Dimensional Control & Spatial Management Services

YOUR FACILITYEXACTLY WHEREYOU WANT IT...

...at Your Fingertips!

DIMES SAVES DOLLARS

MAJOR INTERFACES,FINGERTIP CONTROL

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Creates accurate 3D as-built data

Self-calibrating for ease onsite

Links directly with allindustry recognisedCAD packages

Scaleable - no restrictionon project size

Significant reduction ininstallation costs and schedule

The DIMES method creates spools designed to fit – not made to fit!

3D

ZERO WELDING

This technology allows clients to interact with the virtual plant so that new designs can be made to relate to existing conditions without the risk of dimensional errors or clashes. Using these techniques, Hi-Cad has successfully provided major engineering services companies throughout the world with visual databases or complete CAD models for use during design or construction phases. The service extends to provision of a complete suite of mechanical, electrical and instrument drawings, asset registers, isometrics, engineering line diagrams and P&IDs.

The combination of Hi-Cad 3D laser scanning and the company’s DIMES process brings accurate, comprehensive field data direct to the designers desktop. This means the design team need not visit the facility in person – all the information required is delivered in an appropriate format and within a specified timescale.

It is well known that piping projects have experienced major benefits following the introduction of 3D CAD systems by eliminating clashes during the installation phase, but DIMES takes this process one stage further by removing the need to perform trial field fitting and eliminating the field fitting allowance. DIMES (Data Integrated Management Engineering System), is a unique software package that offers a radical new approach to the management of dimensional control projects ensuring clash-free design and installation and initially developed for the harsh environment experienced offshore. The technology has become the backbone to delivery of successful laser scanning projects:

AVOID DIMENSIONAL ERRORS AND ACHIEVE ZERO WELD

ZERO WELD PHILOSOPHY

Make design and fabrication work fit exactly

Eliminate the need fabrication activated prior to offshore installation phase

Maximise fabrication activated prior to offshore installation phase

Control vender fabrication quality

Reduce offshore hook-up time

Achieve lower scheduling time

Reduced “Hot Work”

The events surrounding the destruction of Piper Alpha and the loss of 167 men in the North Sea in 1988 forced a serious rethink on issues such as uncontrolled use of hot work in offshore locations. On-site hot work poses significant risks in terms of both safety and shut-down costs.

At Hi-Cad,we operate a zero weld philosophy.Using Hi-Cad technologies and software our clients are able to:

Our processes were developed primarily to improve safety following the catastrophic events onPiper Alpha – but the added economic benefits to our clients have been enormous.

ZERO WELDING

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CAPTURE AND CONTROL – THE SECRETS OFEFFECTIVE SPATIAL MANAGEMENT

When a process plant is being modified or revamped, one ofthe issues frequently faced by engineers is a lack of data

on existing plant. If the information exists at all it isoften out of date or in the form of 2D drawings. As

most of the EPC companies now utilize 3D CADDesign software the ideal delivery to them is a

3D Spatial Model, if the data is collectedusing conventional methods this will

require a ‘Key-in’ exercise resulting inslow and inaccurate base data. Hi-

Cad can capture 3D data at anyplant facility and using DIMES

software, deliver it in a formatthat seamlessly enters a

client’s engineeringsystems and work

processes.

DATA DELIVERYHi-Cad can achieve a very shortpost processing time to enableour clients to begin using thefield data very soon after beingcaptured. Hi-Cad offers achoice of formats andsoftware packages that can be used by our client.

• LFM Viewer

• LFM Server

•3D Model

COMBINING ACCURACY AND PLANT COVERAGEHi-Cad uses a combination of D.I.M.E.S. methodology and high density 3D Laser Scanning tocollect the field data in large volumes and to an accuracy of +/- 3mm. The 3D Scanning unitcaptures a complete “sphere” of data from any given setting and in a very short time (3-6minutes).The individual scans are then combined and referenced to the clients plant/platform co-ordinate system using the survey network established using D.I.M.E.S.This work process assuresthat an accurate deliverable will be achieved irrespective of the size of the project or theprevailing conditions. It is normal for Hi-Cad to capture complete plant/platform areas in excessof 1000 scans.

SOME EXAMPLESOF POINT CLOUDINTEGRATIONWITH DESIGNMODEL

LASER SCANNING

LFM Viewer

This package allows the user to navigate aroundthe plant/platform, identify and open individual ormultiple scans and carry out followinginterrogations-

• Pipe Centre line positioning

• Pipe Diameter information

• Pipe to Pipe centre line dimensioning

• Structural element dimensioning

• Tie-Point Definition

• Direct Import within CAD system

• Clash detection tools

• Easy identification of interferences throughout design process

• Complete data capture allowing pipe routing and equipment installation without the need for on-site welding

• Ease of Visualisation

LFM Server

The data can be delivered as a database thatallows the complete scanned areas to beimported directly into the clients own CADsystem. The software provided by Hi-Cad offersthe following benefits-

LASER SCANNING

All set ups are tied together at the end of the survey usingmathematical modeling and 3D Transformation software thatcreates the appearance that the observations were collectedfrom a single setting.

