Industries and users who traditionally work with two-dimensional plans and schematic diagrams are increasingly discovering the advantages of three-dimensional planning and documentation tools. 3D documentation by means of laser scanners offers significant advantages in plant construction compared with any conventional measuring method.
In Singapore, construction firms have tapped close to S$9 million (US$7.29 million) of the S$250-million (US$202 million) fund the government has put up as incentive for the industry to adopt technology and lift productivity, according to Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education Grace Fu during the opening of the Singapore Construction Productivity Week.
Ms. Fu said more than 500 firms have benefited from the S$250-million Construction Productivity and Capability Fund (CPCF), which was launched in June last year. Under the roadmap, the local construction industry is also mandated to adopt the socalled Building Information Modelling (BIM) process by 2015.
The BIM normally involves three-dimensional modelling and is meant to help companies detect loopholes early on in the construction process. It improves productivity and save costs by precision planning and reducing wastage of resources and time in the entire construction value chain.
A revolution in 3D laser scanning
Success in the building construction market largely depends on the market participants' ability to integrate solutions including an efficient tool for rapid, seamless and precise documentation of the current status of the buildings and building sites of every kind.
At the recent MTA 2011 held in Singapore Expo, FARO Singapore Pte Ltd highlighted its FARO? Laser Scanner Focus3D, a high-speed 3D laser scanner for detailed measurement and documentation. The Focus3D uses laser technology to produce incredibly detailed three-dimensional images of complex environments and geometries in only a few minutes.
Technical plants like refineries, power plants and production sites are complex structures, which require exact 3D CAD data in order to convert, repair or extend them. With the FARO Focus3D, complete and precise 3D as built data can be captured easily, precisely and completely.
The product is claimed to be efficient with a range of up to 120m. The level sensor, compactness and ease of use and the autoregistration at no extra cost result in up to 50% savings of scan and processing time compared to conventional laser scanners. The Focus3D creates a precise, virtual copy of reality in millimetreaccuracy at a blazing speed of up to 976,000 measurement points per second. The price of the Focus3D is a revolution by itself-- a 3D laser scanner that has never been so affordable. Due to its intuitive control concept with touchscreen display, the Focus3D is as easy to operate as a digital camera.
Competition in Asia
BC Quah, Head of Marketing, Asia Pacific, FARO Singapore Pte Ltd said in an interview during the MTA show in Singapore, "Measurement and metrology is a pretty niche market in Asia. There are few real competitors, unlike in the electronics sector. But whenAir Jordan 1 Shoes