Faster and Better Construction with Scan-to-BIM

BAM Bouw en Techniek is responsible for managing and maintaining installations and structural components at Schiphol Airport. Their project organization also undertakes construction and renovation projects at the airport. This comprehensive approach, known as “lifecycle management,” includes a wide range of activities, from completely renovating existing spaces to simply replacing light fixtures. These projects can encompass entire piers or parking garages or individual rooms.

“For the execution of our tasks, having good information is essential,” says Luuk Moonen, Process Control Manager at BAM Bouw en Techniek. “Especially at a location like Schiphol, we require detailed information about the existing structures to perform our work effectively.”

To gain insight into the existing situation, BAM Bouw en Techniek initiated the process of digitizing the existing environment through “Scan-to-BIM” in collaboration with Allinq Digital. These digital 3D models serve as the foundation for creating a Digital Twin of the physical environment, and a significant amount of additional information can be added about the objects. Scan-to-BIM essentially creates a model of the existing environment with data. With a Digital Twin, more and more information is continually added and updated.

BAM Bouw en Techniek established contact with Allinq Digital during their joint efforts at the airport, where the client organized an innovation challenge. Moonen explains, “After this innovation challenge, we explored how we could learn from each other. We even visited Allinq’s innovation center in Harderwijk, where they demonstrated what they could achieve with scans.”

His colleague, Erfan Zoakman, BIM Coordinator at BAM Bouw en Techniek, adds, “We were already scanning the environment. However, where we find value in our collaboration with Allinq Digital is in the combination of scanning and modeling. They can model existing installations much faster and parametrically.”

“We can then free up our knowledge and resources for other tasks. We complement each other because we bring technical expertise from the execution side, while they focus on digitalization and automation.”

Zoakman further elaborates, “We aim to make the information increasingly available to our colleagues. The advantage of a BIM model is its high level of detail and the diverse range of information it offers. Consequently, we can provide the data as per the users’ wishes and requirements. For instance, a maintenance technician might want to know which light is malfunctioning, whereas an engineer needs information about the cabinet to which the light is connected and the power supply on that cabinet to determine if additional fixtures can be added.”

Moonen emphasizes, “The advantage of digitalization is the elimination of human errors. The data is more accurate and instantly accessible to everyone since we work from a centralized environment. Every authorized person from any department can review the models and drawings in real-time. As a result, processes run faster and more efficiently. Previously, we were primarily focused on calculations, but now we can also conduct analyses.”

Their initial digitalization project involved a parking garage, which was relatively straightforward. Subsequently, they worked on a significant baggage handling project, and now they plan to scan an entire pier. As the digitalization projects grow in scale, they require a different approach to daily work.

Moonen emphasizes, “Our goal isn’t only to manage the physical reality but also its digital counterpart. Therefore, we require maintenance teams not only for the physical reality but also for the digital one. Any changes that come in are incorporated into the digital version. This continuous improvement balances the advantages of digitalization against the costs of deploying these personnel.”

With a robust digital model, the upfront costs of a project are significantly lower, while management analyses become more robust. Zoakman illustrates, “For example, with detailed digital information on each of the 4,000 light fixtures, including their installation year, type, wattage, and so on, you can make precise energy calculations and efficiently plan maintenance.”

Another intriguing application is energy management. “At home, you can see when specific devices are on or off using energy meters. This knowledge can help determine when something needs replacement. At Schiphol, we can apply this approach on a larger scale due to the energy meters modeled in the program. This provides insights upon which we can make investment proposals to Schiphol,” Moonen explains.

The collaboration allows them to easily present questions to Allinq Digital, such as when they require data of a different quality or need to work with object recognition. This open line of communication transforms business ideas into practical solutions, and collaboration fosters innovation.