Some of the top construction companies are using Topcon’s 3D-MC2 system and reporting productivity gains doubling regular 3D machine control systems. Comparisons of machine operation at construction job sites pinpoint increases in productivity of up to four times over dozers not using 3D machine control technology. Additionally, those firms operating dozers at twice normal grading speed are reporting “incredible accuracy and smoothness” in a variety of applications. The technology driving 3D-MC2 combines cutting-edge hydraulic control software, the latest in inertial sensor technology and the industry’s leading GNSS receivers to provide more than 100 blade position checks per second – said to be about five times higher than the industry machine control average. Any company can use sensors and think of the concept of getting a dozer to go faster with increased accuracy. What’s different here is that Topcon used a combination of proper algorithms, satellite signal filters, revised arithmetic formulas and the scientists and engineers at their global technology centres, working together.
Contact Derrick Brussow, VI Instruments, Tel 011 878-2600, derrick@rutherford.co.za