CUES, a leading manufacturer of closed-circuit television pipeline inspection equipment, has introduced an innovative new wireless manhole scanning technology--the SPiDER 3D manhole scanner.
The SPiDER scanner is the only truly wireless, color, manhole inspection technology in such a lightweight and compact form, said Pierre Mikhail, director of CUES Manhole Inspection Division.
“The Spider scanner provides a new outlook on how manhole data is collected and applied,” said Mikhail. “While other cameras and inspection devices use a payout reel to determine how deep the camera is in a manhole, the 13 kg, tether-less, self-contained SPiDER typically is deployed using a telescopic mast or tripod for stability.
“It is operated with a tablet computer which controls the scanners and lights. This technology frees manhole scanning from problems associated with inaccurate, poorly calibrated cable counters and poorly managed cables. SPiDER does not require a truck or data/ power cable for operational use. Scanning data is recorded on the unit.”
SPiDER collects millions of three-dimensional (3D) points during each manhole scan that provides engineering and survey quality information about manhole geometry and condition. Information gathered can be used for structural assessment, pre- and post- rehabilitation analysis, hydrological surveys, and for general condition assessment.