GPS-Guided Machine Control Using Autodesk Land Desktop By: Harry Ward, PE - Of: OutSource Inc.

Transcription

1 December 2-5, 2003 MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas GPS-Guided Machine Control Using Autodesk Land Desktop By: Harry Ward, PE - Of: OutSource Inc. Code CV23-1 Class Description: Harry Ward, PE Harry Ward, PE, is certified in Machine Control and has been working with contractors for several years. Engineers can now provide their project design data to contractors for direct input into the robotics installed on excavation equipment. This course will discuss why engineers and surveyors can benefit from knowing more about this technology. About the Speaker: Harry Ward, P.E. Harry is a registered civil engineer, certified in Machine Control. He is the executive vice president for OutSource Inc., a consulting firm and Autodesk Premier Training Center. He has been an engineering professor at George Mason University since 1997, an Autodesk Authorized Consultant since 1991, and an Autodesk Registered Developer since He serves on the editorial advisory board for P.O.B. magazine, on the Autodesk ISD Customer Council, and is GIS chair for AUGI. He also writes feature articles routinely for CE News, P.O.B. CADence/CADalyst, and other magazines. He can be reached at HW@CYBERNEERS.COM or VRREALITY.

2 Machine Control for the Civil Engineering, Surveying and Construction Industries A few years ago, an engineering firm was contracted to design portions of a moon base for NASA. Part of its work included excavation around the projected site. The engineers were computing their earthwork take-offs when one of them realized that you couldn t possible do earthworks computations on the moon. After a little research they found a term meaning the soil on any planet, That term is Regolith. Well, we have come a long way in those few short years because we are now using robotics for Relocating Regolith. Some of the terms that now accompany this technology are: Automated Earthworks, Equipment Automation, Machine Control, Computer-Assisted Excavation Systems (CAES) Robotic Earth Excavation. There are several types of associated tools for this function and each has its own strengths and drawbacks. They comprise: GPS-Guided Machine Control, Laser-Controlled Machine Control and Total Station-Controlled Machine Control. The GPS-Guided Machine Control is often used for Golf Courses, Highways, Large Sites, Mines and allows the machinery to be Free to Move Thousands of Feet Away from the controlling apparatus. The Laser-Controlled Machine Control uses that are strong in large planar areas such as Landfills, Large Foundations and Floors. The Total Station-Controlled Machine Control has strengths in that it can be used in areas which are GPS In-accessible. This control may often Yield the Highest Accuracy. 2

3 Minimize Or Eliminate The AEC industry must pay attention to this technology because The Intended And Stated Goals Of This Technology Are To: Minimize Or Eliminate Survey Stake-out On Large Projects, And To Deliver The Engineer s Design Directly Into The Field. 3

4 Overview of the Technology Involved A computer is uploaded with DTM & related isopach data containing cut/fill requirements for a project. Then GPS (or Total Station) tracks and communicates the grader s position and blade elevations throughout the jobsite. Real-time positional data is collected and compared to the digital data. If a correction is required, signals are sent automatically to the machine hydraulics to maintain the designed elevations and cross slopes. 4

5 Effects of Machine Control On Business Practices The cost to invest in this technology can run up to $100,000. Therefore there must be business motivations existing that will advance this technology. We will investigate this from the point of view of: Contractors Developers Progressive Engineering Firms Government Agencies Machine Control Dealers We will also discuss why we need to pay close attention to this emerging technology and to what effects this technology has on: Business Practices Revenue and Profits Developers Engineering Consultants Surveyors Contractors Where Are We And Where Should We Be? The traditional methodologies that have taken design and onto the construction site are not the same ones that will use Machine Control. We will discuss: An Overview Of Traditional Construction Technologies An Overview Of Current Construction Technologies With Emergence of Machine Control An Overview Of Intended Construction Technology Using Machine Control 5

6 Contract Deliverables Should Include: A CAD Drawing - The CAD Drawing Depicts a Design s Intent Using Traditional Techniques Such As Contours and Spot Shots. 3D Terrain Data - To Avoid Misinterpretation, Tin Data Needs to Be Delivered. The TIN Data Should Be Linked to the Graphical Data Typically Via Software. The Machine Control Data the NC Code (or Machine Control Formatted Data) Equivalent Should Be Included. Components of Client Retention Satisfying the Client = Client Retention Project Cost Savings = Client Retention Value Engineering = Client Retention Increased Site Safety = Client Retention Preparing Data And Quality Control Paradigm shift must occur for design firms Develop a workflow conducive to 3D design Design must produce drafting QA/QC must be part of the workflow Methods of Design Analysis NOT Drafting Analysis must be put into place. Spatial visualization Workflow Site Design Workflow for Delivery of Machine Control Data Roadway Design Workflow for Delivery of Machine Control Data 6

7 How Does Land Desktop Interface with MC? We will discuss how Engineers can develop data for machine control use, and how it must re-engineer the way our industry designs. The Engineer Designs Site Geometry in 2D. The Grading of the Site must be Done in 3D. Then an Additional Task Order Should be Created for Development of Paving, C&G, Etc. again, all in 3D. 7

8 Concerns and Liabilities Involving Machine Control Once it is determined that a company wishes to provide this service, they must realize they are entering a field that has had technicians and professionals performing these services for many years, albeit in a traditional fashion. Therefore, the liabilities involved must be handled through a rigorous set of QA/QC procedures. Certification for Data Prep QA/QC Procedures Conversion Software Data Ownership Accountability 8