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Congratulations to the City of Pickering for holding the Guinness World Record for the longest enclosed pedestrian bridge in the world

Congratulations to the City of Pickering for holding the Guinness World Record for the longest enclosed pedestrian bridge in the world.  

The Pickering GO Pedestrian Bridge recently received a record from the Guinness World Records for the longest enclosed pedestrian bridge in the world. Located in the City of Pickering, 32 km east of downtown Toronto, the 250-meter bridge makes its way across 14 lanes of Highway 401, six live rail tracks and a two-lane municipal roadway. Completed in 2018, the bridge features an iconic architectural structure that is highlighted with around 300 LED lights at night. 

To accommodate the pedestrian traffic and connect Pickering station to the region’s largest shopping mall and local college, a bridge project was undertaken by multiple levels of government and the provincial rail agency in 2011. The project experienced multiple project phases throughout the years of construction over the busiest highway in North America. 

An unparalleled innovation in architectural design and materials 

The pedestrian bridge is the first of its kind in terms of architectural design: a standard truss-based steel structure with concrete flooring and a membrane-on-steel-deck roof, the bridge’s interior has customized glazing that provides a comfortable interior environment. It is also the first bridge to be covered in a highly specialized perforated aluminum sheeting (cladding) called Kalzip.  

The Kalzip material allows light penetration and ensures visibility from both inside and outside of the bridge. Utilizing a passive ventilation approach, the Kalzip material resists solar gain, easily sheds snow and ice (before accumulating), and reduces wind-loading. Most importantly, the material gives the bridge a progressive look that beautifies the area around it. It is practical and gorgeous all at the same time. 

An unprecedented challenge in fitting custom-made structures

The installation of the interior glazing and the Kalzip cladding presented a unique challenge for the engineers and contractors involved. Both the interior glazing and the Kalzip cladding were custom manufactured. The sophisticated structural design of the Kalzip cladding came with an intricate perforation pattern and a unique proprietary connection. Since the Kalzip was cut and form-rolled on-site into compound curves, each individual sheet must be cut extremely accurately to be mounted successfully. To address the challenge, Applied Precision 3D was requested to provide high-accuracy 3D data for the areas where the materials were to be installed.  

How LiDAR 3D scanning ensures better fit for installation  

Having reviewed the tight dimensional requirements and sophisticated design, and made reconnaissance visits to the site, the Applied Precision 3D team decided to implement LiDAR 3D scanning to produce "as-built" data for the installation. 

The LiDAR 3D scanning of the glazing openings and the Kalzip cladding produces digital templates that can be used to adjust drawings and ensure a better fit. If there were discrepancies, then the contractor was able to make adjustments, thereby minimizing scrap from test-fitting and installation. Additionally, survey targets were installed throughout the scan scenes to help alignment from scans and achieve the required 3D measurement accuracy.  

Once the data was collected through LiDAR 3D scanning, the team post-processed it and ran an auto-alignment software tool to generate a uniform point cloud. Through the reverse engineering CAD software, the point cloud was transformed into a model of construction elements of interest requested by the contractor. This was the ‘as built’ structure. 

Critical 3D measurements in Toronto’s mass transit infrastructure expansion 

As an important contributor to Toronto's expanding transit infrastructure, Applied Precision’s 3D measurement and 3D modeling expertise played a key role in the expansion of the TTC Yonge-University Line 1 to Vaughan. These involved much more complex and progressive designs, fabrication challenges, and site construction difficulties that the TTC had not faced in the past.

To install custom glass and Kalzip on the roof curves of the TTC stations, most notably, the Highway 407 station at Jane and Highway 407, the Applied Precision 3D team used advanced LiDAR 3D scanning in conjunction with 3D laser trackers to collect critical measurements needed to verify the unique architecture. 3D modeling of the ‘as-built’ conditions was completed at various stages. Using advanced 3D technology and 3D inspection software, the Applied Precision team checked and modeled the complex structures of each station to ensure installation fitment. This involved the core steel structures, concrete structures and features for the installation of custom glass and Kalzip material on the roof. 

Our Team of 3D metrology and construction inspection experts here at Applied Precision 3D has been called upon many times over the years to help solve difficult and complex 3D construction problems, commented Robert Bell, Founder and President of Applied Precision 3D.  

