TECHNOLOGY
Transformation – former primary school teacher Emma was recently despatched to fully scan two wind turbine generators ( WTGs ) for a major international developer .
Not many women go offshore anyway , especially not on the turbines , so yes , it felt quite groundbreaking .
been to do a LiDAR scan of a wind turbine in the middle of the North Sea . Not many women go offshore anyway , especially not on the turbines , so yes , it felt quite groundbreaking .”
LiDAR scans capture highly accurate 3D measurements , ensuring precise data for creating digital twins , floor plans or models , which clients use for planning , construction and facility management .
By quickly capturing data across large areas , LiDAR scans reduce the time required for manual measurements – allowing projects to be completed faster and minimising disruptions on site .
The 3D models created from LiDAR allow stakeholders to identify potential issues and plan maintenance or construction tasks effectively .
It means teams can survey hazardous or hard-to-reach areas without needing to be physically present , reducing safety risks .
The data collected can then be integrated into various software platforms , helping make informed decisions , improving project planning and reducing errors or delays .
And for Emma , it means there ’ s plenty more travelling on the cards .
She explained : “ We ’ ve got a job with a large manufacturing company to scan all their global assets , so there ’ s Italy , China , the UK , USA , India , South America – we ’ ll be travelling a lot ! And I ’ ve already been to Milan , Rhode Island , Denmark and Taiwan .”
Closer to home , Tricore has also done lots of LiDAR scanning for East Coast main line operator LNER .
She said : “ Darlington , Durham , Newcastle , Berwick , Retford and Grantham stations have all been fully scanned and mapped to create a virtual ‘ walkthrough ’ tour .
“ We scan the measurements of all the buildings , which means that if they get contractors in to do work , they can know exactly what they ’ re dealing with .
“ Basically , I go to the site , set up the tripod and do the scanning to collect all the point cloud data . It takes weeks sometimes – Newcastle Station took about two weeks to do . It takes time because you have to move within 1.5 metres each time .
“ Then I come back and put the package together by getting all the point cloud data off and editing the 3D scans on the software .
“ It provides real context for clients . It ’ s 360-degree imagery so they can put VR headsets on , stand within the model and discuss it . So , rather than having to send people offshore , they can all stand around a computer , look at it and say , ‘ Well , this is where the issue is ’.
“ It means customers can have site layouts at their fingertips for inductions . And if they ’ ve done a bit of work , it ’ s something to share with clients – full images of the machine they ’ ve built , or the structure .
“ If a client comes back to the construction company and says , ‘ Well , this bit hasn ’ t been done ’ or , ‘ That bit wasn ’ t finished properly ’ they ’ ve got a full image of the asset they ’ ve built so you can go into the scan and say , ‘ Actually , it was ’.”
And how does Emma – who also manages the operations and client base for Tricore – reflect on her career change ?
She smiled : “ Going from the public to the private sector has been a massive learning curve because they ’ re so different – but also it makes me think I wish in a way I ’ d had the confidence to try something different earlier .
“ It ’ s been a really exciting couple of years . I ’ ve got three boys and it ’ s good for them to see me go from mum and teaching , because I was with them at school , to going out into industry .
“ They see me out working , in hard hat and boots , so it ’ s that ‘ Women can do it as well ’ message . I ’ m trying to be a bit of role model to them to say , ‘ You can do anything you want to ’.”
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