Insite
The Construction newsletter from KOREC Winter 2009/2010
Costain choose KOREC for high profile Belvedere Waste Project
The Nikon NPL-362 Total Station will increase speed and safety on site by providing reflectorless measurement to high points or areas inaccessible to a site worker
The UK’s largest energy from waste facility is currently under construction at Belvedere in South-East London and the subject of a recent extensive ‘Waste not want not’ feature in New Civil Engineer magazine. The design and build of the job is in the capable hands of civil engineers Costain and we are delighted to announce that KOREC has supplied the team with a range of Spectra, Nikon and Trimble surveying and construction instruments for use on this high profile project. Our photographer, and KOREC Construction Sales Consultant Sherrie Crawford, were privileged to spend a day on the site, and following a rigorous Health and Safety briefing, enjoyed some spectacular views of the Thames estuary under the guise of seeing our instruments in action.
This issue... New Products Machine Control Special 2009 round up
The order included six Spectra Precision HV401 Lasers, four Spectra Precison HL700 Laserometers and one Nikon NPL-362 Reflectorless Total Station. KOREC has also supplied Trimble GPS and Robotic Total Stations for use on the same project. All these instruments will help Costain to deliver the main buildings, jetties, roads and offices for the £350 million project which is being developed by Cory Environmental and built by Swiss plant construction company Von Roll Inova. Costain’s Survey Manager, Stuart Fagg, told us “Waste Management is Costain’s fastest growing sector and the company is already participating in the £398 million Greater Manchester waste PFI project. The award of the Belvedere contract will position us exactly where we want to be – as leading contenders for all future opportunities in the waste sector. We have a long standing relationship with KOREC and know that their Spectra, Nikon and Trimble instruments will provide the rugged and reliable performance that a project of this stature demands. These instruments are backed up by KOREC’s Customer Service which delivers fast and dependable support both on and off the site.” The Spectra Precision HV401 general construction lasers will be used for checking piles and alignments. Stuart Fagg cites their flexibility as a key reason for their purchase.
Continued inside...
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
Our Services Nationwide Sales, Hire Service and Repair ● Technical Support ● Training and Consultancy ● Installation and Commissioning ● Leasing
Winter 2009/2010
Insite
New Products The last couple of months have been a hotbed of Trimble activity with the launch of a wide range of new construction instruments. KOREC’s National Sales Manager, Simon Harley, has rounded up the best.
DDS300 – Trimble Depth Display System for Excavators It’s machine control in a box! The new Spectra Precision Laser DDS300 system provides dynamic depth display to improve the accuracy and productivity of trenching, excavating and grading operations and is perfect for small contractors/owner-operators who want flexibility, affordability, easy set up and a system that requires little to no training. With wireless connectivity between components, simple installation and movement between machines, the new DDS300 is ideal for compact equipment on large commercial, industrial and residential jobsites. At the core of the system is the Spectra Precision Laser CB300, a 7-inch full colour touch screen that takes the user through the installation, setup and operating modes of the display system. The display is used to setup the system for depth and depth and slope applications such as footers, basements, ditching and canals. This new DDS300 system is available with a standard laser receiver or can be used with one of the current Spectra Precision Laser machine receivers. Additionally the system can be used without a laser receiver for even greater flexibility. “This really is a star product from the Spectra range and will definitely add value for plant hirers” says KOREC’s Simon Harley. “It’s so easy to install, a child could do it in 20 minutes and I particularly like the fact that you can store each of your machine’s profiles on it for easy transfer from machine to machine”
Spectra Precision Laser GL512 and GL522 Available now are The Spectra Precision Laser GL512 single grade and GL522 dual grade transmitters. These are rugged, cost-effective, automatic self-levelling lasers that do three jobs— level, grade, and vertical alignment and both laser packages include the new Spectra Precision Laser HL750 Sensor. Wireless communication between the HL750 Sensor and the transmitters provide automatic Grade Matching which allows measurement of unknown grade values between two points. PlaneLok is also available in both the horizontal and vertical planes. PlaneLok automatically locks the beam on the receiver and keeps it on grade. This eliminates all environmental factors that may induce an error. Additionally, the HL750 Sensor can communicate with another HL750 for long-range wireless remote display and monitoring.
Trimble Layout Manager Version 5.0 The ideal companion for new and old total stations, version 5.0 field software has a number of significant new features, including a new menu look, powerful and flexible feature for creating stakeout points from a DXF file directly in the field, enhanced layer management capability and flexible selection of points to transfer to user defined layers. Using version 5, contractors can now do many of the things that could only be done in the office prior to this release.
