A cement plant in France recently used the Elios 3 drone for a scan-to-BIM project, capturing the entire site with its LiDAR scanner. This innovative approach transformed the way the facility collects and uses spatial data, setting a new standard for industrial digitization. Scan to BIM is revolutionizing how infrastructure is managed and maintained. By creating digital twins of real-world environments, companies can simulate, plan, and optimize their operations with unprecedented accuracy. In the construction and industrial sectors, BIM has become essential for managing large-scale projects, reducing errors, and improving collaboration across teams. For Holcim, one of the world’s largest cement producers, the "Plants of Tomorrow" initiative is all about integrating Industry 4.0 technologies. This includes using BIM to modernize plant management, reduce carbon footprints, and improve performance. A key part of this initiative is the creation of a digital twin of a French cement plant, which will help plan future upgrades and support sustainability goals. The Elios 3 drone has already proven its value in other applications at the site, such as asset inspection and stockpile monitoring. Its ability to navigate tight spaces and capture high-quality LiDAR data made it the ideal choice for this BIM project. The team wanted to ensure full coverage of the site, including hard-to-reach areas like pipe networks and ducts, which are typically difficult to access with traditional methods. Using the Elios 3, the team was able to complete the scan in just one day, compared to the 10 days or more required by terrestrial scanners. This not only saved time but also reduced costs, with the project estimated to save over €30,000 in external contractor fees. The in-house team could also perform post-processing more efficiently, avoiding delays caused by incomplete data or repeated site visits. After the scans were collected, the data was processed over two days, resulting in a detailed point cloud and .las file. This data was then used to create a BIM model that accurately represented the plant's layout. The final model was used to plan future upgrades, including the integration of carbon capture technology, which is a major goal of the Plants of Tomorrow project. The success of this project highlights the growing importance of drone-based scan-to-BIM solutions in industrial settings. Not only does it offer speed, cost savings, and accuracy, but it also enables continuous improvement through regular updates. As the plant continues to expand and evolve, the Elios 3 will play a vital role in maintaining an up-to-date digital twin, supporting both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. Mining Loader,Underground Loader,Mining Wheel Loaders,Underground Mining Loader Shandong Yineng Heavy Industry Co.,Ltd , https://www.yinengloader.comDrone Scan to BIM: How the Elios 3 Digitizes a Cement Plant
Key Benefits at a Glance
Full Data Coverage
The Elios 3 provided complete scans of both the interior and exterior of assets, ensuring no area was missed. Traditional terrestrial laser scanning often leaves gaps, especially in complex environments. With the drone, this process is not only more thorough but also repeatable, allowing for easy updates as needed.
Speed and Efficiency
Using the Elios 3 cut the scanning time from at least 10 days to just one day. This dramatic improvement allows for faster decision-making and project planning, reducing overall project timelines significantly.
Minimal Site Disruption
Unlike traditional methods that require contractors to be on-site for an extended period, the Elios 3 only needed a single day of flight. This minimized disruption to daily operations and reduced the need for extensive coordination.
Cost-Effective Solution
By collecting data quickly and processing it in-house, the plant avoided costly external contractor fees. This made the entire process more efficient and financially sustainable.