The Metalock Engineering Group Metrology Department is using the science of measurement for your engineering needs.
Our metrology services are available at all our global sites and can be used in almost any industry - Steelworks, Aerospace, Power Generation, Car Manufacturing, Maritime, and much more.
The world of engineering is changing to incorporate new technologies that provide essential data as to the operating position of plant and equipment and its’s relative position to associated plant and machinery. When equipment is aligned correctly everything operates with increased efficiency.
Laser tracking is now an industry standard in all types of engineering, the ability to produce accurate measurements in all types of environments, to create and leave a permanent reference system that will allow the laser tracker to position its self in the same place, time after time. This is becoming a key feature for customers that require permanent reference points to work from, months or even years into the future. This enables the customer to collect measurement data at regular intervals that will establish the level of wear, movement or deterioration of all types of plant and equipment.
Using the latest laser surveying equipment Metalock are able to measure even the most obscure components and structures and provide accurate images and data that can assist the customer in making educated decisions prior to any capital investment.
A powerful feature that leverages the uncertain characteristics of different instruments to provide a much more accurate instrument network than that of traditional alignment methods which reduce the chance of incremental error over large distances.
Metalock metrology engineers arrive on-site, produce a detailed survey review and analyse full steel and aluminium mills to pick up on long-lost datum’s of even the most dated mills. Even without physical references in the way of landmarks, using laser technology our survey department has been able to ascertain the pass line of the material and centre line of the steel mill and individual stands by analysing the surveyed data. Read more about Metrology in steel production.
Laser alignment and surveying have become an invaluable asset relating to onsite machining.
Alignment health check for production of rolled product.
Permanent reference networks (mill datum references)
Metalock uses the latest 3D scanner technology and we can provide:
The benefits are:
Portable equipment, quick scans of large areas, fast and accurate measurement.
This service will provide fully documented 3-dimensional impressions that will provide critical measurement data for all types of applications.
This could be used in almost any environment where measurements need to be recorded; Steel Mills, Paper Mills, Turbines, Ships, Production Lines and Car Presses.
Distance
The laser scanner transmits a laser beam which is reflected by an object back to the scanner. The distance is measured with millimetre precision by means of the phase difference between the transmitted and the received beams.
Vertical Angle
The scanner mirror directs the laser through the space in a vertical direction. The angle is recorded at the same time as the distance measurement.
Horizontal Angle
The scanner rotates horizontally through 360 degrees while scanning. The horizontal angle is recorded at the same time as the distance measurement.
Defining the 3D Co-ordinates
Distance, vertical angle and horizontal angle result in polar coordinate (d, α, β), which is converted into cartesian coordinates (x, y, z).
In Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, 3D documentation is used to help design, construct and install various on-board systems. It provides designers and planners a helpful tool for collecting accurate documentation to create 3D models of the actual vessel configuration. The high level of precision measurement offered by this equipment is the key factor in producing that high-quality 3D documentation.
The FARO Laser Scanner Focus3D enables a fast and reliable scan of vessels and on-board systems. With great ease and flexibility, it can be installed in a few minutes on a tripod and set up. It scans surfaces with the laser beam in three dimensions and scans with millimetre precision space and surface geometries. The digital data can be imported in all standard CAD software solutions forming the basis for 3D plans and views and for different visualisations. The data is available in the long term and in a freely selectable level of detail.
The laser scanner equipment is light and portable weighing only 5.2 kilograms and you can also take measurement aboard the vessel while the vessel is at sea. The powerful FARO Laser Scanner Focus3D captures the as-is status in 360 degrees and provides the necessary data, reliably and quickly. The 3D laser scanner and the accompanying SCENE software are compatible with all commonly used software applications in the shipbuilding industry such as ShipConstructor, AVEVA, AutoCAD, Inventor, Navisworks, Catia, Bentley Microstation, NX and Pointools.
Johannesburg
Metalock Engineering RSA
37 Bosworth Street, Alrode,
Gauteng, South Africa
Part of the Metalock Engineering Group
Member of Granitor
