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3D-MC
Three Dimensional Machine Control
The Need
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Construction equipment using
laser control technology cannot perform curves on a road construction project. The guiding
of road construction equipment in curving contours requires references such as hubs,
staking, or elevated string lines. These benchmark limits productivity, because their
installation is slow, subject to human errors, and require skilled operators to steer
accurately the machine using rudimentary control methods. Attempts to guide equipment in
curves using radio communication have been tried but this solution is still slow and
unreliable. |
Grader with TopCon 3D-MC
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The Technology
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The 3D MC system uses three modules to control
the piece of equipment:
The survey plans are uploaded in a total station
using a computer notebook. The total-station converts the digital information into an
infrared laser beam.
- A receiver, mounted on the blade of the equipment, intercepts the
laser beam emitted by the total station and continuously determine (20 up-grades per
second) the blade’s current position and grade with respect the theoretical ones
defined by the designer plans.
The interface between the positioning information and
the actual steering of the equipment is performed through the use of a control system
device, which converts the digital data into machine hydraulic valve pulses.
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Computer and Total-station
Receiver
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The Benefits
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The main benefit of the 3D MC system is the
obvious gain of productivity generated by this innovation. According to some research
carried on by manufacturers of the guiding systems, the 3D MC device can triple the
productivity of equipment on highway projects as well as drastically increase their levels
of precision and performance. The 3D MC system is the next generation of equipment
controlling devices bringing an alternative to the existing slower and unreliable radio
communication systems. |
Status
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This laser technology was first
commercially introduced in the construction industry three decades ago. It was first used
for underground pipes and other straight-line positioning applications. However, the use
of laser technology for curve application is a novelty. The 3D MC is currently starting to
appear on highway projects in the United States, Australia,
France, and Germany. This
technology was honored as one of 1999 Nova Award Finalists by Construction
Industry Forum.. |
Barriers
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The main shortcoming of the 3D-MC system is
the distance between the total-station and the equipment being guided, which is limited to
300’ (100m), and hence requires to re-set the total-station frequently when the
equipment pass that limit. |
Points of Contact
- Jamie Williamson, National Sales Manager, Email:jamie_williams@topconlaser.com
- Mr. Dan Dykhuis, Laser Alignment, Inc., 6330 28th Street S.E.,
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546, U.S.A. Phone: (616) 949-7430, Fax: (616) 949-6975. Email:
sales@laseralignment.com
References
- Topcon Laser Systems: www.topconlaser.com
Disclaimer Statement
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Neither the Construction
Industry Institute nor Purdue University in any way endorses this
technology or represents
that the information presented can be relied upon without further investigation. |
MC,TC
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