Archive for category: Topcon

Craig Miller (pictured above), a Director at Perth-based Vision Surveyors, outlines the increase in productivity and efficiency the company has achieved thanks to the latest in survey technology.

Established in 2004, Vision Surveys specialises in land development and strata titles, employing four survey crews. In recent years, the company has invested in the latest technology from Topcon and is seeing dramatic improvements in time saving and in-field efficiency as a result.

“We’ve undergone major upgrades to our survey equipment twice in the last four years,” Mr Miller explains. “In 2010, we got talking with the team at Position Partners and they were able to demonstrate some of the latest Topcon technology for us, which was a huge improvement on our setup at the time.”

Vision Surveys updated their total stations to the robotic Topcon GPT 9003 series in 2010. “Our surveyors noted a significant shift to their in-field processes as it gave them a lot more independence to complete tasks with a one-man survey,” he added. “The upgrades to field controllers also came in line with the technical abilities of the surveyors using CAD packages. 

“As a company, the upgrade helped us with time management and scheduling of jobs, with more flexibility to work as either a one-man or two-man crew allowing us to take on more work.”

In 2013 Vision Surveys undertook a second major upgrade to Topcon’s latest PS robotic total stations, HiPer SR GNSS rovers, Tesla data collectors and MAGNET Field and MAGNET Office Tools.

Mr Miller notes a number of benefits the new technology has delivered for Vision Surveys. “The feedback I get from the survey crews is great – they really enjoy using the new Topcon equipment and find they are more efficient and get more done in their day,” he said.

Vision Surveys also utilises Position Partners’ national CORS network, AllDayRTK. By removing the need to setup and maintain a base station, AllDayRTK delivers Network RTK accuracy quickly and efficiently.

“AllDayRTK eliminates the need for our surveyors to manually set out control using landmarks, taped distances or ground references,” Mr Miller said. “When carrying out alignments for subdivisions, they can take the Landgate SCDB data out into the field and, using AllDayRTK, quickly orientate themselves and allow for the location of control marks in a much more timely fashion.”

Mr Miller said that he values the expertise and support the company receives from Position Partners. “Over the years we’ve developed an excellent working relationship with Position Partners. They are always prompt to respond whenever we need any maintenance – the service we receive is excellent and goes far beyond what you would expect from an equipment service and supply company.

“As with any survey equipment, it’s always out in the field and subject to tough conditions and tough treatment,” he continued. “Whenever we do have any downtime with a system, Position Partners is always quick to respond with replacement units so that we can carry on working and deliver the project on time for our clients.”

During the upgrade process, Mr Miller noted that the Vision Surveys team has always had good product training from Position Partners to help the transition to run as smoothly as possible “They helped to train our survey crews both in the field and in the office to ensure they are up to speed with the new systems in minimal time.”

Vision Surveys also employs some students who are studying for their licences. Part of their course, Mr Miller explained, requires them to carry out projects with GPS, specific field techniques, or experiment with some of the newer technology such as scanning. “Position Partners has been great in providing their time and knowledge to our graduates. Not only is this hugely beneficial to our students, it is also a great asset to our company as the students develop their learning and experience with the latest technology,” he said. 

By Gina Velde 
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Topcon’s new range of 3D GPS systems specifically designed for excavators, scrapers, compactors, loaders and dozers 

A new range of ‘indicate-only’ 3D GPS systems from Topcon offer greater flexibility for contractors to add machine control to all plant on the job. Topcon’s i-33 system for dozers, scrapers, compactors and loaders and X-63i system for excavators have been designed specifically for bulk earthworks. They combine state-of-the-art 3D positioning technology with a price point that is around $20,000 less than 3D GPS systems designed for high precision work such as grading. 

“Although 3D machine control for bulk earthwork machines has been available for some time, it was originally designed for higher tolerance work,” explained Harry Katsanevas, Business Manager of Machine Control for Topcon’s Australian distributor, Position Partners. “Now, instead of adapting high precision systems to a scraper or compactor, a dedicated system is available that’s been tailor-made for these machines.” 

