SLAM and Laser Scanning in Construction Industry
SLAM, short for simultaneous localization and mapping, is the technology being deployed for mapping and locating your vehicle at the same time. The SLAM technology allows an autonomous vehicle to capture and then subsequently map out the unknown surroundings.
The construction industry has been utilizing laser scanning for a decade or two. The advantage of using laser scanning in the construction industry is profound. It takes away the burden of lethargic error-prone manual documentation and provides an easy conversion doorway to smart BIMs (Building Information Models).
However, laser scanning is not the end of how we would be documenting our facilities for the AEC purposes. The technology is still evolving, and one such product of the evolution is SLAM, which was explained in the topmost paragraph. Industry leaders are citing SLAM to be the future of laser scanning in the construction industry. The question now arises of how SLAM would change laser scanning in the construction industry. Read this article till the end to know in detail. In the beginning, we will talk about how exactly the laser scanning process works and how it is deployed for construction purposes.
How Does the Process of Laser Scanning Work?
Large settings were traditionally measured using single-point instruments such as laser range finders, piano wire, and tape measures. These techniques took a lot of time and frequently resulted in inconsistent results, which might have led to errors. On the other hand, laser scanners are non-contact devices that use laser infrared technology to gather millions of discrete data points. The primary intention behind the usage of laser scanners is to get detailed 3D pictures in a matter of minutes. They record measurements and geometry on both horizontal and vertical planes by shining an infrared light beam onto a revolving mirror.
In today’s time, the generated point cloud from laser scanning is being put into CAD and BIM workflow for proper comprehensible model conversion. The conversion flow from point cloud data to a comprehensible model starts with point cloud to mesh conversion. Then, these mesh models are being worked on 3D CAD software like SelfCAD.
SelfCAD is a powerful and easy-to-use CAD software that you can use to modify your 3D scans with ease. To import your 3D scans, you go to File > Import and then you go to where you have located your files and import them. After importing your can begin to use the various tools of SelfCAD to modify it based on your needs. When everything is set you can then fix any non-manifold meshes in the design and ensure that it is 3D printable. You can find it on the tools section.
When you click on it, you will see a window launching where you can either add or increase the details level until you achieve the proper settings and then finalize. If you would like to 3D print your model you can access online slicer of the software by clicking on the 3D Print tool option and you will be able to access the slicer whre you can apply the appropriate settings before slicing and saving your file as 3D printer gcode.
With technology automating each and every work function in our daily life, now with scan-to-BIM automation, a very less amount of workforce and a few clicks are needed for point cloud to BIMs (Building Information Models conversion). Laser scanning technology is still an expensive investment, which is why they are usually revoked when complex and large spaces are required for capture. The most common application of laser scanning is its usage in the AEC industry for land surveying and site documentation purposes. Laser scanners can be utilized at every point of the design and construction process -
Pre-Construction Design Stage
Laser scanning provides a beginning point for commencing the design work and is occasionally used before BIM. Generally, the point cloud data are being used to gather comprehensive data to initiate and oversee the process early. The comprehensive data includes topographical data on land and the existing condition of facilities. Through image annotation, the data from the point cloud may further be enhanced so that AI systems are able to classify land features and built structures with greater precision, enhancing the planning and design process.
Coordination in Building Development
Coordinating building projects is another area where laser scanning excels, particularly in preventing conflicts between various systems. These various systems could be structural, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. Not only may scanning be done at the start of a project, but it can also be done at several subsequent stages to better record milestones. Periodic laser scanning multiple times in between the project execution lessens the need for change orders and delegates tasks to other tradespeople. Laser scanning is all about pinpointing problems more quickly and recording where mistakes were made.
Facility Management: Operations, Renovations, and Retrofits
3D building scanners record a great deal of detail, which helps produce an as-built record that is permanent for facility managers and owners. Ultimately, building operations, remodeling, upcoming construction projects, and even demolitions can benefit from this data. One more exciting application for laser scanning that is still quite underutilized is digital twinning. Precise and accurate facility capture that too in real-time would result in exponentially improved digital twins.
