Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, which says global automotive and aerospace manufacturers are already using the company’s Digital Factory solutions to ‘map and model decades-old brownfield facilities in preparation for increases in production or introduction of new lines’, is now offering the system’s capabilities ‘as a service’.
The company said: “Accomplishing large-scale 3-D scans and surveying thousands of square metres and in a matter of hours, ‘Digital Factory-as-a-service’ deploys a team of Hexagon scanning experts to manufacturers anywhere in the world to capture highly accurate up-to-date information about their plants and equipment. This process includes identifying needs, defining workflows, collecting data, and delivering BIMs (building information models), as well as custom services, to help leverage and analyse the full potential of the factory data.
“Moreover, all data is interoperable and can be used to create immersive 3-D models of factories using a wide variety of applications from Hexagon’s solutions and specialist tools from other vendors — plus Digital Factory as-a-service is highly scalable, supporting single factories or multiple worldwide facilities. It delivers quick access to precise visualisations for scenario-building when planning new factories, monitoring production progress, or reconfiguring brownfield facilities.
“This real-time insight helps manufacturers prepare for the implementation of new machinery or significant alteration of processes and workflows, pivot production lines to maximise new opportunities, adapt to new constraints, and introduce new technologies. Manufacturers can, for example, test flexible manufacturing or zero-tooling scenarios, and explore workflows integrating robots, cobots, and AGVs to de-risk any changes to a plant.”
Nicolas Lachaud-Bandres, Hexagon’s vice president Industry Solutions, added: “Without requiring expertise in BIM tools or 3-D visualisation, staff can walk through a digital replica of their space to envisage how new production cells or equipment would function. They can identify clearances, ensure equipment fits through access routes and spot potential problems, preventing disruptions and costly delays. Teams dispersed around the globe can also collaborate remotely, accelerating decision-making while reducing typical travel costs associated with projects by 50% and the need for site visits by up to 70%.”