Four-dimensional crane rail measurement systems

A non-contact rail survey system for overhead crane runway beams comprising:

• a plurality of crane runway beams each having an upper and a lower flange linked by a beam web and having a plurality of vertical beam web stiffeners positioned along the crane runway beam at intervals,
• a runway rail positioned on top of the crane runway beam, and
• a hot rail positioned along the upper flange of the crane runway beam;
• a plurality of crane columns with an upper end and a lower end wherein the upper end has a beam seat upon which the crane runway beam rests;
• a measurement unit configured to remain stationary during measurement of two runway rails which collectively form a runway, the measurement unit including
• a 3-D laser scanner configured to collect data,
• a support base, and
• an interface which transmits the data collected by the 3D laser scanner;
• and
• a computing unit including
• a receiver which receives the 3D laser scanner data transmitted by the interface,
• a data storage unit, and
• a processor configured to compute one or more of
• crane rail 3D alignment,
• crane runway beam 3D alignment,
• crane runway beam flange camber,
• crane runway beam web warp and lean,
• hot rail 3D alignment,
• crane column 3D position and lean,
• crane column beam seats, and
• direct span measurement.