Trimble has revealed the latest system configuration for the GCSFlex Grade Control System, at the Intermat 2012. The system configuration includes GPS guidance capability that provides the contractor with added flexibility than offered by other laser-referenced grade control systems available in the market for excavators.
The in-field design templates and GPS guidance provide higher accuracy to the excavator operator who can dig to the designed slope, alignment or dept without having to create a digital design as a precursor to the excavation. This eliminates the process of grade checking required after the digging and also minimizes initial prep work.
The GCSFlex system with added GPS capability enables users to develop in-field designs in 2D mode in the cab without being confined to the office. The GPS guidance adds system flexibility allowing users to replace the laser plane using GPS guidance for orientation and positioning, thus providing the operator with freedom to move with the machine.
Featuring a CB450 Control Box, MS972 GNSS Smart Antenna, Trimble SNM940 Connected Site Gateway and angle sensors, the new GCSFlex system eliminates the requirement of a base station as it communicates GPS corrections using a cellular connection to the gateway. The user-friendly menu of the control box enables the operator to develop in-field templates for excavation tasks. The display software offers step-by-step instructions to create the required in-field design template to a fixed alignment, depth, profile or a depth with slope. It can also be used by operators with limited or no machine control experience.
The GCSFlex for excavators was introduced by Trimble in 2011. It is an easy-to-use, affordable machine control system designed for maximizing productivity and is ideal for digging trenches for pipelines and underground utilities, digging basements and footers, building roads, mass excavation and site preparation on industrial, commercial and residential jobsites.
The GCSFlex Grade Control System is likely to be available by Q2 of 2012.