“Your scanner setup is costing you over $20,000 per project.”
That’s what I told the MEP contractor after reviewing his latest manufacturing facility retrofit quote. He was skeptical. His team had been using the same tripod-based laser scanner for years, and while the process was slow, it was accurate. What happened next changed how his firm approaches every MEP retrofit project.
Let me show you the real numbers from a 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility MEP retrofit—a sprawling single-level plant with complex HVAC, compressed air systems, process piping, electrical distribution, and fire protection that all needed complete documentation. Design had to start in 10 days. One team used traditional tripod LiDAR with an $80K scanner investment. Our team used XGrids SLAM technology—a handheld system that’s rapidly becoming the new standard for speed and coverage.
The Traditional Tripod Approach: Why It Takes So Long
Traditional tripod-based LiDAR has been the industry benchmark for years, and for good reason. The technology is proven, highly accurate (typically ±3-5mm), and captures millions of points per scan. You mount the scanner on a stable tripod, it rotates 360 degrees from a fixed position, and you get incredibly detailed data. The challenge isn’t the technology—it’s the workflow.
Here’s what happens at every single scan position: You scout the location for stable tripod placement (2 minutes), set up and mount the scanner (2 minutes), level it carefully (1-2 minutes), initialize and start the scan (1 minute), then wait for scan completion (5-8 minutes). After reviewing data quality (1 minute), you pack up and move to the next position. That’s 12-15 minutes per position, and for a project like our manufacturing facility example, you need 300-350 scan positions to cover the production floor, utility areas, and overhead infrastructure.
Do the math: 9 days of fieldwork with two technicians, plus 3 days of processing. The total cost breakdown: $14,400 in field labor, $3,000 equipment rental, and $3,000 in processing time. Total cost: $20,400 and 12 days from scan to delivery.
But there’s another problem that doesn’t show up on the invoice. Traditional tripod scanning typically captures only 75-80% of a facility because you can’t get the scanner into tight spaces between production equipment, above utility runs, or into service corridors with limited access. That missing 20-25% often becomes expensive field verification work during construction.
The SLAM Alternative: Walking Speed Documentation
SLAM—Simultaneous Localization and Mapping—changes everything. Instead of stopping at hundreds of positions, one operator walks continuously through the facility with a handheld device like the Lixel L2 Pro, capturing complete 3D data in real-time with 1cm accuracy. No tripod setups, no leveling, no waiting. The system builds the map as you move, achieving 95-98% coverage including tight spaces between machinery and areas above production lines that traditional methods miss.
On that same 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility project, here’s what actually happened with SLAM technology: 15 minutes equipment setup, 5.5 hours of continuous walking and scanning through production areas, utility zones, and overhead spaces, then 30 minutes review and wrap-up. Total field time: 6.5 hours with one operator. Processing took 2 days instead of 3 because there were no scan positions to stitch together—just one continuous dataset.
The cost difference was dramatic: $650 field labor (one tech, 6.5 hours), $350 equipment, $1,600 processing. Total cost: $2,600 and 3 days from scan to delivery. That’s a direct savings of $17,800 on a single project, delivered 9 days faster, with better coverage.
The Real Cost Isn’t Just the Invoice
The $17,800 direct savings is significant, but it’s actually not the biggest advantage. When design starts 9 days sooner, your entire project schedule compresses. You’re not waiting for field verification before finalizing drawings. You’re not adding contingency padding to bids because you’re uncertain about existing conditions. And most importantly, you’re finding conflicts during coordination—not during construction when they cost 10 times more to fix.
One of our customers used SLAM on a pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion and delivered the as-built model 10 days early. The design team started coordination immediately and identified 14 MEP conflicts before a single pipe was ordered. The general contractor was so impressed that they specified that same contractor as sole-source for their next facility expansion. The reason? “Only contractor who delivers complete as-builts upfront.”
Another firm calculated their real ROI beyond the direct savings. They were winning 30% more competitive bids because they could eliminate field verification contingencies and provide faster turnaround times. Their proposals now promise complete documentation in 3 days instead of 2 weeks, and they actually deliver on that promise. For manufacturing facilities with tight production schedules and minimal downtime windows, this speed advantage is a game-changer.
Making the Switch
If you’re still using tripod LiDAR as your primary MEP documentation method, you don’t have to completely replace your workflow overnight. Start by testing SLAM alongside your current process on your next project. Compare the results, compare the timeline, and compare the coverage. Most firms that do this never go back to tripod-only workflows for large-scale facility documentation.
You can rent equipment or request a demo to see the speed difference firsthand. The learning curve is minimal—if you can walk through a facility, you can operate a SLAM system. For MEP contractors and BIM professionals ready to eliminate scanning delays and win more work, explore the full range of 3D scanners by XGrids at Rev.1 or contact Rev.1 Technologies for personalized recommendations.
The MEP documentation market is moving fast. Tripod LiDAR was revolutionary when it arrived, and it still has its place for ultra-high-precision applications. But for comprehensive as-built documentation of manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and industrial spaces, mobile SLAM delivers better coverage, faster turnaround, and dramatically lower costs. The firms adopting it now are winning projects and delivering faster. The question isn’t whether to make the switch—it’s whether you’ll be leading the change or catching up to competitors who already have.
Ready to see the difference? Call 248-707-2950 or contact Rev.1 Technologies to schedule a demo. See the Lixel L2 Pro or learn more about XGrids.