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
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New Products...continued Nikon Nivo C and Nivo M Series We’re delighted to present the next generation of Nikon Total Stations, the Nikon Nivo C and Nivo M Series! Smaller and lighter than ever before at just 3.5kg (7.7lbs), each new model offers superior Nikon quality optics, performance and reliability and supports two interchangeable, onboard batteries that provide up to 62 hours of continuous measurements. Nikon Nivo C Series The Nivo C Series features a Windows CE touch screen interface. Field application software functions are supported by Spectra Precision Survey Pro™ field software for surveying and construction measurement needs. Supporting both prism-based and reflectorless technologies, the distance measurements are fast and flexible. All Nivo C Series feature a dual-face display for efficient high-precision angle and distance measurements, cable-free Bluetooth connections to external data collectors, plus support for USB memory sticks, and a high-speed data transfer port. The Nivo C Series is available in 2", 3" and 5" models to meet specific accuracy needs. Nikon Nivo M Series The Nivo M Series uses the proven Nikon field user interface that is intuitive and easy to learn and use. Supporting both prism-based and reflectorless technologies, the distance measurements are fast and flexible. The MSR1 & MSR2 keys can be used to separately configure different prism or reflectorless measurement parameters, eliminating time switching between measurement modes. The Nivo M Series field user interface highlights include: a complete set of CoGo and survey stakeout functions, simple data management of files, and quick field coding for convenient one-button data collection of point features and raw target data. The series is available in 2", 3" and 5" models to meet specific accuracy needs.
From left to right, the Nikon Nivo C with Windows CE touch screen interface and the Nikon Nivo M
Winter 2009/2010
Training & Support Tips from KOREC’s Technical Support Team have been coming thick and fast lately, so much so, that we’ve decided to dedicate a special ‘techtips’ category on our blog www.korecgroup.com/blog. Visit us now for further information on all of the following. It’s New, and even better…it’s Free! How to download a free, fully automated data exchange tool enabling information from an AutoCAD Civil 3D model to be directly imported into Trimble Business Center-HCE (Heavy Construction Edition) data management software. Trimble Certification Programs Have you ever wanted to have official recognition for your Trimble product knowledge and your ability to use the Trimble products effectively? Well now you can! Find out more on Trimble Certification Programs. Short Tech Tip Can the SPS651 receivers in rover mode operate within a VRS network? Long Tech Tip What are the differences between the formats that an SPS85x base station output to the rovers and when can the different formats be used?
Costain story continued “Belvedere is a confined site and we often have all our lasers working at once. Using five or six beams simultaneously has been possible by mounting them on jacking tripods and operating them at different levels. We’ve also been using our 401s in vertical mode to give a line to break back piles where they are out of alignment and encroaching into the wall line. When used in conjunction with the Spectra HL700 Laserometers we’ve managed to cut the time of many tasks by half. The HL700 provides a digital readout of elevation that not only tells you if you are high, low or on-grade, but exactly how much by with no need to move anything – simple but effective” The Nikon NPL-362 Total Station has been used to increase speed and safety on site by providing reflectorless measurement to high points or areas inaccessible to site workers. The unstable state of the ground at Belvedere dictated that survey control could not be established in the usual way. Instead the long reflectorless range of the NPL-362 meant that it could be used up to 30 feet in the air to measure to reflective tape around the perimeter of the site as an alternative method.
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
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Machine Control Special
Winter 2009/2010
New Releases PCS900 Paving Control System Available now is Trimble’s newly released automatic 3D Paving control system that can significantly improve paving productivity and the rideability of road and airport surfaces by directly referencing the digital design. Using the PCS900, contractors can produce final paved surfaces with a smoother ride and significantly fewer errors. The operator just loads design data into the system and the machine automatically keeps the screed on design, allowing for compaction. On new roads, base material must be laid accurately to increase the material yield and profitability of the ensuing asphalt or concrete laying operation. By paving the base to design correctly the first time with PCS900, contractors can save on the cost of rework and additional material. On resurfacing jobs, road-waves can be reduced or eliminated by paving in 3D to a smooth design, allowing the contractor to gain their rideability bonus.
2009 has seen an upsurge in the adoption of Machine Control by earthworks contractors in the UK. In an Insite Special we take a look at some possible reasons behind this, outline the latest releases and meet the KOREC Machine Control Sales Team.
