Trimble has introduced a new machine control system for drilling and piling work that provides centimeter-level accuracy and stakeless navigation.
Scott Crozier, general manager for Trimble’s Civil Engineering and Construction Division, says the system “reduces rework and decreases the need for personnel working near the machine during operation.”
The system has a large touchscreen with an intuitive interface the company says is easy to learn thanks to colorful graphics and natural gestures. The display offers a variety of configurable views and its software functions similarly to Trimble’s other civil engineering and construction software, allowing operators familiar with those systems to jump right in.
Drilling
The Trimble Groundworks Machine Control System for Drilling allows contractors to specify location, depth, orientation and inclination of a drilling job. “Better rock fragmentation and lower hauling costs can be achieved by optimizing drill hole spacing, angles, and the location of the machine for a more even blasting pattern,” the company says.
The system also features an auto stop feature which stops drilling at a target elevation to reduce overdrilling. The feature can lead to “flatter benches and reduced wear and tear on machines, which can result in significant cost savings,” the company says.
And because the system minimizes the need for stakes and surveying, the number of people working near the machine while drilling is reduced. Plus, a Trimble Groundworks machine can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in almost any conditions.
Piling
Trimble touts the accuracy of its Groundworks Machine Control System for Piling as enabling contractors to reduce surveying costs associated with staking and as-built checks. With the system, Trimble says you’ll spend less time traveling between piles and less time moving the machine.
The system features built-in, automated quality assurance and quality control reporting that includes the capture of start and end positions, time, elevation, actual embedment depth, blow count, and inclination and orientation control.
Both machine control systems are available through Trimble’s SITECH dealer network.
