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Pipeline and refinery integrity assessments are critical for safety and compliance—but they are far from easy. From difficult field conditions to results prone to human errors, NDT service companies face hurdles that can compromise both data accuracy and report conformity. In this blog, we explore how these challenges impact operations and how Creaform’s new HandySCAN 3D|EVO Series addresses them, transforming pipeline and refinery inspection into a more efficient, reliable, and compliance-ready process.
The Reality of Pipeline and Refinery Assessment: Tough Conditions, Scarce Skills, and Human Error
Maintaining pipeline and refinery integrity is a demanding and exacting process. NDT service providers often face conditions that make accurate evaluation difficult, from working in confined or hard-to-reach spaces to the ongoing challenge of finding and retaining qualified technicians. Adding to the difficulty, technicians are frequently forced to bring laptops into these harsh environments, complicating field operations.
On top of that, traditional inspection methods rely heavily on manual operation and interpretation, making the data accuracy dependent on the skill and attention of each technician. Conventional tools require hands-on handling, precise positioning, and careful recording, leaving ample room for human error and inconsistencies that can compromise both measurements and reports.
These challenges not only affect the reliability of defect characterization but also compromise both the conformity of reports to internal procedures and their compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
EVO Series—Redefining Pipeline and Refinery Integrity Assessments
Fully Autonomous 3D Scanning Solution
Creaform’s new HandySCAN 3D|EVO series directly addresses the operational and conformity challenges faced in pipeline and refinery integrity assessments. Designed for autonomy, it features an embedded display that allows technicians to handle the entire acquisition and analysis process directly on the 3D scanner—from menu navigation and data capture to real-time result visualization—eliminating the need to carry a laptop into the ditch.
The EVO Series can also be paired with the Mobility Kit, a lightweight and compact belt-mounted module, to provide remote connectivity and increase flexibility. Together with this mobility pack, the HandySCAN 3D|EVO Series forms a standalone mobile 3D scanning solution.
Ultra-Simplified User Interface
Moreover, the 3D scanner’s new ultra-simplified user interface lowers the expertise barrier for new technicians by providing preconfigured settings, structured workflows, and guided inspection that minimizes human interaction and reduces the risk of error. Inspection parameters and report structure can then be preconfigured to meet specific requirements, minimizing deviations from standardized procedures.
Augmented Reality (AR) with an Integrated Photo Camera
Finally, the EVO Series uses augmented reality projection to overlay colormaps directly on the infrastructure surface, making deviations immediately visible. At the same time, high-quality images captured with its integrated photo camera are automatically embedded into PDF reports, enhancing compliance, traceability, and documentation—while eliminating unnecessary manual handling.
Creaform is Turning Field Challenges into Tangible Benefits
The EVO series transforms pipeline and refinery inspection by combining mobility, ease-of-use, and advanced documentation into one solution.
Mobility
Thanks to its autonomous design, the EVO series is highly portable, allowing metrology-grade inspections to be performed directly in the field—even in confined or hard-to-reach areas. By removing the need to carry a computer into the ditch, the HandySCAN 3D|EVO Series makes pipeline assessments faster, less cumbersome, and far more efficient for technicians.
Easy On-Boarding
With its ultra-simplified interface, the EVO series allows new employees to quickly become proficient, regardless of their prior expertise. From preconfigured parameters and magnetic targets to live calibration and automatic report generation, every feature is designed for faster deployment and consistent, reliable assessments.
Enhanced Communication and Documentation
Thanks to its integrated photo camera, the HandySCAN 3D|EVO Series lets service companies embed on-site images directly into reports. The result is clear, standardized, and easily shareable documentation that strengthens communication between field teams, engineers, and asset owners. With everyone working from the same reliable inspection information, misinterpretation is reduced, and maintenance or repair decisions can be made faster and with greater confidence.
Together, these benefits eliminate transcription errors, standardize processes, and guarantee conformity with industry requirements—while driving greater productivity across the entire service company.
A New Standard for NDT Service Companies
With its unique combination of autonomy, simplicity, and augmented reality, the EVO Series gives NDT service companies a powerful differentiator in a highly competitive market. By eliminating common sources of error, streamlining reporting, and enhancing documentation, it enables technicians to deliver higher-quality, compliance-ready reports with greater efficiency. More than just a tool, the HandySCAN 3D|EVO Series helps service companies set themselves apart, build trust with their clients, and elevate the standard of pipeline and refinery integrity assessment.
Published 11/03/2025