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Topcon introduces the new RL-H4C – next generation Construction Laser

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RL-H4C

The new self-leveling rotating laser from Topcon Positioning System (TPS) – RL-H4C – sets a new industry standard for general construction lasers.

“All components are newly designed to offer the users maximum performance at an affordable price,” said Tony Vanneman, TPS construction product marketing manager. “The RL-H4C exceeds the increased demands for job site durability, range, accuracy, versatility and cost-effectiveness.”

In combination with the new laser sensor LS-80L, the RL-H4C “dramatically increased the operating range to 800 meters in diameter, which is more than a 100 percent increase over previous models, and is the longest range for its price level,” Vanneman said.

In addition to the superior cost-performance ratio, the RL-H4C has a number of industry-leading features, including ±10 arc-seconds horizontal accuracy and ±5 degrees self-levelling range.

The RL-H4C has the longest battery life in its class: 100 hours with the four D alkaline batteries, or 60 hours with Ni-MH rechargeable battery. It can also operate with AC power, enabling battery recharge on-the-go. The laser includes single-axis manual slope capability for grade-matching setting and IP66 protection against dust and water. Its large dual handles make carrying and setting up easy.

Ben Davis, Construction Products Manager at Position Partners, Topcon’s Australian distributor, said: “This new self-levelling laser has many applications regardless of the type of project.

“Because the RL-H4C combines the slope functionality and long range capabilities into a single laser, it is versatile enough to handle machine control applications, site levelling, setting up concrete work and checking excavations for foundations and footings and all types of general construction work.”

“Any job where contractors use optical levels, the construction-tough RL-H4C with its 800 meters working range and IP66 rating can do the work.”

Davis confirmed that the RL-H4C is covered by the new five-year warranty on Topcon-manufactured lasers.

“Contractors want to protect the investment they make in equipment,” Davis said.  “The industry-leading warranty, combined with the calibration and repairs service from Position Partners, is a way of demonstrating our commitment to the long-term equipment performance needs of our customers.

“Topcon has long set the standard in the construction laser market, and that standard continues with the RL-H4C.”

Position Partners appoints Theodist Exclusive Distributor for PNG

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Position Partners announces the appointment of Theodist, PNG stationery and survey equipment retailer, as regional distributor across its complete product range. Under the agreement, Theodist will now offer the full suite of Topcon survey, GPS, machine control and laser equipment, from software through to robotics and RTK solutions.   

“We are delighted to announce this agreement with Theodist,” Alan Fetherstonhaugh, Position Partners Manager who is responsible for PNG, said. “Having one distributor for all our products means PNG customers have a single point of contact, one company they can rely on for all their survey, machine control, and precision application needs.”

“Now Theodist can offer their customers robotic total stations, 2D and 3D machine control, RTK and static GPS, levels and lasers,” said Fetherstonhaugh. “In addition, Theodist will provide software solutions including civilcad, plus state-of-the-art mapping tools such as the IP-S2 3D mobile mapping vehicle and Gatewing X100 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).”

To ensure customers have the highest levels of service, Position Partners will provide regular training courses for PNG staff. “We are committed to giving Theodist the knowledge and support they need to become experts in every product line,” added Fetherstonhaugh.

With offices in Port Moresby and Lae, Theodist has sold survey equipment in PNG for more than 30 years. Owner Kevin Pini commented on the agreement: “We are delighted to become Position Partners’ PNG distributor and offer our customers a full range of survey, laser and machine control solutions.”

“As a local and well-established company, we understand the needs of PNG customers. Now, with industry-leading Topcon equipment and the support from Position Partners when it comes to product training, we can offer them better service than ever before.”

Position Partners appints Theodist as exclusive distributors in PNG

From left to right:
Shaun Pini (Purchasing Manager – Theodist),
Kevin Pini (Managing Director – Theodist),
Alan Fetherstonhaugh (Survey Manager QLD – Position Partners) and
James Murray (Survey Sales Manager – Theodist).

Topcon appoints new global marketing manager, new MD of Europe operations

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Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has appointed Ewout Korpershoek, formerly managing director of Topcon Europe Positioning (TEP), as chief marketing officer responsible for all marketing and product management functions at TPS and TEP.

Korpershoek, who was also named chairman of the TEP board of directors, has been a member of TPS’ strategic management team and executive committee since July 2010. He has also been appointed to the executive committee of the positioning business unit of Topcon Corporation where he will be in charge of global marketing.

