MechChem Africa

January 2017

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MechChem Africa

he newDPI-8 handheld 3D scanner

isdesigned for capturingpoint-cloud

data for use by plant design profes-

sionals involved in plant upgrades,

refurbishments or modifications. Along with

the associated Phi.3d 3D imaging app, the

scannercaptures3Dspecialdataviaan8-inch

Android-based tablet, enabling advanced

laser scanning and photogrammetry to be

simplified, augmented or even replaced with

this mobile DotProduct solution.

“The point-cloud data collected onsite

can be imported into a CAD system such as

CADWorx Fieldpipe or CADWorx Structure

for quick and maintenance-based redesign

and replacement of pipework or structural

members or for adding tie-ins and extensions

to existing systems,” says Theron.

He demonstrates howa piping point cloud

canbe easily imported intoprogrammes such

as CADWorks fieldPIPE, fromwhich replace-

ment piping can be specified inminutes using

the embedded automaticmodelling features.

“Directly from the imported point cloud,

fieldPIPE can determine the pipe size and

centreline. Once connection notes and op-

tions are selected, a 3D-CADmodel of a new

pipe connection is automatically created and

inserted. Should an additional splice, valve or

secondary piping system be required, easily

accessible tools enable these to be added

simply and quickly,” he adds.

Referring to the newrelease of CADWorx

Structure, he says that, while the automatic

tools for specifying structural detail from

point-cloud information is still under devel-

opment, measurement and tracing options

also enable structural steel detailing to be

simplified to better match operations plants

needing upgrades.

“The DPI-8 3D scanning system is an af-

fordable professional system. Many of the

lower cost systems donot have live feedback.

By incorporating anAndroid tablet, however,

⎪

Computer-aided engineering

⎪

MechChem Africa

talks to Werner Theron of

Chempute about the new DPI-8 handheld 3D

point-cloud scanner from DotProduct,

which is ideal for use in conjunction

with Intergraph’s CADWorx Fieldpipe

and CADWorx Structure.

Easy and quick

3D steel structure design tools

Intergraph

Process, Power & Marine

(PP&M) recently announced the release

of Intergraph CADWorx

Structure 2017,

an AutoCAD

-based fit-for-purpose tool.

CADWorx Structure 2017 is used for

creating concrete- and steel-structure

designs and is ideal for engineers who

model plant buildings, pipe racks, offshore

topsides and industrial structures that are

part of theprocess, power, andmanufactur-

ing plant world.

This solution has been developed with

end users in mind at every decision point

and includes the targeted tools needed

to create revenue-driven plant structure

models very easily and quickly. Just as

CADWorx Plant Professional provides an

easy-to-use solution for piping designers,

CADWorxStructure is focusedonexcelling

in structural modelling and design. While

other structural software packages are

overrun with options and add-ons, which

a structural designer may never use,

CADWorx Structure has been purpose-

built to deliver structural designs with

virtually no technical and administrative

overheads.

“WeareveryhappytoincludeCADWorx

Structure into the Plant Design Suite, and

we are certain it fills industry’s need for a

purpose-built, structural design solution,”

says Intergraph CADWorx & Analysis

Solutions president, RickAllen. “CADWorx

delivers effective and easy-to-use solu-

tions to customer’s problems and we will

continue toexpand intoother 3Dmodelling

markets in the coming years,” he adds.

Intergraph CADWorx & Analysis

Solutions’ offerings allow design and

engineering personnel to share relevant

information seamlessly, thereby maintain-

ing accuracy and improving efficiency.

The DPI-8 3D is an Android tablet-based

affordable professional system that offers live

feedback with respect to scanning accuracy

and data quality.

Handheld 3D point-cloud scanner

for easy plant modification

with a gaming specification, these scanners

give operators the assurance that, when they

leave a site the data collected is accurate and

usable,” he says.

Scanning the room using the system, he

shows howobjects within the scanner’s ideal

operating range (0.6 to3.3m) reflect as green

points on the tablet’s display. “Points that

are a little difficult to collect, scan as yellow

points, while if the scanner loses continuity

– due to range discontinuity or a scanning

speed that is too fast – it will immediately

stop collecting data. On a restart, it is it then

usuallypossible toappend thenewscan to the

data already successfully collected, without

the need for additional targets or controls,”

Theron explains.

From a business perspective, he says that

using the system makes a lot of sense for

several reasons. First, Intergraph CADWorx

fieldPIPE and CADWorx Structure are both

AutoCAD-based, somost usersdonot have to

learn new software to access this capability.

Also, though, existing piping or structures

are never the same as the design drawings –

long pipes always sag, for example. Using a

systemsuchastheDPI-8makesreplacements

and tie-ins much more accurate in reality,

much easier to install and with significantly

less onsite rework.

“The scanners are ideal for architectural

records, failure analysis investigations, fo-

rensic crime scene or accident records and

any application where photography and

measurements need to come together for

use or analysis at a future date,” Theron tells

MechChem Africa