Machine Control Revolutionises The Industry

May 2014 – Topcon’s machine control technology effectively ensures every project is a stakeless project, incorporating satellite positioning and digital 3D modelling so dozer, grader and excavator operators can see where they are on any site in real-time.

The resultant cut/fill information appears right there on the screen in the cab instantaneously and consistently, meaning that every operator has all the information they need right at their fingertips, and without the need for stakes.

Chad Slater, Synergy Positioning System’s Machine Control Manager, who has many years experience working with Topcon machine control systems on large scale construction projects in his native Canada, says that companies adopting such systems stand to make substantial gains in the long run.

“In my experience companies have the potential to save up to 15 or 20 percent on bottom line costs across a project, and that’s a conservative estimate. There’s an investment cost, naturally, but one decent job will pay for the technology and then there is also a positive spin-off from becoming known as a company that utilises machine control technology.

 “In North America, machine control systems have been prevalent for a number of years. In fact, on oil sand extraction projects in Alberta, for example  – where oil companies pay contractors by the hour – companies that don’t employ some form of machine control are barred from bidding for the contracts, purely because they will be less time efficient than a company running machine control systems on their plant.”

But it isn’t just time that machine control technology saves. The system means that downtime is kept to a minimum, with the instances of the operator over-cutting (and then having to back fill) completely eradicated. That means a company will require less manpower on site and won’t need to halt operations while surveyors are called in to re-stake; all adding up to cost savings across the length of a project.

Chad says that machine control technology has gotten so accurate; many overseas contractors are using dozers running machine control systems to complete the sort of finishing work a motor grader might usually be tasked with. Topcon’s 3D-MC² sensor tracks and predicts blade movement in every direction, making cut adjustments much faster than any other GPS-based system.

“With dirt works the tolerances are precise; we’re talking 10 to 15mm tolerances, and a system like 3D-MC² machine control allows a dozer to achieve that.”

“These systems don’t reinvent the wheel, but they certainly make sure those wheels turn more productively. The speed and accuracy a system like Topcon’s 3D-MC² gives the operator really has to be seen to be believed.

“And because Topcon’s system utilises a logical, tab-organised screen, any operator can use it. When you’re on the job, you know where you are at and what your cut/fill is all the time. You can put your blade on the ground and you’ll know right to the millimetre how much further you have to cut. Or, hit the ‘auto’ button and the hydraulics on the blade take over, giving you a perfect finish.”

There are specialised Topcon systems for dozers, motor graders, excavators, scrapers and compactors. Find out more information about the extensive Topcon range at www.synergypositioning.co.nz or get in touch with one of Synergy Positioning’s machine control experts on 0800 TOP CON.