Case Studies
Discover our work in the field.
#3DTakeOver
Great things are done by a series of small things.
April 7, 2020
The Challenge
Our client, a chemical company in Louisiana, had a failing heat exchanger that desperately needed to be replaced. This process originally could take 2 weeks of downtime of the entire plant. Downtime could be caused by incorrect measurements of the replacement heat exchanger or improper analysis of the equipment’s environment. Without an exact size assessment, the slightest error could result in additional engineering or construction requirements. These additional requirements would drastically affect maintenance turnaround and return to operations. The client would face losing millions if these additional requirements became necessary during the exchanger replacement.
The chemical company needed a cost-effective solution that allowed them rapid reaction time in their decision for effective maintenance turnaround.
Done in Under a Week
SmartGeoMetrics was contacted about the failing exchanger. We were asked to double check that the spare exchanger, currently sitting in a warehouse, matched the current exchanger specifications. SGM mobilized a crew that performed the 360-degree scan with a Z+F Speed Laser Imager. The Z+F imager provides a holistic scanning report of the equipment and its environment. This allows the client to save and strategize for any additional construction or engineering costs.
The process began on a Tuesday with the initial phone call. Three days later our client was provided the detailed report and scan results. This allowed our client to make real time decisions of how to move forward with their maintenance strategy and budget.
The Results
The scan of the current heat exchanger was overlaid with the scan of the potential new exchanger to assess and discrepancies between the two pieces of equipment. The 360-degree scans provided the answers needed quickly which minimized the risk of weeks in production loss and potentially saved millions of dollars for the client. With the 360 scan and detailed report, our client was able to confidently replace the heat exchanger and quickly return to operations because they maximize their maintenance turnaround time.
February 25, 2015
SmartGeoMetrics is always on the search for cool, pro-bono projects in the Houston area on which to apply our 3D imaging expertise. We’ve imaged battleships and tall ships, underground cisterns and water walls, art cars and race cars. A relatively recent, and most cool 3D imaging project was the Funnel Tunnel. The Funnel Tunnel, a winding, twisting amalgamation of intertwined colorful wooden slats was installed in in the grassy, tree-lined median of Montrose Blvd in August 2013. SmartGeoMetrics’ Chief Technologist Nicholas Boccio thought it would be fun to image it, and so he did shortly after the work was installed. He unified the point cloud and the data sat on our server until early February of this year. On February 18, Boccio read the headline, “Montrose Funnel Tunnel Takes a Bow on Sunday Morning” and thought he should do something with data. He created a fly-through of the Funnel Tunnel and posted it on the company’s YouTUBE channel. While at this point the response to the video has been underwhelming, it is very encouraging to know the now de-installed Funnel Tunnel is digitally preserved for the future!
Funnel Tunnel install: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/Colorful-Funnel-Tunnel-turning-heads-on-Montrose-4721827.php#/0
Funnel Tunnel de-install: http://www.chron.com/life/article/Montrose-s-Funnel-Tunnel-takes-a-bow-on-Sunday-6066595.php
February 16, 2015
When will the day come when you can get fast, clean engineering grade data as you walk your scanner through your building? Well, that day was a few years ago for SmartGeoMetrics, and now it just got better! P3dSystems has rolled out three modules for the kinematic ProScan; G-Series (GPS), I-Series (Inertial info), and the T-Series (Total Station Tracking).
Sam Billingsley, author of “Confessions of a Hired Gun” for SPAR Point Group, does an excellent job of providing an objective review of the hardware and acquisition process. A must read for laser scanning gear heads on an great kinematic data acquisition platform that works with many static scanners.
“…for larger areas (manufacturing facilities, warehouses, airports, construction sites, etc.) I’ve seen nothing that can touch its level of productivity and accuracy.”
You can find his full article here or find out more about the ProScan here.
January 29, 2015
(SGM) will debut the “Offshore Platform” version of the new ENI/OS Engineering, Asset and Integrity Solution at TOPSIDES 2015 Conference in Galveston, Texas February 3-5 at the Moody Gardens Hotel & Convention Center.
ENI/OS drives down the cost of complex process plant management and increases throughput and capacity by providing an intelligent user-centric approach to integrity management and reliability planning. The new solution utilizes innovative 2D and 3D user access paths on an enterprise scale for engineering and integrity data. With 25 years of development and quality assurance behind it, ENI/OS will revolutionize the way petrochemical process assets are managed and maintained.
Technology and solutions from strategic partners HP and Acuren, coupled with the advanced Palladio Asset Engine allows ENI/OS to provide the only true turnkey solution to asset owners and managers.
