Fixed Height Tripods for GPS

With a total station the height of the instrument is usually measured to the height of the “eye” or the center of the optic which makes it relatively simple.  With GPS there is no optic, only an imaginary plane that is used to determine elevation by figuring the distance from the ground to this plane.  Ok, maybe it is not imaginary, but the phase center measurements are neither physical positions nor stable points.

The phase center is variable on any GPS receiver based on directional signal information from satellites. These variations affect the antenna offsets used to connect the measurement to the position being recorded.  To handle this, the National Geodetic Survey calibrates each receiver model creating a measurement between the receiver phase center and it’s antenna reference point (ARP).  When we plug in the height of the receiver to our data collector we key in the measurement from our point to the ARP.

Some receivers have “measure points” on the receiver other than the ARP that are easier to get to for measuring.  You can then either do the simple math to reduce the height from the measure point to the ARP, or in some cases the data collection software already has that equation built in so you only enter the distance from the point to your measure mark.  Some units such as the Leica receivers have a tripod hook that has been calibrated to their ARP.  This allows the user to affix the “hook” to the base of the receiver, pull the tape to the point and know the number read includes the distance from the end of the tape to the ARP.

The simple answer here is to do the same thing you do for your rover.  Use a fixed height base.  There are a few options available such as the Fixed-Height GPS Antenna Tripod with Collapsible Center Staff from SECO Manufacturing (SECO PN: 5119-00).  This particular tripod features a collapsible center staff with twist locking mechanism that rotates 360° to check calibration of plumbing with a 10-minute vial, and quick release & twist locking mechanisms on the legs. It is dual graduated and adjusts to three heights: 2 m, 1.8 m, and 1.5 m. It collapses to 50 inches (127 cm).

I highly recommend these for use with the Altus receiver and have a few clients using them with their Sokkia and TopCon GPS units as well.  For more details on how to use this tripod visit SECO’s website http://www.surveying.com/tech_tips/details.asp?techTipNo=13.

Leica PowerDigger 3D: Cutting-Edge Excavator Guidance

(Heerbrugg, 22 April 2010) Leica Geosystems releases its next-generation, cutting-edge, 3D guidance system for excavating construction machines, Leica PowerDigger 3D. Leica PowerDigger 3D expands Leica Geosystems’ unique PowerSnap concept, which provides total flexibility and interchangeability of machine control products and of machines such as excavators, dozers, and graders. PowerDigger 3D is the result of many years of experience in developing machine control systems.

Unique PowerSnap concept makes it easy to swap panels
Thanks to PowerSnap, machine guidance systems are no longer restricted to just one machine. PowerSnap allows users to swap panels between laser, slope, and 3D machine control completely seamlessly as the job demands. PowerSnap also provides a cable-free system: data communication via infrared and induction for power supply offer contractors high reliability and system uptime. Leica Geosystems provides machine control solutions for diggers, dozers, and graders that can now use the XC16 control panel with the corresponding 2D or 3D software.

PowerSnap also lets new customers manage their investment path as they move into machine control; offering complete backwards compatibility and affordable upgrade paths from traditional laser/slope control – all the way to 3D. Additionally, the easy removal of panels helps deter theft and vandalism – an ideal solution for rental machine fleets.

A wide range of features and benefits
Leica PowerDigger 3D software offers direct support for popular 3D design models (CAD) – meaning no interpretation of drawings and no need for stakeout. With full 3D visualization, operators know exactly where the bucket of the excavator is and where it needs to be positioned. The system supports full GNSS (GPS & GLONASS) coverage as standard, which provides maximum coverage and uptime on most job sites. Thanks to its high-performance graphic display, the system is intuitive to use, allowing operators to quickly gain confidence with the system.

The Leica PowerDigger 3D control panel has a rugged housing and is equipped with a 7-inch full-color touch screen that takes the user through the installation, setup, and operating modes at a glance. Simple design models can even be created directly on the jobsite. The system supports a wide range of popular data formats including LandXML, DXF/DWG surface models, Polylines, and all GEO formats etc. The system also features built-in dredging and volume calculations.

2D and 3D “out of the box”
Leica PowerDigger 3D provides a fully functional 2D system at no extra cost. The system can be easily upgraded and is fully scalable from basic 2D to full 3D capability in the same control panel – one option does not exclude the other – and, if the machine loses GNSS coverage, the digger drivers can continue in “2D mode” with full functionality.

A managed investment path
For 3D solutions, Leica Geosystems offers a simple upgrade path: Contractors that are not sure whether they want to make the whole investment today can simply buy a 3D-ready panel and upgrade later to suit to their needs. For those who only need 3D for a short period, Leica Geosystems or a distribution partner can rent Leica GNSS sensors / Leica Total Stations as well as 3D software.

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Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information.

Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.

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Contact:

Alessandra Doëll
Director Marketing Communications
Leica Geosystems AG
CH-9435 Heerbrugg
Switzerland 

Tel: +41 71 727 3451 (Direct)
Tel: +41 71 727 3131 (Reception)
E-Mail: Alessandra.Doell@leica-geosystems.com

Eagle Point Software Corporation to Offer Compatible Solutions to AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 Software

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Eagle Point Software Corporation today announced it will offer compatible solutions to Autodesk’s AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 software for the building design, infrastructure, and construction industries.

