Swedish industrial precision technology firm Hexagon AB has launched a global roll-out of its Digital Factory system. The system allows the digitisation of factories using millimetre-accurate laser scanning technology. This provides results in hours instead of weeks

The system provides manufacturers with rapid access to 3D digital factory replicas allowing what-if scenarios for increased production, new machinery, or space-optimisation According to Hexagon, the service can scale from single facilities to multiple factories, and cloud-based collaboration workflows provides four-times faster planning, 70% fewer site visits and 23% cost-reduction.

Digital Factory-as-a-service deploys a team of Hexagon scanning experts to capture accurate up-to-date information about plants and equipment. The process includes identifying needs, defining workflows collecting data and delivering BIM models and custom services. Data is interoperable and can be used to create immersive 3D models of factories using a variety of applications from Hexagon’s and tools from other vendors.

Nicolas Lachaud-Bandres, Vice President Industry Solutions, Hexagon, said: “The launch of Hexagon’s Digital Factory as-a-service is a landmark in manufacturing, enabling businesses anywhere in the world to achieve far greater operational efficiency and agility through fast access to millimetre-accurate, up-to-date 3D simulations of factories, whether long-established or planned.

“Many factories lack accurate plans, having been adapted multiple times, and are now constrained in terms of available space as manufacturers seek to ramp up production. Plans for new facilities must ensure they fully optimise the site but may also need to change quickly in response to shifts in supply and demand, or regulation.

“We are overcoming these challenges, providing a replica of the available space which companies can manipulate and remodel without repeated visits. Visualisations make all the information easily understood by everyone involved in projects, including senior staff who can make strategic decisions with greater confidence.”