Summit’s Laser Scanning History
2001 – First laser scan job in which we were involved. Summit Engineering provided project engineering support for a local NW refinery. Laser Scanning services were provided by INOVx using a Cyrax 2500. Carl Berglund of IRI, constructed a significant portion of the piping on this project and was impressed by the accuracy and minimal re-work laser scanning provided. Carl currently works for Transocean Deepwater, a client for Summit’s Scan to Design Services.
2004 – Joined with IQA Solutions to provide Laser Scanning based design services to refiners in the Northwest. The first major project for a local NW refinery was done on a fast track basis with the laser scanning and modeling performed by very experienced individuals. The project was constructed by Timec with minimal rework.
2006 – Together with IQA Solutions, we purchased our first Phase Shift (High Speed) scanner, a Leica HDS 4500. The first major project with this scanner used less experienced laser scan modelers which resulted in several areas that did not meet our high expectations for accuracy. Although this project still met normal expectations for rework, it was this project that led Summit Engineering to branch out on its own to develop a work process that was less dependent on the modeler’s interpretation of the scan data.
2007 – Summit purchased a FARO LS 880 scanner and began developing in-house software to allow designers to work within the point cloud data. This work process is less dependent on the modeler’s interpretation of the point cloud data therefore reducing one of the barriers to going from good, accurate point cloud data to equally good and accurate fabrication ISOs.
2008 – We began providing laser scanning services for other engineering firms in the Northwest area. We also upgraded our FARO LS 880 to the FARO Photon 80 scanner. The improved accuracy of this scanner allowed us to streamline our work process further, improving our ability to provide designers with Basic Modeled Parts such as the centerline and face-of-flange for bolt up tie-ins, cylinder fits for pipe sections and Top of Steel planes for pipe support locations. Summit’s in-house developed software allows our designer’s to work directly in the point cloud data and provides clash detection functionality as well.
2009 – We upgraded our Photon 80 to a Photon 120 and ordered a second Photon 120 machine. We continue to be impressed with FARO’s commitment to improving the hardware capabilities of their High Speed laser scanners. This upgrade fits nicely with our own commitment to improving the work flow from the laser scanning activities in the field through scan data processing, design, fabrication and installation. Summit continued improving and adding features to our in-house software allowing the efficient creation of vertex groups or isolated entities within the point cloud data. These vertex groups have allowed our clients to better visualize, define and direct project scope.
2010 – Along with continued development of Summit’s in-house software we were able to further expand our customer base outside of refining. We are pleased to have successfully completed another project for Transocean and projects for Los Alamos National Laboratories, T Bailey Inc. and proposals to several other key clients such as the U.S. Navy, U.S. Airforce and various ship yards. We also purchased our third laser scanner, a FARO Focus3D. Summit received the first Focus3D in the USA.
2013 – We traded in a Photon 120 scanner towards the purchase of a new Focus3D X 330. Talk about progress, this scanner provides extra long range (330m) with better than 50% reduction in distance noise.
