How Integridad de Ductos - Ideductos Modernised Pipeline Inspection with Creaform 3D Technology

Integridad de Ductos – ideDuctos, a Mexican company specialized in pipeline inspection and integrity assessment, was facing a common challenge in the industry: performing reliable diagnostics on infrastructure that has been in operation for decades, where any error can have serious consequences.

In one of its recent projects, the company worked on the evaluation of a 16-inch diameter, 400-meter-long natural gas pipeline that had been in service for over 70 years. The corrosion, accumulated over time, posed a risk both to personnel's safety and to the stability of the system.

The Challenge: Accuracy in Aging Pipelines

Before adopting Creaform’s solutions, the inspection process was manual and heavily reliant on the expertise of the operator. As Fernando Benítez, Engineering Director at Integridad de Ductos, explained: “The manual process was quite time-consuming because it depended on the operator’s experience.”

This method, in addition to being more time-intensive, increased the risk of human error, which could lead to inaccurate diagnostics. A mistake in the assessment could result in two critical scenarios: an accident—such as a leak or explosion—or a significant financial loss from replacing a pipeline that was still functional.

The Solution: 3D Scanning and Analysis With Creaform Integrity Suite

To transform this process, Integridad de Ductos integrated Creaform’s HandySCAN BLACK™|Elite along with Creaform Integrity Suite software. “With Creaform Integrity Suite, we apply integrity calculations based on the ASME B31G code, which virtually eliminates human error,” added Fernando.

The 3D scanner enables field digitization of the pipeline surface, generating a precise mesh that the software automatically analyses. Thanks to its portability, the equipment can be deployed in hard-to-reach areas, reducing inspection times and eliminating the need to transport bulky components. Moreover, the submillimetre precision offered by Creaform’s devices ensures reproducible results, without relying on the operator’s subjective interpretation.

Results: Efficiency, Cost Savings, and Reliability

The impact of the implementation was immediate, as Fernando confirms: “We used to spend four hours on inspections; now we complete them in thirty minutes. Before, we performed one or two evaluations per day—now we can do five or six, and that obviously reduces costs significantly.”

Thanks to process digitalization, inspection time was reduced by up to eightfold, improving the technical team’s productivity and ensuring more reliable diagnostics. The combination of speed and precision not only delivers operational savings, but also minimizes risks to personnel and the environment. As Fernando explains, “the consequences of a poor diagnosis can be fatal. Today, we can carry out highly accurate evaluations that ensure the pipeline poses no risk to either the personnel or the surroundings.”

Trust That Drives Safety

With Creaform’s support, Integridad de Ductos has elevated its inspection processes to a new level of accuracy and efficiency. Fernando concludes that “the diagnosis we ultimately deliver to our client is precise and highly reliable.” This case demonstrates how innovation in 3D metrology not only boosts productivity but also protects lives and optimizes resources in an industry where accuracy is not a luxury, but a necessity.