Atlantic & Peninsula Australia (A&P), now part of APCL Group, is a global marine engineering business specialising in ship repair and through-life asset management for defence and commercial marine assets. Their technical expertise supports customers across marine, industrial, defence, and offshore sectors.
Challenge
A&P initially engaged a 3D scanning provider for HMAS Choules’ major refit program. However, the captured data lacked the accuracy and detail required for critical equipment and structural elements, limiting engineering confidence.
Compounding this, HMAS Choules was frequently deployed for training, leaving limited and unpredictable access windows for rescanning and data capture.
Solution
WYSIWYG 3D deployed a team of specialist engineers and addressed the limitation of previous scanning efforts to meet the demands of a live defence asset, WYSIWYG 3D implemented a robust, engineering-focused technical solution
- High-Precision 3D Laser Scanning
- Deployed advanced terrstrial and hand laser scanners to capture millimetre-accurate data across complex ship environments, including tight and confined compartments.
- Structured Data Capture Methodology
- Established a repeatable scanning workflow to ensure full coverage of critical systems, structural elements, and equipment with minimal disruption to operations.
- Flexible Deployment Strategy
- Mobilised rapidly and worked around HMAS Choules’ operational schedule, capturing data during short availability windows without impacting training activities.
- Point Cloud Processing & Registration
- Processed and aligned scan data into a unified, high-fidelity digital model, enabling engineers to confidently interrogate spatial relationships and constraints.
- Engineering-Ready Deliverables
- Delivered accurate point clouds and 3D model outputs compatible with CAD and design platforms, supporting off-site planning, clash detection and manufacturing.
- As-Built Validation
- Conducted re-scanning post-installation to validate completed works and ensure updated “as-built” documentation for long-term asset management.
This technical approach ensured accuracy, efficiency, and reliability—critical factors in complex defence maintenance projects.
Results
WYSIWYG 3D team was involved in the Refit for HMAS Choules; which acted as the major installation window for the Capability Assurance Project alongside deep level maintenance.
3D scanning of compartments and confined spaces helped engineers accurately plan changes off-site, streamlining workflows to deliver the maintenance program within time schedules and delivered reliable “as-built” datasets for ongoing asset management.
3D scanning provided A&P with the clarity and confidence needed to execute complex upgrades efficiently and accurately.
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