Insite
The Construction newsletter from KOREC SPRING 2009
The Launch Issue! New Trimble Products Following Trimble’s 2009 Dimensions event in Las Vegas, we are delighted to announce the launch of several new products, all of which will be available from KOREC. Please see inside for full details.
into the business. Ultimately it has enabled Management to have a clear overview of the business where historically we have been operationally blind to the performance within the business. Making sure we didn’t lose the local service, we simply exchanged ‘four walls’ for ‘four wheels’. Where we originally had a fixed location, we now have a dedicated Sales & Service vehicle operating from 7:30am to 6pm. With a total fleet of ten fully equipped KOREC branded vehicles, it has enabled our customers to benefit from earlier opening times and have the equipment brought to them on a site of their choice. Each vehicle is manned by trained members of staff and has on board communication facilities to respond quickly to sales and hire orders received by the central hub or by customers on sites. Each Sales & Service Vehicle is supported by our replenishment team who make sure every van is re-stocked with core sales and hire items and collect the day’s hire returns and customer repair collections, all returned to the central hub at Huntingdon. Once at the hub, work can start immediately on the hire fleet turnaround times resulting in increased availability and customer’s own repair equipment being returned within less than five days.
From Four Walls to Four Wheels A message from KOREC’s Development Director, Dan Brennan
KOREC understands that today’s customers are like everyone else – busy! We also understand that in a competitive market like ours, customers look for a company who can not only provide a product but also a service which is why we are determined to respond quickly, efficiently and consistently every time. Thank you for your custom and we look forward to continuing to provide you with the high level of service that you expect from us.
As is often the case, many believe the larger a network of branches a business has to offer, the better it is for customers and the overall performance of the organisation. Reality is that overall costs are harder to maintain and providing a consistent level of customer service from branch to branch can be challenging, with stock remaining idle in one location but often urgently required in another. Over the last six months, here at KOREC we made a conscious decision to review our operational model with two clear objectives; firstly to ensure economies of scale and standardisation of service and secondly enhance our overall offering to our customers. Ten fully equipped KOREC Sales & Service Vehicles
Centralising our operation to a fully equipped purpose built service centre in Huntingdon has enabled the business to manage effectively staff sales performance, stock control, improve service and repair times and the overall ability to introduce a ‘can do’ culture
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
Our Services Nationwide Sales, Hire Service and Repair ● Technical Support ● Training and Consultancy ● Installation and Commissioning ● Leasing
SPRING 2009
Insite
Presenting.....Trimble New Launches...Trimb Trimble RTS WLAN Robotic Total Station The Trimble RTS555, RTS655, and RTS633 Robotic Total Stations for construction layout applications are perfect for use with the Trimble LM80 Layout Manager and offer a wide variety of accuracies, distance, and operational ranges to meet your construction needs. With an RTS Total Station, contractors can perform layout tasks more efficiently than with conventional methods or mechanical total stations, resulting in increased productivity. Trimble RTS555 Robotic Total Station The new Trimble RTS555 Robotic Total Station utilises Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology to create a wireless link between the controller and robotic total station to increase layout convenience and productivity in the field. The new wireless solution reduces the number of components needed, such as the external radio, battery and cable when used with the wireless Trimble LM80 Layout Manger. Trimble RTS655 and RTS633 Robotic Total Stations For contractors requiring longer range and higher accuracy, Trimble offers the new RTS655 and RTS633 Robotic Total Stations. With robotic radio range of up to 700 metres, superior prism tracking, and high accuracy EDM performance, these tough total stations are capable of handling the largest commercial layout jobs.
Spectra Precision Laser LR20 Receiver A cost-effective option for both elevation and depth grade control, the new LR20 laser receiver can improve the productivity of compact construction equipment by providing better grading accuracy and more accurate material usage on the construction site. Now operators of small equipment such as mini excavators, backhoes, and small dozers can grade with the same accuracy and productivity enhancements as larger machines.