SLAM With Cars is an Additive Boon to Urban Mapping and Development
The world is moving to the crazy concept of driverless cars. The SLAM technology would be the central component of what would make the concept of driverless cars possible. The ability of SLAM to localize and map the surroundings would aid the cars in their driverless algorithms. Now, let us assume the SLAM data we could get with millions of driverless cars plus the IoTs network within the car infrastructure itself. It is a goldmine of urban data that urban planners could utilize to lay out urban development policies and construction regulations. Not only that but the scenario is also very good for the private land owners wanting to utilize their properties for commercial purposes. The urban data from SLAM could help property owners plan their operations based on the footfall and population projection. This could result in more thoughtful business strategies helpful to all stakeholders.
One Important Scope of SLAM is AR/VR Which Could be Further Channelized Into Architecture
Integration of AR/VR technologies with BIM offers a more immersive architectural experience to business and individual property owners. This can change the way architects market their design services to potential leads. Also, with AR/VR, one can blend the digital design more seamlessly into the real world or simulate environments close to reality. However, with SLAM, the capabilities of AR/VR could be further enhanced. SLAM enables AR applications to recognize 3D objects & scenes, as well as to instantly track the world and to overlay digital interactive augmentations.
SLAM is Convenient for Use Compared to Other Construction Scanning Solutions
The traditional static laser scanning setup is obviously the go-to method for the AEC industry. However, the approach to terrestrial laser scanning is quite inflexible. For a more accurate and precise facility capturing, the scanning output needs to be in tune with the position of the scanning device. This ultimately reduces the chances of lapses in the scan and missed zones. Also, with a handier laser scanner, one can access the small pockets and difficult-to-access places that a terrestrial setup would definitely miss.
SLAM technology, in combination with autonomous robots on facilities, would aid in progress tracking and monitoring and the same is the case with drone scanners introspecting aerial view of the development. High-rise facades and large complex geometries are really a tough task to document. SLAM approach with drone scanning would not only ease the process but bring in greater accuracy and precision, which a manual approach would never.
Leica’s BLKFLY and Geoslams ZEB series aid workers to map targeted sites quickly, be it any approach foot or coupled with UAVs or drones. The general notion of laser scanning is to reach places where humans cannot. Difficulties may also include the involvement of hazardous materials and weak structures and these could be very well addressed with SLAM robots.
Crystal Clear Communication Channel for Optimizing Project Costings
The coordination among stakeholders in the construction project, including the client, is key to project success. SLAM could be an add-on to this cause. The digitization has ensured real-time collaboration among the stakeholders, but SLAM can add more transparency to this with accurate and precise site and facility documentation. Just imagine SLAM data fueling digital twins of your facilities; it would be a more refined set of visual data to be maintained.
AEC Professionals Should Invest in the Right SLAM Setup
The SLAM, with its handiness plus mapping and localization simultaneously feature, is a must-investment for all AEC professionals. However, one should also understand the business behind the documentation process. The organization should properly plan on the right set of mobile lidars and inevitably on a workforce that could take on the on-site scanning works and subsequently the process of point cloud data conversion.
The Scan-to-BIM is Not the End, Instead a Start!
The point cloud to model conversion is just a start to your design operations. If you are done with your model conversion, quality checks come into play. The point cloud data gives a rough estimation to designers of how the facility/site looks digitally and when they will replicate those digitally. Generally, a manual workforce is deployed to trace the point cloud for model conversion or verify the geometrical and dimensional accuracy.
Nowadays, with automation tools entering every workflow of our workspaces, these processes are also being automated with tools like scantobim.xyz. However, as indicated by the title of this section, scan-to-BIM conversion is just one step to design operations in AEC. After the comprehensible model generation, models are then utilized for specific purposes. For example, digitally mapped lands are used for urban development purposes, while existing facilities are generally cashed in for digital twinning and maintenance operations. Therefore, selecting the right BIM tool is a must for your post-scan-to-BIM needs.
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