I am proud of the dedication and problem solving expertise that was applied by our Team to each challenge from Toronto’s iconic Union Station, Eglinton Station, the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway station to the new Guinness record holder; the Pickering GO Bridge. 

We certainly look forward to supporting the on-going development of the Greater Toronto Area’s transit infrastructure in the coming years, added Bell. 

Benefits From Use of LiDAR in BIM Methods 

Without 3D scanning there would be no other cost-effective method to get the Kalzip to accurately fit on the first go. Test-fitting without the ‘as built’ CAD model, referred as “trial and error” approach, would typically lead to a high scrap rate and project delays.  

Large scale 3D scanning offers the capability to capture ‘as built’ information, at a cheaper cost than test-fitting on site as adjustments to the drawing on site and achieve proper installation the first time. Buildings of various types of materials can be digitized through LiDAR 3D scanning to provide comprehensive 3D data to architects, engineers, and construction workers.  

Applied Precision 3D has more than 20 years of experience applying high-precision optical 3D metrology principles to many challenges including institutional and commercial buildings. Our expertise, combined with today’s advanced 3D laser digitizing technology, offers speed, accuracy, and reliability to meet demanding architectural design and construction challenges in mass transit, custom glass installations, piping layouts, plant layouts, historical buildings and heritage sites and new build construction. 

Get a quote for your project today.

Source: LiDAR Magazine

by Applied Precision 3D

Informed Re-Shoring Decisions with 3D Precision and Know-How

As North American manufacturers navigating through the impacts of the pandemic, we have experienced and developed a heightened appreciation for the fragility and vulnerability of many of our global supply chains.  ‘Re-shoring’ has become a topic of much thought and debate among industry leaders.  To what extent will the economy be less global?  Will we see a return to more regional economies?

Critical decisions in 3D

The decision to ‘re-shore’ (or not) your primary production or component supplies is both a strategic and complex one with immediate and long-term implications.  Having worked extensively with OEMs, Tier 1, 2 and 3 suppliers across a variety of industries for over two decades, we understand the critical importance of accurate, reliable component and final product information to ensure designs, manufacturing processes and on-going quality assurance is never compromised.

Do we have the 3D information to successfully re-short production or component supplies?  Do we have current part, assembly and tooling data?

As your Team works through these decisions, you can rely upon our Team for critical 3D information to help guide those decisions and minimize risk.

1. Reverse engineering of components, assemblies and tooling when only incomplete or questionable CAD information is available.
2. Precise and comprehensive 3D metrology support including independent QA to validate part and tooling geometry when quick and solid production decisions are needed.
3. Reliable, precise 'as built' 3D data for FEA, CFD and other required simulations.
4. LiDAR 3D scanning and modeling - plant and equipment layouts.
5. Enabling tools for better communication and digital information access - hands-free computing for industry.
6. Digital transformation support - deep skills and abilities for digitizing your products, your processes and your manufacturing facilities.
7. Technology solutions for better North American workforce training, remote technical support and expert knowledge capture.

Informed decisions – industry resources are available

A recently launched initiative, Reshoring Canada, is promoting and assisting in the sensible reshoring of Canadian business operations. Those in the automotive, tool & die industries and resource sectors such as mining and energy are particularly susceptible to supply chain disruptions, so many are in the early stages of evaluating or planning to re-shore large parts of their operations.  The right combination of 3D digital transformation technologies and expertise can help reduce design and launch costs and shorten tooling and production start-up times for those committing to reshoring.

Applied Precision 3D’s Team and engineering grade technology solutions can quickly establish precise CAD reference models to meet the most demanding part design and tooling tolerances. This technology can be applied from small to large parts and all types of tooling; from intricate electronic connectors to seating systems, to welded assemblies, to full body in white! Quickly acquire highly detailed 3D data on all components of a vehicle so you can move faster and benefit fully from re-shoring opportunity.

by Applied Precision 3D

How 3D technology and expertise helped the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association's "Wooden Wonder" restoration

A team in Windsor, Ontario is restoring a rare WW2 bomber—with a little help from the experts at Applied Precision 3D

