3D Scanning Case Study: 8T Hyundai Excavator Forestry Guarding Kit

Another guarding kit – another scan project. This time an 8 tonne Hyundai Harvadig. Providing a scan of the machine allows the design team to plan out ideas directly onto the scan, see how already designed components fit and make any necessary tweaks to these parts, design new components and ultimately assemble a guard kit onto the 3D scanned machine.

For this scan project there was a large focus on ‘Alternate Views’. When guarding machines with moving parts and lots of doors to open/ close, just scanning one view of the machine of course provides vital data however scanning the machine in multiple positions allows the design team to visualise and analyse their designs and ensures them that the kit will not fault against these moving focus points.

The alternate views are all contained in one CAD file, and the design team can toggle between the machines varying states to access how everything fits. For this scan we captured data on 4 boom positions, mostly looking at the clearance to the cab when the boom is all the way and at points of maximum rotation. They must build around the opening of the panels, so they were scanned in an open position, and the plastic skirting around the base of the cab were removed so we could scan some important mounting points for the kit.

As ever, the scan package is imported to the design team’s CAD software with all the necessary reference geometry, dimensions and anything needed to assemble the guard kit design.

Once imported and handed over to the design team the scan provides a highly accurate guide and visual to build around. Allowing for more informed decisions about aesthetics, clearance problems and potential points of failure. It’s a great tool for relaying information to fabrication, allowing them to see exactly what they are striving for, and not just a CAD model floating in empty space.