The Trimble PCS900 Paving Control System can be mounted on a variety of new or used asphalt paving machines, regardless of manufacturer.
The manufacturer’s argument has always been a simple one …what used to be done manually can now be completed more efficiently and accurately with Machine Control Systems. Greater accuracy, reduced working time, cost savings for both the client and the contractor, reduced carbon emissions and most importantly, increased site safety, are the much touted and generally accepted benefits. In spite of this, and the findings of numerous site tests pitting conventional methods versus machine control that support these claims, take up by UK based earthworks contractors has been significantly lower than in other parts of Europe, particularly close neighbours like Ireland or even Holland. However 2009 has seen a huge shift in demand and KOREC can report a significant rise in both sales and hire in the last 12 months. As for the factors behind the sudden upsurge, Trimble’s UK and Ireland Sales Manager, Dwayne Rosie, has his own ideas: “When I arrived here from Australia two years ago, I was surprised at the low take up of machine control systems – in Australia you’d never see a major road project with stakes. There are a number of theories as to why the technology is taking off now, from contractor’s feeling they need to keep up with their competitors if they are to win business, to the economic downturn causing the industry to look at new ways to increase efficiency and save money. My personal opinion is that the successful completion of road jobs using machine control, such as the much publicized A14 Birse job, encourages others to follow the same route. Machine control is a technology that lends itself to this sort of major road project and in particular, current schemes such as the M25 Road Widening project or Scotland’s M80 upgrade reinforce this view. In both cases Trimble Machine Control Systems are delivering the expected benefits. On jobs of this size, purchase costs are far easier to justify if payback can come on one single contract, rather than spread over several different jobs.” For full details on all our machine control case studies, please visit the Resources section at www.korecgoup.com
Aggregate Industries UK Ltd put the PCS900 through its paces in Ireland
New Version GCS900 A new version of Trimble’s GCS900 Grade Control System expands the mix of machines supported by the GCS900 system to include planing machines. Controlling the precise cutting depth of the mill means the contractor is less likely to overcut existing surface and less likely to require additional costly asphalt or concrete material in the re-paving process.
To find out what happened when two identical roads were built, one using the “Conventional Way” with stakes on the ground and one the “New Way” using Machine Control AccuGrade systems, read the Caterpillar Field Test at www.trimble-productivity.co.uk (Productivity:documented)
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
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Winter 2009/2010
Machine Control Special...continued Q and A – Two minutes with….. It’s been a busy year for KOREC’s Peter Brooks, Machine Control Sales Manager and Andy McCann, Machine Control Sales Consultant, but Insite managed to catch up with them for their reflections on 2009. What have been the most rewarding moments of 2009? Peter Brooks: I think winning the M25 project was a milestone for us. The duration of the work will enable us to bring new products to one of the UK’s biggest projects as it develops and we are also fortunate to have one of the UK’s largest captive audiences whilst driving steadily through the roadworks! Andy McCann: Maintaining good relationships with our existing customers plus the buzz of working with new customers who are looking at the Trimble technology for the first time and really seeing what it can do for their business. What’s been the single most exciting development in Machine Control this year? PB: I think the release of the PCS900 paving system. We can now offer a machine control solution for all the stages of the construction process, from concept to completion. AM: The advent of 2 way data transfer is exciting for almost every customer out there. They can control the data going onto the machine i.e. model updates, and get KOREC’s Peter Brooks, Machine Control Sales Manager and Andy McCann, Machine Control Sales Consultant productivity data back from the machine without physically going to the jobsite to upload or download the information. What’s been tough this year? PB: Whilst other areas of the business have suffered, we have been very fortunate in Machine Control. Pricing has been tough however, with contractors being very keen to ensure we gave them the best possible deals. This means we’ve had to work very closely with Trimble on pricing. AM: Initially, due to the downturn, pushing the technology was hard work but people are now realising that machine control can give them a competitive edge in a difficult market. I recently talked to a company who said they were losing work because they could not complete jobs as quickly or even get near the price of competitors who could offer a Trimble Machine Control solution. When you are sat across a table from someone you have just met for the first time, and they tell you something like that, it makes you realise what a powerful system we have to offer - and how it can turn things around for a customer's business. Where do you see Machine Control going in 2010? PB: I think next year will see the paving and compactor market develop new ground. I also believe that the road building and earthmoving markets will continue to grow steadily, aided by the machine manufacturers offering plug and play factory fitted solutions, driving down the cost and making the products even more affordable. AM: I just see the market opening up - as one customer gets it, so does another in order to compete on the same level. The benefits, such as reduced time, no banksman and a reduction in raw materials will become more widely realised.
