in the environment.
• Damage repair
• Others
