MARINE DIMENSIONAL ENGINEERING

Shipbuilding

Behind the Measurements

ALTO provides shipbuilding dimensional inspection, alignment, 3D scanning, reverse engineering and integrated metrology services worldwide. With teams and equipment positioned in the region, we provide rapid mobilisation across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, the wider Middle East and Africa. Our engineers support shipyards, vessel owners, marine contractors and equipment suppliers throughout new construction, installation, modification, retrofit and repair projects.

We combine specialist marine metrology expertise with advanced Hexagon and Creaform measurement technologies. Laser trackers provide high-accuracy dimensional control of critical interfaces and alignment features over large measurement volumes, while 3D scanners capture dense surface and spatial data from components, structures and complete machinery spaces.

Using SpatialAnalyzer and PolyWorks, ALTO processes laser tracker and scanning data to perform CAD comparison, alignment analysis, virtual fit-up, clash detection, reverse engineering and clear 3D reporting.

Shipbuilding Dimensional Inspection and Alignment Services

Hull and structural inspection: Dimensional verification of hull sections, decks, bulkheads, blocks and fabricated structures against drawings or nominal CAD geometry.
Engine-room alignment: Measurement and alignment of engines, gearboxes, generators, shafts, bearings, foundations and propulsion-system components.
Gearbox and propeller-shaft alignment: High-accuracy verification of shaft centre lines, bearing positions, coupling offsets and angular alignment.
Crane-pedestal inspection: Measurement of pedestal geometry, flange flatness, orientation and bolt-circle diameter, including BCD matching with mating crane interfaces.
On-site machining support: Laser tracker alignment and real-time monitoring before, during and after flange facing, milling, drilling and bearing-housing machining.
Dredger inspection and alignment: Dimensional control of spud carriers, pumps, foundations, shafts and associated mechanical interfaces.
Jack-up vessel inspection: Measurement of jack-up legs, engine-room equipment, fabricated structures and critical interfaces during construction, maintenance and repair.
Module and block fit-up: Measurement and virtual comparison of separately fabricated sections to identify clashes and alignment problems before physical assembly.

Engine-Room 3D Scanning and Digitalisation

ALTO performs complete 3D scanning and digitalisation of engine rooms, machinery spaces and other congested vessel areas. The captured point cloud provides an accurate digital representation of existing equipment, piping, foundations, structures and available installation space.

Modification and retrofit planning: Existing conditions are captured before new equipment, piping or structural elements are designed.
Clash detection: Proposed modifications can be compared with the scanned environment to identify spatial conflicts before fabrication or installation.
As-built documentation: Scan data creates a permanent digital record of the vessel’s actual configuration.
Reverse engineering: Existing components and interfaces can be reconstructed as CAD models when original drawings are incomplete or unavailable.
Installation verification: New or modified equipment can be scanned and compared with the approved design to confirm its final position and clearances.

Large-Scale High-Accuracy Marine Measurement

ALTO combines 3D scanning with laser tracker measurement according to the required level of detail and accuracy. Scanners efficiently capture large surfaces and complex environments, while laser trackers provide sub-millimetre dimensional control of critical points, axes, flanges and mechanical interfaces where higher accuracy is required.

This combined workflow enables ALTO to inspect large vessel structures without sacrificing the accuracy required for propulsion alignment, machinery installation, interface matching and other critical marine applications.

ALTO supports the complete shipbuilding metrology workflow, from measurement planning and on-site data acquisition to analysis, reverse engineering, virtual fit-up and final reporting.

Technician using SuPAR augmented reality software to perform a real-time CAD-to-part visual inspection.

SuPAR AR Visual Inspection

SuPAR AR visual inspection connects digital CAD data with physical components using augmented reality. The application overlays design geometry directly onto the real part, helping operators identify discrepancies, verify component positioning and follow assembly instructions.

Users can capture photographs, add comments and document quality issues directly during inspection. The collected information can be shared through PDF, Excel and 3D reports, improving traceability and communication between production, quality and engineering teams.

SuPAR supports visual quality control, assembly guidance, maintenance and collaborative inspection activities. ALTO provides application assessment, configuration, implementation and training across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Africa.

A massive disassembled turbine rotor resting horizontally on supports within a large industrial workshop hall.

Turbine and Generator Alignment

ALTO provides turbine and generator alignment services using high-accuracy laser trackers and industrial metrology software. Measurements verify shaft centre lines, bearing positions, coupling alignment, casing geometry, elevation and orientation during installation, maintenance and overhaul activities.

Our engineers support steam, gas and hydroelectric power-generation equipment by providing real-time dimensional data to guide mechanical adjustments and confirm the final alignment condition. Detailed reports provide traceable measurement results for quality control and project documentation.

ALTO performs turbine and generator alignment across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Africa. Contact us for project assessment, mobilisation planning and a commercial quotation.

A large industrial machine with multiple rotating arms is positioned on a blue metal frame. In front, a tripod-mounted measuring device, such as the Leica AT960 for laser tracker alignment, alongside a laptop and keyboard are set up for calibration or testing.

Laser Tracker Alignment

ALTO provides on-site laser tracker alignment for machinery, production lines and heavy industrial equipment across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Africa. Our metrology engineers measure position, level, straightness, parallelism and machine geometry to guide installation and adjustment with high accuracy

On-site machine alignment using a portable laser tracker to measure and align large, non-dismantlable industrial machinery components.

On-Site Milling Machine Alignment

ALTO provides on-site alignment of portable milling machines using high-accuracy laser trackers across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. We establish machining references, guide equipment positioning and perform pre- and post-machining dimensional inspection on large components that cannot be moved to a conventional CNC machine.