The first Caterpillar M-series graders and T-series dozers sold in Australia have been fitted with Topcon Positioning Systems’ GPS-based 3D machine control systems, with dealer technicians and end users reporting that fitting of the Topcon systems is even easier and quicker than on previous-generation Cat machines. In May 2006, Caterpillar announced its innovative M-series motor graders – including joystick control system in place of a steering wheel, designed to make them easier to learn and less fatiguing to operate – with the first machines delivered to Australian owners in late 2007. The first three M-series graders in Australia – two in NSW and one in Victoria – were fitted with Topcon’s millimetre-accurate Millimetre GPS™ system and are being
Welcome to the first Automating your World column, a series of advice articles by Aptella’ technical experts. In this series of articles, we will be exploring the various aspects of machine control solutions – from a simple stick-on laser receiver on a backhoe to full blown 3D machine control systems using satellite positioning technology to automatically control motor graders, dozers, excavators, pavers and profilers. Sometimes referred to as grade control systems, machine control systems are now an everyday sight on construction sites around the world. If you do not already use such systems, chances are that you soon will. Just a few years ago, contractors bought machine control systems to get a ‘leg up’ on their competition. The
GPS-based machine control is rapidly revolutionising the civil construction business, through the cost savings and productivity improvements it’s allowing. And almost as a side effect, it’s revitalising the small to mid-size dozer market. Harry Katsanevas, machine control manager with Topcon’s Queensland dealer ABC Lasers, maintains that the combination of the latest precision GPS-based machine control, and power-angle-tilt (PAT) blades makes smaller dozers (D4-D7 size) highly productive and versatile machines. “We are finding with small sized dozers – the small Komatsu, John Deere, Case, Liebherr and Caterpillar machines – that GPS-based machine control plus a PAT blade is becoming a tool that they’re using on subdivisional work, on road jobs and so forth,” he said. “It allows them to
Automating Caterpillar M series motor graders with Topcon’s 3D machine control systems – including Millimetre GPSTM – has become even easier for owners with the introduction of a special Valve Switch Unit from Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS). TPS’s Valve Switch Unit (VSU) eliminates the need to add a hydraulic valve or connection to M Series grader’s hydraulic system through the CAN field bus, resulting in an integrated, real-time distributed control. In addition, the VSU eliminates the need for an activation fee to be paid to Caterpillar to enable the interface between the machine control system and the grader’s operating system. According to Brian Juroff, TPS director of construction sales, the VSU acts as an interface between the OEM
Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has released a significant upgrade to its 3D local positioning system (LPS), which combines a robotic total station with precision machine control to provide the world’s most advanced, high-accuracy local positioning 3D control system – and an alternative solution to Topcon’s GNSS-based precision Millimetre GPSTM system. Topcon’s new LPS-900 features its exclusive X-TRAC® tracking technology and integrated radio communication for higher-speed operation under all conditions. The LPS-900 is designed for contractors requiring millimetre-accurate final trim capability in smaller projects, as well as in built-up work areas or tree-covered worksites, where the capabilities of Topcon’s Millimetre GPS are not required or where satellite reception may be limited. In addition, many common elements between the LPS-900
At Conexpo in Las Vegas in March, Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) unveiled its new machine control system – Topcon’s 3D-MC2 dozer system – which can double dozer speed for final finishing, while still providing unprecedented smoothness. Ray O’Connor, Topcon president and CEO, described the 3D-MC2 breakthrough “as tearing down the last barrier in regard to increasing job site productivity: speed.” “There’s never been anything like this in construction machine automation,” he said. “Topcon’s 3D-MC2 technology speeds up the position calculation by a factor of 10 from today’s systems, allowing for faster positioning in real time, which means the machine can be controlled to design grade at much faster speeds than any other system.” According to O’Connor, this is
Topcon GPS systems are playing a key role for Macmahon Contractors in the stringless construction of Perth’s 4.5 km Mitchell Freeway extension, which serves the city’s rapidly growing northern suburbs. The project, which started in November 2006, and is due for completion in August, was well into the pavement construction works as of early 2008 – with the entire project constructed without the need for stringlines or pegging. These include two Millimetre GPS™ on a John Deere 770D and a grader for the pavement works, and a 3D indicate system on a Cat D7 dozer for bulk excavation and levelling. Additionally, a number of Hyperlite rover systems have been used for survey and grade checking throughout the project.
Topcon Positioning System released its Millimetre GPS precision control system for asphalt pavers and profilers. This follows its successful application on graders. Neil Other, TPS Australia/NZ sales manager, talks about what this means for the road construction and maintenance industry. Topcon introduced its Millimetre GPS concept three years ago. It has achieved global success, being adopted by grading contractors around the world. The great advantage of this system is its ability to allow grader operators – even relatively inexperienced ones – to grade to accuracies of 5-10 mm – providing substantial productivity enhancements for contractors and owner operators. The same benefits apply to the paving and profiling aspects of road construction and maintenance. Millimetre GPS in paving applications