Part by part, for more than 20 years, a group of volunteers at Windsor’s Canadian Historical Aircraft Association have been meticulously rebuilding a deHavilland twin-seat DH.98 Mosquito, whose blueprints were lost many years ago. The 'Wooden Wonder', as it was called, is one of the most famous and successful WW2 Allied Forces combat aircraft. In fact, Mosquito squadrons in January 1943 were the first to discredit the Germans’ claim that no enemy plane could fly over Berlin unscathed. The bomber was incredibly fast, maneuverable, versatile—and it was made almost entirely out of wood. Unfortunately, as a result of its construction, there are only some 30 Mosquitos in the world today and merely three of those are airworthy.

“Whether it is a restoration or a new build, parts for the Mosquito are very difficult to find,” said John Robinson, President of the association, based in Windsor. “One of the major parts we needed was the landing gear nacelle. There are no drawings for this and the job of trying to replicate it is very difficult without drawings.”

The group, however, did have an original part for the nacelle, a 12-foot long streamlined housing for the landing gear that is attached to the underside of the wing. The nacelle part was missing ribs and other key components.

“That’s basically when Applied Precision 3D came to the rescue for us,” said Robinson. “They were able to scan the whole unit for us and put it into a form that we could pull to CAD and accurately build the ribs and parts.”

Although modern 3D technologies and reverse engineering are helping the restoration project overcome some of its most difficult challenges, Robinson estimates it will still take the volunteers another decade or so to complete the complete Mosquito restoration. “This is work from the heart,” he said.

In the meantime, the Wooden Wonder restoration project is on display at the Association’s museum at the Windsor, Ontario airport. You can watch the video below that features a similar aircraft:

by Applied Precision 3D

3D Scanning – The Best Method for Part and Assembly Inspection

Traditionally, companies use a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to inspect a part’s basic geometry features. While that’s a good option when there are limited features to measure, it can get complicated when working with complex parts that have unique features.

3D scanning parts takes inspection to a new level.  This technique is almost always faster and better suited for complex components and assemblies where more surface geometry measurement is needed.

3D scanners fill the gaps that other measurement technologies cannot when it comes to complex part geometry and assemblies with dozens of parts. Experts know that when it comes to inspection, precision and accuracy is of the utmost importance.

Why Use 3D Scanning for Part and Assembly Inspection?

Measurement with a 3D scanner is proven to be more precise than other measurement technologies. This is because when used in proper conditions, 3D scanners remove many human elements from the measurement process, significantly reducing the risk of error. The reduced risk of human error increases the repeatability of taking highly precise and accurate measurements.

Companies that have switched to 3D scanning can attest that the level of accuracy received from scan data is for more than they could have imagined. With a wide range of 3D scanners measuring down to a sub-thousandth of an inch (some with an accuracy of 0.0009 in (0.025mm)) – you can be assured that there is a 3D scanner that can capture the level of accuracy that you’re looking for.

Accuracy, traceability to an appropriate metrology standard and repeatability of results are all important factors to keep in mind to ensure reliable results. Operator skill and experience is critical to achieving this.

How 3D Scan Data is Used for Part and Assembly Inspection

After scanning, the point cloud data collected can be processed into a digital model. This process allows for the features in the scanned data set to be identified so that reliable and accurate measurements can be taken.

3D scanning enables experts to collect data for targeted areas of a part, but perhaps more useful, these experts can collect data for an entire part. Collecting data for an entire part allows for much more than simple dimensions of key features; it can give an analysis of the manufactured part in comparison to original CAD.

3D Scan Data Deviation from Original CAD

Data of an entire part can be used to generate deviation maps that help inspect dimensions. Deviation maps are often very useful for answering questions that simple dimensions may bring up. In addition to deviation colour-maps, additional analyses, such as 2D and 3D cross-sections, boundary and edge comparison can be completed.

Furthermore, when a company provides their part’s CAD data and the corresponding geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), experts can use advanced software to perform a GD&T alignment and inspection. This is particularly useful when showcasing a pass-fail geometry in combination with other inspection methods.

The Applied Precision 3D Experts have knowledge and tools to support 3D scanning for part inspection. See how our team can deploy leading technologies and solutions for your business - Contact us!

by Applied Precision 3D