Dimensional control services

Engineering dimensional control, worldwide

OrbitDC Surveys provides specialist engineering dimensional control services to the oil and gas, petrochemical and nuclear energy sectors worldwide. Our engineers deliver precision survey and fabrication control on site and in the fabrication yard, supported by ORBIT, our own dimensional control software, so every result is fully checked, statistically verified and clearly reported.

What we do

From a single tie-in to a full fabrication programme, every dimension is measured, verified and reported before it can cost you time on site.

Pipe spool & tie-in surveys

Survey of existing tie-in points and fabricated spools, so closing pieces are built right first time, with deviations reported against design before anything is cut.

Module & structure control

Dimensional control of modules, skids and steel structures from fabrication yard to installation, including interface and set-down checks.

Control networks

Precise control networks established and adjusted by least squares, with chi-square testing and error ellipses so every coordinate can be defended.

Vessels, tanks & equipment

Roundness, verticality, nozzle position and orientation checks on vessels, tanks and rotating-equipment foundations.

Point cloud extraction

Pipework, flanges, steel and key features extracted from laser scan point clouds, delivering accurate as-built geometry for modelling, clash checking and tie-in design.

BIM modelling

Survey and as-built data delivered as BIM models, ready to integrate with your project's design and asset information.

Reports & CAD deliverables

Clear survey reports, deviation tables and 3D AutoCAD models, produced with ORBIT, the software we build and use ourselves.

As-built to model

From as-built survey to 3D model

Every survey is reduced, verified and turned into an accurate 3D model of the as-built condition, ready for design modelling, fabrication, tie-in and delivery into BIM.

01

As-built survey

Survey data is reduced and placed directly in the AutoCAD drawing, with every flange identified and annotated with its position, tilt and bolt roll.

02

Fitted and verified

Each flange is fitted by least squares and modelled at its true tilt and bolt roll, with every bolt hole drilled, in place within the existing plant.

03

Delivered as a 3D model

ORBIT builds the as-built model in context, with flanges inserted, pipe routed between the connection points and every deviation annotated.

Automatic isometric drawings, dimensioned and annotated with fall, slope, kick, tilt and bolt roll, ready to issue to the fabrication shop.
The surveyed spool modelled in context with the surrounding steelwork and pipework, ready for tie-in design.

Sectors

Thirty years of surveying and fabrication in industries where every millimetre matters.

Oil & gas

Onshore and offshore facilities in the UK North Sea, the Norwegian sector and the Gulf of Mexico, from pipe spools and tie-ins to modules and structures.

Petrochemical

Refinery and process plant piping, vessels and equipment, during new build and shutdowns.

Nuclear energy

Dimensional control to the tight tolerances and rigorous quality records nuclear projects demand.

Engineering fabrication

Fabrication yards and workshops, checking pipework and steel before it ships.

How we work

A rigorous process, with the statistics to support every result.

Plan

We agree the scope, tolerances, control and deliverables with you before we mobilise.

Survey

Precision total-station survey on site or in the yard, by experienced dimensional control engineers.

Check

Data reduced and adjusted in ORBIT, with least squares, chi-square tests and error ellipses.

Report

Clear reports, deviation tables and 3D AutoCAD models, delivered promptly to keep the project moving.

Proven on major projects

Our team has been involved in several large oil and gas and nuclear projects, including offshore developments in the UK North Sea, the Norwegian sector and the Gulf of Mexico.

  • 30 years in oil and gas, petrochemical and nuclear surveying and fabrication
  • Engineers available to mobilise worldwide, short or long term
  • Every result verified by least squares, never assumed
  • Software and services from one team, for a consistent method from end to end
30
years in the industry

Oil and gas · Petrochemical · Nuclear energy


Worldwide

UK North Sea · Norwegian sector · Gulf of Mexico

UK based, working wherever your project is

Discuss your next project

Tell us about your project and we will set out how we would approach it.

Email orbit.dc.surveysoftware@outlook.com