Trimble Introduces Positioning Solution for Tunneling

Trimble introduced its latest positioning solution for tunneling at INTERMAT 2012.

Trimble Tunnelingsoftware

Trimble has introduced a new positioning solution for tunneling. The new solution leverages Business Center – HCE office software powered by Trimble, the Trimble SCS900 Site Controller Software Tunneling Module operating on the Trimble Tablet, and the Trimble SPS930 Universal Total Station. As part of the Trimble Connected Site portfolio, the integrated office to field solution allows contractors to quickly, safely and accurately perform tunnel construction, while monitoring progress in real-time.

The announcement was made at INTERMAT 2012, the international exhibition of equipment, machinery and techniques for the construction and materials industries.

Start Efficiently

Efficient tunnel construction operations begin with preparation of an accurate model using Business Center – HCE office software. The new Business Center – HCE Corridor Tunneling module offers contractors sophisticated tools to model tunnels with multiple layers all in the same alignment. Business Center – HCE tunneling tools handle extremely complex design and measurement files, including multi-million point cloud files from LIDAR devices, and accommodate drilling and blasting operations. The software accepts standardized tunnel formats and users can enter data in a variety of ways. The complete tunnel model can then be exported to the Trimble Tablet running SCS900 Site Controller Software in the field.

Business Center – HCE office software gives tunneling contractors the ability to send accurate, up-to-date designs to the field wirelessly, eliminating the need to physically drive to the site. Data preparation with Business Center – HCE and an accurate model can help the tunneling contractor identify and resolve potential problems before the project starts, saving time and money.

Control the Project

Using Trimble SCS900 Site Controller Software with a Trimble Tablet, tunneling personnel in the field can compare the 3D tunnel design with the as-built tunnel after every blast round. Contractors can more efficiently address the daily measuring and positioning requirements of road and railway tunneling projects, while reducing the work stoppage time for manual measurements and monitoring progress from a safer distance from the blasting zone. SCS900 can be used for all measurement and stakeout operations inside and outside the tunnel including rock bolts, cable and ductwork, tunnel floor and wall measurements, and drainage or utility information.

The Trimble Tablet allows crews to wirelessly receive design changes or updates in the tunnel and to quickly deliver measurement results back to the office for rapid approvals. This built-in connectivity allows site engineers to rapidly communicate on-site problems, take remedial actions or request information from the project engineers without driving to the office.

Safety and Accuracy

The Trimble SPS930 Universal Total Station provides high-accuracy positioning for tunnel construction projects. With its advanced robotic scanning capabilities, the SPS930 allows field crews to operate at safer distances from scaling operations and provide a more accurate measurement of results. Integration with tunnel-specific scanning routines in the SCS900 Tunneling Module produces a more accurate profile of the tunnel surface.

The laser pointer on the total station can isolate and automatically turn to underbreak areas for faster and easier correction, then re-scan the area after correction. Scan data can also be used to better predict future drill hole cuttings and improve the efficiency of blasting.

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