As a result, contractors have greater choice and can opt for the right level of accuracy in their machine control systems depending on the type of machine and the application. All machines across the site are working to the same 3D job design, all can be connected to the site office with Tokara and SiteLink3D remote management software. 

Benefits for bulk earthwork tasks

The assumption has always been that there is no need to add machine control to plant that is carrying out bulk earthworks applications, because accuracy is less critical than with finish grade work. However, the time and productivity gains can be significant. Adding machine control to an excavator, grader, dozer, compactor or loader, has a number of important advantages. These include: 

• More control – operators have an accurate, real-time knowledge of cut/fill levels
• Greater accuracy – eliminate overcut and get to grade faster
• Consistent results – bulk earthworks machines and final-trim machines working together off the same design
• Increased productivity – optimised machine use resulting in reduced material costs, machine costs and survey costs
• Enhanced safety – reduce the interaction between people and plant
• Quality finish – a combination of all of the above resulting in a job well done – first time, every time

Because 3D machine control gives you accurate, live information on cut/fill levels for bulk earthworks, contractors can avoid overcut errors and have the peace of mind that they are getting to grade faster and more accurately.

“You may not need millimetre accuracy for bulk earthwork tasks,” Mr Katsanevas added, “but when big mistakes happen at this stage, it still costs big money and this risk can be eliminated with 3D machine control.” 

The award was presented by Geospatial World magazine during its annual Geospatial World Forum conference and leadership awards ceremony in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

O’Connor was recognised “as the champion of surveying and positioning technologies in the world, having served in this industry for more than two decades.  He has transformed Topcon into an acknowledged market leader in surveying technologies related to civil engineering, agricultural, mapping, and measurement applications.”

In addition to receiving the award, O’Connor was a speaker at the conference and Topcon executives also participated in applications and technology workshops.
 
About his selection as Geospatial Business Leader of the Year, O’Connor said, “To be selected by the leaders and visionaries of the industries we serve is an incredible honour.  At Topcon we focus our energies on pursuing products and technologies that truly make a difference in the lives of our customers and potential customers.
 
“We work closely with our global distributors, customers and strategic partners to ensure we are not only providing exemplary products, service and support, but also are focussing our efforts on developing the next generation of precision instruments and technologies in every market segment we serve,” he said.
 
The award certificate presented to O’Connor at the conference, read: “A leader, technocrat and, above all, a man of vision, (O’Connor) is recognised as the champion of surveying and positioning technologies in the world.”
 
The award certificate further stated, “Topcon Positioning Systems is one of the only companies to offer ‘the complete solution’ from survey to finished grade,” and that the unique corporate culture he created and instilled into his team “has resulted in the innovative integration of technologies under one roof, causing radical changes throughout the construction positioning industries.”
 
The magazine’s award also noted that under O’Connor’s leadership, “Topcon has evolved a unique corporate culture of unity with diversity, which has enabled its executives to pursue (large) corporate objectives while focusing on respective technology domains and territorial geographies.  
 
“Professionalism with human touch is an added value to his corporate leadership.”

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has announced the release of an integrated suite of advanced survey products that combine the latest precision technology with robust, easy to operate hardware.

The new Topcon survey suite covers the following products:
•    Topcon’s PS robotic total station series
•    HiPer SR RTK receiver
•    Tesla handheld controller
•    Magnet Field software.

According to Garry MacPhail, Survey Manager with Topcon’s Australian distributor Position Partners, individually these systems are the fastest, most reliable and most accurate in their class.

“Together they deliver superior performance and a fully integrated solution to provide everything a surveyor needs in the field,” he said. Details of the four elements making up the new survey suite follow.

Topcon PS

The Topcon PS high performance robotic total station is designed to surpass all others in power, accuracy and tracking, said MacPhail.

Available in 1- and 3- arc second models, the PS utilises Topcon’s new PowerTrac™ technology to increase the prism tracking power up to an industry-leading 6 km range.

