The Computer Technology: the Engineering and Construction Industry - Essay Example

Robotic Total Stations A total station is an electronic and optical/visual device used in up to date design survey and building construction. It is an electronic theodolite or a transit incorporated with an Electronic Distance Meter (EDM) to interpret and calculate gradient distances and angles from the gadget to a certain point. They are thus two crucial instruments for survey and when incorporated with other machinery for instance mapping software, they are able to convey the total surveying pack up, from measuring to drawing and design ( Ding, Liu & Xiong, 2010 p. 373). Robotic total stations permit the operator to control and manage the tool from a distance using a remote control. This gets rid of the need of a support staff member; the operator holds the reflector and directs the total station from the observation point. Total station is a surveying tool that unites the ability of angle measuring of the transit with the capability of the electronic distance meter. The system uses a variable telescope to determine angles in both the horizontal and vertical surfaces ( Ding & Xiong, 2007, p.123). Total station is normally operated by an expert helped by a laborer whose work is to carry the target post to the place to be surveyed. It ensures accuracy, exactness and efficiency for surveying of land, engineering, and measurements in construction. Most recent total station instruments calculate angles by ways of electro-optical examination of greatly accurate digital bar-codes engraved on rotating glass drums or discs contained in the instruments ( Gudnason & Scherer, 2012, p. 718). Total stations are commonly used by surveyors of land and constructions and civil engineers to record attributes in surveying of topography and to set out features like roads and houses. They are in addition used by archaeologists to trace excavations and by law enforcement, crime investigators and insurance companies to capture dimensions of scenes ( Ding, Liu & Xiong, 2010 p. 371). For many years, surveyors have used optical transit in determining land measurements and building sites. Nevertheless, the electronic theodolite started to substitute the optical transit by 1970 because of its capacity to measure angles more precisely.  By the early 1980’s the innovative device called total stations came about which enabled surveyors to interpret distances more accurately than the previous instruments. In late 1990, Dandryd Sweden pioneered the first robotic total station which he named the Geodimeter.  The Geodimeter included automatic tracking and radio message to collectors of data and statistics at the pole.  For a start, a surveyor was not required to be at the location of the instrument, only a person was supposed at the site of the target.  This has enabled minimizing the sizes of survey crews. At present there are three main companies that make robotic total stations.  These companies are Trimble, Leica, and Topcon among others. Initially Robotic total stations were only used by surveyors but are more frequently being used at present by contractors and construction industries ( Gudnason & Scherer, 2012, p. 718). Working of a Robotic total station. Although every robotic total station possess specific benefits and features, all the components for each manufacturer are identical.  Each station has a servo-driven motor which has the capability to measure angles both in horizontal and vertical planes. All measurements are very exact and precise and normally measure within three seconds of accuracy or even less. Electronic distance meters are usually found in robotic total stations.  By laser expertise or infrared sensors, EDMs measure the distance from the station to the target with much accuracy ( Gudnason & Scherer, 2012, p. 718). The target which is found inside the station contains a prism that is able to reflect light back to the device. This light reflected establishes a distant measurement and is reported by radio communication to reach the electronic data collector.  This whole process is as well known as telemetry.  The application of these prisms, servomotors, and infrared technology enable robotic total stations to look for targets and lock onto them automatically.  This distinctive feature allows surveyors to simply move the station from one jobsite to another without losing targets. Manufacturers supply computer software for their robotic total stations which ensure effortless downloads for study and survey crews to bring up to date and coordinate information.  Coordinate information frequently comes from computer-aided drafting (CAD) files. These files are downloaded from workplace computers, flash cards), ASCII files or manually entered into the gadget. ( Ding & Xiong, 2007, p.125). Robotic total stations can be used under ground, within buildings and even away from the construction site. A Robot measures three considerations namely: A vertical angle, a level angle and a distance to a particular target. The target is mounted at the peak of a pole that is sequentially mounted on the moldboard in order that an optical line of view to the robot can be sustained regardless of the orientation of the grader. The two angles are determined by pointing the axis of the telescope of the robot in the direction of the target. This rotates the two angle sensors involved, enabling the angles to be examined. The robot propels out infrared light that is reflected from the target back towards the robot. From this reflection, the robot can find out the distance to the target. Construction managers use the Robot Total Station technology for accurate and precise building operations. Location survey points created in the Building Information Model may be uploaded to the Robots. Depending on the points created from the model, the field workers then can design all of the points. For example, the exact positioning of the hooks would ease the harmonization of the contractors. Moreover, field staff can survey the constituents of the building using robotic total station to make sure that they are built as per the design and within suitable tolerance series This practical quality control approach is proactive and would avert any subsequent differences ( Ding & Xiong, 2007, p.124). In general, Robotic Total stations make use of the information from to survey for construction rationale. For profit making, contractors of construction use robotic total stations for putting up lay out works to test elevations, position columns and walls, outline anchor bolts and design utilities for each of the floors of the building. Some commercial software packages provide support in transferring the building coordinates from the sculpt to the total station. At present, manufactures have availed dynamic, precise, accurate and powerful robotic total stations for construction design and layout, topography certification, earthwork quantity purposes, and much more, with capabilities of scanning ( Smith, 2006 p. 253). The Robotic Total Base Station (RTS) surveying device provides services of surveying the first site to identify the correct positioning of an existing fence line, roads, trees, structures, water, and power services among others. Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) initiated a fresh series of robotic total stations exclusively devised and organized for the construction industry. For the past decade, tremendous steps have been made by manufactures in developing new features in systems which have been useful in the construction industry. In the 1990’s the building and construction industry was slow to approve total station technology.  Manufacturers tried to raise the adoption pace by offering versions of relative less price of the models they conventionally sold to surveyors, but, as their understanding of the industry’s needs and requirements enhanced, new forms and models were introduced that could fit the contractor’s needs better.  Robotic total stations are greatly specialized and exceedingly versatile, serving several purposes on the work site.  The systems contain Electronic Distance Meter (EDM) technology as well have imaging capabilities.  They can be used for machine and engine control, standard surveying tasks and the innovative capability to carry out exterior examinations. Some of the other general applications of Robotic total stations for construction Purposes include: testing out and identifying property and land boundaries, outline, layout and design of mining and excavation lines, Setting up control points which are used to lay out anchor locks , used as building checks , putting down of control lines on concrete cushion for sub contractor usage, topographical dimensions for cut balance ( Smith, 2006 p. 245). The use of Robotic Total stations technology in the industry of building and construction has been entirely beneficial from the perspective of construction managers. Robotic total stations have onboard controllers that are particularly designed firm wares for each station that allows the running of measurements and user interfaces. These controllers have enough internal memory to store several thousand measurements and can undertake other standard survey methods like siting station points, among others. The stations contain certain software application that controls and manages the whole station and presents total data management in a windows-style boundary that permits the surveyor to evaluate the job being done at the field even when he is out. Applications of RTS in building construction i) Coordinate measurement Coordinates of an unidentified point comparative to a known coordinate can be found out using the total station provided that a direct line of sight can be set up between the two points. Angles and distances are determined in respect of the total station to the points under survey, and the coordinates X, Y, and Z of the surveyed points comparative to the total station position are determined by the concepts of trigonometry and triangulation. To determine a fixed location, a Total Station requires a row of sight observation and must be arranged over a known point or with line of sight connected to two or more points with known locations. (Korff, 2013 p. 126). ii) Angle measurement Most modern total station gadgets calculate angles using electro-optical scanning significantly accurate digital bar-codes tied on revolving glass cylinders within the instrument. The best quality Robotic total stations have the ability of measuring angles to 0.5 arc-second. Inexpensive and moderate quality total stations can normally measure angles to 5 to 10 arc-seconds ( Smith, 2006 p. 240). iii) Distance measurement Measurement of distance is achieved with an adjusted microwave or infrared mover signal, produced by a small solid emitter in range of the instrument's optical path, and reflected by a prism or the object being surveyed. The modulation model in the backward signal is examined and interpreted by the computers in the total station. The distance is calculated by releasing and receiving various frequencies, and calculating the digit number of wavelengths to the object for each frequency. Robotic total stations without reflectors can measure distance that is reasonably in color up to only a few meters say hundred ( Gudnason & Scherer, 2012, p. 718). iv) Data processing Some models contain internal electronic information storage which records distance, measures both horizontal and vertical angles, whereas other models are endowed to write down these measurements to an outside data collector like a portable computer. When information and statistics are downloaded from the total station onto the computer, application software can then be used to work out results and create a map of the area or building under survey (Korff, 2013 p. 132). v) Mechanical and Electrical Construction Robotic Total stations have become the main technology for nearly all forms of construction measurements, designs and layout. The system is mostly applied in the X and Y axis to present the penetration locations out of the subversive utilities into the groundwork, between floors of a building or a structure, and also in roofing penetrations. Since more commercial and manufacturing construction work has been centered on Building Information Modeling, all coordinates for every medium, pole and hanger support are accessible with digital accuracy. The application of conversing an implicit model to a physical construction does away with labor costs of moving badly measured systems, and time used up laying out these systems in the middle of complete blown construction activities in progress ( Ding, Liu & Xiong, 2010 p. 374). Advantages of Robotic total stations