Trimble GCS900 Grade Control System Version 11 Ideal for contractors who need to be even more productive and efficient, this latest version of Trimble’s GCS900 system includes new system options for excavators, support for towed scrapers and enhancements for dozers and motor graders. For excavators, the new Single GPS option provides an additional price point for contractors to adopt 3D grade control plus an option to use the SPS730 or 930 Universal Total Station allows contractors to operate in areas with limited or no GPS coverage, for example in tunnels, pits and around trees. For towed scrapers, GCS900 v11 now automates the raising and lowering of the cutting edge to speed up operation and reduce operator fatigue. For dozers, dynamic blade rotation—and for both dozers and motor graders dynamic blade roll—allow operators to get the job done faster and more accurately without the operational constraints of having to maintain a straight or vertical blade to maintain accurate guidance. For further information on all these new products and a full run down of their features and benefits, please call 0845 603 1214.
Robotics:A Profitable Solution Trimble’s SPS610 Robotic Total Station (forerunner to the newly launched RTS Robotic Total Stations) with SCS900 software is proving a profitable solution for forward thinking engineering services contractor, Paul Gould. As en experienced engineer and manager specialising in Earthworks and Civils contracting, Norfolk based Paul has been quick to prepare for the downturn in construction by setting up on his own. Fearing that the East would be hit harder than most by the predicted slow down, he recently established his own company with a view to providing economical setting out services across the South East. By undertaking anything from single site visits measuring stockpile volumes, to long term on-site engineering services, he believed that opportunities would still exist for the efficient and economical services he planned to offer. Following extensive trials, he purchased a Trimble SPS610, one of Trimble’s most versatile instruments offering construction-specific functionality and one-person operation. The SPS610 also features Trimble technology such as Magdrive for fast instrument turning and tracking speeds and MultiTrack which allows operation with conventional prisms or active targets, providing Paul with exceptional productivity gains. “Setting up on my own meant that a robotic system was a must,” explains Paul. “I’ve used most of the major manufacturer’s instruments over the years and consequently I trialled several of the robotic options available. The Trimble SPS610 was by far my preferred choice and is excellent when used with the TSC2 logger. The radio connection is top class and extremely quick to set up whilst the software has obviously had an enormous amount of development and really is a dream to use. The online service means that I can download upgrades without delay and really get the most out of my system. A key benefit is definitely the ability to continue working in poor light conditions which would be impossible with equipment that required a person to use the optics. The majority of the
For full details on any KOREC product or service please call your local Construction Representative on 0845 603 1214 or visit www.korecgroup.com
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
SPRING 2009
Insite
ble New Launches...Trimble New Launches... time, no chain person is needed which means work can be accurately carried out in a much faster time. Importantly, I know that I am delivering a first class job because the system allows me to mark my own points rather than rely on someone else, often the most junior member of a construction team.” Paul concludes, “This is a system that really delivers and backed up by KOREC’s helpful sales team and field instructors, offers the reliability that I need. My focus for a successful business is to deliver quality of service and economy. So far this has proved to be the correct decision and my company, Setting Out Services (Norfolk), has seen business steadily pick up over the last 6 months.”
Spectra Precision LL100 Laser Ideal for a variety of general construction elevation control applications, the rugged and cost-effective LL100 horizontal laser is tripod mounted and sends a 360 degree plane of laser light over the work area, allowing one person to take accurate elevation measurements up to 150m (500 feet) away with the new HR320 laser receiver.
Trimble Tablet Highly rugged and portable, the new Trimble Tablet is an integral component of the Trimble Connected Site portfolio. (Productivity-enhancing technology solutions to streamline construction workflows between the head office, site teams, site supervisors and earthmoving machines). Eliminating the need for multiple costly devices on the construction site, it combines laptop computing capabilities with a large, daylight readable graphics screen and the simplicity and operational power of the Trimble SCS900 Site Controller Software. It is extremely rugged, with an IP67 environmental rating, long battery life and tough washable housing and offers built-in cellular and WiFi connectivity for live field updates.
KOREC NEWS KOREC Ireland is the Engcon tiltrotator dealer for Ireland… but what is a tiltrotator and what can it bring to your fleet? We caught up with Leo Dixon of Dixon Brother’s Ireland to find out why he has recently purchased his 16th unit from KOREC.
Yes we can! Investment in Engcon Tiltrotators gives Irish Rail Plant company, Dixon Bros, an edge when things get difficult Dixon Brothers of Ireland, specialising in the hire of plant to the rail industry, has just purchased three Engcon EC-15 tilt rotators from Irish distributors KOREC, taking their fleet total to 16. The new tiltrotators will be fitted on two Atlas 1604 road railers and a Komatsu 138 road/rail excavator.
