October, 2018 | Landpoint

How 3D Laser Scanning Services Cut Rework Costs

October 16, 2018/in Article /by Jill Souter

Reworks can account for up to 15 percent of the total cost of construction — but this cost can be alleviated through the use of 3D laser scanning services. 3D laser scanning, also known as high-definition surveying, is used to quickly scan, survey, and map large areas of land with complete accuracy. 3D laser scans can be ported into software solutions that are designed to simulate construction, thereby making it easier for companies to complete their projects with fewer mistakes and fewer reworks.

Lower Costs and Deliver On Time With 3D Laser Scanning

Laser scans can be used to produce more accurate plans from the start, thereby reducing the potential for reworks to as little as 1%. Through this increased accuracy, construction companies can greatly reduce their overhead and their bids, thereby making themselves both more profitable and more competitive within their field. Construction companies will experience fewer delays and will have more satisfied clientele, as projects will come in on time and on budget. Any investment in 3D laser scanning services can pay for itself through these reduced rework costs.

Laser scanning can be used at all levels of a new construction process. Not only can laser scanning be used for initial surveying, but it can also be used at intervals to assess structures. Laser scanning can be used to determine whether concrete floor slabs are flat enough, or whether the HVAC system, plumbing, and pipes are being installed correctly. Throughout the process of construction, 3D laser scanning provides a secondary check to ensure the accuracy and precision of the build. If anything goes wrong during construction, laser scanning can reveal the problems before they become monumental. In so doing, they give a construction company the opportunity to improve upon their project before problems arise.

Laser scanning can even be used throughout the process of renovation, to map the current structures and simulate and isolate potential changes. Through construction milestones, laser scanning provides for quality assurance, thereby making sure that the client gets the product delivered that they desired.

Ultimately, this doesn’t just lead to an on-time, on-budget project: it also leads to a better reputation and satisfied clientele. When fewer mistakes and reworks happen, it is also less likely that a mistake could make its way to a client, or potentially cause failure within the structure itself.

Reducing the Cost of Repairs, Maintenance, and Renovations

Laser scanning isn’t just useful during the initial project. Laser scanning creates a set of documentation, records, and 3D data that can be used throughout the rest of the project’s life. Repair work, maintenance, and renovations can all utilize this data, for more cost-effective solutions. This adds value to construction services and ultimately provides for happier clients long-term. Construction companies can provide continual support for their projects and sites through this data, as well as keeping the data for their archival records.

Laser scanning can be completed on multiple tiers of involvement and cost. Construction companies may want to do a single laser scan at the beginning of a project, to ensure that they aren’t missing anything about the lot, the environment, or a structure that is to be remodeled. Likewise, companies may find that they can improve their operations by completing laser scanning at intervals, inspecting the project as it grows and ensuring that the quality of the project is up to standards. More advanced laser scanning data can be used alongside sophisticated software packages, to simulate every aspect of a build. It’s all up to how much an organization can invest and how involved its project will be. For more information about how 3D laser scanning can improve the cost-effectiveness of your next solution, contact Landpoint.

The Advantages of an Aerial Survey For Large Scale Commercial Projects

October 11, 2018/in Article /by Jill Souter

For a large-scale commercial project, it’s imperative that everything is planned out down to the last detail. Accurate data is important to avoid coming in over budget or suffering significant setbacks. One method of improving upon a large-scale commercial project is to complete a thorough and accurate aerial survey. There are many advantages to using an aerial survey drone, both at the beginning and throughout a commercial project.

1. Reduce costs through efficient, accurate surveying.

Large scale accurate surveying has an upfront cost but saves money over the length of the project. At the beginning stages of surveying, unmanned aerial surveying is more affordable than the alternative — manned surveying with helicopters and aircraft. Accurate surveys make it less likely that there will be issues and reworks throughout the commercial project, which will save both time and money. By ensuring that the project is built on accurate data, an unmanned aerial survey can also ensure that the project doesn’t encounter roadblocks throughout construction. As surveying occurs at the very beginning stages of a project, a delay in surveying could mean a delay on the project completion date.

2. Make simulations and models for building, repairs, and renovations.

Advanced software solutions can be used to take surveying data and make simulations and models. These models can be used for everything from initial project development to future repairs and renovations. Large scale commercial projects aren’t just about building a project site — they’re also about the long-term maintenance of the project.

