July 2009
New Maptek™ vehicle mount increases survey efficiency
An
innovative device allows Maptek™ I-Site™ laser scanners to be mounted on
site survey vehicles, and operated remotely from the cab, saving time and
improving safety.
Australian
trials have proved the value of the ruggedised, shock absorbing mount which
attaches an I-Site 4400 series scanner to a common survey vehicle. Typical
stockpile and pit surveys have been conducted in 35% less time.
Reduced
tripod setup accounts for most of the time savings, with further gains in
the simultaneous acquisition of high resolution top of coal data compared to
total station methods.
The mount can
be left on the vehicle permanently, while the built-in ‘quick-connect’ power
and LAN adapter, combined with a quick release mechanism, allow the scanner
to be easily removed for safe storage.
Recent trials
scanning coal highwalls, active mining areas and iron ore stockpiles have
proved the flexibility and efficiency of the vehicle mount system.
'At one site,
we installed roof racks AND the mount on a regular site vehicle in around 30
minutes after arrival', said Jason Richards, I-Site Sales Manager,
Australia. 'We were ready to start scanning just as the site manager came
out with a request for a previously unscheduled survey of the pit and ROM
pad'.
'Stop-go
scanning means greater coverage and eliminates tripod setup time', added
Richards. 'A job that would have taken 2 surveyors 4 days, was completed in
1 day by 1 surveyor. And we're talking deliverable reports and accurate
volumes in that time.'
‘Being able
to drive around the stockpiles to quickly collect data for accurate volumes
is a huge benefit when you’ve got a deadline, such as an ore train arriving
in one hour', he concluded.
With the new
mount, there is no need to use specially prepared vehicles. A bigger pool of
site vehicles can be called on, and downtime is minimal when swapping
between vehicles.
Reducing the
need to walk over dangerous ground, and limiting the scanner carry time,
improve health and safety. Interruption to other site operations is
virtually eliminated.
In summary, the benefits of mobile scanning with the I-Site
4400 mount include coverage of large areas in much less time, money saved on
equipment, and safer site survey practices.
RELATED:
Blair Athol chooses Maptek™ 3D Scanning technology 09 July 2009
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