Archeology iSpace by Nikon

Archeology iSpace

Turning your excavation area into a metrology lab

nikon metrology I vision beyond precision

Faster archeological recording Drawings of contexts, sections and site plans can consume large proportion of the total excavation time. Trials at Mont Beuvray, France, have shown that iSpace acquires this data 50%-90% faster than by traditional drawing methods! Simply pick up the probe, press the button and start tracing!

Archeological recording made easy

Digital line drawings generated on site using off-the-shelf CAD software from accurate, geo-referenced point coordinates from iSpace (e.g. ArchaeoCAD – ArcTron GmbH).

Archeology iSpace is the fastest and most accurate way to generate drawings and gather data. Use either of the handheld probes like a digital pencil to trace the perimeter of an archeological feature to create a 3D drawing. Excavators can verify the data on site and save the file in a third party CAD file format. Archeology iSpace is based on an industrially-proven metrology system; its patented laser technology concept has been developed to quickly make probe measurements within a large working area. Within this geo-refenced “invisible metrology lab”, handheld probes take measurements with submillimeter accuracy at up to 40 times per second - allowing archeologists to record point coordinate data such as the locations of special finds, spot heights, photography positions, etc.

iSpace makes the difference

iSpace data is geo-referenced making it simple to import each resulting drawing into a common site plan as the excavation progresses. (Drawing: Studiebureau Archeologie bvba, Belgium)

• Robust system for faster outdoor recording • Portable and battery-powered for quick setup even at remote sites • Invisible infra-red laser technology creates a large geo-referenced recording area (typically 40m by 40m) • Range of wireless handheld probes for different situations, including pits and grave cuts • Instant results for verification using 2D or 3D graphical software • Multiple probes - more than 20 probes may be used simultaneously! • Accuracy <1mm • Sample frequency up to 40Hz • Single point data and scanning mode

Smooth recording at the excavation site Quick iSpace setup

Expandable to meet your needs

Setting up iSpace on site involves placing 3 or more batterypowered transmitters up to 40m apart around the working area. Power options also include generated or mains power. After quick and simple calibration and geo-referencing routines, iSpace is ready to record.

Got a lot of recording to do? Add some more probes. Incredibly, 20 or more probes can be recording simultaneously within the working area! For very large excavation areas, add transmitters to increase the size of the working space.

Fast data capture Within this working area, archeologists need only to pick up a probe, apply it to the terrain and start recording. This could be grabbing single point data (spot heights, find locations, etc.) far faster than using a total station theodolite. Or it could be to acquire streams of point data (as the probe is traced around contexts, features, etc.). When streaming point data, 3D coordinates are acquired at a rate of up to 40 points per second.

Instant drawing display

The compact i6Probe is ideal for drawing sections and elevations, and for making accurate drawings where fine detail is needed.

iSpace data is immediately available for viewing in a number of ways. Feed the geo-referenced iSpace data straight into your CAD or GIS, or review it on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.

i6 and i6 Long Reach probes connecting to HTML5 capable devices

iSpace workstation

Complete iSpace system configuration

Specifications

Supported software Nikon Metrology Surveyor Archeology: Nikon Metrology Archeology software / ESRI ArcGIS / Autodesk AutoCAD Metrology: Nikon Metrology CMM Manager / Tango!3D / NRK Spatial Analyzer / Verisurf

Range (Transmitter - Probe)

1 - 40m

Accuracy

< 1mm

Operating temperature

0°C - 40°C

Storage temperature

-20°C - 60°C

Relative humidity

10-75% (non-condensing)

Tools and options

Standard iSpace Kit

4 battery-powered Transmitters in a flightcase; 4 tripods; an i5 probe and an i6 LR probe; a portable workstation including Surveyor software, Nikon Metrology Archeology software

i6 probe (6DOF)

Multi-function tool incorporating 4 sensors (6DoF – gives 3D coordinates plus orientation). Interchangeable and customisable probe tips available. Used for drawing.

i6 LR probe (6DOF)

Long-reach multifunction tool incorporating 4 sensors (6DoF – coordinates plus orientation), interchangeable and customisable probe tips. Used for survey or working in pits, grave cuts, etc.

Dynamic Tracking Kit

Kit of 4 sensors allowing for 6DoF tracking of objects or instruments within the iSpace volume. DTK is available to developers and research institutions interested in developing custom integrations using the iSpace system to accurately locate and track a specific device on the archaeological site. Example: tracking the position of geophysical survey instruments.

Nikon Metrology NV Geldenaaksebaan 329 B-3001 Leuven, Belgium phone: +32 16 74 01 00 fax: +32 16 74 01 03

Discuss your project with us: archeology@nikonmetrology.com More offices and resellers at www.nikonmetrology.com

Speciﬁcations