With this accurate, comprehensive data, a construction company can plan well in ahead for future repairs and renovations, and project out when maintenance and renovations will be needed to keep the project up to standards.

3. Scan everywhere from busy commercial areas to over-grown lots.

Commercial areas can be complex — as can lots that have fallen into disrepair. Regardless of where the aerial survey is being completed, UAV scanning can be used to produce accurate and high-quality images ad point clouds. UAVs can get closer to the ground than manned vehicles and can use advanced technologies, such as LiDAR, to map the ground even when it isn’t visible. On foot or manned scanning will not be able to get the high-resolution information that a commercial project needs — at least, not without significant cost and personal risk. If your commercial project is on an area that requires accuracy and complexity, UAVs will be the preferred method of surveying.

4. Cover large areas in a minimal amount of time.

The faster flights on aa commercial project can begin, the more successful it will be. It can take a long time for a ground survey to be completed, during which time you may not be able to begin your project. UAVs can cover exceptionally large areas in a minimal amount of time — and, as noted above, these large areas can be over-grown or complex, and the surveying and scanning will still be done with accuracy. And though manned aerial vehicles can survey large plots of land, they are not generally able to get close enough to get the high-resolution that an aerial survey drone can provide.

5. Satisfy Your Investors.

Ultimately, aerial surveys make a project more predictable and more affordable — two things that investors love. If you want to ensure the future success of your large-scale commercial products, an aerial survey drone is a wise investment. This will ensure the high-quality of your organization’s reputation — in addition to improving on the safety of your project overall.

When it comes to large-scale commercial projects, the less guesswork is done, the better. Aerial survey drones can produce accurate, in-depth reporting and surveying of a project environment, to reduce the chances that something could potentially go wrong. This is why they are increasingly being used throughout commercial projects, especially construction. For more information about the benefits of aerial survey drones, contact the experts at Landpoint today.

Cut Maintenance Costs with Drone Pipeline Inspections

October 9, 2018/in Article /by Seven Atoms

More than 2.7 million miles of pipeline operate over federal ground. As pipelines are further developed, it becomes necessary to improve upon their cost-effectiveness while not sacrificing safety. New unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) technology can help. Pipelines have to be maintained to remain safe, and there are many advantages to using unmanned aerial vehicles for these tasks. Through sensors and scanners, UAVs can be used to maintain large-scale pipeline projects at minimal cost.

The Importance of Safety and Maintenance

The energy industry is required to maintain strict safety standards. There are substantial risks that are inherent to moving large volumes of volatile and hazardous materials. Though pipelines are constructed to be as reliable as possible, they can still break down over time due to high pressures of liquids and gasses. Without UAV pipeline inspections, these pipelines have to be manually inspected by aerial flight crews or ground based crews.

Traditional aerial flight crews are prohibitively expensive, which can ultimately lead to a pipeline company performing inspections less often than they should. This further increases the amount of overhead for the company, which can adversely impact how competitive and profitable the company can be. UAV pipeline inspections solve these problems, by providing fast, convenient inspection options, which improve overall reliability and safety.

The Advantages of Aerial Sensors

UAVs aren’t just used to perform visual inspections on pipelines. UAVs can be fitted with a number of sensors, which can be used to detect different types of pipeline damage. Some of these forms of pipeline damage wouldn’t be visible to physical inspections and therefore could not be caught by on foot inspectors. Catching these issues early on will lead to reduced costs and improved safety.

Detecting Thermal Leaks With Drones

Drones can be used to automatically sense increases in temperature surrounding the pipeline. This can reveal dangerous leaks before the leaks have been physically detected. Any leaks can then be recorded through GPS so that the leak can be located to be repaired as soon as possible.

Detecting Gas Leaks through Air Quality Detection

Thermal imaging isn’t the only way to detect gas leaks. Drones can also be fitted with sensors that are designed to detect issues with air quality. Methane and ethane can be detected through these sensors. Reports can then be generated regarding the precise location of the methane or ethane leak, so they can then be investigated by maintenance crews.