Paul Gould (above) can be contacted on 07515 867148 or by email: paul@settingoutservices.com
With the release of the new RTS robotic total stations, Trimble is also introducing version 4.5 of the LM80 field software that supports the RTS555 WLAN capabilities and introduces CAD layer support.
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
Whole processes are speeded up
Since 1998, Dixon Bros has consistently expanded its fleet of specialist road rail excavators and in 2003 began equipping these with tiltrotators, contributing to their reputation for delivering a good job no matter how difficult or confined the site.
SPRING 2009
Insite
Customer Report Float my Boat! Trimble GCS900 grade control system is perfect solution for marina earthworks Just off the A38 in Derbyshire, Willington Lake is undergoing the first stage of its transformation from a trout fishery into a 585 berth Marina for long boats. Set in 74 acres of unspoilt countryside, the new Mercia Marina is taking shape following 6 months of earthworks undertaken by Kelston Sparkes Plant Hire and Earth Moving Contractors.
The Swedish manufactured tiltrotator works like a wrist connecting the excavator to a bucket or grab whilst an integrated control system offers unlimited rotation and tilting up to 40° in two directions. Widely accepted in the Scandinavian construction industry for many years, today almost no excavators or backhoe loaders under 30 tonnes are sold in Scandinavia without one. “We tend to favour Atlas road rail excavators, and in particular the 1604K, on our fleet. But no matter which machine, when we fit a specialist piece of equipment like the Egncon EC-15 tiltrotator, that machine becomes more flexible, easier to use and takes the headache out of working in very confined areas,” explains Dixon Bros Rail Services Manager, Leo Dixon. “We are currently working on the Kildare Route Project increasing the number of tracks from two to four along the route from Cherry Orchard to Hazelhatch and the tiltrotator means that we can deliver more to our client on every shift. When we excavate large track sections, we can achieve the final level by just setting the bucket and letting it run – the whole process has been speeded up, even when we are working in the tightest corners. In fact, thanks to the high level of manipulation that the tiltrotators are bringing to our machines, we’re earning a reputation for achieving the unachievable. For difficult jobs, Dixon Bros is becoming the first port of call.”
Confronted with around 40,000 m³ of silt to move into low areas of the lake and 75,000 m³ of suitable material to re-engineer into piling platforms for the berths, Kelston Sparkes knew that the job would be almost impossible to set out using traditional methods and that their Trimble GCS900 grade control system would be the perfect alternative. Managing Quantity Surveyor Kevin Primmer explains, “If we’d tried to set out using any other method than machine control, we would have been beset by problems and delays. Deep silts meant that we couldn’t open too many areas at once to work on because silt goes back and forth on itself. On top of this we would have had to move even more material to make room for setting out and of course the muddiness of the site would have hindered us even more making stakes almost impossible to use. Trimble’s UK distributors KOREC had already supplied us with two GCS900 dual GPS systems for a previous project and for this job we used them on CAT D6R and CAT D6K excavators. They really came into their own at the marina and the site is entirely stakeless apart from setting out for fencing lines.” The Trimble GCS900 system uses dual MS990 GPS Smart Antennae mounted on the top of the dozer`s blade to accurately position it many times per second. These GPS Smart Antennae receive corrections transmitted via a radio from the Trimble GPS base station which is set up on the office roof and easily managed by the site foreman. The on-board computer uses this position information and compares it to the design information to compute cut or fill to grade. Kevin continues, “We already had one driver experienced with the system and following training the other was soon up and running. Our design data is supplied by the client in 2D and we convert it to 3D using Trimble Terramodel software and then export it into Site Vision and onto data cards which go straight into the control box in the cab. If the design changes we can get that new information onto a card and into the cab with almost no downtime. Although the driver has everything displayed on screen in front of him, he often works using just the light bars.
Leo Dixon also reports that machines fitted with tiltrotators are significantly safer on site. Not only do they need less room for manoeuvre, but the easy interchange of bucket and grabber mean that machines can also be used for manual handling tasks and site deliveries, providing more rigid and controlled handling of pieces of rail. Leo concludes “Of course back in 2003 when KOREC first introduced us to tiltrotators, we questioned the cost and the value that they could bring to our business. However, following a site demonstration, the benefits became obvious. Our operators were apprehensive at first but within a month were won over and wouldn’t be without them now. They have been easy to maintain but if anything does breakdown, KOREC has quickly delivered a replacement and 90% of the time has the part in stock.”
