CASE STUDY 1

July 2026

IMPROVING ACCURACY & EFFICIENCY IN SHIPBUILDING WITH LASER TRACKING TECHNOLOGY

OVERVIEW

A leading UK-based shipbuilding client partnered with 1st Horizon to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and safety of assembling large vessel sections during the construction process. With increasing pressure on the shipbuilding industry to deliver complex projects on tighter timelines and budgets, the client was seeking a more advanced and reliable approach to large-scale dimensional control.

The assembly of vessel sections is a critical stage in ship construction, where even minor misalignments can lead to costly delays, rework, and potential structural issues. Recognising the limitations of traditional measurement methods, the client engaged 1st Horizon to introduce a more precise, data-driven solution that would improve confidence in section placement and streamline the overall workflow.

By leveraging 1st Horizon’s expertise in advanced measurement technologies, the project focused on implementing high-accuracy laser tracking to support real-time positioning and verification. The goal was not only to improve alignment accuracy, but also to reduce downtime during installation, minimise risk on site, and create a more efficient and controlled build environment.

FARO Vantage laser tracker performing a pointcloud scan of shipbuilding

THE CHALLENGE

Ship construction involves assembling large structural “blocks” or sections, often manufactured in different areas of the yard or even off-site, before being brought together for final installation.

Traditionally, positioning these sections relied on lower-accuracy tools such as theodolites and tape measures, combined with manual referencing methods.

This approach presented several challenges:

  • Time-consuming verification processes
  • Reduced positioning accuracy
  • Increased likelihood of section movement before welding
  • Greater time spent working around suspended loads poses safety risks

 

“The introduction of real-time 3D measurement has significantly improved section alignment and verification, enabling greater precision and efficiency across our shipbuilding operations.”

 

 

THE SOLUTION

To address these challenges, 1st Horizon supported the implementation of the FARO Vantage Laser Tracker. This advanced system provides real-time 3D coordinate data (X, Y, Z), allowing for precise alignment of each section during installation.

Using laser tracking technology, operatives can monitor and adjust positioning live, ensuring each section aligns as closely as possible to the original design intent before welding takes place.

 

THE RESULTS

The introduction of laser tracking technology delivered significant improvements across the project:

  • Increased Accuracy: Precise alignment of ship sections to nominal design specifications
  • Enhanced Efficiency: Faster verification and reduced installation time
  • Improved Safety: Less time spent working around suspended sections
  • Reduced Rework: Minimised risk of misalignment and subsequent corrections

 

CONCLUSION

By integrating high-precision laser tracking into the ship assembly process, 1st Horizon enabled the client to enhance both operational performance and build quality significantly. By adopting advanced measurement technology, we resolved long-standing alignment and verification challenges and moved to a more proactive, controlled approach to large-scale construction.

This project demonstrates how moving away from traditional, manual measurement methods toward real-time, data-driven solutions can unlock substantial efficiencies. With improved accuracy at the point of installation, the client was able to reduce reliance on rework, maintain tighter project timelines, and achieve greater consistency across the build process.

Importantly, the impact extended beyond productivity gains. By minimising the time operatives spent working around suspended sections, the solution also contributed to a safer working environment, an increasingly critical consideration across the industry.

Overall, this case study highlights the value of combining 1st Horizon’s technical expertise with cutting-edge measurement technologies to deliver practical, measurable improvements. It reinforces the role of precision metrology in modern shipbuilding and showcases how innovation can support safer, faster, and more reliable project delivery.

 

Contact 1st Horizon today to discuss your measurement needs and discover how our FARO tracker and 3D scanning solutions can enhance accuracy, efficiency, and confidence in your next project.

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