in design and constructions One of the main advantages of robotic total station above the optical total station is that it has a motor within it that allows it to be operated by the user at a distance using a remote control. This feature allows the surveyor to be away from the gadget whilst he can do his stuff. No extra staff is required. This saves on labor costs. Robots can work all through without breaks. Saving time and accuracy is the result of Atlex Stockyards who uses the Robotic Total Base Station (RTS) during surveying and staking out the design of your new enclosures ( Smith, 2006 p. 245). . Atlex are the primary stockyard company to implement this technology and continue to be the main innovators. Atlex initiated the RTS because it measures distances accurately, deals with heights, positions, co-ordinates, documentation, stores and uploads data more quickly and easily. Total stations are comparatively cheap, and show speedy and accurate measurements. Total stations need only a line of location but it does not call for visibility of the sky, as a result they can be used in enclosed mines, or under tree covers that would not be appropriate for other conventional instruments ( Ding, Liu & Xiong, 2010 p. 374). Robotic total station is capable of capturing and combining scanning, imaging, and surveying deliverables and this is a major advantage to surveyors. Trimble Company released its Robotic total station which includes an incorporated camera that provides a telescope view and is intended for contractors that have the need of accuracy, quality and optimal performance.( Ding, Liu & Xiong, 2010 p. 370). Contractors have attested that Robotic Total Stations are greatly profitable and cost-effective in concrete works. Neal Weiler, the president of Weiler Walls, Inc., says that he acquired a robotic total station in 2006 and has never laid a hand on his conventional total station. He states that the device computes angles and distances to site a point and can as well be used to shoot elevations with minimal labor costs and saves time (Korff, 2013 p. 133). The functioning of a Robotic Total Station is straightforward and easily understood. Jim McCartney, a manager in Trimble’s Building construction Division states that when his company initiated the system, the view by the contractors was that it would call for a sharp learning curve. On the contrary, they found that the learning curve was too short and that only a single day could be enough for one to become an expert. J.E. Dunn, a contractor who has owned a total station for years says that he increased its convoy by purchasing three Topcon IS Robotic total stations to help design and lay out building footings, groundwork and site work for a 158-acre Nuclear Security Administration Project. He attests that the latest robotic units guarantee that complex structures are laid out more precisely, efficiently and with accuracy. Other notable features and advantages include: 1. Robotic total stations may be set up anywhere and all assignments like measurements and work site layout carried out by one person. 2. It involves a one man operation. 3. Easy to understand user boundary. 4. Provides strong design 5. Greatest flexibility and cost effective. 6. Reduced costs of workers and labor. 7. Condenses learning curve among learners of the whole system and operates faster. 8. Display evidently and eliminate mistakes and errors. 9. Endures tough jobsite circumstances like poor topographic conditions without much repair (Korff, 2013 p. 138). Drawbacks of Robotic total stations. Introduction of robotic total stations means that surveyors may not need to hire an assistant choosing to work as a one- man crew. In such situations, it means that someone may lose his or her employment. One main problem with Robotic total stations is that at times there could be electrical breakdowns especially in severe weather conditions. Constant power supply is necessary for the instrument to keep on working. Once there is a disruption of power or signals, wrong data could be produced and this may greatly affect the entire system ( Gudnason & Scherer, 2012, p. 718). A robotic total station requires a lot of care and maintenance. It is possible that harsh conditions and poor handling can cause costly problems. However, with much care, this problem could be alleviated. Another main disadvantage is that a substantial initial investment is necessary. A robot is much costly in comparison with other optical stations. In summary, a Robotic total station is an important apparatus to possess and will certainly help surveyors in cutting down their workload and other notable production costs. However, there are other issues to think about as one contemplates the purchase of the machinery ( Smith, 2006 p. 240). In conclusion, the computer technology and revolution has brought a different approach and perspective to the engineering and construction industry. A robotic total station has enabled engineers and surveyors to produce a much higher rank of detail, precision, and accuracy in their projects. These transformations have increased the level of accountability within the responsibility of land surveyors. Surveyors today have a lot of data and information to manage while facing escalating demands of first-class topographic inventions such as construction site surveys, land possession and utility administration. One of the most vital tools surveyors make use of is the robotic total station which has been used for decades simply for the storage of examinations materials, coordinates and straightforward mathematical calculations. This invention has lately evolved into a powerful and dominant integrated field computer ( Ding, Liu & Xiong, 2010 p. 373). Bibliography Ding, H. Xiong, C. & Xiong, Y. 2007. Fundamentals of Robotic Grasping and Fixturing. World Scientific. Gudnason, G. & Scherer, R. 2012. eWork and eBusiness in Architecture, Engineering and Construction. CRC Press. Korff, M. 2013. Response of Piled Buildings to the Construction of Deep Constructions. IOS Press. Ding, H. Liu, H. Xiong, Z. 2010. Intelligent Robotics and Applications. Springer Publishers. Mohamed, Y. & Ruwanpura, . 2010. Construction Research Congress 2010: Innovation for Reshaping Construction Practise. ASCE Publications. Smith, I. 2006. Intelligent Computing in Engineering and Architecture. Ascona Press. Read More

