Carlson Software's AutoGrade

AutoGrade is Carlson Software's AutoCAD-based machine guidance product that is used on bulldozers, loaders, compactors, motor graders, scrapers, foreman trucks, and other related equipment in need of grade control. It enables heavy equipment operators to know their grade and location without the need for stakes and in severe weather conditions. Accordingly, when work is done at night, when a surveyor may not be available, production can continue with confidence. AutoGrade can even be mounted on a pick-up truck to provide mine foremen and supervisors with real-time position and height inspection capabilities. There is no need for converting site drawings; because, this product recognizes standard dwg files. Combined with Carlson's Productivity Tools, your process and equipment performance can be monitored and analyzed to gain advantage over your competitors.

General Features

AutoGrade is ideal for real-time grading applications, since heavy equipment operators can grade sites without stakes, even in blinding conditions. Instead, they glance at a screen mounted in the cab and respond to cut/fill and position information. This empowers the employee by giving them instant feedback on their design performance and allowing them to achieve the proper grade with the first pass. This eliminates excessive movement and tramming of the machine, which results in less maintenance and cost.

Building roadsCab viewAnother problem faced by many mines is the existence of underground workings within their open pit boundaries. GPS machine guidance enables operators to avoid danger zones of all types.

When working on roads and ramps there are several tools in AutoGrade that speed the process and give control where it is needed. Simple or complex roads/ramps can be designed on-the-fly from the operator's cab. Only the following items are needed: starting position, heading, and various slope percents or ratios. This is very handy if placing a temporary ramp, because the operator can design it at an optimal grade for the vehicle type using it, and without needing to wait for survey support. When you "need the job done now", look to AutoGrade to help you get it done.

Construction zones often work with road designs. AutoGrade visually displays center line, station/chainage, and offsets to the operator. It is simple to switch between design files and almost easier to select a poly line on the screen and have that become your new center line. AutoGrade does all of this, helping you get the job done quickly and safely.

The system is comprised of a single antenna GPS with cm-level accuracy and a rugged touch-screen computer. Optional tilt sensors provide higher accuracy positioning and height computations.

Site Inspection

Grade verificationAutoGrade can be installed on a mine vehicle to allow a foreman, supervisor, engineer, or surveyor to verify grades for the site from the comfort of their climate controlled cab. The truck becomes an instant portable surveying device, without the need to set-up complex equipment in the field. This configuration allows grade to be given rapidly to a multitude of machines.

Benefits

Main Menu

Main menuFrom the main screen, the Grade selection is the item used the most. It provides the views for the operator to easily navigate and read the cut/fill values.

Simple and complex slopes, such as ramps and roads, can be designed in the field by the operator or in the office by the engineers and surveyors.

Project files can be defined, eliminating file selection errors.

Grade Screen

Grade screenIn the AutoGrade main screen, the plan view is displayed on the right with the insert showing a close-up of the machine. The screen shown here indicates bulldozer vehicle files, but other vehicle files can be used.

The lower left panel contains the vehicle in either side (cross-section) or blade (profile) views. The inset shows the machine in side view.

The upper left panel allows the user to: change views; set elevation, blade, activity, or delay; access tools such as: monitor, check calibration, or change poly line to center line. It also displays stations (chainage) and offsets if a center line is active, GPS status, current elevation, and appropriate cut/fill values. Underneath this section, there is quick access to the different "Set" options.

Elevation differences can be determined from a Flat Pad Elevation or from an existing Design Surface Model. Entering an elevation allows for the operator to work without needing a surface designed by engineering software. By giving the operator this tool, if the machine is moved to a new working area that requires a change in elevation, the operator has the ability to continue working and reduce downtime.

Improved cutsOther "Set" items include:

• Blade - The work-to side can be left, center, or right.
• Activity - These are user defined, but some examples include: rip, push, and tram.
• Delay - These are user defined, but some examples include: lunch, maintenance, and shift change.

Productivity Tools

Productivity toolsWhen AutoGrade is combined with Productivity Tools, a whole wealth of information is available for analysis, which can lead to increased productivity and optimal performance from your bulldozer, loader, motor grader, scraper, compactor, or other related equipment in need of grade control.

Productivity Tools feature real-time remote viewing and full 3D playback of earth moving equipment. In addition, user-defined reports on any aspect including push lengths and slopes, rehandle and volumes per hour are included in the arsenal.

Operator actions can be assessed to bring all operators' performance to the same level. It is a software package that aides in "best practice" evaluations.