BAUMA 2010 - Final Announcements from Trimble's Heavy and Highway Division
Wed 21st Apr 2010
KOREC is delighted to announce the final three of nine product announcements which were made by Trimble's Heavy and Highway Division at this years BAUMA show held in Munich.
7. New Portfolio of GNSS Receivers for Construction Site Positioning and Machine Control
Trimble has announced a new portfolio of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers for construction site positioning and machine control applications. Coupled with Trimble® Connected SiteTM solutions for construction, the new GNSS portfolio delivers unmatched flexibility, performance, and productivity, even in challenging construction conditions.
Trimble's new GNSS receivers include the Trimble SPS852 GNSS Modular Receiver and SPS882 GNSS Smart Receiver for site positioning and the Trimble MS992 GNSS Smart Antenna for machine control applications. The new construction receivers support a wide range of satellite signals, including GPS L2C and L5 and GLONASS L1/L2 signals. Trimble is committed to its plan to have Galileo-compatible products available for customers in advance of Galileo system availability. In support of this plan, the Trimble SPS882, SPS852, and MS992 are capable of tracking the experimental Galileo GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B test satellites for signal evaluation and test purposes.
The Trimble portfolio of site positioning and machine control receivers also includes the latest advancements in Trimble R-TrackTM technology, designed to deliver reliable, precise positioning performance even in challenging areas for GNSS-based construction, such as near tree cover or with limited sky view. Trimble R-Track with Signal Prediction compensates for intermittent or marginal RTK correction signals, enabling extended precision operation after communication is interrupted. In addition, the enhanced technology includes innovative correction compression techniques in the new CMRx protocol to optimize communications bandwidth. With CMRx, RTK correction data for all the satellites and signals in view are transmitted from the base to the rover or base to earthmoving machine, allowing the Trimble GNSS receiver to provide reliable positioning performance. The advances in electronics and latest version of the Trimble RTK engine also offer at least a 25 percent improvement in the vertical accuracy performance of the construction GNSS portfolio.
Featuring the new Trimble MaxwellTM 6 chip, the Trimble Construction GNSS portfolio sets a new industry standard with more memory, more GNSS channels and the ability to track and provide corrections for up to 44 satellites.
A contractor can choose to purchase a site positioning rover receiver with reduced accuracy performance for site supervisor or site inspection uses and later upgrade to higher accuracy, more constellations or base station and rover capability as required for precision applications such as grade checking and as-built measurements.
Upgradeable options also exist for the machine control receiver, such that a contractor can purchase a GPS-only machine control receiver and upgrade the receiver to full GNSS capability at a later date as jobsite and applications require.
The Trimble SPS882 GNSS Smart Antenna and MS992 GNSS Smart Antenna are available now. The Trimble SPS852 GNSS Modular Receiver is expected to be available in second quarter of 2010
Trimble introduced today Trimble® Business Center-Heavy Construction Edition (HCE) version 2.0 with new Data Preparation and Takeoff Modules. This latest software version offers specialized tools for professionals involved in quantities takeoff, bid preparation and estimation; data preparation; and transfer of data to and from field crews and machine control systems. With Trimble Business Center office software, contractors can now use the same design data throughout the entire lifecycle of a construction project, saving time and cost over using multiple software packages. Plus, with more accurate volume and material costs calculated upfront, contractors can feel more confident of their bid accuracy and potentially win more business.
Using Trimble Business Center - HCE, there is no interruption of the data workflow. Contractors can complete the initial estimation, data prep, and planning phases of the project faster and proceed quicker to the actual construction site work where they make money. Trimble Business Center - HCE version 2.0 automates the tasks associated with estimation and takeoff, while improving estimation accuracy and eliminating manual calculation errors.
Trimble Business Center - HCE was designed specifically for heavy construction applications and incorporates the required geodetic parameters to successfully implement GNSS-based machine control and site positioning systems. The software uses real world construction objects such as surfaces, subgrades, materials and site improvements with associated material costs and attributes. This functionality is especially useful for estimating material expansion and compaction or computing loose haulage volumes and material shrinkage due to compaction.
Trimble Business Center - HCE also benefits from a tight integration with construction site positioning, surveying and machine control systems from Trimble. The workflows and databases are designed specifically for contractors and engineers-making it more intuitive and delivering more intelligent data for construction operations than traditional CAD-based products.