Tony Hirayama, currently CEO of the company’s Spanish operation Topcon Positioning Iberia/InlandGEO, as well as being a director of TEP, will become the new managing director of TEP.

Hirayama – who previously had a role with Topcon Precision Agriculture in Australia – will also remain in his current positions.

Ewout Korpershoek

 

Tony Hirayama

Ewout Korpershoek

Tony Hirayama

 

Ray O’Connor, president and CEO of TPS and managing executive officer of Topcon Corporation paid tribute to Korpershoek’s abilities, describing him as a “tremendous leader”.

“His management of TEP has seen it through both rapid growth and an austere economy,” said O’Connor.

“Ewout’s vast experience, creativity and keen judgment have provided the solid foundation for success.

“I have asked him to be our first chief marketing officer, reporting directly to me, using his talents to lead and unite TPS and TEP in the critical areas of marketing and product management.

“Combined with his new responsibility for global marketing on the Topcon executive committee, we now have the opportunity to serve our many markets with a unified message and the strongest products worldwide.”

On Tony Hirayama’s appointment, O’Connor said that no one in the Topcon executive management team had more diverse leadership experience.

“His years at TPS, then at headquarters, then in Australia and Europe with precision agriculture, and as a director of TEP make him ideally equipped to lead TEP as we continue to add new markets and growth opportunities.”

In his new position, Korpershoek will manage the first steps of true globalisation of Topcon marketing and product management.

Under his leadership the TPS and TEP marketing, product management, and training teams will integrate their talents and resources to harmonise the Topcon brand message and customer experience in the western hemisphere.

“I am very excited to have this opportunity,” Korpershoek said.

“This integration has been an objective of both TPS and TEP for a long time and I’m honoured to be asked to lead it. I’m also very happy that Tony will be my new partner at TEP.

“He is a distinguished and dedicated leader and I will depend on his global perspective very heavily as we move forward.”

About his appointment to managing director, Hirayama expressed his gratitude to Steve Hirano, Topcon executive officer and general manager of the global positioning business unit, and O’Connor.

“I appreciate the trust that Mr. Hirano and Ray have given to me,” he said.

“It is a great honor to take on this new role and big responsibilities at TEP. We have a big challenge under the current unpredictable economy in Europe.

“I am thankful for the solid course that has already been established within TEP, and the opportunity to work closely with Ulrich Hermanski and Jan van der Weijden as we lead the TEP team to continue the growth that it has experienced under their direction.”

Korpershoek, who joined TEP in 1991, will remain a resident of the Netherlands, but spend extensive time working at TPS.

Hirayama, who joined Topcon in 1985, will relocate to the Netherlands in the near future, but continue to spend time in Madrid at Topcon Positioning Iberia/InlandGEO as required.

Topcon appoints Greg Frankish as Regional Survey Sales Manager for Australia/NZ

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Greg Frankish, Topcon's Regional Survey Sales Manager for Australia and New Zealand

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has announced that Queensland-based Greg Frankish has been appointed regional survey sales manager for Australia and New Zealand. 

In his new role, Frankish will be in charge of survey sales for the Topcon line of products and will work directly with the company’s distributor network in the region. He will report to Murray Lodge, vice president of the TPS construction business unit.

Frankish was a mine surveyor for more than 17 years before moving into the sales area, where he worked as a GPS sales team leader for survey dealer C.R. Kennedy in Australia.  While with C.R. Kennedy, he worked closely with regional surveyors.

Lodge said, “Greg’s reputation, experience and knowledge will be of immense benefit to our dealers in the region. His wide range of product application knowledge for GPS, total stations, data collectors and software automatically makes him an experienced resource for dealers and surveyors.”

 

Position Partners Launches New Presentation Trailer

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Position Partners used this year’s Civenex exhibition in Sydney in mid-May to launch its new Roadshow Trailer.

The 12 m-long trailer, which is towed by a separate prime mover, allows Position Partners to transport, display and demonstrate a wide range of Topcon machine control, surveying and laser equipment, as well as other products and services offered by the company.

Elements of the trailer include:

  • A six-person 3D cinema, where the latest Topcon 3D promotional videos can be shown
  • A machine simulator for operators to experience Topcon machine control systems
  • A Komatsu PC17MR-3 mini excavator fitted with Topcon’s GX-60 3D GPS machine control system
  • Display areas for a wide range of Topcon GPS, surveying and laser equipment 
  • Display areas for other products such as Position Partners new Tokara telematics system, and the Gatewing unmanned aerial system (UAS) mapping technology.

