Making a Measurement
- Steve Peregrine
Page Contents
Introduction
WinCan VX versions 1.2023.15.x or higher improve the usability of cameras with 3D geo-sensors. The preparation of the camera equipment is strictly guided by a wizard telling the operator stepwise and prior to the measurement all the checks he must do to finally get reliable measurement data, that are shown in Map and in WinCan 3D.
Section Measurements
To start the measurement, create a new project and a first section. Make sure you enter valid data into the corresponding section and inspection fields which must be provided by the official country standards (e.g. EN13508, WRC, PACP, WSA, NZPIM). Especially mind the altitude/depth fields which are highlighted below:
Switch to the node category and enter valid data into the corresponding manhole fields. Especially mind the altitude/depth fields which are highlighted below:
Note:
There are many ways to introduce coordinate data into a node record. Some are easy but very likely to introduce errors and others are harder but almost reduce the risk of errors to zero.
In order to begin a 3D measurement, we must have at least one node with XYZ coordinates. If the coordinates are available in a GIS file from another device such as a locator, then load the file in WinCan Map and then:
Select the WinCan Manholes layer in Map on the left side.
Activate the ‘Draw Point’ tool in the main ribbon Edit group of buttons.
Go to the Snap group of buttons and select the name of the data layer as a snapping layer.
Select a snapping style, most commonly point snapping.
Move the mouse close to the shape object so you see the crosshair appear and click to plot the new node and snap it to the given point.
Follow the pop up prompts to create the node and its data.
Also check out this page for more tips on using WinCan Map.
You may run the tool WinCan Validator now to check whether the database fields needed for proper 3D Measurement have got valid data. Otherwise, the 3D measurement wizard will ask you accordingly.
Switch on the camera and set the main distance counter to 0.00 m. This will launch the 3DÂ Measurement wizard in a separate panel. Follow carefully all the given steps:
Note:
3D Measurement does not need any TV inspection of an object. The two things can both happen without each other, or they can happen at the same time with the operator.
Where both are done together, the way that the inspection is closed as either complete or abandoned will affect the behaviour of the 3D Measurement Wizard.
If you wish to make a TV inspection of the pipe while at the same time making a 3D Measurement, then you must follow the requirements of your inspection standard for adding observation codes at their required distances, including (usually, in most standards) a starting code at zero metres/feet.
Information on adding observation codes will not be given here and it is assumed that the operator knows how to do this and when to do it.
Verify the manhole where you inserted the camera and set the measurement direction as illustrated in the Wizard panel:
The next step is going to tell you to check any missing or wrong values in the altitude/depth fields, that the WinCan Validator tool has automatically detected.
Do NOT ignore this message and always hit the OK button to review your data if needed. Otherwise, there's a big risk to get a completely messed up visualisation of the pipeline network in WinCan 3D!
The validation tool gives two types of message - warnings and errors. Warnings are advisory messages that it is a good idea to fix, but the Measurement can begin even without fixing them, but the errors will block the measurement. This ensures that the minimum data is included to make a measurement.
The next step asks you to set the start direction of the measurement. Move the pointer via Drag and Drop and follow the red arrow depicted in Map to verify the correct direction in relation to the DXF plot:
The next step tells you to set camera OFFSET and PRESET:
OFFSET: distance between camera head and the beginning of the pipe
PRESET: distance between camera head and start point of the inspection
Confirm the last step hitting the green START button for 3D measurement. Also make sure the red video recording button is activated and add your starting observation code if you are also making a TV inspection at the same time.
Drive the camera through the main pipe and enter any further observations/defects if you are making a TV inspection at the same time. Besides the video clip recording the software does a stepwise recording of the current camera position (X,Y,Z) from the beginning to the end of the inspection.
The 3D Measurement and video recording will be stopped automatically when the inspection end observation is entered or if the user clicks the stop buttons.
Forwards or Backwards Measurements
After the camera crawler has reached the end of the pipeline, you may run an additional measurement in backward direction. This one finishes automatically as soon as the camera has reached the position of 0 m. A message finally asks the user, whether the geometry of the pipe course should be based on the backward measurement or not:
Click on No if you want to keep the measurement in forward direction.
During the inspection of the current section WinCan Map automatically draws the pipe course based on the geo-coordinates the sensor is constantly sending to the computer. Keep the Map window open to follow the real time movement of the camera on the map. For that purpose the map/plot must be available in any geometric vector format that WinCan Map can load:
Drive backward with the camera as soon as you have entered the end of the section and finished the video recording. Especially focus on the positions of any laterals that may be available.
When reaching a position of a lateral a warning message is going to inform the user accordingly:
Lateral (Satellite) Measurements
Confirm this message and get the lateral connections created at the corresponding position hitting the command Auto Create Laterals (1):
The column Lateral (2) then shows the satellite icons. Double-clicking on the desired icon will switch to the category Laterals and highlight the satellite record you want to inspect:
Switch on the satellite camera and set the satellite distance counter to 0.00 m. The distance counter is also reset automatically when you start a 3D Measurement. This again will launch the 3DÂ Measurement wizard in a separate panel. Follow carefully all the given steps:
Adjust the view direction of the satellite camera properly to the main pipe axis. The camera head must not be pushed yet into the lateral pipe.
Verify the connection point (e.g. downstream node) where you stopped the camera and set the measurement direction as illustrated in the wizard panel.
The next step asks you to set the start direction of the measurement. Normally, the pointer should be heading in the right direction, but if not then move the pointer via Drag and Drop and follow the red arrow depicted in Map to verify the correct direction in relation to the background plan.
When prompted with this image, move the camera to the position where the lateral is connected to the main pipe (the start of the lateral measurement) as illustrated in the wizard panel:
The next step tells you to set camera OFFSET which is the distance between camera head and the beginning of the lateral pipe
Start the 3D Measurement and push the camera along the lateral.
If a TV inspection is being made, then add observations codes as required.
Where a TV inspection is recorded with observation codes, the ending style of the inspection is important and controls the behaviour of the 3D Wizard:
If the inspection is completed with a closing code, then user will be prompted to create a backwards measurement.
If the inspection is aborted with an abandoned code, then user will be prompted for some options regarding how and where the node should be plotted. We must do this because the inspection was aborted and the node was not reached. Any plotting actions will be made in WinCan Map and user will be prompted if required.
Hitting the arrow icon in the symbol bar gets you back to the corresponding main section.
Continue driving backward inside the main section until you reach the position of the next lateral and repeat the process.
A final message informs the user the camera crawler has reached the beginning of the main pipe.
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