Long Range Laser Scanning & Building Information Modeling (BIM) Help Safely Move Massive Equipment into Fortune 100 Energy Facility

Using long range laser scanning, 3 software platforms and Building Information Modeling (BIM), a team of our engineers at 3D Engineering Solutions created a clash detection simulation that highlighted interferences preventing replacement turbines from entering a Fortune 100 coal-fired power plant. After our team calculated interferences, workers were able to cut away concrete from a plant door and shift two sections of high-power conduits measuring 2-feet in diameter. Riggers then moved in massive turbines, with only 4-inches of clearance on either side of the turbine crate.

3DES used long range laser scanning to capture power plant measurements

We employed use of SolidWorks (3D CAD design software), PolyWorks (point cloud manipulation software), and FARO Scene (scan alignment software), to generate the simulation and recommend which interferences to remove. There were several major concerns in this project, including safety around nearby high power lines, but our long range laser scanning tool allowed us to capture precise measurements of the power plant as millions of data points, and then our software allowed us to figure out a path for the turbines that would physically work and avoid danger.

The reason the replacement turbines couldn’t fit in the energy facility was because the plant was originally constructed decades ago and did not plan on future expansion requirements of today’s equipment size and scope. The replacement turbines that needed to be installed were too large to fit through the plant doors.

We set up worst-case scenarios with our software and we looked at the possible paths of the turbines from all different angles. We ended up with an established plan that went well. After interferences were eliminated, the turbines were moved into the building in about 3 hours. The plant never fully went offline.

To keep current with more of our projects at 3DES, follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RobGlassburn.

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