Page 48: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q4 2013)

point cloud model into individual layers where they could be worked with in AutoCAD and visualized in Navisworks. By loading high resolution ?corridors? or volume boxes of spe- ci c areas within the point cloud model, this provided designers with the detail they needed to ?thread the needle? on tight pipe routings while at the same time maintaining reasonable stability and performance speeds of the CAD system. In other words, the perfect tool for that tight ballast water treatment retro t. But even with all these options, designers were still tracing and eyeballing the new design over the scan data. In response, Summit developed statistically valid feature extraction algo- rithms to give the designers ?Basic Modeled Parts? which in- cluded such things as cylinder  ts, pipe centerlines, face of  ange and top of steel locations. These Basic Modeled Parts provided ?snap-to-points? in AutoCAD. In addition to these Basic Modeled Parts, it was discovered that loading high reso- lution ?corridors? or volume boxes of speci c areas within the point cloud model also provided designers with the detail they needed, while at the same time maintaining reasonable stabil-ity and performance speeds of the CAD system. Design & RetroÞ t Ð The Way Forward Although it is possible to continue using the ?brute force? methods of the past, 3D Laser Scanning has emerged as a valuable and accessible technology that will continue to make measurable strides in the shipyard industry, and beyond. But, if you?ve got all the time and money in the world, and you don?t like to think too much, then continue on as before. DESIGN TECHNOLOGYNew Equipment installed in 3D Point Cloud model. Note: a clash was resolved during installation and the tight clearances necessitated that the pump was shoehorned in under the stairway. The FARO scanner features portability, light weight equip-ment and a surpris-ingly affordable price tag.The Author Daryl Johnson is a registered Professional Engineer in Washington State. He has 30 years of management, engineering and design experience in the reÞ ning, power, marine, process and integrated chip industry. He established Summit Engineering and Design, LLC in 1998 and was Þ rst introduced to 3D laser scanning in 2001.48 I Maritime Professional I 4Q 2013MP #4 34-49.indd 48MP #4 34-49.indd 4812/11/2013 1:33:10 PM12/11/2013 1:33:10 PM