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
Using Trimble’s GCS900 Grade Control System has meant that the muddy Mercia Marina site has been almost stakeless.
The system has definitely delivered the +/-50mm we required on the pile bays and we’ve also been doing the roads to around +/-20mm – all work has been to the required tolerances. For us the main advantage of using this system has been the time savings and I estimate that we’ve saved around a month on the contract overall. We’ve had good back up from KOREC’s technical support and they’ve quickly put right any minor problems. Established in 1952, the Bristol based Kelston Sparkes Group is an independent, family run company and owns one of the largest fleet of heavy earthmoving plant in the UK. www.kelstonsparkes.co.uk
SPRING 2009
Insite
Instrument Focus
The Trimble LM80 Pocket Layout Manager
Regular readers of Insite will be familiar with the features of our best-selling layout tool the LM80, but following our end of year LM80 ‘Blitz’ we’ve decided to feature it again. Supported by Trimble’s top LM80 specialists who flew in from America and Europe, our KOREC Sales Consultants hit the road for a week to demonstrate its benefits to as many of you as possible. Big Capabilities in a Small Package Designed to increase accuracy and speed up and simplify the setting-out process, the LM80 is the perfect companion for all major makes of total station. It allows users to input drawing dimensions to build a digital replica of the setout plan, which can then be used on site to guide the setting-out of major points, add string dimensions on the drawing or calculate diagonals or angles. Improved measurement techniques allow contractors to measure lines, as well as define and accurately lay out flat or sloping surfaces such as building pads and driveways. The LM80 lets you: • input blueprint dimensions to build a digital replica of the layout plan • guide the layout of the major points, add string dimensions on the print, or calculate diagonals or angles • reduce your reliance on third-party specialists • organise and standardise all layout activity for all layout equipment you currently use • cut training costs • increase flexibility if one instrument is unavailable, easily swap it out for another! Compact, reliable and easy to use, take up has been across a whole range of applications. Phil Norman of PJ and DA Norman and Daniel Anketell-Jones of Harley Curtain Wall kindly filled us in on how they are using the LM80 and the reasons behind their purchase:be easily used on site by the installation teams for setting-out the cladding rails and a definite plus for us is that setting-out with this system would not necessarily require an engineer on site.”
Trimble LM80 is ideal for setting-out large farm buildings Undertaking a variety of groundworks and civil engineering projects, PJ and DA Norman of North Yorkshire specialises in foundations and high quality concrete floors for industrial and agricultural buildings and is using the LM80 in conjunction with a Nikon DTM330 Total Station. “We first saw the LM80 on the KOREC/Trimble stand at last years SED show and although we looked at other layout systems, most of them were contained within the total station software and seemed far more complicated to use.” explained Director, Phil Norman. “Our work means that we are frequently setting-out farm buildings such as grain stores, often up to 2000 square metres in area, and the LM80 is the perfect tool for the fast and accurate marking out of base holes for excavation and the positioning of HD bolt boxes. We can easily alter or edit plans on site and the on screen plan display is excellent. It’s also very helpful in situations where site conditions make the use of traditional lines difficult such as the very large buildings or steep sloped sites that we often encounter on farms.” The storey continues! LM80 is perfect tool for repeated setting-out on a tower block Harley Curtain Wall Ltd, a market leader in the field of design and construction of complete building envelopes, has teamed its LM80 with a Nikon NPL362 Reflectorless Total Station. Ideal for all laying out tasks, the pocket sized LM80 enables Harley Curtain Wall
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
Phil Norman with his LM80 and Nikon DTM330 Total Station
Project Manager, Daniel Anketell-Jones, to prepare in the office for a perfect layout in the field. “My job entails design and survey as well as planning and coordinating projects, budgetary control and client liaison, “ explains Daniel. “I am therefore perfectly positioned to know what our clients want and how best to deliver it. We carry out a lot of similar contracts where we need accurate surveys - for example the positioning of bore/bolt holes on each floor of a 12 storey tower block that we are currently working on in Hounslow. Previously, we used external survey companies but found that communication and the accuracy of the survey was not always as good as we required. We therefore decided to start carrying out surveys in-house so that we could be sure that the right information was recorded on site and any errors could be quickly rectified. We liked the idea that the LM80 system could
Daniel continues, “The main benefit for us is accuracy and reliability which have large knock on effects. Several times in the past, the surveys we’ve been provided with have been wrong in some way or have not given us what we want and this can often take 1-2 weeks to put right. Now we can get the right information ourselves at the start and if there is a mistake, we can jump in the car the next day and go back to site. The increased reliability means we can manufacture all the components before we get to site. Previously we would have had to get to a certain stage and then measure the final pieces which would then add an extra 2 weeks on to the job to allow for fabrication.”
