From self-grading diggers to autonomous trucks, machine control tech is shaking up the construction game. But what’s the go with this tech?
First up, let’s crack into what ‘machine control’ means and why it’s a big deal. In simple terms, machine control hardware and software are there to figure out where a machine is sitting on the planet and how that stacks up against the planned design. It uses data from satellites or total stations and 3D models to make sure operators can put their machinery right where it needs to be, check the grade, automate some of the grunt work, and gather data. With a bunch of positioning sensors and a display, machine control gives operators a clear picture of where their machine’s bucket or blade is in relation to the planned design.
This tech has been helping the construction mob with earthworks since the late ’90s. It lets decisions be made based on solid data, not just the traditional guesswork or how skilled the operator is. This means operators can get more done, more accurately.
Machine control on excavators, dozers, and graders saves time, cash, and fuel, thanks to being more on the money and working better. With solution platforms, operators can mix and match total stations or GNSS with different types of machinery, giving them heaps of flexibility.
Machine control’s getting a run on all sorts of construction gear now – like graders, dozers, and more recently, excavators. Before this tech came along, operators had to manually check everything – a process that was slower, less accurate, and riskier because the grade checkers had to get up close and personal with the machines. When 2D and 3D tech started getting better, early machine control tech came along too. It gave operators simple visual guides, like systems showing how deep to cut, and let dozer and grader blades be controlled to stay on grade.
Back in the day, rotating lasers were used to send signals picked up by sensors on the machines, giving operators the basic info they needed. But compared to today’s machine control, these early systems were pretty limited and often too pricey or complex.
Challenges in the Construction Industry Today: Fast forward to now, and the construction industry’s facing a few hurdles. There’s a real struggle to get young people into the trade, leading to a shortage of skilled operators. This could mean a big gap in skills, affecting the quality and productivity of projects. To hit construction targets and tackle this skills gap, the industry’s leaning more towards automated machine control.
Automated Machine Control: This isn’t just about giving operators a visual guide; automated machine control actually moves the blade to grade by controlling the machine’s hydraulics. This puts the responsibility for accuracy and speed on the tech, not just the operator. So, even newbies or less-skilled operators can work like pros, and the seasoned operators can work smarter and faster.
Adoption of Automated Machine Control: Looking at the construction scene today, it’s clear that machine control automation isn’t being picked up at the same rate across all machines. While graders and dozers are getting automated, excavators are lagging behind, with only about 10% adoption in Europe, compared to over 50% for dozers. In the past, with plenty of skilled workers around, the push for automation on excavators wasn’t huge. But now, with a need for more productivity and fewer skilled operators, it’s time for the construction industry to get behind the benefits of investing in automated machine control.