3D scan for plant relocation from France to China

Date: January – September 2008

Equipment used: 3D scan, 400 ton telescopic crane, tracked crane, telescopic rough-terrain handlers and fork-lift trucks.

Within a period of just a few months DDM relocated a complete ‘benzene plant’ for a client, from France to China. During the preparations a comprehensive HSE-Q Plan was drawn up and a 3D scan was undertaken for the entire plant by Passe Partout. 3D laser scanning is a new technology that is utilised by DDM. The laser scanner is able to produce a full and accurate 3-dimensional digital measurement of any random object (±3 mm at 50 m). Instead of using a wire-frame model based on a few measuring points, a completely reliable and one-to-one model can be generated that is based on many millions of points. 3D laser scanning can be used to safely measure non-accessible objects, without interrupting the process. After the scan, all parts are plotted and recorded on AutoCAD drawings. A careful start on the dismantling of the plant could then be made after the calculations had been produced. The parts that were removed were then cleaned, packed and transported to China, where they were subsequently re-assembled. In France, the concrete structures where finally removed once the entire plant had been dismantled. All in all this was a major project, which involved performing many aspects of the project using our own people and equipment. A Total Solution.