Teledyne Construction’s new Utilities Pipe & Cable Tracker (UPAC) lets contractors identify and map metal objects up to 12 feet underground to help reduce the risk of accidental strikes and damage during excavation.
The land-based tracking system attachment uses pulse induction technology to locate and track underground metal cables and utilities. The information gathered can be integrated with an external GNSS system, such as Trimble’s R780 receiver, to give precise positioning information. The data can then be viewed on a tablet or automatically exported into construction survey software, like Trimble Business Center.
Teledyne Construction and Intermountain Technologies, a sister company of Trimble distributor Sitech Intermountain, demonstrated the system on a Cat 255 compact track loader at the recent Trimble Dimensions User Conference in Las Vegas. To get a full overview of the product and see it in action, check out the video above with Teledyne Business Manager Jeremy Harrison.
The UPAC provides a survey heat map, target depth of burial tracking and data logging and transfer operation modes. It is accurate within 2 inches for vertical measurements and has a 5% slant range.
The system is built with a rugged design for use in difficult terrains and temperatures ranging from 5 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be mounted on a variety of machines and requires 12 volts of DC power (84 watts, 14 amp peak current). Depending on the terrain, surveying can be completed at speeds from 0.25 to 4 mph.
The UPAC can only detect metal – not clay pipe or plastic pipe – as long as it's large enough and within the range of the coil. A 1.5-inch metal pipe could be detected roughly 4 feet deep. An 18-inch pipe can be found up to 11 feet deep, according to Harrison. “It’s the amount of metal and the physical size that gives you the depth of burial range,” he says.
In addition to preconstruction surveying, teams can also use the UPAC to verify pipelines have been installed at the correct depths. It can also be used to gauge the condition of concrete installations and rebar, which could help determine the location of sinkholes and underground voids.
The system is entering its final phase of testing and will be available for purchase within the next few months. The same Teledyne technology has already been used for more than 30 years for deep-ocean mapping. The UPAC is suitable for work in all types of soils, including clay, the company says.
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