What is your standard approach when you perform a site visit or investigation? Do you go through the different work areas and take photos?

Next question, do you ever go through those photos and realize you didn’t capture everything?

I’ve been there many times, and you waste time going to and from the job site just for photos. Additionally, if you run multiple projects, it’s hard to remember the site conditions for everything.

Sure, there are other options, like 360 cameras, but have you ever had a chance to use a 3D scanner?

While gathering the scan is a bit boring, having the scan to refer to later is valuable.

I’ve had a chance to use a scanner a few times, and being able to refer back to the scan when I get to the office is very beneficial. You can look in more detail and see anything you missed while on-site.

Role of a 3D Scanner on a Job Site

If you don’t already know, a 3D scanner will create a point cloud, this is the 3D model.

The scanner I have used collects millions of data points with high accuracy to develop the model. You can use this model to measure things you have seen at the job site; the device is calibrated to perform these tasks.

Trimble makes the scanner I use; it took some training to understand how to use it, but no more than a day. It doesn’t take much for the basic scans to learn how to use the device.

This tool is a great one to add to your company’s arsenal, but it does come with a steep initial cost. We will dive into the cost more later in the newsletter.

The scanner can be great when it comes to the pre-construction phase. Not only can you use it to gather information about the site, but you can also plan out the work.

We also use this tool for shop drawing development since it can provide us with measurement from the site.

It’s also nice to validate the existing conditions by looking back at the scan. It could save you from submitting an RFI if you have the site as a model at your desk.

Case Study of 3D Scanner in Site Survey

On one of the recent projects that I worked on, we decided to gather some scans to test out the machine. Check out the video below of the scanner in action.

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I will admit performing the scanning is not the most exciting activity, but the outcome is worth the wait.

If you want to see the results from a 3D scan from another company, you can check out the link below. Trimble wrote about a real example where the scanner was used to gather the existing site conditions for a reconstruction project.

What is hard to see is the number of scans they took. You’re not gathering all the site conditions from a single scan.

In the very first shot, you’ll notice all the orange triangles. Those are all different scan locations. Meaning the person who performed this survey had to take over 400 individual scans.

Depending on the density of the point cloud (i.e., how much data is gathered), it could range from 2-9 minutes per scan. We are looking at over 40 hours of scanning required for this single job.

That is not bad for the level of detail provided.

Benefits of Using a 3D Scanner

Now that you know why I like using a scanner, let’s dive into its benefits.

• Efficiency & Time Saving: As I discussed, you can use the models generated from the scans to look over the job site from the comfort of your office. This saves time and money by eliminating traveling to the job site and walking around to gather photos.
• Accuracy: The current technology provides detailed models of the site conditions for anyone to view from a computer. With the scans, you can perform measurements without returning to the job site in person. Trimble claims they can get an accuracy within 2mm (0.079 in.) at a range of 80m (~26 ft.).
• Data Utilization: The models you gather can be used later for planning and design work. While it requires specific software to run, it can add value to making your workflow more efficient.

With all the benefits of the scanner, there are still some downsides. Let’s cover this now.

The Downsides of Using a 3D Scanner

• Initial Investment: These scanners are costly. I heard the X7 scanner that we have is ~$30,000. But after all, it’s an investment! The money spent now will save the company more in the future.
• Technical Expertise: Some training and understanding are required to use the equipment. While the training required is not difficult, getting someone to the point where they can perform scans independently takes time and money.
• Hardware Limitations: You are limited by what the scanner can see as it performs the scans. So, anything blocking the camera’s view will not be visible in the model. The survey technician will be responsible for connecting the point clouds to make a collective model.
• Data Overload: The data storage used with each scan is significant. We were looking at about 30+ GB of storage on the smaller scans I performed. I spoke with the instructor during the training, who mentioned he had scans greater than 100 GB.

I think the benefits outweigh the downsides by far. Once you see the scanner’s power, I think you’ll agree with me too.

Future Developments in 3D Scanning for Site Surveys

The 3D scanner game is still developing, and the technology is improving. The team at Trimble has paired up with Boston Dynamics to provide us with a mobile scanner.

You can see this in action in the video below. They’ve attached their scanner to the robotic dog Spot to navigate a job site.

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I expect this scanning technology will also extend to drones, but the scanning might need to get a bit quicker before we can see this become a reality.

It’s in constant development, and I think we can expect this technology to continue to grow in the construction industry.

Conclusion

3D scanning is making an impact on on-site surveys and construction planning. This technology boosts efficiency and delivers an impressive level of accuracy.

There’s no denying it comes with an initial investment and requires some learning. But once you’ve got it down, the long-term benefits are substantial.

These detailed models from the scans are advantageous. You can use them for future planning and design work, and the best part? They allow you to review site conditions without returning to the site, saving valuable time physically.

Of course, there are some drawbacks, like data overload and hardware limitations. However, technology is ever-evolving, and these are just temporary challenges.

The future holds promising developments. Mobile scanning is already advancing, and incorporating drones might be close. We’re just beginning to explore the potential of 3D scanning technology in our industry.

To sum it up, 3D scanning technology is a powerful tool. Yes, there’s a learning curve and initial costs, but the return on investment is compelling. As we navigate these technological advancements, there’s much to look forward to in 3D scanning.

It’s an exciting time to be part of this industry.

Respectfully,

Alex