6 minute read
Bringing the latest 3D laser technologies to the railways
Director Colin Pittman explains how A3D’s services can play a major role in helping organisations adapt to an ever-changing and challenging marketplace
In just seven years, Advanced 3D Laser Solutions Group (A3D) has led the way by using the latest technology to provide engineering, design, draughting and surveying services.
Having specialised in the process and manufacturing industries – and being called upon worldwide to speak at industry conferences to advise on best practice and use of 3D laser technologies – the company is now branching out into the rail industry.
Director Colin Pittman is confident its 3D laser scanning/point cloud related technologies can play a major role in helping organisations adapt to an ever-changing and challenging marketplace.
“The rail industry is looking to the latest technology to collect data around refurbishments at train depots, stations and signal boxes – something we have a proven track record in providing,” he said. “The railway has always been an area we’ve aspired to work in, but only when the time was right. That time has arrived, and we have the expertise to help organisations digitise assets and capture data quickly, accurately and cost-effectively.”
A3D has established a strong client base and reputation throughout the world for 3D laser scanning, point cloud related technologies and accurately captured, measured site data.
Colin, a commercial and marketing specialist with a successful career in the publishing and energy sectors, said: “Conventional methods of surveying are being consigned to history as they are more time consuming and subject to error.”
A3D’s 3D laser scanning instruments can provide +/-1mm accuracy and can automate scan file registration, offering a cost-effective solution at a time when it is vital that projects run smoothly, on time and on budget. Large sites, for instance 100-200 tank storage terminals requiring 1,000 to 2,000 scans, can now be completed in days by using the latest technology.
Some 3D laser scanning benefits:
Faster – an ability to record up to 960k points per second up to 1mm accuracy;
Cost effective – due to its speed recording site assets; Safer – a safe pulse laser with process details captured from ground level removes the need to touch assets;
Accurate – captures data with the same level of accuracy found with traditional methods but the level of human error is dramatically reduced as the scanner automatically records everything within 360° of itself;
The Virtual Site Tour System has allowed clients to access their site and collaborate with their team from home during the pandemic, taking as many measurements and accessing as much site data as they like.
Colin concluded: “Our range of 3D enrichments, combined with our extensive understanding of traditional storage terminal engineering systems, is proving invaluable to our customers.
“The success has been achieved by our strong commitment to research and development and to continuously invest in our people and to innovate.
“Moving forward, and as a result of our clients’ desire to digitise their facilities, we have developed bespoke software solutions linking our ‘smart’ model and P&ID files to offer our customers an easy-to-view interface to any asset (with all its data), and to inspection and document management systems.
“We are very excited to offer our expertise to the rail industry and look forward to future challenges in an industry that is now looking to move towards digitising its facilities.
“We embrace the challenges that the future holds for the rail industry with an entrepreneurial spirit to put us at the forefront of this everchanging and challenging sector.”
Visit lasersurveying.com, email colin@lasersurveying.com or call +44 (0)7435 760153 for more details
Collaborating to help put rail businesses on the route to success
Supply chain risk and performance management specialist Achilles has teamed up with RBD Community to help rail organisations win more work
Achilles and Rail Business Daily (RBD) Community have joined forces to give companies in rail a simple and cost-effective way to put their business in front of their customers and business prospects in the sector and beyond.
This unique service solution provides significant competitive advantage benefits, in addition to an opportunity to do more business in rail and in other sectors in the UK and abroad. Customers are offered a one-off discounted price to access an extensive range of Achilles and RBD products and services, bringing together different streams of work in one value-for-money package.
David McLoughlin, RBD’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “At a time when collaboration is key, what better way to help businesses thrive than to team up with a global leader and partner of choice for supply chain risk and performance management.
“This is a huge partnership bringing together industry leading products and services from both RBD Community and Achilles, and one that has the potential to transform organisations working in, or looking to work in, the rail industry.
“Achilles’ reach goes far beyond the UK rail sector, providing a platform to other sectors both in this country and all over the world.”
Established more than 30 years ago, Achilles is recognised as leading the way in supply chain solutions that help mitigate risk, reduce cost and improve compliance issues across a wide range of sectors.
Choice and value Following the partnership with RBD, it has relaunched its Link-Up supplier registration and pre-qualification network, offering buyers and suppliers choice and value in the marketplace.
Working in partnership with customers, Achilles provides additional benefits such as a tender notice service, visibility to hundreds of global buyers across all its industry networks, market insights, competitor benchmarking, and enhanced audit services. Key industry transport buyers such as First Group, Kier, Mace and Great Western Railway are already using Link-Up, which is available at a discounted rate through the Achilles/RBD joint offering.
Katie Ferrier, Senior Vice President of Customer Engagement at Achilles, said: “This combined offer gives companies in rail a simple and cost-effective way to put their business in front of all the major players in the rail sector, be it to network, learn more, raise their profile or win the next contract.
“This really will help organisations save money and valuable time by bringing together industryleading products and services from both RBD Community and Achilles.”
In addition to an opportunity to do more business in rail, it provides your team with the best tools and resources in the industry designed to deliver results. This special offer includes:
Link-Up Silver Membership – provides you with verified pre-qualification status for rail buyers; Achilles Network Member Membership – become searchable to buyers looking for new suppliers in construction, utilities and other transport sectors; RBD Community Membership – A vibrant and proactive network for helping organisations do more business in rail;
Supplier NOTiCE Subscription – matching active tenders to the products and services you provide, saving you time looking for new opportunities.
To launch the partnership, and for a limited time, new and existing customers can take advantage of deep discounts to RBD Community, Link-Up and other Achilles solutions like automated tender notices.
Signing up provides suppliers with the ability to connect with experts in the rail sector, join events, market themselves to major contractors across the UK and demonstrate their credibility to work in rail.
Eli Rees-King, Head of RBD Community, said: “Working together allows both RBD Community and Achilles to complement the service offer from both sides, as well as enhance the effectiveness of the activities being undertaken with combined resources and industry know-how.
“This really is a perfect fit and will show that when two leading organisations join forces, great things can be achieved. Many businesses are going to benefit from this partnership, and I can’t wait to play a part in helping them to thrive.”
