
3D Laser scanning services & As-Buit Surveys
We rebuild the geometry of elements and infrastructures using 3D laser scanner technology
Marine 3D Laser Scanning & Modelling Survey
Scanphase offers a 3D laser scanning service to assist owners and yards to be ahead of the market, planning the project, designing the refit and procuring materials ready to begin work as soon as the vessel reaches the repair dock.
Scanphase collaborates with naval companies and field specialists and offers high quality services for shipping companies in all European ports (Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, Malta, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, ...), Spanish ports (Valencia, Algeciras, Barcelona, Las Palmas, Bilbao, Santander, Tarragona, El Ferrol, Cartagena, Avilés ...) and North Africa


Laser scanning is accurate and thorough, being usable throughout every stage of the retrofitting process, including the initial feasibility assessment, the concept design, and the final detail adjustment phase. Laser scanners boast an accuracy rate of +/- 2 millimeters, enabling engineers to generate extremely precise data and therefore create optimally detailed three-dimensional images of whichever part of the vessel is to be retrofitted. In many cases, laser scans can be performed in a single day, and during smaller operations, such as BWTS (Ballast Water Treatment Systems) or scrubbing water system retrofits, laser scans can often be performed while the crew is still on board the vessel performing their duties, saving a great deal of time.
Laser scanners are also extremely useful during ship inspections as they can be used to quickly and easily prepare 360-degree images and detailed maps of scanning positions, which can then be stored in a vessel's inventory library for use by anyone. In summation, laser scanning is a quick, easy, and extremely accurate tool for both everyday ship management purposes and retrofitting projects.
Early availability of detailed and accurate 3D surveys from laser scan data enables shipyards and Shipowners to be ahead of the game, planning the project, designing the refit, and procuring materials ready to begin work as soon as the vessel reaches the repair dock. The use of scanning helps shorten time out of service.
There is a strong case for making laser surveying of an entire vessel an integral aspect of its lifecycle management. This applies in particular to smaller fleets, where having a single vessel out of service has a great impact on the whole, and is particularly relevant for yards involved in maintenance and repair contracts impacts for naval and naval support ships.
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3D laser scan surveys help to reverse-engineer intelligent and accurate 3D models, rapidly and at low cost.
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Equipped with the 3D scans, refits and conversions will be more efficient benefiting not only the shipowner but also the shipyard.
Marine Industry 3D Laser Scanning
The typical approach when performing ship checks is to bring designers and/or engineers on board where, using tape measures, they record measurements of the existing systems and spaces. These measurements are then used in developing scope and construction documents. However, the uncertainty of the measurements requires allowances to be included to account for discrepancies between the measurements and reality. These allowances can be expensive and/or prevent the installation of new equipment in a certain location because space was considered too small, when in fact there was adequate clearance. Or, conversely, maybe not enough at the time of installation.
A better approach involves scanning ship spaces with a 3D laser scanner to create a very detailed and accurate 3D point cloud model. Today’s high-speed laser scanners are quite suitable for this purpose as they can take tens of millions of measurements in just a few minutes. Scans are taken from various positions in order to provide sufficient coverage around equipment. The scans are then registered together to bring them all into the same coordinate system. Scans of the ship's hull and keel can also be taken, in which hull curves and surface models can be created for fuel or stability analysis if needed.

3D scanning allows the user to get a very accurate “as build” of the scanned area. This information can be used for different purposes, such as:
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Ballast Water Treatment System installation
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Scrubber System installation
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Ventilation upgrade (duct modifications)
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In-service pipe spool replacements
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Air Ducts
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Hull geometry / Production of Lines Plan
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Visualization of damage to the ship structure
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Any alteration done to a ship structure or systems
3D Laser Scanning for Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS)
According to the Convention, all ships in international traffic are required to manage their ballast water and sediments to a certain standard, we help Ships owners to install onboard BWTs with a high grade of certainty.
3D laser scan to capture the “as-built” conditions of the ship or vessel before installing a ballast water treatment system or BWTS. Scanning provides accurate measurements and high detail of existing pipe and structure.
3D scans for repairs or refits
Replacement or new parts or structures are often manufactured off-site. To ensure the perfect fit, the existing structure is scanned and modeled to very high accuracy and used in the design and manufacture of new components or structures.
Benefits of 3D laser scanning include
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Measurements can be taken from a laptop or office computer eliminating multiple hand measurements in the field.
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Reduce clashes in your design work. Laser scanning provides a 3D environment where proper placement, available space, and pipe routing can be easily verified.
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Vessels do not necessarily need to be dry-docked. Scanning can often be performed without disrupting normal operations.
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We also offer surface fitting of hulls, modeling of bulkheads and structure, and center

Methodology for marine laser scanning projects
A marine laser scanning project typically follows the steps shown below:
1. Formulation of the scanning plan
When a scan request is received, the first step is to have a good idea of the purpose and scope of the scan according to the customer. If it is not possible to visit the area to be scanned, plans of the work area are requested. Based on the information available, a scan plan will be formulated.
2. On-board scan
A work team will travel to the area that needs to be scanned to make the captures according to the work plan. It will ensure that the captures of each scan overlap enough without too many blind spots. For this, the scanning equipment will be placed in the appropriate position so that the same area is illuminated with the other scans from a different point of view.
3. Refinement of the point cloud
Once the team has performed enough scans to cover the designated area, a preliminary point cloud of the work zone can be obtained. This point cloud will be "refined", aligning the different scans to best fit, eliminate "noise", and so on.
4. Modeling and engineering
One misconception regarding 3D scanning is that the scanner does all the work and that what comes out of the scanner is a definitive model that shows everything you need. The point cloud is the raw data that needs to be designed into a viable 3D model. In many cases, the actual scanning activity is only a small part of the total project scope.
Depending on the conversation with the client's requirements, it is possible to convert the point cloud into a viable and adaptable 3D model.
5. Manipulation of the As built model
Once the point cloud has been designed in a building model, manipulations can be performed on it such as:
• Incorporate ballast water systems (BWTS)
• Incorporate the installation of the exhaust filter (EGCS)
• Make any kind of change in the environment.
• Damage repair
• Others





