The unique Topson GTL-1000 was showcased earlier this year at the CIF Digital Construction Summit (DIGICON 2019), with live demonstrations by Topcon experts. Irish building magazine hears from Topcon’s Chris Emery and Adam Box.
Topcon Positioning Group introduces a new generation of scanning robotic total stations: the GTL-1000. A compact scanner integrated with a fully featured robotic total station, the system is designed to offer a powerful instrument for single-operator layout and scan on a single set up. Combined with ClearEdge3D Verity, it offers a new standard of construction verification workflows.
The GTL-1000 was a focus of attention at DIGICON in June. Chris Emery, Senior Manager Vertical Construction and Adam Box, Business Development Manager from the Topcon Positioning team attended the Croke Park event, at which Topcon was a Gold Sponsor.
DIGICON was the first showing in Ireland of the GTL-1000’s verification workflow. Topcon gave a 30 minute presentation and hosted a lunch afterwards. Speaking to Irish building magazine about the technology, Chris and Adam tell us, “The GTL-1000 is the missing piece in the verification puzzle that manufacturers have been working on for years. It is a powerful and precise total station combined with a calibrated full 360-degree dome laser scanner.”
The GTL-1000 is a step forward. There is no compromise in the quality of the total station or of the scanner’s data capture. Chris and Adam continue, “The GTL-1000 is unique in both appearance and functionality. It democratises the digital capture process for our customers, in turn bringing accurate scanning capability to people that are familiar with the use of a total station. Finally, it delivers the desired and previously unobtainable goal of continuous scanning capability to the user, whilst barely having an impact on their daily tasks.
“This is a significant product for Topcon as it merges the capability of a total station and laser scanner without compromising on either. Designed specifically for the construction verification process, the product allows the user to have a near real-time understanding of deviations from the design model, which helps to eliminate on-site errors and improve construction efficiency.”
“The GTL-1000 is the culmination of many years of development and in the field. We have received great customer feedback from the UK and US contractors that have tested this product on their sites over the past 12 months.”
The innovative instrument includes a complete robotic total station that provides full-featured layout functionality with single operator control. The system is designed to build upon proven prism tracking and accuracy. This allows operators to confidently lay out points in challenging construction environments. With the press of a single button, operators can then initiate a scan.
The technology is designed to enable significantly faster speeds than other comparative site scanning workflows. Operators can conduct a full-dome 360-degree scan in just a few minutes. More traditional systems and methods tend to take considerably longer. “If we were to tell you that you could do 20 scans in one hour, and that within 30 minutes you could put them in to be ran against the model in verification, you’d surely be amazed. That is what we were able to demonstrate at DIGICON. We collected the raw data and within 20 minutes were comparing it with the model. No instrument can compete with the GTL-1000 and the workflow that the Topcon Collage and Verity solution delivers.”
After processing with MAGNET Collage, the workflow is completed with ClearEdge3D Verity, an advanced software tool that automates construction verification. The seamless integration of the GTL-1000 and Verity creates a complete package that is perfect for construction verification using 3D modelling techniques. The result is a system that offers ultra-powerful full-dome scanning to quickly capture construction elements such as ductwork, columns, beams, girders, penetrations and structural steel. It helps to improve quality assurance, providing clear visual indication of construction quality heat maps in order to minimise the effects of mistakes before they can become expensive problems.
Additionally, the instrument includes on-board MAGNET® Field software which is designed to offer real-time, field-to-office connectivity, as well as TSshield® for investment protection and maintenance.
Nick Salmons, Principal Laser Scanning Surveyor at Balfour Beatty also told us, “At Balfour Beatty, we are dedicated to driving innovative new working practices across our business as part of our 25% by 2025 initiative. The new Topcon robotic scanning solution will increase productivity on site by accelerating the construction process and identifying design challenges more efficiently than traditional methods.
“We are delighted to have collaborated with Topcon over the last 12 months to trial this new tool; it will significantly benefit the industry as a whole by reducing cost and programme duration for both clients and contractors alike.”
To find out more about the GTL-1000 click to visit the site.
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