A GPS system ready for operation.
“Traditionally machine control came to the market in the form of laser based systems - 2D as its known in the industry and still a very common product today as the accuracy can be better than GPS. 2D laser systems either automatic or ‘indicate’ (with traffic light indicators to show the required level) are installed on the earthmoving equipment and they receive gradient levels from a rotating laser on site, allowing the driver to follow the correct levels from the cab. A 2D screen is also installed in the cab, working from the can bus (electronic controller area network) system fitted to the machine. Along with required sensors for each machine, the basis of simple trigonometry will allow the operator to see the accuracy of the cutting edge at any time during the site works”.
A tidy wiring installation, showing care and attention to detail.
The UK construction market has seen as surge in GPS based systems as the capabilities are continually improving. Knowledge and understanding of using this technology on the ground has
also grown due to the major projects the technology has been utilised on and manufacturers are forever innovating, developing newer and slicker products for the machines and infrastructure equipment.
“Many plant hire companies are today having their machines fitted out so they too remain competitive and ready for site requirements,” said Paul Tuohy. “Furthermore, the technology is now being installed at factory level by some of the big equipment manufactures as it is being requested by their customers. Essentially, GPS antennas, cabling and sensors are mounted on to a machine like an excavator or dozer. Working from either an internet based service or site GPS base station placed on site, the machine systems can receive RTK (real time kinetic, giving live data) corrections to within accuracy of 10-20mm. Required levels and gradients can be determined automatically, and the driver can monitor the operation via an in-cab screen.
Calculating quantities of material
“Many client organisations like Highways England are now specifying that equipment like this is used, and so contractors are increasingly requiring the services of a specialist provider such as us. The systems also gather data that can be used to calculate exactly how much material has been removed during construction and how much spoil needs to be dealt with in a controlled manner. The days of transporting material in skips for landfill disposal have long gone, and these systems can prove exactly what has been removed or re-located, again enhancing efficiency.”
31 A 3D system installed on a dozer for work on large housing project.
Boels Survey & Laser expects demand to grow steadily for its machine control equipment and other products. High-profile projects such as HS2 and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham are likely to fuel interest, and the company reports that its general construction customers remain very busy with healthy order books.
www.surveyandlaser.co.uk
The West Bromwich depot serves as a hub. It handles all machine control equipment, and all installation and service personnel live within proximity, enabling them to load up with the items they will need for the next customer and to travel to the works site, wherever it might be in the country.
While the majority of site survey equipment in the fleet is sourced from Leica Geosystems, for which Boels Survey & Laser is an authorised distributor and service partner, it also offers products from other manufacturers such as Topcon and Trimble. Machine control systems are more varied in their procurement, as different plant manufacturers favour particular suppliers, and so systems can be sourced from providers including, again, Leica and Topcon, and Trimble amongst others.
More potential applications
“Originally, this sort of system was typically only seen on very large machines like 20-tonne excavators but we are now seeing demand for hire and installation on mini excavators and skid steer loaders,” said Dave Thomas. “And there are other potential applications for machine control in wide markets outside construction and house building, such as on farmland and for underwater ground engineering tasks. Our training facility has special simulators that allow operators and drivers to become familiar with the technology, and quantity surveyors and site managers can find out more about the data collection and storage capabilities they offer. This upskills people and gives them a greater sense of involvement in a project.”
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