Key developments are changing the face of the machine control market

Various business moves are changing the face of the machine control sector - Mike Woof reports

An array of developments, both business moves and new technologies, are changing the focus for the machine control segment of the construction equipment sector. For a long time three firms, 265 Leica Geosystems, 2122 Trimble and 342 Topcon, have dominated this segment. The three are retaining their strong positions in the market but are seeing additional competition from Hemisphere and 1228 MOBA.

Arguably the biggest news is that 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. The arrangement will also provide much tougher competition for 178 Caterpillar and Trimble, which have been working closely together for some years.

For the Komatsu machines, sensors will be fitted in the hydraulic rams of bulldozers, graders and excavators in the factory for instance. This will allow far greater degrees of accuracy and durability than by using machine control equipment mounted on masts. Topcon’s marketing manager 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.”

But Sturm added that the closer relationship between Komatsu and Topcon will not affect the firm’s ties with other equipment manufacturers. Topcon works closely with manufacturers such as 718 Liebherr and 2394 Volvo and its advanced machine control technology will also work with equipment from other suppliers.

This deal between Topcon and Komatsu is of note as it follows on from Topcon’s recent agreement with software specialist 685 Autodesk to improve the interoperability of their respective technologies and products. In short, this latter agreement will allow a better use of design data by contractors and this information will also be able to be plugged into control systems used by equipment on-site.

Another major development for the machine control segment came recently with the news that 2895 Hemisphere GPS now has a new Chinese owner following a US$15 million acquisition. The deal was carried out by Hemisphere GNSS, a subsidiary of Beijing UniStrong Science & Technology (UniStrong), which purchased the Precision Products business and related GNSS technology and intellectual property from Hemisphere GPS. Meanwhile, Hemisphere GPS intends to change its company name to AgJunction.

As part of the transaction, Hemisphere acquired the entire high-precision GNSS product lines, all related intellectual property rights and the Hemisphere GPS trademarks and brands. Hemisphere will operate its business headquarters out of Scottsdale, Arizona and will maintain its operations in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. With this acquisition, UniStrong is expanding its capabilities in the high-precision GNSS business and also expects to promote commercial applications of China’s BeiDou Navigation System (BDS). This is of note as it is the first acquisition of a major international firm by a Chinese satellite navigation firm. As part of the agreement, Hemisphere and AgJunction have formed a strategic alliance and a collaborative business relationship covering supply chain management, customer support, technology development and cross-licensing.
Leica Geosystems has been adding to its support network with its parent, the 1227 Hexagon Group, buying additional dealerships and distributors across the globe. More new technology is also expected and Leica Geosystems is also cementing its already strong position in the concrete paving equipment sector.

The German firm MOBA has been increasing its presence in the machine control segment also, with an array of new products now coming to market for the asphalt paving, asphalt compaction, soil compaction and grading and dozing equipment markets.

This is a notable change for the firm, highlighting its growing expertise and product offering.

One of the new packages is its sophisticated control system for use with bulldozers and graders, which is available in both 2D and 3D format and is said to be easier to use than other packages on the market.

The company says that its 3D-matic package offers precise and versatile levelling control for graders and dozers and which can also be used as a 2D system if necessary.

Marketing manager Christine Seidel said, “This system moves the blade. It’s different from the competition, which focus on tonnages as this is focussed on the machine and the operator.”

Seidel added that the MOBA 3D-matic package helps increase efficiency and speeds working on-site. The compact controller combines 2D and 3D computers in a single housing, with the display and sensors designed for use in 3D and 2D applications.

Planning data is delivered in 3D format to the system through a data carrier and the package determines the position of the machine using a GNSS sensor or a total station. The controller compares the machine position against design data and calculates any deviations making corrections quickly and precisely to the blade controller. The system is said to feature simple and straightforward menu navigation on the display and uses rugged components suited for use on construction sites, while it is modular so that customers can upgrade the 2D levelling tool to 3D functionality.

However Trimble is not standing still and is also keen to highlight its latest technologies. The firm says that its advanced Connected Site portfolio for heavy civil contractors can connect assets, information, people, machines and sites. This package can meet a vast array of workflow needs of different stakeholders within the contractor’s organisation and meets demand for greater efficiency, shorter completion times and higher quality.

Trimble says that its Connected Site solutions leverage real-time wireless data flow between the office and job site. This technology allows design engineers, contractors and job site crews to tackle grading and excavation jobs by providing workflow integration from the design phase through to the finished project. According to Trimble, contractors can achieve faster project completion, while reducing costs, improving safety and reducing environmental impact.

For the Connected Controller, Trimble is giving demonstrations of real-time, two-way data flow between the office and field handheld mobile devices using GPS or total station positioning systems used for staking, grade checking, site supervision, or inspection of work. The take-off and data preparation tasks can be carried out using the Business Center – HCE system and design files sent wirelessly to the controller in the field. Eliminating trips back to the office to retrieve or download the latest design and work order data streamlines the process and enables field crews to have up-to-date information, reducing downtime.

Similarly for the Connected Machine, Trimble’s demonstration highlights productivity improvements from real-time, two-way data for on-machine grade control systems though a live link between the machines and the office. The live link allows contractors to send up-to-date design information from Business Center – HCE to the cab, eliminating the risk of errors associated with use of incorrect or out-of-date site models. Two-way data also allows the equipment manager to connect assets remotely and use VisionLink powered by Trimble to monitor site production volumes, compaction performance, and equipment productivity and utilisation. 

The Connecting People demonstration of the Connected Community uses the internet to integrate head office, site office and field crew operations in a communication portal. This can then be accessed by construction project stakeholders to exchange project-related information. The Connected Community can provide insight into project operations, head office activities and provide a collaboration site that allows efficient sharing of information and rapid resolution of site problems and requests for information. The collaborative environment boosts efficiency, and reduces delays associated with communicating and sharing information with multiple stakeholders on the construction site.