System Components
Conventionally, concrete slipform pavers are controlled for elevation and steering by one mainline or more stringlines. But stringlines
- are expensive, time-consuming and error-prone to install,
(US$1.50 per pin, or > US$500 per mile plus the surveyor costs)
- are easily damaged during paving (significant site safety hazard) and easily misaligned,
- interfere with site logistics,
- greatly increase pre-production planning & surveyors workload
- increase, concrete delivery time and haulage costs.
With the Leica Geosystems unique LMGS-S 3D control system, the machine is controlled without stringlines. Starting from the project data, the actual 3D prism position is measured by one or two Total station(s) and transmitted by radios between 6-8 times per second to the Leica Machine Computer (MPC). High-accuracy machine-mounted slope sensors provide additional information on the longslope and cross-slope of the machine's mould. The results of this design-vs-actual comparison representing the amount of the position-, elevation- and slope-correction required to keep the machine back on-line and on-grade within an accuracy of ±3mm, and steered within ±10mm.
The key components of the 3D system are:
- Industrial PC, touch-screen, USB Port and keyboard
- Application program "LMGS-S for slip-form pavers"
- Total station with TCPS27S radio data modem
- Dual-axis tilt sensor
- Required accessories such as prisms, masts, etc.
Benefits of the Leica LMGS-S system:
- With the machine under fully automatic control, the driver can concentrate fully on the production process.
- All information needed during the working procedure is available.
- Better operational safety and reliability result in greater paving speed and productivity.
- Major cost savings - no installation and maintenance of control strings required.
- High-precision concrete paving (+/- 3mm in paving height and +/- 10mm in position).
- Project data produced by any CAD system can be effectively transferred 1:1 onto the terrain on site.
- Continuous concrete paving (without stopping the machine) if multiple Total stations are used
- Existing GOMACO slip
-form pavers can be upgraded or "retro-fitted" to run with the Leica Geosystems 3-D Machine Guidance Systems
New features of LMGS-S Version 4.0
- Support for Leica TPS1200 Instruments with the onboard application M-Guide
- Support for wide and variable width mould machines up to 16m (2-TCA solution only)
- Fully-independent height and position adjustment for all legs on mainline pavers
- Leapfrog Assistant for easier Total station changeovers (switch between the prism from one Total station to another, continuous paving)
- Improved, interactive graphics
- Numerous user interface improvements