¡Hola! in the Ground Trimble Construction Live - Madrid The KOREC Machine Control team recently accompanied a number of customers to Trimble’s Machine Control demonstration day in Madrid. Customers were given the opportunity to see for themselves first hand the benefits of using Trimble productivity solutions and to get onto the machines to learn just how easy-to-use the systems are. The Madrid TCL event follows the success of last year’s event in the UK which was supported by KOREC. Demonstrations included updates on the Trimble Site Positioning Systems with sessions on the SPS Supervisor System, SPS RTK GPS with SCS900 as well as new introductions that included the Trimble CCS900 compactor system and the PCS900 system for Pavers. Following on from last year’s TCL event where our customers were also given an introduction to Trimble’s Connected Site, this year’s visitors were shown the latest developments on the Trimble Connected Community. For an introduction to this, please visit ‘White Papers’ in the Resources section of our website.
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
Winter 2009/2010
Insite
KOREC News 2009 Highlights There’s no denying that 2009 has been a difficult year, but our KOREC Construction Team has still found highpoints that will make 2009 a memorable one for them. Dan Brennan, Development Director There’s no one single moment this year that can be highlighted and overshadow everything else, only the fact that the decisions made to retain our position in the market, the effort and commitment of the team and the continuing support of our customers has enabled us to establish a strong platform for the future. We can now look back with pride at what we achieved in 2009 and look forward to 2010 knowing what can be achieved in even the hardest of times. Simon Harley, National Sales Manager 2009 saw us launch our sub-distribution program for the Spectra Precision Tools range of products. Backed up by Trimble, we have opened up new areas of business in a difficult time – a definite highlight. All the behind the scenes hard work paid off when Sherrie Crawford signed up the first Spectra Precision sub-distributor, T & T Tool Hire Ltd in East Sussex, swiftly followed by Barry Monk signing up Toposell in Norfolk.
Events 2010 Infrarail 13th - 15th April 2010 will find us on Stand 900 at the NEC, Birmingham, exhibiting a full range of KOREC machine control, survey and mapping solutions for rail. www.infrarail.com
Sherrie Crawford, Construction Sales Consultant The highlight of my year was an invitation from Nigel Marsh, Engineering Surveyor at Costains, to tour their site in Belvedere - a real privilege. Amongst other things, I got to see all the Spectra HV401 Lasers with the newly introduced HL700 receivers and jacking/elevating tripods that we had supplied, in use on site.
SED Plans are already underway for next years SED on 18, 19 & 20 May 2010 at Rockingham Motor Speedway, Northants. www.sed.co.uk
Sherrie Crawford at Costain’s Belvedere site
Barry Monk, Construction Sales Consultant Undoubtedly one of my highlights for 2009 was signing up Toposell in Norfolk as a Spectra sub-distributor. They’ve been a very successful dealer and even a competitor in the past, but will now be distributing Spectra products and also offering service and repairs to KOREC’s high standard. Rob Hudson, Construction Sales Consultant What could be a greater highlight than helping clients realise that Trimble offers the best solutions? Converting a customer to Trimble brings its own special rewards! Martin Addison of Addison Plant of Stockton found other manufacturer’s systems overly complex and is now the proud driver of an easy to use SPS630 Robotic Station kit and uses Trimble Business Centre to help calculate volumes. This year has also seen a Yorkshire surveyor take his first Trimble GPS kits. Now with eight engineers, he’s moved his instruments from green to yellow which should certainly help him from going in the red! Seamus Costello, Construction Sales Consultant I’m just coming to the end of my first year in the UK and have hugely enjoyed learning the differences between here and Ireland. For me 2010 has been a great year for Trimble product development and the new DDS300 Depth Display System for Excavators is undboubtedly the highlight, simply because my customers are delighted with what it can deliver for their business.
KOREC consolidates position in Hire Market KOREC’s Hire division has seen a busy few months, first joining up with www.erento.co.uk, the online rental market place, and now membership of the Hire Association Europe - the leading trade association for hire and rental companies in the UK, Ireland and Europe. Our specialist surveying equipment hire division can now access the latest advice on H & S, industry training updates and legal advice.
Measured Solutions Construction | Surveying | Mapping
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