At the Emerson Exchange Americas Virtual Series, Emerson’s Derek Csaszar describes the ability to collaborate on the design of their system more effectively, using virtual reality equipment to identify and eliminate surprises that are often not found until the system has been fully fabricated.
Emerson places you “on” your project’s measurement system during the Design Review stage to confirm or request modification of personnel clearances, valve stem and handle clearances, ability to read instrumentation, ability to physically reach certain equipment, serviceability clearances, and expected connection locations, before your system is fabricated.
Our enhanced design review experience addresses some of the factory acceptance testing (FAT) procedures early in the project, reducing the risk of additional costs and delivery delays associated with surprises traditionally found during the FAT that were not easily identifiable through drawings alone.
Derek first described the major documents reviewed for physical layout of equipment:
These drawings provide limited views of how it will look. Often the FAT uncovers issues with the fabricated equipment and rework is required which delays schedules and increases costs.
Derek then described the Digital Collaboration Tool is based on virtual reality technology to enhance the design review process. It provides a collaborative environment between Emerson engineers and the customer by supporting a virtual walkthrough of the system before it is fabricated. This enables right-the-first-time fabrication to reduce project costs and schedules.
Derek shared a demonstration of this virtual walkthrough process. Here are a few screen captures from his demonstration.
Key in this collaborative process is the ability to see the instrumentation and if it is easily accessible for operations and maintenance activities. Do manual valve actuators block walkways or can they be reached? These types of questions can be answered through the virtual walkthrough to actually try accessing it. The tool includes measuring dimensions to see if the design complies with requirements such as walkway clearance minimums, etc.
Overall the tool can reduce project costs, reduce project schedules, and improve the overall quality of the design, fabrication, FAT, installation, and commissioning. Derek estimates that the use of this tool can reduce costs and schedules by 15-20%.
Visit the Project Services for Measurement Instrumentation section on Emerson.com for more on the tools and services to help you lead a successful project.
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