Savannah River Site's management and operations contractor recently acquired a probing and laser scanning device to improve personnel safety.
Office of Environmental Management
June 11, 2019
minute read time
AIKEN, S.C. – The Savannah River Site’s (SRS) management and operations contractor recently acquired a probing and laser scanning device to improve personnel safety and the process of taking measurements.
The instrument can help fabricate obsolete parts through detailed examination of its construction and composition, and 3-D printing, reducing maintenance time and associated safety hazards to employees performing the intricate work of identifying needed repairs.
Data can be collected about parts through probing and laser scanning. The portable device can scan 600,000 dimensional points per second. Information is gathered and digitally displayed through computer software, providing a report on the part’s measurements. This file can also be uploaded to a 3-D printer for fabrication at EM’s Savannah River National Laboratory.
The 3-D printed models of SRS facilities have played an important role in the remediation and deactivation and decommissioning of several legacy structures. With this device, called the FaroArm QuantumS, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) can expand the use of 3-D printing technology to improve operations in facilities with enduring missions.
“The FaroArm meets all the latest industry standards in laser technology accuracy. We are excited about the prospects for advancements this device is expected to bring to inspection and reverse engineering processes onsite,” said Chris Boschetti, an SRNS quality assurance manager. “This technology has become a valuable asset in the commercial industry, which SRNS recognized would alleviate several risks associated with the mission success and long-term maintenance of equipment in a chemical and nuclear environment.”
Previously, measurements were taken by hand using instruments such as calipers, which measure the distance between two sides of an object. That work was much more time consuming and left room for human error. The FaroArm provides increased efficiency and exacting measurements. Its capability to use information from scans or computer-aided designs to compare to actual parts rather than performing the action by hand significantly reduces costs, and potential schedule delays.
“The Savannah River Site is dedicated to continuously improving all aspects of work, both for the enhancement of processes and the safety of our employees,” SRNS President and CEO Stuart MacVean said. “With new technology comes the potential for innovation, which can help us as we strive to make the world safer.”