“Our new Roadshow Trailer allows us to easily present our range of machine control, surveying, GIS and precision positioning systems to customers and potential customers throughout Australia,” said Garry Fleming, Position Partners’ NSW general manager.

“As Australia’s only national distributor of machine control, survey and other positioning systems, it gives us the ability to quickly transport a wide cross-section of our product offerings to anywhere in the country for customer presentations and demonstrations.

“Whether at shows and field days such as Civenex, at events with other suppliers such as Komatsu Australia – which has generously supplied an excavator for use with the trailer – or for standalone Position Partners roadshows, the trailer allows customers to look at a wide range of products, watch them in action in 3D movies, as well as try out equipment in simulators or on an actual machine,” Fleming said.

In helping launch Position Partners’ new trailer at Civenex, David Small, Komatsu Australia’s general manager, construction, said it was an ideal opportunity for the two companies to partner together for joint presentations and demonstrations.

“It lets us show Topcon equipment and Komatsu equipment working together, in applications that suit them both, and it really does add a lot of value to us in terms of having a presence in shows and events around Australia, as well as ourselves being able to go along and participate in Position Partners roadshows and presentations,” he said.

Position Partners stand at Civenex 2011 was judged to be the best outdoor stand at the show.

Topcon TODAY

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Topcon TODAY  brings you the news, stories and information to help you control your world…TODAY. 

This special issue is available in print, with 3D glasses!  If you would like a copy mailed to you, please send your name and mailing address to info@positionpartners.com.au.  While supplies last.

 

Contents:

Page 2:    No strings attached —  Millimeter GPS for GPS-based curbing
Page 4:    Topcon’s Ray O’Connor Q and A — The digital job site
Page 6:    Milling on the outer limits — Millimeter GPS used on Aleutian Islands
Page 8:    ConExpo 2011 —  Complete digital job site
Page 14:  New products — Machine control and survey technology
Page 16:  Taking flight on runway — 3D-MC2 at Akron Canton airport
Page 18:  GPS served on the rocks — X63 excavator control for waterfront project
Page 20:  Exercise in self-sufficiency — 3D machine control at Sandy High
Page 21:  Smooth operator — Paver System 5 on racetrack
Page 22:  Dmapas launches IP-S2 — Mobile mapping system in South America
Page 23:  3D-MC grader helps firm accept changes in stride — 3D machine control for Reno highway

Download full article in PDF.

Position Partners introduces Gatewing UAS aerial mapping system

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Position Partners is to introduce the new Gatewing X100 unmanned aerial system (UAS) mapping technology to the Australian market, having signed an agreement as the Australian distributor for the company.

Gatewing, headquartered in Belgium, recently launched its X100 UAS system to provide automated aerial photography and digital terrain mapping for a wide range of spatial and mapping applications, including mining, civil construction and environmental assessment.

“Gatewing’s innovative approach makes UAS mapping very accessible. We are pleased to be their Australian distribution partner and provide UAS innovation to our customers,” said Martin Nix, CEO of Position Partners.

“For many applications, it is a very, very viable alternative to traditional ground-based surveying or costly aerial photogrammetry.”

The Gatewing X100 has a removable “black box” unit, which includes the GPS navigation system and radio modem.

Pre-programmed take-off, flight path and landing are managed via a rugged hand held-field computer. Its payload bay holds a high capacity battery that allows for a 45-minute flight, as well as a professional 10Mp digital camera.

The flying and image acquisition process is extremely straightforward and highly automated with manual fail-safe routines, said Nix.

“Its unique combination of carbon fibre frame, 1 m wingspan and propeller tail make the X100 the most portable, yet stable UAS, able to  produce maps to 5 cm level even in 60 km/h winds.”

Images are processed via state-of-the-art digital image photogrammetry software for conversion to orthophotos or 3D digital terrain models and GIS or CAD files. 

Complementary spatial systems from Position Partners, allowing it to offer a full suite of aerial mapping solutions, include EnsoMosaic UAS image processing and 3D viewing software.

Maarten Vandenbroucke, Managing Director of Gatewing, said Position Partners was an ideal distributor for his company’s products.

“Because the Gatewing X100 can be used in such a diverse range of applications, from topographic surveying, to infrastructure mapping and mine site updates, it was important to find an Australia-wide partner that caters for the needs of these customers.

