3D scanner boost for Lihir drafting team

A Faro 3D scanner added to Lihir gold mine’s drafting team has enhanced the accuracy of field measurements and safety aspect of obtaining measurements in a challenging operation.
According to a statement from the company, working within a complex plant in Lihir had its challenge, especially when it came to redesigning equipment.
Senior designer, Cliff Jones, said many pipes and structures at its process plant had been installed without proper documentation.
“The Lihir plant has been running for 20-plus years, and a lot of modifications had happened over that time which had not been documented,” he said.
“We are now 3D scanning those items, which then gives us a model (3D picture) of what is physically there.
“One of the greatest challenges that the team faces is the continuous need to ‘as build’ existing equipment for project work.
“In the past, this ‘as build’ relied on a trusted tape measure, and skilled drafter to wield it.”
The term “as build” refers to a revised set of drawings submitted upon completion of a project or a particular job.
“It reflects all changes made in the specifications and working drawings during the construction process, and shows exact dimensions, geometry, and location of all elements of the work completed under the project,” Jones said.
“The trusted tape measure has been put back on the shelf since the arrival of the scanner. A 3D scan of the equipment now provides all the required measurements and more, allowing the draft team to accurately create a 3D model of the equipment and make additions and modifications as required, knowing the new components will fit seamlessly into place. The team has seen enormous benefits from the new technology.
“The scanner now captures and imports existing equipment into our drawings. From there we can model what we need, knowing that the information we have is absolutely accurate.”