How PCL Construction Achieved 86% Cost Reduction with HP SitePrint at Vancouver Airport

PCL Construction, one of North America’s top general contractors, recently faced a significant challenge at Vancouver Airport. Tasked with laying out over 3,280 feet of curved lines for a decorative ceiling feature, PCL needed a solution that could handle the complexity and precision required for the job. Traditionally, they relied on robotic total stations for layout tasks, but as designs become more intricate, even these advanced tools fall short in terms of speed and accuracy.

In light of this challenge, our team of experts supported the integration of HP SitePrint, revolutionizing PCL’s approach to construction layouts.

The Challenge: Complex Layouts and Labour Shortages

PCL’s reputation for delivering quality on complex projects is unmatched, but even the most experienced teams can face challenges with intricate layouts. The Vancouver Airport project required over 8,000 points to be marked to create curved lines, covering a space of 6,458 square feet. Manually marking these points using traditional methods would take an estimated 160 hours—a daunting task given labour shortages and the high potential for error.

With such complexity, PCL needed a way to not only speed up the layout process but also reduce the chances of human error. The solution had to be both time-efficient and highly accurate.

The Solution: HP SitePrint

HP SitePrint offered a game-changing solution. By leveraging CAD files and integrating seamlessly with the robotic total station PCL was already using, the HP SitePrint robot automated the process of printing the intricate layout directly onto the floor. This eliminated the need for manual marking of 8,000 points, which would have taken days to complete.

The result? The HP SitePrint robot finished the layout in just 4 hours, 40 times faster than traditional methods.

A Remarkable 86% Cost Reduction

The efficiency gains weren’t just in time saved. PCL also experienced an astounding 86% reduction in layout costs. Here’s how it broke down:

• Manual labour costs for marking 8,000 points over 160 hours would have amounted to $12,800 CAD.
• With HP SitePrint, the entire job took 4 hours of professional work at $320 CAD, plus a $1,500 CAD support usage fee, totalling just $1,926 CAD.

This significant cost reduction shows just how transformative HP SitePrint can be for large and complex projects.

Eliminating Downtime with Smart Calibration 

Another point of frustration for the client had always been the downtime caused by equipment maintenance. Their previous scanners required annual calibration, which was both costly and time-consuming. But with the Trimble X9’s built-in self-calibration, those concerns were a thing of the past. 

They were relieved to discover that they could now operate with the confidence that their scanner was always accurate, with no more unexpected interruptions or costly maintenance schedules. 

The Impact on Future Projects

For PCL, the use of HP SitePrint on this project has set a new standard for layout efficiency. Jason Palichuk, YVR Project Superintendent, praised the robot’s ability to print complex curves and radius lines in different colours for ceiling and tiling contractors to follow. The ink was durable enough to withstand ongoing trade activity, and the project ran more smoothly as a result.

PCL plans to leverage HP SitePrint on future projects and we will be at their disposal for implementation and support.

Ready to Transform Your Layout Process?

As the official HP SitePrint reseller in Canada, BuildingPoint Canada is proud to offer this innovative solution to construction professionals nationwide. We can help evaluate your needs and incorporate HP SitePrint to achieve faster, more accurate layouts and significant cost savings.

At BuildingPoint Canada, this is the kind of transformation we strive to bring to all of our clients. Whether it’s solving day-to-day pain points or empowering them with the latest innovations in scanning and BIM workflows, we’re committed to providing solutions that make a tangible difference.  Contact us today! 

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