Due to the advantages of machine control and guidance technology, the productivity and efficiency of construction machinery have increased by 50%, with less operator input, more repeat accuracy, no grade checker, and safer work sites. You might say that all this sounds great, but I run a mixed fleet and cannot invest in different systems for every brand I own. What should I do? The good news is: interoperability saves you from investing in systems for each brand.
What is interoperability?
This is a big word, but the concept is very simple, allowing technologies and equipment of different brands to communicate and communicate with each other seamlessly.
What components are involved?
A large number of technical components are involved in machine control and guidance: satellites, antennas, receivers, IMUs, radios, and displays, just to name a few:
Base station. It provides a reference signal for the work site. The base station collects the position signal from the satellite, makes the necessary corrections, and then sends the position to your machine to achieve the accuracy of the golf ball size.
machine. It uses two antennas on the top of the cab to determine its position from the satellite. Since the satellite is mobile, the machine is corrected from the base station to maintain strict position accuracy. The IMU on the machine then refers to the GNSS antenna to determine the position of the blade or bucket tip.
Digital design file. Usually created with AutoCAD software and converted into one of two machine control languages (Trimble or Topcon), it lists the plan for the entire work site. The blueprint appears on the operator’s cab display, so they know the exact location and method of work.
Interoperability allows you to pair any brand of base station with any machine control brand you like.
what are the benefits?
The first advantage is cost savings. There is no need to invest in new base stations or data collectors. If you are a Trimble fan, you can stick to Trimble on all your devices. If you are a fan of Topcon, you can stick to Topcon on your device.
Another benefit is a shorter learning curve. Think about your cell phone. Are you an Apple or Android user? If someone forces you to use a mobile phone of another brand, you will understand that it takes some time and trial and error to switch from one brand to another. The same is true for machine control and guidance technology. Your operators are satisfied with a certain brand, they know how to use the brand, and they know what to pay attention to. If you let them continue to use the same brand, you can eliminate the learning curve and allow you to get more production time at work.