By performing these gas detection tests frequently, pipelines can reduce environmental damage and potential safety issues. Altogether, this creates a safer and more consistent work environment, as well as protecting the company’s reputation.

Locating the Precise Locations of Pipeline Damage

The archiving of damage data for future reference is one of the major challenges for modern pipeline maintenance. UAV pipeline inspections can be done frequently to identify any issues that have arisen before they become problems. As mentioned, the precise location of any identified damage can be reported and logged, which ensures that this type of damage isn’t missed and doesn’t become more significant over time. By making inspections faster, more effective, and more accurate, pipeline companies are better able to perform these inspections on a timely basis.

Identifying Physical Damage and Environmental Concerns

Finally, drone pipeline inspection is also able to see evidence of physical damage and environmental issues. Drones may be able to identify exposed pipelines, erosion, or the overgrowth of plant-life that could be slowly intruding upon the pipeline project. This can be done over uneven terrain, which may not be easily physically inspected.

Drones can provide extremely comprehensive UAV pipeline inspections, with a wide array of sensors and imaging. All of this can reduce the maintenance costs associated with pipeline installation and production. For more information, contact the experts at Landpoint.

Tips for Finding the Right Municipal Land Surveying Company

October 3, 2018/in Article /by Jill Souter

When it comes to municipal land surveying, it’s important to find both an accurate and cost-effective solution. Municipalities will need to compare multiple quotes for their land surveying to determine which surveyor is best-suited to their needs. But what should municipalities be looking for in a surveyor? Here are some tips for finding the right land surveying company for your municipal projects.

Getting the Right Scanning Technology

Municipal land surveying projects can be completed either through high-resolution laser scanning or high-resolution photo imaging. These two technologies are referred to respectively as LiDAR and photogrammetry. Some land surveying companies will provide both technologies, while others may provide only a single service. Still, others may be able to blend the two technologies, for even clearer and more accurate imaging.

In general, LiDAR is a more expensive but more precise solution, which can be used for producing surveys in areas that may be over-grown or otherwise obscured. Photogrammetry is a less refined solution, which can provide highly detailed 2D and 3D point clouds, but only of what is visible from the air and line of sight. Photogrammetry is also a technology that is highly reliant upon its software, as the data acquired through photogrammetry needs to be converted and analyzed with algorithms on powerful computing nodes.

Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

UAVs are well-known for improving the safety of work sites. Unmanned aerial vehicles can perform land surveys without risk to the operators. Ground survey teams can take a long time whereas air crews must travel by helicopter and plane. To maintain the safety of an air crew, the air vehicle must remain at a safe height. Comparatively, UAVs can fly much closer to the ground, thereby capturing more details of the terrain.

Many land surveying companies are now moving towards UAVs to improve safety, cost, and quality. UAVs are less likely to cause delays in a project and cost less overall, due to the fact that they don’t require a crew to operate. This also means that a municipal project can be scanned more frequently at a lower cost, thereby reducing the chances that the project may need to have portions of it redone or corrected.

When there is a choice, most organizations should go land surveying companies that utilize drone technology, as there are few advantages to using manned aircraft.

End-to-End Data Collection and Processing

Some land surveying companies only collect data — the data is then sent elsewhere for processing, after which the data may be sent still elsewhere to be stored. Each of these stages can delay a project, as the land surveying company itself will not be able to guarantee when the data will be processed or where it will be accessible. Alternatively, there are some companies that perform end-to-end data collection.

End-to-end data collection companies can complete everything from the initial survey to data storage and distribution themselves. With internal processing, they can guarantee delivery and ensure that the end product is of high quality. Further, with cloud-based data storage, the surveying company can provide instant access to the data that has been collected from anywhere in the world.

All of this will reduce costs. Companies that can do everything internally can provide a complete, all-in-one package for all of their services. Companies that must outsource part of their operations are going to lead to a more expensive project long-term.

The most affordable solution isn’t always the best solution. When it comes to land surveying companies, you need to determine whether the company has the right mix of technology and affordability. The above tips can help you drill down to the features that your municipality needs while saving money. Contact Landpoint to find out more.

How 3D Laser Scanning Services Cut Rework Costs

Lower Costs and Deliver On Time With 3D Laser Scanning

Reducing the Cost of Repairs, Maintenance, and Renovations