Visualize

The trial and error process involved in effective material handling engineering can be daunting. Dozens of testing and simulation iterations, often with long simulation rendering times, mean that the process must be completed in a way conducive to meeting tight deadlines. Because of the time-sensitive nature of most projects, Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) simulations become as much art as science, requiring educated decisions on what to simulate and test. Materials may have variable conditions, such as varying water content depending on uncontrollable environmental variables. Understanding this reality and accounting for it in the model is only possible with accurate data gathering coupled with repeated simulations. Some materials may have critical limitations on some variables, where the material is damaged or destroyed by excessive force, heat or some other environmental condition. Calculating these variables in the design process can only be possible with adequate data-gathering efforts and modeling using experienced 3D visualization services providers.

Industrial retrofit projects benefit from 3D scanning & 3D visualization services through reduced risks of costly downtimes and budget overrun. Planning each step of a project within the digital twin that 3D reality capture creates allows you to deal with unexpected issues and reduce risk by identifying problems early on, saving you and your team a significant amount of time and money due to costly delays and downtime. In addition, safety compliance can be ensured by visualizing each project task and phase in 3D. By completing project demolition and installation phases in 3D, you are able to ensure that every step of the process is carefully planned out in detail, accounting for tight spaces and safety concerns. Project cost reductions can be realized in several ways when working in 3D. The analytical tool now available and applicable to 3D models allows for optimizing the design through computer simulations. The power of this cannot be understated.

No model, or dataset, is infallible. Even with years of experience in DEM or engineering for a certain material-set, optimizing designs with additional data from the project system is a key aspect of effective material handling engineering. 3D scans are both a value-added deliverable for your client that you can provide at the conclusion of a project and can be used in future work or as part of internal projects. These as-built scans can also be part of training, case-studies or even the sales process. This process of constant iteration drives effective system models and efficient engineering design.

Acensium is a leader in 3D visualization to reduce utility and manufacturing project risk and plan projects in industrial environments. 3D visualization services reduce project risk for retrofit projects. Industry Today recently published an Acensium byline focused on collaboration and the benefits that 3D visualization services provide in stakeholder communication. Acensium has led project planning efforts that reduce downtime and costs for scaffolding installation, demolition and installation by leveraging simulation in a 3D digital twin environment. Acensium has created digital twins through reality capture of millions of cubic feet for Southern Company, Duke Energy, Georgia Pacific, and many other industrial clients. As a leader in industrial 3D scanning and modeling, the company has amassed more than 2 trillion scan points taking up 120 terabytes of data and developed workflows that convert these massive amounts of data into critical digital assets available for immediate use by clients. Engaging a leader in reality capture and visualization like Acensium ensures you have the experience and commitment to excellence to optimize your critical project.

3D reality capture, and visualizing project steps and phases through 3D modeling and simulation, mitigates risk in retrofit and maintenance projects by eliminating erroneous and unknown dimensional information. This reduction of ‘unknowns’ means visualization is perfect for trying different methods, reviewing process, or determining unexpected difficulties resulting from environments with tight clearances or significant hazards to avoid. Project visualization can be as simple as clash detection for the installation of upgraded machinery or as detailed as step-by-step simulation and visualization of the entire project.

3D project visualization can be utilized before, during and even after your project is complete. Before a project begins, 3D scanning can be used to deliver detailed RFQs, plan demolitions or installations or design new equipment for clients. During the project, 3D project visualization saves time and money by helping avoid costly reworks and promoting process management by keeping all project managers on top of the entire project. Since 3D scans are easy to use and understand, they can help provide clear communication about the project between all stakeholders – from the boardroom to remote vendors. Most people aren’t specialists and cannot understand traditional as-built drawings, but anyone with a modern computer or smartphone can interact with basic pre-rendered 3D models. After the project is complete, 3D scans of the as-built project can be used as project visualization in future work or for internal projects, and for simply maintaining up-to-date facility schematics. Facility owners need accurate as-built diagrams and documentation for things like filing for insurance or with the local, requesting a vendor proposal or even selling the facility. 3D scanning provides a digital, millimeter-accurate representation of the facility that can be used and shared with vendors, consultants and more.

Our extensive experience in industrial environments ensures that Acensium has the knowledge necessary to gather the critical data as part of the initial scanning plan, carefully orchestrated to not omit any data. This set of scans, once stitched together into a 3D environment, becomes the basis for all 3D visualization and simulation for a project.