Trimble Introduces New Positioning Solution for Tunnel Construction

Integrated Office to Field Solution Makes Tunneling Safer, Faster and Less Expensive

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Apr 16, 2012, 06:30 ET

PARIS, April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) today introduced a new positioning solution for tunneling contractors. The new solution leverages Business Center – HCE office software powered by Trimble, the Trimble® SCS900 Site Controller Software Tunneling Module operating on the Trimble Tablet, and the Trimble SPS930 Universal Total Station. As part of the Trimble Connected Site® portfolio, the integrated office to field solution allows contractors to quickly, safely and accurately perform tunnel construction, while monitoring progress in real-time.

The announcement was made at Intermat 2012, the international exhibition of equipment, machinery and techniques for the construction and materials industries.

Start Efficiently

Efficient tunnel construction operations begin with preparation of an accurate model using Business Center – HCE office software. The new Business Center – HCE Corridor Tunneling module offers contractors sophisticated tools to model tunnels with multiple layers all in the same alignment. Business Center – HCE tunneling tools handle extremely complex design and measurement files, including multi-million point cloud files from LIDAR devices, and accommodate drilling and blasting operations. The software accepts standardized tunnel formats and users can enter data in a variety of ways. The complete tunnel model can then be exported to the Trimble Tablet running SCS900 Site Controller Software in the field.

Business Center – HCE office software gives tunneling contractors the ability to send accurate, up-to-date designs to the field wirelessly, eliminating the need to physically drive to the site. Data preparation with Business Center – HCE and an accurate model can help the tunneling contractor identify and resolve potential problems before the project starts, saving time and money.

Control the Project

Using Trimble SCS900 Site Controller Software with a Trimble Tablet, tunneling personnel in the field can compare the 3D tunnel design with the as-built tunnel after every blast round. Contractors can more efficiently address the daily measuring and positioning requirements of road and railway tunneling projects, while reducing the work stoppage time for manual measurements and monitoring progress from a safer distance from the blasting zone. SCS900 can be used for all measurement and stakeout operations inside and outside the tunnel including rock bolts, cable and ductwork, tunnel floor and wall measurements, and drainage or utility information.

The Trimble Tablet allows crews to wirelessly receive design changes or updates in the tunnel and to quickly deliver measurement results back to the office for rapid approvals. This built-in connectivity allows site engineers to rapidly communicate on-site problems, take remedial actions or request information from the project engineers without driving to the office.

Safety and Accuracy

The Trimble SPS930 Universal Total Station provides high-accuracy positioning for tunnel construction projects. With its advanced robotic scanning capabilities, the SPS930 allows field crews to operate at safer distances from scaling operations and provide a more accurate measurement of results. Integration with tunnel-specific scanning routines in the SCS900 Tunneling Module produces a more accurate profile of the tunnel surface.

The laser pointer on the total station can isolate and automatically turn to underbreak areas for faster and easier correction, then re-scan the area after correction. Scan data can also be used to better predict future drill hole cuttings and improve the efficiency of blasting.

Availability

All components of the new Trimble Tunnel Construction Solution are expected to be available in May of 2012 through Trimble's worldwide SITECH® Technology Dealer Channel.

About Trimble's Heavy Civil Construction Division

Trimble's Heavy Civil Construction Division is a leading innovator of productivity solutions for the heavy and highway contractor. Trimble's solutions leverage a variety of technologies, including Global Positioning System (GPS), construction lasers, total stations, wireless data communications, the Internet and application software. As part of the Trimble Connected Site strategy, these solutions provide a high-level of process and workflow integration from the design phase through to the finished project—delivering significant improvements in productivity throughout the construction lifecycle.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

For more information, visit: www.trimble.com.

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SOURCE Trimble