Technology

3D Scanning & AI Piping Design

A patent-pending technology that uses spatial information and structure positions captured by 3D scanning in piping design.

Read the space and review routes around obstacles

Site capture
Establish reference points and the spatial relationships of structures and services.
Clash review
Compare routes with beams, columns and equipment maintenance space.
Connection constraints
Review candidate routes against pipe sizes, connection directions and installation allowances.

A concept diagram explaining the technology. Application depends on development status and site conditions.

Technical components

The components below are as described in the patent filings.

Spatial information
3D scanning captures the shape of a space and the positions of structures.
Piping routes
Piping routes are formed from the spatial information and structure positions.
Design data
Piping routes are organised into the data needed for module design and quantity takeoff.

From point clouds to buildable routes

A 3D scan point cloud represents the surfaces of objects as a large number of points. A point cloud is not a finished piping drawing. Structures must be told apart from existing services, and the new pipe’s connection points, height and maintenance space reviewed together, before a route can be used for construction. ELIM ENC’s related applications cover piping route optimisation and the use of design data.

Site example

Reviewing a bypass route in an existing plant room

An example in which a new pipe is added to a plant room crowded with services below the ceiling. It is not scan data from a particular site or the output of a company product.

Capturing site geometry
Point clouds captured from several positions record the surfaces of walls, beams and equipment as coordinates. The back of hidden pipes and the inside of equipment do not appear in a scan, so separate measurements and drawing checks are needed.
Coordinates and route review
Assume the scans are registered to a common reference and compared with existing drawings. Route options are developed from clearance below beams, equipment connection points, pipe outside diameter and insulation thickness.
Clashes and maintenance space
The review covers not only where pipes collide but also space for valve handles, filter removal and inspection walkways. If the shortest route is hard to maintain, another option may be chosen.
Example result
Review comments for each route, a list of clash locations, adjusted drawings and a list of connection points. To allow for objects missing from the model and installation tolerances, site dimensions are checked again before fabrication.

Related original and divisional applications

Original applications cover piping route optimisation and automated piping module fabrication. Quantity takeoff software and AI-based automatic piping design were filed as divisional applications from each.

Original application
Piping path optimisation using 3D scanning
Application No. 10-2024-0133584
Divisional application
Piping module quantity takeoff software
Application No. 10-2024-0133697

Original application
Piping module fabrication automation using remotely received 3D scan data
Application No. 10-2024-0138156
Divisional application
AI-based piping design through piping modularisation
Application No. 10-2024-0138356
Original application 10-2024-0138156 has received a decision to grant a patent.

English patent titles are explanatory translations of the Korean titles.