What is Dimensional Control, and how can it benefit industrial projects in terms of cost savings?

Dimensional Control is a specialized survey technique that applies traditional survey principles and equipment to industrial fittings, including pipes, vessels, compressors, rigs, and pre-assembled modules. The goal is to obtain accurate measurements of these items to ensure a perfect fit the first time and reduce the need for hot work, such as welding.

The scope of Dimensional Control ranges from simple projects, such as changing a one-meter pipe, to ensuring that pre-assembled modules from all over the world fit together on their final site in another country.

There are several ways in which Dimensional Control saves money, and sometimes even generates additional revenue:

• Perfect fit the first time: This reduces the need for additional rework, which saves both time and money.

• Predicted Closing Spools: Surveying a completed vessel in a fabrication yard and the tie-in pipework on the final site allows the position of the vessel to be positioned in a CAD model. This information can be used to pre-fabricate all of the closing spools to exact dimensions, reducing the installation time and bringing revenue online sooner.

• Faster Build Schedule: Large-scale modular build projects allow for the construction of pre-assembled units and pipe racks in different fabrication yards around the world, allowing progress to occur in parallel. Dimensional Control ensures that each module is built to specification and positioned correctly in its final landing location when brought to the final site. This can lead to a Single Weld Hook Up philosophy, reducing construction time and improving safety by minimizing the amount of hot work required.

Dimensional Control helps to control time and risk, speeding up projects and reducing the chances of failure to fit and the risks associated with hot work and unnecessary rework.

Contact us on +44 (0)1493 600400 or Email: enquiries@eng-cad.com