Road construction in Portugal using GPS
About GeoROG:
The GeoROG 3D machine control application for graders consists of three parts:
- A positioning system—either GPS or total station.
GPS devices enable centimeter-accurate machine positioning. A GPS antenna is mounted on a pole on the blade. A GPS receiver, which is connected to a radio modem, is mounted in the cabin. If better accuracy is required, then use a total station.
- Grader control system.
A grader control system consists of a rotation sensor, cross-fall sensor, main-fall sensor, and a control box. You can use it in a standalone configuration for 2D applications.
- 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 blade data from GeoROG’s LED display.
2D application
You can use a grader control system without GPS and GeoROG as a 2D application—and with a laser or sonic tracker for height and manual cross-fall.
3D application
With a 3D application, you need GPS devices and GeoROG on the machine. If you use a GPS, then you can move the machine throughout a project and still maintain current data on the blade’s height, side, and cross-fall positions. No stakes or lasers needed.
If you use a total station, then you work with high precision, up to 200 meters from the total station.
You get the same productivity regardless of whether you work in curves, transitions, or on a straight line.
The screen displays the grader and blade with the design model.
Global positioning system (GPS)
While GPS sensors are most commonly used, total stations are often used in forests and cities—or if higher accuracy is needed.
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).
Grader using a total station at a road construction project.
Here are some positioning sensor suppliers:
- Leica
- Topcon
- Trimble
- Thales
- Sokkia
- Septentrio
Accuracy
Global positioning system (GPS) ±2 cm in height and plane. Total station ±3-5 mm in height and plane.
Grader control System:
A grader control system consists of a:
- Cross-fall sensor
- Rotation sensor
- Main fall sensor
- Control box
SBG's research and development grader in action.
Here are some grader control system suppliers:
- Mikrofyn
- Spectra
- Topcon
- Trimble
You can use a grader control system without GPS or GeoROG as a 2D application—and with a laser or sonic tracker for height and manual setting of the cross-fall.
Sonic tracker for grader
GeoROG machine control application
GeoROG in grader cabin
GeoROG’s standard functions
- Connect to grader control and the GPS.
- Transform GPS positions: Lat, Long, Elev. to local N,E,H or X,Y,Z.
- Calculate position of blade.
- Compare blade position with design model (reference).
- Control the blade in height and cross-fall against the digital design (model). Operators get data on GeoROG’s display.
- Manage different model types (references).
- View the grader and the blade with the 2D or 3D design model.
- View digital drawings as background
- Save (log)—manually or automatically—blade positions.
GeoROG setup view
Reference types (models)
- Road lines
- Terrain models
- Road descriptions
Views
- Overview
- Plane with 3D functionality
- Profile
- Arrow display
- GPS sky plot with GPS information
GeoROG plane view for the operator
Other GeoROG functions
- Volume calculation
- Alarm
- LAN connection
- GSM connection
- Help models
Applications
- Road construction
- Rail construction
- Industrial projects
- Building projects
- Other projects that involve earth moving.
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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