Traditionally 3D machine control systems have been used on a relatively narrow band of equipment types: graders, dozers and excavators (if “tradition” can be applied to a technology that’s only been around less than two decades). But in the past few years, we’ve seen an accelerating trend to putting these systems on a wider range of equipment, as contractors and other end-users seek to extend the productivity, efficiency, materials saving and time-reduction benefits across their entire fleet. Equipment that is now being successfully fitted with machine control technology includes: Front-end loaders (both wheel and crawler) Backhoe/loaders Skidsteer loaders Rollers and compactors (both soil and asphalt) Pavers Profilers and milling machines. And as more and more equipment types are
NSW civil contractor JK Williams has recently purchased a new GOMACO Commander III slipform paver fitted with Topcon’s MillimeterGPS™ precision 3D paving control system. The US-built GOMACO Commander III can lay pavement up to 8 m wide, as well as carry out a wide range of kerb and gutter work, including Jersey kerbs, barriers and barrier kerbs up to 2.4 m high, standard kerb and gutter, rolled kerbs, kerb-only, in a wide range of profiles. On a recent job the paver was laying around 1.5 km of kerb and 2 km of footpath for Penrith Council at Glenmore Park in Sydney’s Western Suburbs. The company will also be using the system on a major dam construction project, incorporating
Aptella has launched AllDayRTK, a national network RTK solution across Australia providing flexible, subscription-based services for the surveying, GIS, civil construction, mining and precision farming industries. AllDayRTK is a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network. “CORS networks offer a number of advantages over traditional base station operation, including reduced setup time, consistent accuracy regardless of distance from a reference station (within networked areas) and subscription-based access for greater payment flexibility,” said James Millner, Aptella’ GNSS Infrastructure Manager. “In setting up AllDayRTK, Aptella is collaborating with privately operated and Government-run state networks, such as Victoria’s GPSnet. “Because of this, we are able to provide a seamless solution for customers that crosses network borders to deliver accurate, reliable GNSS positioning
Topcon Positioning Systems has released two new reflectorless total station series featuring unique new technology allowing surveying to be carried out quickly and accurately with one of the fastest electronic distance measurement (EDM) rates on the market. The new reflectorless total station series, the ES series and the OS series, incorporate five exclusive new features designed to increase productivity, accuracy, speed of measuring and work, and security. According to Garry MacPhail, survey manager with Aptella, Topcon’s national distributor, both new total station series offers a range of features making them suitable not only for general surveying, but also for specialist requirements in mining, road maintenance and construction, and civil construction. The ES series is available in 1, 2,
Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has released the new CR-G5, a high performance choke ring antenna based on the company’s TA-5 full spectrum GNSS antenna element. Topcon’s new TA-5 technology incorporates an array of vertical convex dipoles to provide “full wave” tracking for all existing and future GNSS signals, said Gavin Docherty, Aptella GNSS Infrastructure Product Manager. “This premium geodetic antenna has excellent vertical phase center stability over the entire GNSS frequency band, providing superior performance in tracking low elevation satellite signals,” he said. “It is environmentally designed for the long-term installations required for reference network and monitoring applications.” In addition, it is shock tested to withstand repeated 1m drops onto concrete, and is IPX7 waterproof and IP6X
Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has released its new PN-A5 GNSS antenna, combining the company’s TA-5 full spectrum GNSS antenna element with a newly designed semi-hemispherical convex impedance ground plane – significantly increasing its ability to track satellite signals. According to Topcon, its unique ground plane design provides improved multipath mitigation and a significant increase in ability to track signals from satellites located near to the horizon. Based around Topcon’s new TA-5 antenna technology, the PN-A5 provides “full wave” signal tracking for all existing and planned GNSS signals through its use of vertical dipoles for sensitive and stable signal reception, said Gavin Docherty, Aptella GNSS Infrastructure Product Manager. “This best-in-class geodetic antenna has an IPX7 waterproof and IP6X dustproof
Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has released the RL-SV2S, a new dual grade, long-range, self-levelling construction laser incorporating multi-use features. According to Ben Davis, National Construction Product Manager with national Topcon distributor Aptella, the RL-SV2S is capable of handling any general construction or engineering project, including earthmoving and site preparation. “With an operating range of 800 metres diameter, it has the power to cover even the biggest job sites,” he said. “Designed for multiple types of applications, this laser can be used in horizontal, single grade, dual grade or vertical job applications. “The RL-SV2S is also ideal for machine control applications,” Davis said. It handles slopes up to ±15 degrees and can be used in either the X or
With 14 decks, the Italian-made Costa Concordia cruise ship was a gargantuan-size vessel by any accounts. It measured 290 metres long, 35.5 metres wide, and weighed 114,500 tons. It was the biggest of a half-dozen “dream class cruise ships” owned and operated by Costa Crociere, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc. Unfortunately, on January 13, 2012, one of Europe’s largest cruise ships and the largest Italian cruise ship ever built, the Costa Concordia struck a rock in the Tyrrhenian Sea just off the shore of Isola del Giglio, near the western coast of Italy. This accident tore a 49-metre-long gash in her hull. With water flooding in and listing, the capsized cruise ship drifted back to
