Machine Control

  • GeoLogic's machine controller sends the signals needed to accurately control blade movement on many  varieties of construction equipment. We support valve control equipment from Laser-Tech, Moba,  Laser Alignment, and Spectra Physics / Trimble Navigation. You leave their equipment in place and unchanged. 
  • Machine control can be accomplished through the combination of Laser and GPS.  GPS will give horizontal positional data, laser will give vertical data.  Machine control through GPS alone, without laser, allows control of the blade using the elevations derived from RTK GPS. This is especially useful where the extreme high accuracy of laser is not necessary, when ±1/2 inch is adequate. GPS works where line of sight is critical. It is not affected by moisture, dust, wind or heat distorted atmosphere.  Terrain and brush have less impact on GPS than optical instruments or lasers. It can also be done with a robotic transit or a combination of robotic transit and laser.  Robotic transit alone can only be used on very slow moving machines due to the latency of the instruments.  They typically report your position 1/3 to 1/2 second after the fact.  They also typically only update once or twice per second.  When used with rotating laser, GeoLogic's machine logic will project your position in x and y ahead in time.  The z (elevation) will be measured in real time by the laser system.  This is useful in tunnels, under bridges, and in any areas where a good GPS signal is not available.
  • GCS: Station is used for linear projects based on alignment and cross-sections. Data can be input from plans or electronically.  Horizontal and vertical curvature, supers, transitional and independent grades are easily achieveable. 
  • GCS: Field operates from data points by creating a TIN surface.  Again data can be input electronically or from plans. 
  • Staking for both roads and site is dramatically reduced. Manually built structures, underground structures and reference lines can be staked by using the same software. 
  • Direct control of blade height means an operator with a small amount of experience can grade as well or better than someone with a lot of experience. 
  • Advanced machine control means dramatically less time, or no time at all, spent on re-staking or re-marking a site. 
  • Finish grading can be done with dozers controlled by GeoLogic’s system linked with lasers. The laser provides a stable reference and the mast is controlled by our computer.   This allows transitional and vertically curved grades to be constructed. The instrumentation provides the correct position to the computer for comparison with the plan grade.  Adjustment is made to the blade in real time. If traditional fine grading equipment is preferred, the system is easily transferred to those units. 
  • Use of this system with a roto-mill can remove the variations in road surfaces that result in poor ride quality. 
  • System’s modular components are easily transferred from one piece of equipment to another. 
  • Topo, staking, guidance and machine control in one convienent package.

Machine Guidance

  • Using GeoField and Station gives you instant cut/fill calculations for any location on a site. Now place this advantage into the hands of every machine operator on your site.
  • Rough grading as well as finish grading can be accurately completed without the need for stakes.
  • Rough grading is usually started using the system in guidance mode. This allows the operator to choose the depth of cut manually while watching the screen for cut, fill and alignment information. This method moves the most dirt and minimizes the chance of undercutting or overfilling. It also maximizes cut depth when top-loading or push-loading scrapers. Usually the system is used on bulldozers during this rough grading operation.

Features of our machine control implementation

Real Time Data Display

  • Continuous visual representation of all collected data in a real-time graphical display.
  • Check perimeters, structure outlines, centerlines, point location, density, and all other site features that are on-screen.
  • On screen text data allows the operator to make sure switches and parameters are set correctly.
  • The current coordinate position is visible both graphically and numerically.
  • Current vector speed and auto-capture information.
  • Current rod length and point label settings.
  • View collected information, cross-sections, plan views and staking points in the field to increase speed and resolution for topo and staking operations.
  • Background drawings shown on screen can show proposed and existing buildings and structures for advanced orientation.

Data Collection And Site Analysis

  • Setup is made easy with our program guiding you step by step with a series of menus. Use one tool or a combination because the program can interface with a number of instruments at the same time.
  • User friendly interface is easy to learn and operate. Most times your hands are off the keyboard.
  • Easily survey features such as steep slopes, cliffs and non-traverseable surfaces with specialized equiptment such as a Criterion 300™.
  • Automatic error detection saves time and effort.
  • Traverse a site while the computer automatically collects accurate coordinate position.
  • Accurately survey acres of ground in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods.
  • Record large amounts of detail with easily changable point labels.
  • Note important details about individual points.
  • Important features can be easily located.
  • Data can be processed in the field by using commercial contouring programs to view contours and cross-sections.
  • Use the data to calculate accurate earthwork volumes on a daily basis.

Data Management

  • Versatile programming allows fast, easy changes and calculations to be made at any time.
  • Easy in-office data management maximizes field performance.
  • Copy and edit files in the office or in the field with many versatile options.
  • Data collected or data to provide finish contours and sections can be uploaded from, or downloaded to, most construction software such as Surfer™, Eagle Point™, Microstation Siteworks™, Agteck™, Paydirt™, Arose™, and ASD™.
  • Accurately prove your yardage by inexpensively collecting accurate topo data before and after completion.
  • All data is time stamped providing you with efficient and complete productivity information. Answer questions about quantity and performance before they are asked.
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