Position Partners was the perfect fit, and we are now looking forward to introducing the X100 with a joint product roadshow around Australia in late May.”

Position Partners and Gatewing with be launching the Gatewing X100 via a series of roadshows around the country in late May.

Please click here to register your interest
for the roadshow nearest to you.

About Gatewing

Gatewing designs and builds the world’s fastest and easiest to use remote sensing solution. Based on the revolutionary X100 light unmanned aircraft, a solution for rapid terrain mapping was built. It consists of an image acquisition field operation and full digital and automated image processing.

5 Year Warranty

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Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has recently announced an industry-leading 5-year warranty on all laser products. Australian distributor Position Partners has also confirmed that every Topcon manufactured laser product sold from 1st January this year – including pipe, construction, interior and slope lasers – will be covered by the new warranty.

Brian Juroff, TPS construction director of sales, said, “Topcon’s eight decades of high quality manufacturing and proven reliability in the field has provided an umbrella of assurance and confidence for global construction customers. That guaranteed protection, extended to five years, is the best in the industry.”

 “Topcon has set the standard in the construction laser market for years,” Juroff said. “This new, industry-leading manufacturer’s guarantee is just another way to show our customers and potential customers that Topcon means business when it comes to providing quality products and exemplary service.”

Commenting on the news, Position Partners National Construction Products Manger, Ben Davis, said: “Topcon lasers are renowned for their durability and quality Japanese manufacturing. This new five-year warranty provides that extra peace of mind for our customers that they are buying a product and service guarantee they can rely on.

“Our highly qualified service technicians know the Topcon laser products, quite literally, inside and out,” Davis continued. “There is no one more capable of servicing and supporting these products than a Position Partners technician, many of whom have worked with Topcon lasers for more than 20 years.”

Introducing Tokara™: Position Partners’ integrated machine tracking, remote service and site management suite

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Position Partners has launched an integrated suite of telematics services designed specifically for civil construction, quarrying, mining and related applications, incorporating machine tracking, remote servicing and site management.

Tokara™ (from the Aboriginal word for “track”) allows users to monitor, service and control all plant equipment – across all machinery makes and models – remotely from any location and in real time.

Tokara consists of three service platforms: Tokara Tracking, Tokara Service and Tokara Site, with each based on the same hardware, allowing users to upgrade at any time.

The solution also incorporates Topcon’s advanced communication system, SiteLINK 3D, which powers the Tokara Site platform.

Functions of the three Tokara platforms are:

  • Tokara Tracking: Improving machine utilisation with customised tracking and condition reporting across an entire fleet
  • Tokara Service: Minimising downtime and eliminating service call-outs through the ability to carry out remote troubleshooting and servicing on any Tokara-enabled machine
  • Tokara Site – powered by SiteLINK 3D: Streamlining the entire project management process through end-to-end planning, monitoring and reporting across all equipment (mobile and fixed) and assets on a project.

In addition, Tokara delivers a single solution across all three platforms that is able to work with any type, make and model of machine, including light and heavy vehicles.

“Because every project, site and customer has unique requirements, we’ve developed Tokara to be a fully modular and customisable solution that meets the evolving needs of any business, from an owner-operator or plant hirer, up to large, multi-fleet, multi-project contractors,” said Martin Nix, CEO of Position Partners.

“As the exclusive distributor for Topcon Positioning Systems in Australia, we are uniquely placed to provide our customers with a tailored industry-leading solution based on a platform from a global company.

“Tokara is a perfect example of this as it integrates Topcon’s advanced site management system SiteLINK 3D, with additional platforms built specifically for the Australian market,” he said.

“Tokara has been developed in Australia, using Australian skills and programmers, based around customer requirements, and has been extensively tested with contractors and end-users throughout the country so that we know it works in our harsh environment and with our often-challenging telecommunications networks.

“And to ensure reliability, we are using industry-leading backup and technology infrastructure to maintain data security.”

According to Nix, Position Partners has been able to develop its Tokara suite through the unique set of skills and expertise built up by the company over many years.

“Our unique blend of experience and industry knowledge is the result of the evolution of Position Partners from a close-knit network of state-based businesses to a single national company three years ago.

“This means we are ideally placed to deliver a single industry-wide solution: we understand the business, we understand our customers, and we understand what they want to achieve,” said Nix.