The system has interrogation tools and translation/rotationfacilities to “best-fit” the measured coordinates to theplant/platform reference system

On downloading the data the software locates Uniquely coded entities and automatically drawsthese as a CAD components.

Data Integrated Measurement Engineering System

D.I.M.E.S. is a field methodology and software packagedeveloped exclusively by Hi-Cad for use in the Offshore and

process industries.

It is especially useful for working in conditions that have maximum congestion and constant

movement/vibration and where conventionalsurveying techniques would not be feasible

as a method of operation.

It allows the Surveyor to movearound the plant/platform using

multiple settings of the TotalStation without the need for a

“fixed” reference system.

D.I.M.E.S.

Data Integrated Measurement Engineering System

Creation of the 3D CAD Model The modelling programmes directly link into AutoCAD® where the single elements(Primitives) or systems can be selected and automatically drawn as 3D IntelligentGraphics, using Spec-geometry if available.This connection can cater for bothPiping and Structural Components including

Pipe / Bends / Reducers / Valves and Tee Pieces I-Beam / Angle Beam / Column Beam and Channel Beam Single and Multiple Points

When complete, the deliverable can be transmitted as an electronic CAD file to be used as an x-ref. by multiple designers.

3D designThe 3D Model is used as a “Backdrop” for the new design with the tie-in pointsbeing used to hook-up to the routings selected. As these selected routes will beclash-free and exact size, this will eliminate the need to cut in situ.

D.I.M.E.S. For Dimensional Control and Zero Weld PhilosophyIf we our client requires to design and fabricate components to exact size andwithout the need for “field-fit” contingency then it is necessary to capture data tohigh accuracy and detail.

D.I.M.E.S. will capture the following detail on Tie-inpoint flanges and nozzles-

It is an ideal tool for Vendor Inspection of both piping and equipment packagesprior to their shipment to the Installation location.

D.I.M.E.S.

• Global Centre - Point Location (X,Y,Z)

• Flange Tilting

• Bolt Hole Orientation

TRANSFORMING THE PROCESS INDUSTRIESEffective Dimensional Control offers unprecedented gains for

clients working in the offshore and process industries. Speed ofproject scheduling, improved site safety and minimal

reworking are just some of the benefits. DimensionalControl has become an essential element in managing

the entire life cycle of a project from design andconstruction through to installation, upgrade

and revamp.

• Oil and Gas

• Shipbuilding

• Renewable Energy

• Refining

• Petro-Chemical

• Pharmaceutical

• Nuclear

• Manufacturing

• Food and Beverage

WHAT IS DIMENSIONALCONTROL?

Dimensional Control uses provenengineering survey techniques and

modern survey equipment to collecthighly accurate as-built 3D data on new

or existing mechanical, structural andcivil engineering projects.This accurate

spatial data is used during projectplanning and execution phases to

mitigate risk and avoid uncertainty.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO CLIENTS?To put it simply, a perfect fit first time. By applying arisk management approach during fabrication phase,the need to correct costly errors during mating ofcomplex components and interfaces is removed.Installation can be successfully achieved withoutadditional costs or schedule delays.The Hi-Cadsystem is extremely versatile and offers substantialbenefits to clients in the following industries:

DIMENSIONAL CONTROL

HOW DOES IT WORK?

DIMENSIONAL CONTROL

At the core of Hi-Cad’s dimensional control process is the company’s proprietary software and field methodology package, DIMES.This package was developed to collect field data to an accuracy of +/-1mm without being impacted by the hostile conditions that can be found offshore and on construction sites, for example, in situations where there is constant movement, vibration and maximum congestion.

Hi-Cad uses cutting-edge surveying techniques to verify, layout or transfer coordinate data.The process delivers data in highly accurate, versatile formats to clients. It is then used to inform project design and construc-tion in ways not previously possible.

ASSET MANAGEMENT

The Owner of the Facility needs are different from theEngineering Companies employed on a Project basis, their

needs are short term Spatial Management. The Ownerwill manage the Facility during it’s complete Lifecycle.

A 3D Model with intelligence can providemultiple views of the facility, linked to

applications such as SAP, Maximo, OSI,Meridium and Documentum..

When intelligence is embeddedin the 3D Model many benefits

can be achieved in thefollowing areas:-

WHO NEEDS ASSET MANAGEMENT?

3D model in any of the following CAD systems

• Plant Maintenance

• Inspection Programs

• Safety, HAZOP and Compliance Coordination

•Site Risk Analysis

•Turnaround Planning and Execution

•Training and Certification

•Animations of Planned Projects

3D

HOW DOES THE SCANNING PROCESS WORK?Using a 3D high density Laser Scanner, Hi-Cadcollects data under challenging conditions withunparalleled speed and accuracy.

WHAT ARE THE DELIVERABLES ?

ASSET MANAGEMENT

• Autocad

• Microstation

• PDS

• PDMS

• Autoplant

• Cadworxs

Hi-Cad will provide a 3D Model in either of the following CAD Systems with or without supporting intelligence:-

By using a combination of Pointcloud and 3D Models the Owner Operator can have the benefit of both worlds, using the Pointcloud to determine ‘Clash Free’ design for project work and have the Asset in a readily accessible form for all lifecycle activities.

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Email: tahani@apex-global.com Website: www.apex-global.com