Harley Curtain Wall Quantity Surveyor, David Vousden, checks out the LM80 and Nikon NPL362
SPRING 2009
Insite
KOREC News
at www.trimble.com/tkn is a web based information centre for technical information.
KOREC Catalogue Launch
The Learning Centre area allows the visitor to browse the various training courses on offer from Trimble, plus a number of web based tutorials, some of which are free. Others can be purchased via the Training Team at KOREC.
The 2009 KOREC Catalogue is now available for order, featuring the most popular items from our accessories and consumables division such as spray paint, levels and staffs.
The Solution Centre part of the site allows the user to enter a keyword or question concerning a Trimble product. A search is then made of the relevant Trimble databases and a list of relevant links is returned. It forms a useful single search point for product and support information.
As a specialist supplier of surveying solutions, our catalogue is backed up by a full range of products available for purchase from our online shop www.korecgroup.com/direct/ The website also features our latest offers and a range of reconditioned survey equipment including Total Stations, Laser Levels and GIS Mapping hardware.
What Version?
To order your own copy of our catalogue, please call our Customer Support team on 0845 603 1214.
Calling all Colleges KOREC’s Construction Sales Consultant for the north, Rob Hudson, has been fine tuning his presentation skills with a recent ‘guest speaker’ slot for New College, Durham. Tasked with passing on his knowledge and enthusiasm for Trimble Products to the College’s HNC Civil Engineering students, Rob enjoyed a lively day and earned a glowing letter or thanks from the College’s Lecturer in Construction, Richard Byers. “This was a really good practical demonstration and good lecture about the systems, making it very interesting and impressive and showed the advanced technology used and also gave the students "hands on" use of the equipment…..I am sure it will help them understand the instruments for completion of their HNC Civil Engineering.” If you’d like one of our consultants to come and talk to your students, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
KOREC gets Blogging! We are delighted to announce that our new Blog is up and running and content wise, there’s a bit of something for everyone. Similar to an online journal, our blog will feature chronologically listed entries on everything from technical tips and white papers to market opinion, new releases and the general ponderings of those in the construction know! Visit us now at www.korecgroup.com/blog to catch up on the latest, share stories and leave your comments.
Training & Support Updates The 2009 KOREC Training Schedule has been finalised and is available online at www.korecgroup.com . Both scheduled and customised on-site course options are available and this year sees the introduction of a Trimble Business Center course. Trimble Business Center, otherwise known as TBC, is the latest office software from Trimble to partner with the SCS900 field based software. The interface is designed to streamline the exchange of data between one or more Controllers running SCS900. Data exchange even extends to email, with TBC containing a function to send and receive data with SCS Controllers that are out on site, thus reducing the need to return the Controller or a memory stick to the office for data exchange. The Trimble Knowledge Network, located
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
At the time of going to press, the latest version of these key Construction Software products are as follows: Terramodel v10.6 Trimble Business Center HCE v1.2 SCS900 v2.42 Site Vision Office v7.1
Why Train? Increase Productivity Streamline work practices Maximise use of Hardware and Software Here at KOREC, we believe that our relationship extends beyond providing a product or service and that’s why we specialise in delivering high quality ‘modular’ style training as well as scheduled courses. Modular training is designed to give you the flexibility to build your own customised training programme tailored to suit your needs. You can choose modules from any of our software/hardware packages and combine them to make the most productive training for you.
“…a well rounded course that provides a sound understanding of survey techniques” Modular courses include class work and extensive field based training on a range of topics from basic levelling and setting-out to an introduction to GPS and Robotic Total Stations. For further information please download our new training brochure.
Contact Us Construction Technical Sales Tel: 0845 603 1214 Machine Control Sales Tel: 0845 603 1214 Further Information www.korecgroup.com email:info@korecgroup.com