More Efficient Planning, Higher Quality, and Measurable Customer Value Through New Technology in Industrial Engineering & Design
The Industrial Engineering & Design (IED) department at SpiraTec AG is setting a new standard in digital facility planning: By successfully converting 3D point clouds into intelligent surfaces, planning in complex industrial environments becomes not only faster but also significantly more precise and customer-friendly.
For several years, the IED has been using 3D scans as the basis for planning in existing buildings and facilities. The scanner measures the distance from its position to the nearest obstacles while rotating in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The measurement points are then assigned color information and merged into 3D scans. The resulting point clouds, consisting of millions of individual measurement points, provide a detailed representation of the real-world environments. Despite its high accuracy, this method has historically presented significant challenges: Because the methodology involves calculating individual points rather than surfaces for each view, the visualization is very complex and requires substantial technical processing power and time-consuming coordination processes.
Technological Breakthrough with Direct Customer Benefits
With the new technology, these point clouds are now converted into contiguous surfaces. This step significantly reduces data complexity and creates a consistent, high-performance planning foundation.
This results in concrete added value for customers:
- Simpler and more precise measurements:
Instead of individual points, surfaces can now be analyzed – this reduces effort and minimizes measurement inaccuracies.
- Significantly faster project execution:
The improved performance (reduced complexity for visualization) enables smooth workflow even with large data sets—planning processes are accelerated and project timelines are shortened.
- Greater planning reliability:
Clearly structured surfaces make it easier to identify interfering edges and complex pipe runs. Potential sources of error are detected early, improving the quality of planning.
- Seamless integration with common planning tools:
Data can be exported directly to common systems such as Navisworks, Revit, AutoCAD, and E3D. Iterative coordination and export processes are eliminated – saving time and reducing costs.
- Improved collaboration:
The more intuitive visualization facilitates coordination – for example, in digital meetings via Microsoft Teams – and creates greater transparency throughout the project.
New possibilities for modern industrial projects
The innovative surface technology takes the use of existing data to a new level—and unlocks additional potential far beyond mere process optimization:
- Automated collision checks for early error detection in Navisworks: Here, collisions between various surfaces – such as MEP lines, process lines, process equipment, or cable routes – are highlighted
- Reliable decisions thanks to objective scan evaluations
- Realistic redesign in virtual as-built environments
A Step into the Future of Digital Planning
With this innovation, SpiraTec is setting new standards in digital plant planning and strengthening its position as a technological pioneer in this field. Customers benefit from more efficient workflows, greater planning reliability, and significantly improved transparency across all project phases.
The conversion of point clouds into intelligent surfaces is more than just a technological advancement: It is the next step toward fully integrated, digital planning processes.
Discover how complex as-built data can be transformed into a solid basis for decision-making – and how your industrial projects can be implemented faster, more reliably, and more intelligently.
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