“Using new optics, laser system and advanced algorithms, PowerTrac provides the PS with the ability to keep tracking a moving prism even under the toughest environmental conditions,” he said.

The PS employs a new EDM that has a smaller beam width than other instruments in its class. Topcon algorithms reduce the “noise” traditionally associated with reflectorless measurements, providing an accurate result even to dark or wet surfaces up to a 1 km non-prism range.

The PS’s smaller beam width also allows measurements in tough situations such as through (or to) a chain link fence or other complex surface.

In addition, the PS uses Topcon’s exclusive LongLink™ technology to provide 600 m Bluetooth wireless communication, enabling measurements to be taken from the pole and giving complete control of the PS using Topcon’s RC-5 remote system, field controller or new Tesla tablet.

With the new TSshield™ communications module, the PS robotic is secure from loss or theft through the ability to remotely disable the unit if reported stolen and track its location via a web-based map.

TSshield also keeps the PS operating system up to date, with remote messaging to the unit to advise of a new firmware version.

Topcon HiPer SR

MacPhail described Topcon’s HiPer SR as a highly advanced GNSS RTK receiver supporting all constellations and providing automatic signal tracking across 226 channels.

“Designed to be the ultimate job site receiver, Topcon’s cable-free HiPer SR weighs just 800 grams and is the most compact professional-grade base and rover RTK system available,” he said.

Combining Universal Tracking Technology™ with the all-new Vanguard GNSS™ chip, the HiPer SR provides advanced performance and satellite tracking, for current and future signals.

In addition to precision measurement and advanced multipath rejection, the 226-channel chip offers support for all GNSS constellations and incorporates Topcon’s patented Universal Tracking Channel technology.

“While other GNSS receiver designs must dedicate channels to a specific satellite system or signal – requiring more and more channels as additional GNSS signals become available – with Universal Tracking Channels, any channel can track any available signal,” said MacPhail.

“This flexibility enables the 226 channel Vanguard design to ‘scale-up’ and track more signals than other GNSS systems. The HiPer SR, like the PS total station, incorporates Topcon’s new LongLink™ technology, giving a 300 m working radius.

Topcon Tesla tablet

Designed to incorporate the readability of a larger tablet, but still be easy to hold with one hand, Topcon’s Tesla handheld tablet has a large 5.7-inch colour touch screen that is easy to read and operate even in bright sunlight, with direct touch access to all controls.

“You really have to hold the Tesla yourself to understand just how good it is,” said MacPhail. “Its design fits so perfectly in your hand and the screen is so easy to see, that it just feels right.”

The Tesla has been designed to be extremely durable, with an IP67 environmental rating meaning it can be submerged in water, exposed to dust, shock, vibration, extreme temperatures, humidity and altitude, or dropped from 1.2 m and still function perfectly.

All models come with WiFi and Bluetooth® technology and 3.2 megapixel camera, with 16 hours operating time and hot-swappable batteries.

Available as a standalone data collector or as an integrated GNSS network RTK rover, MacPhail said the Tesla can also be scaled to any accuracy requirement for GIS use, including 2-5 metre, sub-metre, decimetre and centimetre options.

Topcon Magnet Field software

Topcon’s new Magnet Field software is a new in-field package that enables cloud-connected data exchange and backup for data, and which can be instantly shared with the office or others in the field, said MacPhail.

“Magnet Field incorporates an easy-to-navigate icon-based menu structure that lets users easily stake out points, lines, surfaces, curves, real-time roads and slopes.

“It also includes the ability to calculate inverse, intersection, curves, area, traverse and DTM and complete topo surveys,” he said.

In addition, Magnet Field includes Bing Maps® allowing users to incorporate real-time background images behind field work for points, lines and imported design files.

Magnet Field works seamlessly with Topcon’s Civilcad survey application, as well as other office-based software packages – including Topcon’s forthcoming Civilcad Magnet solution.

Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. (TPS) designs and manufactures precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. TPS’ parent company, Topcon Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange – 7732), was founded in 1932.