Robotic total stations can be used under ground, within buildings and even away from the construction site. A Robot measures three considerations namely: A vertical angle, a level angle and a distance to a particular target. The target is mounted at the peak of a pole that is sequentially mounted on the moldboard in order that an optical line of view to the robot can be sustained regardless of the orientation of the grader. The two angles are determined by pointing the axis of the telescope of the robot in the direction of the target.

This rotates the two angle sensors involved, enabling the angles to be examined. The robot propels out infrared light that is reflected from the target back towards the robot. From this reflection, the robot can find out the distance to the target. Construction managers use the Robot Total Station technology for accurate and precise building operations. Location survey points created in the Building Information Model may be uploaded to the Robots. Depending on the points created from the model, the field workers then can design all of the points.

For example, the exact positioning of the hooks would ease the harmonization of the contractors. Moreover, field staff can survey the constituents of the building using robotic total station to make sure that they are built as per the design and within suitable tolerance series This practical quality control approach is proactive and would avert any subsequent differences ( Ding & Xiong, 2007, p.124). In general, Robotic Total stations make use of the information from to survey for construction rationale.

For profit making, contractors of construction use robotic total stations for putting up lay out works to test elevations, position columns and walls, outline anchor bolts and design utilities for each of the floors of the building. Some commercial software packages provide support in transferring the building coordinates from the sculpt to the total station. At present, manufactures have availed dynamic, precise, accurate and powerful robotic total stations for construction design and layout, topography certification, earthwork quantity purposes, and much more, with capabilities of scanning ( Smith, 2006 p. 253). The Robotic Total Base Station (RTS) surveying device provides services of surveying the first site to identify the correct positioning of an existing fence line, roads, trees, structures, water, and power services among others.

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) initiated a fresh series of robotic total stations exclusively devised and organized for the construction industry. For the past decade, tremendous steps have been made by manufactures in developing new features in systems which have been useful in the construction industry. In the 1990’s the building and construction industry was slow to approve total station technology.  Manufacturers tried to raise the adoption pace by offering versions of relative less price of the models they conventionally sold to surveyors, but, as their understanding of the industry’s needs and requirements enhanced, new forms and models were introduced that could fit the contractor’s needs better.

  Robotic total stations are greatly specialized and exceedingly versatile, serving several purposes on the work site.  The systems contain Electronic Distance Meter (EDM) technology as well have imaging capabilities.  They can be used for machine and engine control, standard surveying tasks and the innovative capability to carry out exterior examinations. Some of the other general applications of Robotic total stations for construction Purposes include: testing out and identifying property and land boundaries, outline, layout and design of mining and excavation lines, Setting up control points which are used to lay out anchor locks , used as building checks , putting down of control lines on concrete cushion for sub contractor usage, topographical dimensions for cut balance ( Smith, 2006 p. 245). The use of Robotic Total stations technology in the industry of building and construction has been entirely beneficial from the perspective of construction managers.

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