SGM will be exhibiting at booth 204 where you can see it in action for yourself!
For a free hall pass or more information contact:
Barbara Misto
713-574-6690
bmisto@smartmm.com
From the TOPSIDES Website:
Topsides, Platforms & Hulls Conference & Exhibition is the offshore industry’s only event dedicated to the topsides, platforms and hulls for both deep and shallow water. A comprehensive technical program presented concurrently with an exhibition, Topsides, Platforms & Hulls Conference & Exhibition covers the design, engineering, construction, transportation, installation, and modification of topside structures, platforms and hulls.
Topsides, Platforms & Hulls allows for the free and open exchange of ideas, as proceedings will not be published and press is not allowed to attend the sessions. Only by participating in this conference will you reap its benefits.
January 29, 2015
(SGM) will debut the “Offshore Platform” version of the new ENI/OS Engineering, Asset and Integrity Solution at TOPSIDES 2015 Conference in Galveston, Texas February 3-5 at the Moody Gardens Hotel & Convention Center.
ENI/OS drives down the cost of complex process plant management and increases throughput and capacity by providing an intelligent user-centric approach to integrity management and reliability planning. The new solution utilizes innovative 2D and 3D user access paths on an enterprise scale for engineering and integrity data. With 25 years of development and quality assurance behind it, ENI/OS will revolutionize the way petrochemical process assets are managed and maintained.
Technology and solutions from strategic partners HP and Acuren, coupled with the advanced Palladio Asset Engine allows ENI/OS to provide the only true turnkey solution to asset owners and managers.
SGM will be exhibiting at booth 204 where you can see it in action for yourself!
For a free hall pass or more information contact:
Barbara Misto
713-574-6690
bmisto@smartmm.com
From the TOPSIDES Website:
Topsides, Platforms & Hulls Conference & Exhibition is the offshore industry’s only event dedicated to the topsides, platforms and hulls for both deep and shallow water. A comprehensive technical program presented concurrently with an exhibition, Topsides, Platforms & Hulls Conference & Exhibition covers the design, engineering, construction, transportation, installation, and modification of topside structures, platforms and hulls.
Topsides, Platforms & Hulls allows for the free and open exchange of ideas, as proceedings will not be published and press is not allowed to attend the sessions. Only by participating in this conference will you reap its benefits.
January 15, 2015
SmartGeometrics finalized an agreement with Scan&Go, the Italian manufacturer of tripod and roof mounted 3D Laser Scanner elevated lifts and leveling systems. SmartGeoMetrics is now the exclusive distributor of the Scan&Go product lines for the entirety of North America.
What is Scan&Go? The Scan&Go Systems help you get more out of your current static scanning solution. Don’t buy a new scanner, adapt your scanner with these solutions providing better vantages, more coverage, less scan locations, and incredible flexibility within your workflow. Scan&Go provides 3 different platforms: Kangur Lift, Level-Lift Roof 32 Evo, and the Uplift 220 (Coming Soon!), working in conjunction with the Level-Plane Evo 14. The Kangur Lift is a compact, rolling tripod solution that allows you to acquire 3D laser scan data from an incredible 19.5ft! Using rope ties and the optional Level-Plane Evo 14, users can now elevate, level, and scan like never before. The Level-Lift Roof 32 Evo is a vehicle roof mounted system using the Level-Plane Evo 14, targets, and GPS to simply drive and acquire scans more efficiently than ever before. Add in the extension pole up to 9.5 feet and 3D laser scanning can be accomplished on an entire new level, no pun intended! Finally, the soon to arrive Uplift 220 is a faster, easier, and more mobile rolling tripod allowing users to elevate their scanner up to 10.5 feet. Perfect for tricky interior spaces, over fences, and above ceiling spaces.
Scan&Go Italy has seen much demand in North America. Their inquiries are now being directed to SmartGeoMetrics for rentals, sales, and support with their systems on a more local level and to assist with communication barriers. If you are interested in the Scan&Go systems please visit the SmartGeoMetrics’ website here. If you are interested in becoming a reseller contact SmartGeoMetrics to get set up.
July 31, 2014
A team of students and researchers from the University of South Wales mapped part of the National Showcaves in Wales with a 3D laser scanner.
July 14, 2014
Drones are becoming increasingly popular among land surveyors, but what are the risks of using unmanned aircraft for 3D laser scanning?
July 14, 2014
Aerial and terrestrial 3D laser scanning technology will continue to be important to the evolution of OpenStreetMap.