Global technology giant Intel has demonstrated its commitment to rival the top players of the commercial RPAS industry by acquiring both Ascending Technologies (AscTec), manufacturer of the Falcon 8 multi-rotor, as well as MAVinci, the company that produces the SIRIUS UAS range.

At Position Partners, we are dedicated to sourcing and supporting the very best in technology solutions for our customers. With full confidence that we had selected great partners in MAVinci and AscTec, the accuracy and reliability of the Falcon 8 and SIRIUS ranges have been proved time and again in the field.   

So, what does this mean for customers and end users? Whilst it is business as usual in the short term, these acquisitions will result in significant investment in RPAS by exploring the potential to combine class-leading computer technology with industry leading hardware platforms.

In a recent news release, Intel states: “Intel is positioning itself at the forefront of this opportunity to increasingly integrate the computing, communications, sensor and cloud technology required to make drones smarter and more connected.”

Since acquiring AscTec, the company has released the Falcon 8+, which combines AscTec’s renowned Trinity in-flight stability platform with Intel’s RealSense depth-sensing capability. It also includes a new Intel Cockpit remote control unit and an Intel Powerpack for longer flight times.

Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the coming months!

 

 

Adding loader scales to your loader is a productivity must. By ensuring each load is right the first time, every time, loader scales are proven to dramatically reduce trips to the stockpile, so you’ll save on fuel, reduce machine and tyre wear and increase efficiency on every job.

But not all loader scales are created equal! There are some important features that equate to even bigger benefits, so make sure you look out for the following options before buying:  

1. Dynamic weighing capability.  To really save you time and get accurate results, look for a system that can keep up with the machine. It sounds simple, but in order to get reliable repeatability and accuracy you need scales that can weigh continuously, when the machine is either moving or stationary. Most systems on the market do not do this! Inclinometers and accelerometers in engineer speak, translate to a system that can stay accurate in rough terrain, at speed and cater to slopes up to +/- 10 degrees.  
2. Oil temperature compensation.  Loaders are doing the machine equivalent of interval training all day, every day. Heavy lifting, cardio to and from the stockpile and times where it’s idling lead to fluctuations in oil temperature, which can lead to fluctuations in weight accuracy unless you have a system that can compensate for it.
3. Option to trade off the weight.  The ability to add ‘Trade Approved’ functionality to your loader scales means you can transact from the weight data on the system. A handy in-cab printer means you can print results instantly, or alternatively send and receive job information to and from the office using Wi-Fi.
4. Reversing camera option.  Increase safety and reduce clutter in the cab by transforming your loader scale indicator into a reversing camera screen! The Loadmaster Alpha 100 system by RDS Technology includes video input capability so you don’t need to install a second screen.
5. Flexibility of an open source platform.  Last but not least, make sure the system you invest in can handle everything you need, including support for a wide range of buckets, forks or other attachments, the ability to work with wheeled, telescopic or tractor style machines and, importantly, the option to interface directly with your ERP system.

Position Partners offers all the above features and more, with local hire, support and training in every State and Territory of Australia. Get in touch today on 1300 867 266 or visit www.positionpartners.com.au

 

Matt Duncan is a Supervisor for Perth-based Civcon Civil and Project Management, working for Platinum Locating Services, part of the company’s Platinum Plant and Equipment Hire division. His team recently invested in ground penetrating radar (GPR) to enable efficient and comprehensive asset location across a wide range of applications and depths.

Platinum Locating Services offers comprehensive utility mapping throughout Perth’s greater metro area and beyond.

When researching the options to add GPR to its tool kit, Matt explained that finding a system capable of handling a broad range of depths and assets was key. “Typically our work requires us to reaches depths up to two or three metres, but on a recent mining job we needed to get to 15 metres, so we were looking for a single product that could handle it,” he said.

“I heard about the Quantum GPR by US Radar and it seemed to be the perfect fit, plus unlike most of the other suppliers who only had support services either overseas or on the East coast, reseller Position Partners has a branch here in Perth,” he added.

The Quantum Imager by US Radar combines three frequencies in one, enabling the location of assets at much greater depths and at higher resolution than any other sub-surface detection solution on the market.

Unlike single or dual frequency systems that have a lower bandwidth and often miss the middle frequencies that are essential for utility location, the Quantum Imager delivers clearer, easier to understand and more accurate images at every depth, utilising a combination of pulse radar and stepped frequency radar.

“We use the system every day and it’s saved us a considerable amount of time, money and manpower,” Matt added.

Before the GPR system, Matt’s team would use traditional service locator methods. “A utility guard wand is great for finding metal and we still use it, but for PE or poly pipe you either need GPR or you have to dig manually to find the assets.” 

Matt’s eight-strong team finds the Quantum Imager easy to use and reliable. “It’s a robust system that has really proved its worth, we can also hook it up to our GPS system and turn it into a GIS tool for location mapping,” Matt added.

The Quantum Imager completes the majority of post processing as you scan via a high performance processing unit, saving time and ensuring you get all the data you need there and then. Other touches including a sunlight readable tough pad, real time viewing and a compact, foldable cart with puncture-proof tyres make it well suited to every job.

Matt attended a one-day training course at Position Partners’ Balcatta office to ensure his team would get the most out of the new system. “The training was pretty comprehensive and I felt confident that we could get the results we wanted after attending it,” Matt said.

“It’s great to have the local support from Position Partners if and when we need it and I feel we now have a solid competitive advantage with this system, because we can locate more services, more accurately and more efficiently thanks to the addition of this technology.”

 

Position Partners’ Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) experts from Australia and New Zealand gathered in Sydney earlier this month to undertake comprehensive training on the new RPAS survey bundles, which include revolutionary Propeller AeroPoint ground control technology, Propeller Aero web-based data analysis tools and a choice of either the popular Phantom 4 aircraft or the high performance M100 quadcopter. 

World-leading hardware

DJI is the world’s largest drone manufacturer, with an extimated 70% market share across multiple industries. The popular Phantom 4 is used by videographers, hobbyists and now, thanks to the addition of AeroPoint and Propeller Aero software, surveyors and engineers. “AeroPoints transform the solution into a survey-grade tool,” said RPAS product manager Gavin Docherty (pictured above holding RPAS), adding “each AeroPoint provides a reference point with absolute coordinates and data is cross-referenced with Position Partners national CORS network, AllDayRTK.” Data can then be analysed and used on Propeller Aero’s web-based platform.   

Ease of use is key

Mark Clarkson, NSW Major Projects consultant (3rd from left, above), was impressed by how intuitive and user-friendly the solution is. “From an end user standpoint, these new bundles are truly unique in their simplicity, whilst the accuracy of the results is impressive,” he said. “Until now the focus has always been first on how to fly the aircraft and secondly how to process and extract the data, but with these bundles it’s a really straightforward and efficient process.”

Mark explained that the flight planning and remote control software for the aircraft is intuitive and can be run from a tablet or smartphone, without the need to wire up extra hardware or a laptop. After the flight, position information from the AeroPoint ground control points along with the flight data, is sent to Propeller Aero via the Cloud. This removes the need to post process data on a computer and users can also view, analyse and share datasets via a secure website.

Processing and sharing data

“Previously our customers would set up post processing on their computer overnight or even over the weekend for a large dataset, but now they can send it to Propeller Aero and have the data available faster,” Mark added. “There is still a degree of mistrust in Cloud-based services, both from a security perspective and also in terms of trusting the output,” he continued, “although both are unfounded and a report to demonstrate the processing results will give users more peace of mind.”

Sharing datasets represents a significant productivity improvement, as customers can give secure access to project shareholders without the need to send large files. “It will also enable us to demonstrate what’s possible with RPAS by sharing test datasets with customers, so they can play with the data and verify that the results will meet their expectations,” Mark added. 

New workflow, new levels of productivity

Jamie Nelson, New Zealand Sales Manager (2nd from right, above), was equally impressed by the workflow: “This survey grade solution will allow companies to access and use RPAS technology in a way as if it were a Total station or GPS which have become standard pieces of equipment for the modern surveyor.”

“Having the data processed in the Cloud, viewed, interrogated and being able to share to your clients adds even more value to the package and gives a clear direction of how this technology has evolved in a short period of time,” he added. 

Position Partners offers comprehensive sales, training and support for customers throughout Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. “We back industry-leading technology with local expertise and know-how,” Gavin said, adding, “with a large, manufacturer-trained team, we look forward to assisting customers at every stage of their journey into RPAS mapping.” 

Register your interest in the new bundles!

Australian customers click here

New Zealand customers click here