Making Factories Visible: How Inventory Digitization Transforms Planning

Production environments are recorded using laser scans, for which various technologies are available. In addition to stationary scanners, mobile laser scanners such as portable scanners or drones are used, as can be seen in the illustrations. The captured environment can then be geometrically modeled in various degrees of detail. Non-geometric information, such as media requirements or ground loads, can also be linked directly to the model after it has been created.

These models can then be used to generate new planning statuses. It is also possible to use virtual reality (VR) visualizations to create a uniform understanding of these planning statuses as a basis for discussion between different stakeholders.

By integrating inventory digitization into factory planning, companies are enabled to react agilely to changes, increase their production efficiency and optimally adapt to future requirements. This holistic approach creates a solid foundation for an advanced and competitive production environment.

Fraunhofer IGCV uses as-built digitization to efficiently record factory buildings and production systems and convert them into digital models. These models serve as the basis for further planning.

How inventory digitization is paving the way to the future

The future of inventory digitization will be shaped by advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics. Advanced integrations into different industries, improved usability and a focus on sustainability will be key. Companies that actively address these developments and consider inventory digitization as an integral part of their business strategy will be able to respond more flexibly to change, increase their efficiency and optimally adapt to the challenges of the digital future.

With our expertise in inventory digitization, we offer tailor-made solutions: From precise recording to innovative data analysis, we make your business processes more efficient and future-proof.

• Recording and measuring existing production environments with laser scans
• Geometric modeling of individual production facilities through to entire factories at various levels of detail
• Extension of geometric modeling with attributes to generate BIM models in various file formats (e.g. ifc)
• Visualization of the models in virtual reality
• Utilization of digital models for factory planning processes

The research topics cover various aspects in the field of digital technologies and their application in industry:

• As-built digitization - the focus is on the application of advanced technologies such as laser scanners, drones and other surveying methods to accurately capture physical structures and convert them into precise 3D digital models
• Point cloud-based clash detection - this refers to the process of collaborative design and planning of spaces or facilities by multiple stakeholders. The use of point clouds in this context indicates that precise spatial information is used to improve planning.
• Collaborative layout planning with a focus on digital consistency of planning tools