Improving Construction Processes with 3D Metrology

Eberhard Unternehmungen is a family-owned company with over 70 years of experience in civil engineering, railroad construction, airport construction, excavation, demolition, recycling and contaminated site remediation. With more than 650 employees, the company carries out the most complex projects with services that are both sustainable and economically viable. Based near to Zurich, Switzerland, Eberhard Unternehmungen has built an enviable reputation for first-class primary and secondary building materials, advanced technologies, and an extensive network of like-minded partners.

The challenge: Roadblocks with manual 3D measurement techniques

For a long time, Eberhard Unternehmungen relied on manually taking 3D measurements of parts and recording the surrounding areas. Measuring components by hand was not only time-consuming but also prone to waste.

Faced with production delays and extended downtimes, the company decided it was time to look for a more modern way of capturing 3D measurements. As team members scouted out technology solutions, they based their evaluations on the following criteria:

• Speed
• Accuracy
• Suitable for any environment
• The ability to use it in any plant or on any site—with or without an external power
• Easy to use and easy to rework.

The ultimate goal was to reduce breaks in production as well as ensure smoother planning and assembly processes. This included identifying obstacles in advance for the installation and removal of parts in a sometimes highly obstructed environment.

The solution: Creaform’s HandySCAN Max

After its market analysis, Eberhard Unternehmungen chose Creaform’s HandySCAN Max for its ease of use, flexibility, speed, and accuracy for the reverse engineering of large parts. Creaform’s integrated Scan-to-CAD software module, VXmodel, along with comprehensive training and support services, were also key factors in the decision.

The HandySCAN Max’s user-friendly hardware and software allowed the team to adapt quickly. Although the scanning process initially had a learning curve, it soon became intuitive for operators, enabling them to capture precise 3D measurements of complex structures.

Once the team was completely onboarded, they got to work on more demanding assignments. In a specific project, the team needed to replace a transfer funnel that had reached the end of its life. Without any original geometry data, they turned to the HandySCAN Max. By strategically positioning targets on the component, users were able to scan the funnel in 3D. The scan data was then processed in VXmodel, where planes and axes were generated before exporting the data into CAD for the final design. This seamless setup allowed Eberhard Unternehmungen to produce the necessary production documents for the replacement quickly and accurately.

“Creaform’s technology has proven invaluable with its insensitivity to dust, optimal scanning range, and ability to deliver accurate 1:1 images for reverse engineering,” explained Markus Eggenberger, Project Manager of Equipment/Inventory, at the company. “HandySCAN Max and VXmodel simplified the data acquisition, saving us significant time and effort in achieving the final results.”

Creaform’s HandySCAN Max and VXmodel help to create the 3D model of the transfer funnel

The results: Creaform’s HandySCAN Max accelerates reverse engineering workflows

The implementation of Creaform’s 3D measurement solutions has significantly optimized the exchange and maintenance processes at Eberhard Enterprises. The team noticed tangible improvements in terms of time savings, cost reduction, and minimized downtime. The precise measurements from the HandySCAN MAX eliminate the risk of having to remanufacture parts and ensure that replacement parts fit perfectly on the first attempt. Furthermore, the robustness of the HandySCAN MAX allowed employees to work under challenging environmental conditions, thereby reducing delays in planning and installation.

What are the plans for the future? The team envisions creating 3D models of all components for all upcoming replacements and maintenance work. Another testament that shifting to newer technologies is pivotal for operational efficiency!