GPS machine control technology aids productivity

GPS technology offers contractors many benefits and product offerings are growing more diverse, Mike Woof reports

The benefit of GPS technology for the construction industry cannot be overstated. Using GPS as part of a machine control package offers major economies to the user, with investment in these systems being rapidly paid back through speedier and vastly more efficient working. Contractors ahead of the curve in this respect already know that two-way data transfer and real-time communications connect workflows and can increase productivity across the jobsite.

Three firms have established themselves as noted technology leaders in the sector, 265 Leica Geosystems, 342 Topcon and 2122 Trimble. These three companies have taken different routes into the industry and their products have different applications, benefits and capabilities. In terms of machine control in construction, Leica Geosystems has been particularly successful in the concrete paving sector for example while Topcon and Trimble have had their greatest market penetration in earthmoving. All three of these competitors offer a range of technologies and solutions to meet the needs of the market and all three continue to expand their capabilities too, both through new product development and key acquisitions. Competition has been pushed further with equipment giant 178 Caterpillar also offering AccuGrade GPS machine control systems as options on its machines.

However this existing state of the market now looks set to change with the introduction of a new competitor. This comes in the shape of a recently established partnership between US firm 2895 Hemisphere GPS and UK company 309 Prolec. These two firms are joining forces to expand on the machine guidance technology capabilities of both. Hemisphere GPS is launching its new Earthworks Business Unit, which designs and manufactures products for the construction market. This product line is aimed at machine guidance and control for earthmoving machinery applications. The firm has adapted its proven technology and applications used in other markets to meet the needs of the construction industry. "As a growing innovation company, we're always looking to leverage related vertical markets that are a natural fit for our technology and business," explained Steven Koles, president and CEO of Hemisphere GPS. "There is great potential in the construction market for our new Earthworks business segment through use of our machine guidance and control technologies." In support of the Earthworks business segment, Hemisphere GPS and Prolec have agreed to a strategic alliance. The two companies are now collaborating on integrated systems incorporating their respective technologies. Hemisphere GPS plans to expand its Earthworks product portfolio by offering complementary excavator and blade solutions during 2010.

The Earthworks X200 excavator machine guidance system is the first such construction solution from Hemisphere GPS and has been developed to improving operator accuracy, simplifying machine operations and reducing the amount of excavation rework. The package features a novel Crescent Vector GPS sensor as well as other precision sensors. Using this package provides a visual guide to an operator as a graphical and numeric display of the excavator bucket is shown relative to the desired grade. The system is aimed at use with the small to mid-size construction contractors who want to improve profitability, productivity and safety.

John Bohlke, general manager of Earthworks of Hemisphere GPS said, "Our current Earthworks X200 system and future products under development are based on task-oriented solutions that give contractors a quick return on investment." The Earthworks X200 excavator machine guidance system is designed for easy installation and can be used by operators of all skill levels.

According to the firm, this package allows contractors to reduce input costs and become more competitive in bidding on new contracts.

However Leica Geosystems, Topcon and Trimble, as well as Caterpillar, are still investing in developing heavily in their own operations and this new rival will sharpen competition. The established firms all have strong research and development programmes as well as global strategies based at broadening operations.

Caterpillar has developed its AccuGrade portfolio, product of a partnership with Trimble, across a range of machines and construction sectors. Leica Geosystems has been notable for its strong acquisition policy, backed by its parent the 1227 Hexagon Group. This has added further technologies to its portfolio, bringing the firm into more direct competition with Topcon and Trimble.

Meanwhile Topcon Europe recently made a strategic acquisition aimed at boosting its market presence in the construction industry. The firm bought Netherlands based Roadware, a company with expertise in developing innovative solutions for road construction. Roadware pioneered technologies for road construction, asphalt and concrete paving, developing smart electronics and software aiming to fully automate and control road construction machines and processes.

For Trimble the focus has been on further developing its connected worksite offering. These site solutions offer a wide spread of technologies for different aspects of each construction project.

The Trimble connected site solutions can connect assets, information, people, machines and jobsites to meet the workflow needs of different stakeholders within a contractor. This uses a mix of GPS, construction lasers, total stations, wireless data communications, the Internet and application software and can carry out tasks more accurately and efficiently than was possible using previous manual methods. This can be used for tasks such as grading and excavation and can reduce operating costs, increase productivity, boost accuracy and improve site safety. Because the technology increases data flow across the site, users derive more information from operations. The system can also be set to meet the needs of each operation both in terms of tasks and scale.

And of course in this fast-moving sector, new products are constantly coming to market, with more launches scheduled for 2010. Part of Topcon, 1090 Sokkia has announced the launch of a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) receiver. The GRX1 GNSS includes the new SHC250 data collector as well as a new controller and post-processing software. The new receiver has an integrated antenna and triple wireless technologies, with a digital UHF radio, GSM module and Bluetooth module. There is also a detachable battery in the magnesium-alloy body. It is designed to be upgradeable so that users can start with an entry model and enhance their system in stages.

Features include voice message notification when the Real Time Kinematic signal is fixed or lost eliminating a need for repeated visual checks of the controller display. The new controller software, Spectrum Survey Field, and the GNSS software, Spectrum Survey Office, also support existing Sokkia GPS receivers.

Trimble's new graphical display unit ensures that its grade control system is easier to use in excavating applications. The LCD display is offered for the Trimble GCS600 Grade Control System for excavators and is designed for use in tough construction environments. The Trimble CB450 control box is said to make it easier to achieve the desired depth and slope, with less reworking required. The Trimble CB450 features a graphical display of 2D profile information, grade guidance and warnings. Adjustable brightness and viewing angle are fitted to adjust the unit for different lighting conditions and to increase readability. Four integrated LED lightbars make it simple to monitor grade guidance information in the cab of the excavator.

The Trimble CB450 unit is simple to install and can be moved between excavators, while it is said to be rugged and durable. Using a USB stick, a user can load files to the control box, while file transfer and archiving rules prevent deletion or overwriting of files. USB data transfer also increases compatibility with Trimble SPS site positioning controllers. Allowing easy data exchange between surveyors, grade checkers, site supervisors and machine operators. The GCS600 grade control system uses the AS450 angle sensor, AS460 dual axis sensor and LC450 laser catcher, which help guide the operator to dig to the required depth and slope.