3D excavation of a dam totally without pegs.
About GeoROG
The GeoROG 3D machine control application for excavators consists of three parts:
- The global positioning system (GPS).
GPS devices enable centimeter-accurate machine positioning. A GPS antenna is mounted on the boom or body of the excavator. A GPS receiver, which is connected to a radio modem, is mounted in the cabin or on the back of the machine.
- Excavator control system.
An excavator control system consists of several slope sensors and a control box, which enables the GeoROG machine control application to calculate the GPS position from the back of the excavator to the tip of the bucket.
- The GeoROG machine control application.
GeoROG receives GPS-based or total station positions and automatically checks the blade height and cross-fall against the digital design (model). Operators get data about the position—relative to the design—on GeoROG’s LED display.
2D application
You can use an excavator control system without GPS. And you can use GeoROG as a 2D application and for depth, slope, and distance measurements.
Position the bucket on a known point and enter the height. Move the bucket, and you will see the height at any point you desire. If you move the machine, then you must pick up the height again.
3D application
With a 3D application, you need GPS devices and GeoROG on the machine. That way, you can move the machine throughout a project and still maintain current data on the bucket’s position, within a few centimeters.
The screen displays the excavator and bucket with the design model. No stakes needed.
Global positioning system (GPS)
While GPS sensors are most commonly used, total stations are often used in forests and cities.
You need a second GPS base or reference station to get centimeter accuracy when using GPS technology and devices.
You can put this base station on site, and it can simultaneously supply an unlimited number of machines. You can also connect GPS devices to national or regional networks of base stations. GPS devices in the machines are connected to the base station by radio or by the global system for mobile communication (GSM).
Here are some positioning sensor suppliers:
- Leica
- Topcon
- Trimble
- Thales
- Sokkia
- Septentrio
Dual or single GPS
You can use the GPS on an excavator in two ways:
- Single GPS. With one GPS, a rotation must be done to determine the direction every time the machine has mowed.
- Dual GPS. The best solution. Constant full control. No rotation needed. Only way on offshore jobs.
Single GPS
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Dual GPS
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Accuracy
For standard machines up to 40 tons the accuracy is about ±2cm in height and ±5cm in plane.
Excavator sensor system
You must measure the machine to determine the relative position of the GPS and the length of boom, stick, and bucket. That way, the GeoROG can calculate the GPS position from the back of the excavator to the tip of the bucket.
The system can also include a laser receiver and rotation sensor (compass) for 2D applications. Some systems also include a bucket-tilt sensor.
Here are some sensor systems:
- Mikrofyn
- BPS
- Prolec
- 3B6
- Topcon System 5
- Novatron
Example of 2D application
Depth and slope
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Pipe laying
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Laser control
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Underwater work
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Measurements
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Warnings
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The GeoROG machine control application
GeoROG in excavator cabin
GeoROG’s standard functions
- Connect to excavator control and the GPS.
- Transform GPS positions: Lat, Long, Elev. to local N,E,H or X,Y,Z.
- Calculate position of bucket tip.
- Compare bucket tip position with design model (reference).
- View numerical and graphic displays that show operators how to move the bucket to reach the design model.
- Manage different model types (references).
- View digital drawings as background.
- Save (log)—manually or automatically—bucket positions.
GeoROG setup view
Reference types (models)
- Road lines
- Terrain models
- Road descriptions
- Points
- Base lines
- Heights
Views
- Overview
- Plane with 3D functionality
- Cross section
- Profile
- Arrow display
- GPS sky plot with GPS information
Operators’ plane view in GeoROG.
Other GeoROG functions
Volume calculation
Alarm
LAN connection
GSM connection
Help models
GeoROG supplier:
Applications
- Road construction
- Rail construction
- Industrial projects
- Pipe lines
- Building projects
- Other projects that involve earth moving
3D machine control on a pipe-laying project.
Benefits
- Better:
-Work accuracy.
-Safety; no people around the machine.
-Working conditions for surveyors.
- Greater:
-Flexibility when planning for each machine’s everyday job; only a limited amount of stake out is needed.
-Interest from operator; they feel more involved and thus take more responsibility for quality.
- Increased:
-Capacity; no wait time for stake out or laser setup.
-Opportunity to work in darkness and fog.
- Fewer:
-Human resources needed.
-Stake out materials needed, such as pegs and spray paint.
- Opportunities to survey ditches, trenches, and such.
- Operators can support supervisory staff because they have more information about the design than before.
- Reduced risk of errors because there’s less manual data management.
Return on investment (ROI)
- Studies show that the increased machine capacity is 10-50%.
- Complete complex cross-sections done in one shot.
- Fewer errors.
- No:
-Pegs to be careful with in the excavation area.
-Problems with bad weather conditions.
-Waste of time for boning.
-Waiting time for laser setups and setting out.
- Reduced costs for boning, stakes, and surveyors.
- Supervisors can concentrate on other things besides coordinating setting out.
The ROI for a complete installation is from 7 months up to 18 months—depending on conditions.
You can always contact SBG for information about opportunities to use machine control in your project.
References
Contact SBG for references in your area.
The GeoROG logo is a registered trademark of Svensk ByggnadsGeodesi AB in Sweden.
All trademarks mentioned on this web site are the property of their respective owners in their respective countries.
© Svensk ByggnadsGeodesi AB.
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