What is metrology?

Duke Energy One’s 3D Metrology Services team uses cutting-edge technology to provide comprehensive, as-built, 3D renderings of locations, components and surfaces to industrial and construction companies. This technology saves time on the front end as a part of design and planning while saving time on the back end by limiting rework – helping you save money.

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Duke Energy One and L3Harris Technologies have announced a customized, cost-effective solution for nuclear power plants that will provide complete 3D simulations of operating nuclear facilities. This will facilitate improved preparedness and efficiency while also helping to enhance safety and reduce costs.

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How does it work?

Using our high-tech laser scanning hardware, we gather thousands of measurements that are then converted into data points, which are “stitched” together using compatible software. The result is a technically identical digital twin of your facility. We’ve found that this type of digital twin can be most useful for power plants, manufacturing facilities and construction sites. While many companies offer 3D scanning and reverse engineering, we have unique experience in scanning whole plant sites.

Why work with us?

Our services help you save time and money. A win-win! We have a highly experienced team available to help companies who are seeking efficiency while conducting time-critical or size-critical work. Below are a few real-world situations where companies used our Metrology Services to solve problems within their businesses.
construction facility
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  • Problem: Throughout construction, it is important to know that things are going to plan. Measuring where rebar is laid and where concrete is poured can be very time consuming.

  • Solution: Laser scanning can quickly and accurately help identify any gaps between construction plans and implementation.
factory machinery
  • Problem: When a new product is added to a line at a manufacturing plant, the whole facility can be rearranged.

  • Solution: Laser scanning can help identify what equipment already exists, and modeling can help plan where to place new equipment without interferences.
nuclear plant
  • Problem: High-risk locations are not always accessible (high temperature, high radiation, confined spaces). Accurate understanding of layout and measurements is essential to limit time spent in these high-risk locations.

  • Solution: Laser scanning and building information modeling can be used to create a digital twin of the reactor building. Rather than relying on the original plant drawings, nuclear professionals can use as-built data.

Benefits

  • Competitive pricing

  • Fast turnaround

  • Highly experienced team

  • State-of-the-art equipment

  • Team accessibility

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Or call us at 888.831.8201.

Additional Resources

In addition to our team member support, more information is available below.

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    Case Studies

    Learn more about how we can help you save time and money when performing maintenance or modification projects.
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    Resource Library

    Looking for more information about Metrology? Browse our resources section to learn more about how our Metrology Services team can help your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Metrology is the scientific study of measurement. In practice, metrology commonly refers to any advanced techniques that are used to gather measurements, whether large scale or very small. Typically, this is a combination of 3D scanning, 3D modeling and precision layout/alignment.

    construction interior
  • Metrology can be used to plan layouts for front-end design, align and place equipment, check for quality control, and much more.
  • Metrology is useful in a large variety of industries in any type of plant: power, manufacturing, chemical, etc. Metrology can be used to help limit wasted time before and after making changes to a production line or site layout. Any company that requires the precise placement of a large component or piece of equipment can benefit from metrology. Metrology services are best implemented to help reduce risk and increase certainty when performing maintenance or modification projects.
  • The short answer is yes. While these services are not free, benefits provided regularly outweigh the costs. In practice, though, the services provide an ROI by helping to:
    • reduce the man hours needed to take measurements and create and update drawings
    • prevent rework by identifying issues and interferences prior to the start of the work in the field
    • precisely align components during initial placement

  • Duke Energy One offers 3D scanning and processing, 3D modeling, building information modeling (BIM)/digital twin, precision alignment, and 4D scheduling. We are expanding our skill set every day, so please reach out if you have questions regarding a specific project or service you need.

  • Members of the team have been perfecting their skills in metrology services on plant modifications throughout Duke Energy's utility fleet. We have assisted in reverse engineering support of large, complex components that require exact replicas for replacement. Additionally, we have assisted with planning large, complex plant modifications, including identification of piping/cable interferences and core bore locations. With over a decade of experience, we can bring real-world experience to help ensure your projects go smoothly.

    • 3D laser/LIDAR scanners for non-contact data capture of existing environments, both handheld for small parts and geometry, as well as large-volume, terrestrial scanners for equipment to facility scale environments.
    • Laser trackers and total stations for precision alignment of equipment needing adjustments or for installation alignment.

  • We use Autodesk Inventor for our 3D modeling services. It is one of the leading software packages, and we can export the 3D models we generate for you into formats that are accepted by almost all CAD software packages.

  • With extensive project experience, we can join in virtual meetings or come to in-person meetings to help you understand the ways in which our metrology services team can help provide risk reduction to your project and more certainty into your project timelines. We have experience with equipment alignment and layout design, lift plan development, incorporating 3D ground penetrating radar (GPR) data with terrestrial scan data to incorporate equipment placement with buried interferences in walls and floors, haul path animation of equipment through energized switchyard to help ensure safe approach distances, and much more.

  • Most of our team started applying metrology in support of nuclear plant modifications. The projects have required work in confined spaces, at heights of 300 feet from scaffolds with fall protection, in areas of high radiation and contamination, as well as hot, cramped environments. Safety is our No. 1 priority as well.

  • Duke Energy One does not offer calibration services.

  • Duke Energy One does not offer training services.
  • Duke Energy One does not sell equipment.
Duke Energy One ("DEOne") is not the same company as Duke Energy Corporation's regulated utilities, including Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Florida, Duke Energy Kentucky, Duke Energy Indiana, Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Progress ("Regulated Utilities");
DEOne is not in any way sanctioned by the state utility commissions regulating the Regulated Utilities; Purchasers of products or services from DEOne will receive no preference or special treatment from the Regulated Utilities; and a customer does not have to buy products or services from DEOne in order to continue to receive the same safe and reliable electric or gas service from the Regulated Utilities. Nonpayment for these products or services may result in removal from the program, but will not result in disconnection of electric or gas service by the Regulated Utilities. THIS MESSAGE IS PAID FOR BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION.