A new, revolutionary concrete scanning solution that incorporates two resolution perspectives for locating assets and anomalies both within and beyond concrete structures is now available for the Australasian and South East Asian building, surveying and utilities markets.

The Quantum Mini by US Radar, the leading innovator of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and subsurface imaging systems, is distributed exclusively by Position Partners throughout Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

“Traditionally when scanning concrete structures, users would need to choose between two of the most popular frequencies – one for anomalies within the concrete and another for anomalies beyond the concrete layer,” said Cameron Waters, Position Partners Geospatial Product Manager.

“With the Quantum Mini, users have the flexibility to scan using both or either frequency as well as the ability to scan almost two metres below the surface, the greatest depth of any concrete scanner on the market,” he added.

Ideal for scanning walls, floors, ceilings and other concrete structures, the Quantum Mini features a compact, handheld, all-in-one design that gives the user real-time viewing and processing of the scan data. It also includes built-in laser levelling technology to line up passing grids for accurate scan data, as well as assisting with the accurate mark-out of rebar, post-tension cables, voids, utilities and other anomalies.

“It really is the only concrete scanner you’ll ever need,” Mr Waters said, adding “The dual frequency means it can handle a wide range of applications and accuracies, it has sophisticated software for comprehensive data analysis and it’s also very user friendly.”

The Quantum Mini features a 26 centimetre LCD screen with 3D on-board processing, a selection of readymade and custom colour palettes, along with horizontal slicing to give advanced data analysis capabilities. It can automatically generate reports and export data in a wide range of graphic and video file formats. With an eight-hour battery life and two hot-swappable batteries, the hardware is able to keep up with a busy work schedule.

For more information about the Quantum Mini, contact Position Partners on 1300 867 266. 

Australia’s civil construction industry is sophisticated and world-leading, with high adoption rates of the latest technology compared with other developed nations. That’s not to say that adoption is high, far from it, as construction remains a serial productivity underperformer and spends less than half the global manufacturing industry on automation.

That said, technology including machine control and state-of-the-art surveying tools such as GNSS, robotic total stations, 3D laser scanning and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are commonplace on most major civil projects in this country.

The Australian market is unique in that it aligns more in accuracy requirements to European standards, yet sources the vast majority of its machinery from the United States. This throws up some anomalies when it comes to servicing the Australian industry with geospatial hardware and software that will meet project demands. 

Exciting developments in software and telematics are helping to connect the various types of site technology and the different job roles that utilise them, enabling designers, engineers, project managers, foremen, surveyors, machine operators and other contractors to collaborate more than ever across the job.

The ability to tailor solutions to the local market is something Australian-owned geospatial solutions provider Position Partners says is key. “Suppliers that take a ‘one size fits all’ approach will fail to meet the specific needs of Australian construction, particularly when it comes to software and IT requirements,” said Harry Katsanevas, Machine Systems Business Manager.

“No two sites are the same and each job has a unique mix of machines and requirements, which means the IT and hardware needs to be customised to a varying degree to really deliver significant productivity gains,” he added.

“At Position Partners, we focus on sourcing and, if required, developing or tailoring solutions that will solve our customers’ project challenges. Often our role is to act as the conduit that gathers the different components of hardware and software required and connects them into a manageable and valuable solution.”

Position Partners has developed Tokara Link, a telematics platform that is developed locally to meet the Australian construction industry’s needs. Tokara enables remote connection from one or more computers to machine control systems, supervisor kits and survey rovers on site. With the ability to send design file updates instantly and simultaneously to all machines, provide remote support to the operator or update software without visiting the machine in person, Tokara is designed to save time and up productivity.

“The great thing about Tokara Link is that we can add functionality to meet customer needs and be responsive to the changing demands of the job,” Mr Katsanevas added. “If there are specific reporting or unique diagnostics requirements, we have the ability to act quickly and assist. An example is the need to store historical back ups of machine calibrations, enabling operators to retrieve an earlier version and get straight to benching out as usual. Customers asked us for it, so we now offer that feature as standard.”

As software gets ever more sophisticated, the need to open source architecture and the ability to translate files between platforms increases.

Position Partners offers a number of complimentary software solutions to assist with various stages of a project design and build, including Viasys VDC – a BIM tool that assists all key stakeholders such as designers, contractors and owners with the ability to live through a project before construction starts. Utilising all of the models and data, a complete 5D model can be created giving the user a complete visulations of the scenario that has been created to reduce risk, cost and time while increasing safety as all areas of a project can be analysed for safety. Viasys VDC also integrates with a number of Autodesk software platforms and a new version with MAGNET integration is set to be released in the coming months.      

MAGNET is a Topcon CAD solution for surveyors that enables field parties and office personnel to collaborate in real time via the Cloud. It offers a range of different modules and platforms to suit different application requirements, with the ability to talk to other leading software packages including Autodesk and Bentley.

DynaRoad is sophisticated mass haul and scheduling solution specifically designed for civil projects such as road and land developments. It allows engineers, estimators and project managers to schedule and manage each stage of the project, leading to faster response times and the ability to control quantities, resources and production rates.

“The important factor with all software and telematics solutions is the ability for them to talk to each other,” Mr Katsanevas added. “In order to stay abreast of new BIM standards in the coming years, there will need to be greater connectivity between hardware and software for true collaboration between the various stakeholders and stages involved in a project.

“It is an exciting time in the IT space and an area where we feel Position Partners can add real value in connecting the dots for contractors,” he added.  

Position Partners has developed a custom-designed Athletics software package for fast, accurate measurements during athletics competitions.

The Athletics software can be installed on any Topcon total station to provide step-by-step guides for measuring popular sports including discus, javelin, shotput and long jump.

John McFadden has volunteered with NSW Little Athletics for 13 years. For the past 3-4 years he has hired a Topcon total station complete with Athletics software for the regional Little Athletics carnivals and says it has proved to be a more convenient, accurate and user-friendly option than previous methods.

Prior to renting the Topcon system, Mr McFadden explained that the division would either record measurements by hand or borrow a system from NSW Little Athletics.

“Taking measurements with a tape measure is all well and good at a local, junior level, but you need something more accurate when it starts getting to regional and state carnivals,” he said. “In the past we’ve borrowed a system from NSW Little Athletics but the equipment is often not quite up to spec as like most technology, it works best when it is used and serviced regularly.

“Hiring the solution complete with the software has been a great option for us,” he said. “As we only require the technology from time to time, it is better to hire than to buy because there is no ongoing maintenance or updates required and we know that the system will be charged up, calibrated and ready to use when we need it.”

The step-by-step prompts with Position Partners’ Athletics software make it easy for any user to get accurate measurements, Mr McFadden said. “We’ve used other systems without any athletics-specific software and you do need to know what you’re doing to be able to record accurately,” he said.

“With Athletics loaded onto the EDM, you simply establish a datum point at the start and end of each session and you can ask any parent to help as the software simply guides the user through the steps required.” 

Mr McFadden said it is a misnomer that the technology is difficult to use and would recommend the Topcon and Athletics software solution to other Little Athletics and Athletics volunteers. “We’ve found hiring from Position Partners to be a great solution and they have always helped if we have run into technical problems, whether due to mechanical failure or human error.”

For more information about hiring a Topcon total station with Athletics software, contact Position Partners on 1300 867 266.