Planning in a virtual Environment.

The Maritime Group (TMG) has, over the 20 years it has been in operation, recently directed much of its attention to the maritime retrofit market enforced by the IMO regulations for Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) and Exhaust Gas Cleaning systems (Scrubbers). In total, we have retrofitted more than 100 systems on vessels, providing services to ship owners, yards and manufacturers. 3D Scanning AS, the most recent addition to TMG, was acquired to ensure costs and risk would be as anticipated and that surprises during installation were kept to an absolute minimum. How can that be?

Projects are driven by defined needs, research, planning, scope definitions, quotes and execution. If we reduce the potential for change in an early phase during research and planning, thereby ensuring quotes and execution runs as planned, the executing party should deliver as per quote and the project will be deemed a success. In other words, you introduce a goal-keeper to minimize risks of not completing with overruns and change orders being the name of the game and all parties loose out. That goal keeper is 3D Scanning AS. Why?

In any project, be it a football game or a large EPCI project, it is all about minimizing risks. Minimizing risks for loosing when related to football and for projects you typically are concerned of cost overruns, delivery times, delays, procurement, fabrication, logistics, installation and more. Any project manager or head coach will confirm this. So, for the head coach a goal keeper is essential and for EPCI projects 3D scanning and engineering is essential. 3D Scanning is the goal keeper of larger retrofit projects.

That goal keeper is 3D Scanning AS. Why?

Projects have been executed in a similar manner over the years and much of the work has been carried out by experienced and skilled professionals. Take pipe fitting, one normally brought pipe spools, supports, cables and cable trays, steel girders for foundations, fittings and a lot more to the facility and carried out design and installation in one go. Nothing wrong with that, but it required a large well experienced labour force and as-built documentation was rather poor. Additionally, some design was so irregular that maintenance and modifications required the same special labour as many items were produced using non-standard items. Additionally, rules for "hot-work" permits were not as strict as they are today. Simultaneously, applied 3D technology has advanced thanks to the Oil & Gas sector investing in alternate methods for project execution. Execution methods that now are being transferred to the Maritime Industry by introducing the services delivered by 3D Scanning.

3D laser scanning, virtual engineering, pre-fabrication control and smarter installation methods, using standard items has decreased the installation time for the integrators by as much as 20% with respect to man hours. Additionally, the Bill of Materials (BIM) or Material Take Out (MTO) can now be calculated with a 98,5% accuracy, improving the procurement process and cost control. Also, with a smaller footprint of the integrators resources on-board, risk for HSE incidents are reduced. In most cases, they can build e.g. pipe systems with connecting flange to flange and no cutting or welding. So, by adding a relatively small percentage of the project cost up-front employing a well reputed 3D Scanning firm with marine experience and resources, you can reduce the overall project cost and reducing the risks as mentioned above.

3D laser scanning captures the true as-built geometry on any facility and it can be linked to the facilities coordinate system. If a new design is based on the facilities design General Arrangement (GA) drawings it is bound to fail as they no longer represent the true situation due to modifications made over the years that has not been updated. Working in this virtual true world, one no longer creates solid models and then designs. A true virtual engineering house lives in the point cloud created by the scanning. This is the tools that then, through advanced CAD programs, is used to create new designs or like-for-like exchanges. Elements of the design can then be prefabricated in quality workshops from fabrication drawings created, based on the engineering carried out, verified through dimensional control before items are shipped to the facility and any corrections can be made in a controlled environment and then shipped. Simplifies logistics and again secures cost control.

Bill of Materials (BIM) or Material Take Out (MTO) can now be calculated with a 98,5% accuracy

To finalize, I would say that any technical responsible or PM that is considering a marine medium to large retrofit project without using 3D laser scanning and virtual 3D engineering as their prime tool for design or modification projects are gamblers. Again to draw attention to the football coach setting up his team with no goal-keeper. Very risky and most certainly not getting him the win he was planning for.

3D Scanning is a company headquartered in Oslo Norway with advanced 3D scanning engineering HUBS in Miami, USA and Krakow, Poland. In addition, we have offices in 13 other locations globally through the TMG network.

We serve the maritime industry as consultants, engineers and as a goal keeper. Contact us for a more in-depth talk how we can secure your retrofit projects. www.3dscanning.no