Machine control partnership between Topcon and Komatsu

342 Topcon and 2300 Komatsu are gearing up their long running partnership to a new level, and which will be implemented on a global basis. Although the firms have been co-operating internationally for some years, this partnership has been particularly active in the European market for machine control technology. Under the terms of the deal, customers will be able to order Komatsu machines that are factory-fitted with Topcon technology.

Sensors will be fitted in the hydraulic rams of bulldozers, graders and excavators for instance, which will allow far greater degrees of accuracy and durability than by using equipment mounted on masts. Achiel Sturm said, “We’ll be able to connect excavators to the dump trucks working together and be able to gather data in the workplace based out of a central hub. The way ahead in the future will be to communicate with all machines from all companies using common architecture.” He added that this would not be limited to machines from Komatsu either and would encompass equipment from other manufacturers with Topcon works closely such as 718 Liebherr and 2394 Volvo or others.

This deal is of note as it follows on from Topcon’s recent agreement with software specialist Autodesk to improve the interoperability of their respective technologies and products. Under this agreement, Topcon and 685 Autodesk are now working together to integrate aspects of their services and solutions. The aim is for Autodesk’s design and construction software portfolio for Building Information Modeling (BIM) to better interact with Topcon’s on-site field positioning hardware. The initial phase focuses on API-level integration between Autodesk’s AutoCAD WS product and Topcon’s systems. There will be further exploration of potential combined offerings both on the desktop with Autodesk’s design solutions (including AutoCAD, Revit, and Navisworks) and in the cloud with Autodesk’s BIM 360 offerings, including BIM 360 Glue and BIM 360 Field. These solutions are intended to directly connect and drive Topcon field positioning hardware for installation layout tasks, as well as as-built collection and documentation.Stands:

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