TECHNICAL
3D LASER SCANNING
3D Laser Scanning for Marine Applications
GKS Global Services, a provider of scanning services since 1981, offers laser scanning and other techniques for overcoming the issue of as-built structures not conforming to their design prints. In the marine industry, the majority of vessels in service do not have digital documentation or CAD models. GKS is positioning its service as a means to own a true-to-life modeling of a vessel so that, for example, when it is time for a new fitting or refurbishment, the new parts will fit and function correctly. Long-range laser scanning is designed to offer marine engineers a way to ensure their vessels are built and modified correctly and safely the first time, saving time and money. In the last decade, laser scanners have acquired the range and accuracy to capture marine-sized structures to an accuracy equal to their manufacturing tolerances. Software applications that develop 3D models of plans such as piping and valves by recognizing the components that make up the system now exist to cut down the scanning and modeling time dramatically. GKS is using laser scanning technology to aid in both the construction and modification processes in marine environments, such as reverse engineering ship hulls for the application of new parts, engine rooms and fuel tanks. Long-range scanning for marine applications is a ground-based technique for collecting high-density 3D data to create digital models of complex entities such as hull models, entire seagoing vessels, shipyards, engine rooms, ships' systems, and other big structures and locations, both inside and out. Using the 3D scan data generated with long-range laser scanning, engineers and designers can create CAD models of actual as-built structures by processing the scan data into universally usable CAD models. GKS Marine Services has performed many long-range marine scanning projects, from reverse engineering ship hulls to documenting engine rooms and calculating volumes of fuel tanks. It is possible to perform on-site 3D scanning of objects that are virtually unlimited in size since the size of the specimen being scanned is no longer limited to the directional travel of a machine, or the reach of a mechanical device. The laser scanning unit records all objects within the range and sight of the scanner. Long-range scanning functions in virtually any environment including broad daylight, the dark of night, indoors, and outdoors. Since grayscale values are applied to the X, Y, and Z coordinates, the data has the appearance of a black and white photograph. Scans can also be done in color, where each measured X,Y,Z coordinate is assigned an RGB color value. The specialized scanning software used offers a variety of additional options such as overlaying digital images on the top of the point cloud for enhanced realism. Some potential uses in the marine industry include:
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Maritime Reporter & Engineering News