The new Data Preparation Module for site and road modelling facilitates the creation of design models from imported digital data, CAD files, manually entered information or digitized plans. The same highly accurate design models created in the early project phases can then serve as the basis for work-in-progress volume calculations, stakeout activities, and later earthworks.
The new Takeoff Module addresses mass earthworks, topsoil handling, existing in-ground site improvement demolition, and proposed site improvement construction. The Takeoff Module computes volumes, areas, lengths, and material counts, allowing contractors to accurately quantify site improvements and needed materials. It also considers material procurement and installation costs in arriving at the total bid unit cost and can often eliminate overage costs that result from miscalculation during the estimation process.
Detailed takeoff reports can be printed, saved as a PDF file, or exported to Microsoft Excel for incorporation into the overall bid package. Estimators can determine bank cut/fill and hauling bulkage volumes, considering subsurface strata and their individual properties, and compute similar volumes for topsoil stripping and replacement. Areas, volumes, and weights for asphalt, concrete, base, and other materials can be calculated.
The Trimble Business Center - Heavy Construction Edition core product remains mass distributable at no charge. Contractors can download the software and use it on as many computers as needed. Add-on functionality such as the new Data Preparation and Takeoff Modules require a seat license.
Trimble Business Center - HCE version 2.0 is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2010
The final announcement from Trimble - a new field controller and software solution specifically designed for site inspectors and project managers on the construction jobsite. Incorporating both the new Trimble® TCA1 Controller with SCS700 Site Controller Software, the Site Inspection System provides an easy-to-use solution that addresses daily measurement and positioning needs. For construction organizations, the more workers are empowered with positioning and measuring tools, the more money and time they can save due to increased efficiencies.
The Trimble TCA1 is a key component of the Trimble Connected SiteTM portfolio of productivity-enhancing construction solutions that streamline the workflows between the head office, field crews, site supervisors, site inspectors and machine operators.
The Trimble TCA1 and SCS700 allows construction professionals to easily conduct accurate measurements such as site reconnaissance, progress measurements, as-built measurements and site inspection. Using the TCA1 connectivity features, site inspectors and projects managers can immediately connect to the office for on-the-spot approvals and for communicating changes to field crews. From the field to the truck cab and the office, users can stay connected and work faster, increasing their efficiency and productivity. With instant Internet access capability from the construction site, there is no more delay associated with driving data to and from the office and field. And there is no need to take multiple devices into the field or pay for multiple separate cell phones and data subscriptions.
The TCA1 is ideal for use on the construction job site; it features a 3.75G wireless mobile computer that combines a rugged design with a small, light-weight form factor that fits in a safety vest pocket. The high-performance TCA1 can be used for both voice and data communication on the construction site or anywhere else. Other features of the TCA1 include integrated GPS, a 3.1MP camera with flash, a QWERTY keyboard, a barcode and document scanner, a digital compass and accelerometer-all allowing for the collection of a wide range of site information for documentation and quality control. The TCA1 weighs just 340g (12oz), has an IP54 rating and can withstand drops up to 1.5m (5ft). It comes standard with an extended life battery for all day operation in the field.
In addition to conducting site measurement tasks, contractors can use the TCA1 to send and receive emails, make phone calls and synchronize data with the Trimble Connected Community, Trimble's information management system for communication, collaboration, and greater construction site efficiency.
With the optional ability to connect to an external GPS receiver, the TCA1 can also operate with a Trimble GNSS receiver to obtain precision GNSS measurement accuracy.
Trimble SCS700 leverages the same design data used by engineers, grade checkers and supervisors but is packaged with the TCA1 to offer more targeted functionality at more economical price point for site inspectors, project managers, geotechnical engineers and small site contractors. The TCA1 built-in connectivity, camera and GPS, allow site users to record information such as site issues and send the information with photograph and location back to the office. This enables immediate action to remedy the situation in the most efficient manner and can reduce waste of materials, time, and labor.
Site inspectors can leverage the measurement functions of SCS700 while storing important information about the objects they are inspecting such as material type, condition, a photograph, date and time. They can record as-builts and compare work completed against the design to verify that proper work was completed against the specification.
Geotechnical engineers can use SCS700 to quickly and efficiently navigate to correct locations to take soil measurements. They can record their results via SCS700 and remotely send the information to the headquarters for timely processing, saving the time and effort of driving the data back from the field.
The Trimble TCA1 and Trimble SCS700 Site Controller Software are expected to be available in the second quarter of 2010.
ENDS
