Robot Makes Layout Three Times Faster
"We proactively look for new technologies with which to benefit our clients - both in time and money," fine words that help to define the ethos of South Midlands Construction. Over the past 15 years the Northamptonshire based company has developed an enviable reputation for providing a high quality range of services. When Senior Engineer Steve Lowe found that his working day had evolved from 90% surveying to 90% site layout, it was time to put these words into practice.
As luck would have it Trimble had just launched the SPS610 Total Station which is purpose built for construction layout tasks and is claimed to be three times faster than any competitive product. Designed to provide an economical way for contractors to perform their own site measurement tasks, the SPS610 is available in Servo, Autolock and Robotic versions and includes the ability to make reflectorless measurements.
The new total station uses Bluetooth technology to do away with cables entirely, it also features integrated batteries and radios and a single controller for both the instrument and the pole. Very fast servos and internal USB communication combine to make the "three times faster" boast a reality, particularly in response to commands to track, search, measure and record information. Its rugged, ergonomic design with no external components, cables or accessories helps to maximise job-site survival and define a package that is quick to set up and very easy to use.
South Midlands' clients include Anglian Water and Severn Trent, national house builders such as Bovis, Beldray and Stamford Homes and various large commercial development organisations plus a wealth of small and medium sized building companies. Steve explains, "I found that my working pattern had changed from mainly survey to almost exclusively layout jobs, we spoke with Instrument supplier KOREC who came up with this package. It's very very good, it both saves my time and makes me more productive I'm pleased to say." Steve works mainly solo and so uses the Robotic function almost exclusively; he says, "The Robotic facility stops you borrowing someone's site guy to hold the pole, he may have no experience of this kind of thing and so slows you down and reduces your accuracy."
At the same time, Steve was also able to take on board Trimble SCS900 Site Controller Software running on a TSC2 hand held controller, a combination which is tailor made for construction site measurement and layout operations. The controller is tough and water and dust resistant, has a full keyboard and also offers touch screen capabilities; its display is bright and easy to read in daylight with colour graphics. Memory is large at 512MB with 128MB RAM and a 516 MHz processor to speedily handle even the biggest projects and integrated WiFi allows the user to quickly send and retrieve data.
Steve concludes, "The colour screen on the controller is a great help as is being able to touch and pick points. As for the software, the setting out programme is easy to use and there is an on-board help function, although training is available from KOREC it's almost idiot proof!"
