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3D Scanner, Software Aid Pipeline Inspection

Monday, October 24, 2011

More items for Program/Project Management

Creaform, provider of portable 3D optical measurement technologies, has entered the pipeline market with a new 3D scanner and software module designed to assess and report on pipeline integrity.

Pipecheck software and its Pipeline External Corrosion module were developed to work with the company’s Handyscan 3D handheld laser scanners, which were introduced in 2005.

Photos: Creaform

The Pipeline External Corrosion module offers instant, on-site results.

Handyscan “revolutionized the face of 3D surface acquisition and modeling,” and Pipecheck brings that technology to the pipeline industry with new options for nondestructive testing and inspection, said Pierre-Hugues Allard, Creaform business development manager.

“This is a new market for us, and we are eager to introduce our technologies and software and show to which extent they can help in reducing inspection time and costs for pipeline operators,” Allard said.

Features and Functionalities

Pipecheck's Pipeline External Corrosion module is designed to provide fast, efficient and streamlined data processing that generates instant, on-site results that comply with ASME B31G code regulations.

The system offers 3D color mapping and automatically aligns scan models with GPS coordinates.

Scanning speed can be more than 10 times faster than the conventional pit gauge technique, and data can be verified in real time during the acquisition, Creaform says. Accurate, repeatable results are generated on site within minutes in Excel format.

The system features:

• Automated interaction rules;

• 3D color mapping with river-bottom path overlay;

• “Worst case” profile;

• Estimated burst pressure calculations using methods based on ASME B31G code;

• Corrosion depth measurement, dimensions and positions on the pipe;

• Automatic alignment of 3D scan reference model with pipeline GPS coordinates;

• “Thickness-on-the-fly” (simply drag mouse over point to get remaining thickness measurement);

• Unwrapping of 3D view to 2D plane; and

• 2D sections generation in both axes.

Established in 2002, Québec-based Creaform combines 3D processes and technology for a wide range of applications. Its products, services and training serve the pipeline, automotive, aerospace, biomechanics and other industries.

More information: www.creaform3d.com.