“We are excited to be able to quickly support the AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 release in our portfolio of add-on products that include Pinnacle Series, Data Reduction, and Surveyors’ Companion,” explains Steve Biver, Civil Product Line Manager at Eagle Point. “These products take advantage of the new features of AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011, such as 64-bit support. Our add-on products help ensure successful implementations and better use of Autodesk’s software, while giving our clients a competitive advantage.”

The Eagle Point Pinnacle Series^™ add-on technology dramatically improves an organization’s ability to implement AutoCAD Civil 3D and adopt new Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows. Using links to execute the right commands, the surveying, grading, roadway design, pipe layout, and plan set preparation workflows guide users to complete work faster while consistently following the organization’s standards and best practices.

Data Reduction^™ utilizes direct links with several supported data collectors and data collector formats to download raw instrument and coordinate data. Whether the user is downloading directly from a collector or importing a file from a PC, Data Reduction places AutoCAD Civil 3D COGO points and automated linework into the drawing.

A set of tools that streamline the survey workflow, Surveyors’ Companion^™ leverages proven surveying technology to enable organizations to comfortably and productively move to AutoCAD Civil 3D software. Surveyors’ Companion interacts with native point, parcel, surface, alignment, and profile data.

“We are glad to have an Autodesk Developer Network partner like Eagle Point Software announce the release of its portfolio of companion products for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011,” explains Jim Quanci, Director of the Autodesk Developer Network. “Eagle Point’s expertise in the Civil Engineering markets has allowed them to leverage the new functionality in our 2011 version and enhance it with tools that help our clients take advantage of BIM.”

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011 software, the building information modeling (BIM) solution for civil engineering, helps teams deliver higher-quality transportation, land development, and environmental projects faster. Its model-based approach helps keep project information coordinated while delivering higher-quality documentation and visualizations. AutoCAD Civil 3D helps users gain the competitive advantage of BIM to deliver more innovative project solutions. Key new features include:

• Scalability and performance improvements, as well as an optimized 64-bit version of Civil 3D
• Tools to better manage the creation and editing of corridors
• Enhanced superelevation functionality that provides a dynamic link to the alignment and flexible editing options

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Civil 3D and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

All company names and product names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Trimble Introduces VisionLink Fleet and Asset Management Solution

MUNICH, Germany, April 19, 2010 — Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) today introduced its next generation fleet and asset management solution—the Web-based VisionLink™ solution. Using the VisionLink solution, owners of mixed fleets can monitor equipment health and fleet utilization with near real-time speed.

The announcement was made today at Bauma 2010, the world’s largest construction equipment exposition.

The VisionLink fleet and asset management solution features user-friendly management tools combined with GPS-based positioning and cellular technology to provide near real-time information regarding mixed fleet equipment performance. From portable assets to heavy machinery such as dump trucks, fuel trucks, graders, and loaders, VisionLink brings together a range of information, including machine fault codes, location, hours, events and user defined alerts, to provide an overview of machine health, fuel management and working utilization. The solution extends the Trimble® Construction Manager solution which offers contractors a range of tools to monitor machine utilization and site productivity.

Senior executives, fleet managers and rental equipment managers access the information about their equipment using the VisionLink Web-based solution where they can see map-based equipment views and run on-demand reports or charts. With alert functions, users can be automatically notified of unexpected activity via e-mail or SMS messaging.

The VisionLink fleet and asset management solution has been developed by VirtualSite Solutions, a Trimble and Caterpillar® joint venture company. VirtualSite Solutions is responsible for developing solutions to transform the way owners of mixed fleets can efficiently and safely manage their equipment fleets, reduce operating costs and improve productivity in the areas of fuel consumption, maintenance, worksite productivity and fleet logistics. The VisionLink solution is an integral part of the Cat® Product Link fleet-management solution and replaces their current user interface with powerful tools and features for processing and conveying information to users and dealers. The solution supports uses GPS, cellular and Low-Earth-Orbit based enabling hardware devices to transmit data over GSM/GPRS networks to provide equipment information to a secure data server. Trimble offers the VisionLink solution to allow mixed fleet owners to consolidate fleet management efforts.

The VisionLink fleet and asset management solution from Trimble is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2010 through the Trimble Heavy and Highway Construction distribution and SITECH™ dealer networks.

About Trimble’s Heavy and Highway Division

Trimble’s Heavy and Highway Division is a leading innovator of productivity solutions for the heavy and highway contractor. Trimble’s solutions leverage a variety of technologies, including Global Positioning System (GPS), construction lasers, total stations, wireless data communications, the Internet, and application software. As part of the Trimble Connected Site™ strategy, these solutions provide a high-level of process and workflow integration from the design phase through to the finished project—delivering significant improvements in productivity throughout the construction lifecycle.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Investor Relations Contact: Willa McManmon of Trimble: 408-481-7838
Media Contact: LeaAnn McNabb of Trimble: 408-481-7808

Stretchy Thingy….

Why can’t things just be easy? How many times do I open AutoCAD and need to stretch an object only to create a huge headache? Rubber band stretching may be great for a polyline, but when I have a closed shape I need some linking, something to keep the objects relative to each other. Think…Microsoft Word, stretching a picture. Grip one corner and begin moving and everything adjusts relatively.

Why do I have to do offsets and stretch, and stretch again?

Ask and ye shall receive…