克拉克建造者’ secret to fast, accurate layout

Author:Christine Grahl

Ninety to 100 points an hour- 这就是杰夫·格伯（Jeff Gerber）和测量师的速度克拉克建造者typically move when they’re on a project doing layout. The top-ranking general contractor, based in Edmonton, Canada, delivers buildings and structures in theindustrial，，，，commercial，，，，andinstitutional扇区和混凝土布局工作是重点的关键领域。

在the last year,the team has streamlined their layout time by 25 to 30 per cent after adopting the latest generation ofLeica iCON机器人总站，GNbob appleSS和软件。“我们都是以旧的布局方式摇滚明星，但是图标效率更高，更加直观，”Gerber said.

该公司的首席测量师Gerber说，克拉克建造者七年前首次采用了另一种技术品牌的机器人布局。尽管与手动方法相比，第一组机器人提高了速度，但该技术很复杂，需要按正确组合中的多个按钮来完成简单的点布局。将数据从现场转移到办公室需要在第三方软件之间导入和导出。培训涉及数周的反复试验，现场测量师需要高水平的经验和专业知识才能正确完成这项工作。

随着建筑项目变得越来越精心制作，具有更多的角度，曲线和斜率，Gerber不断推动信封，试图找到更好的方法来完成工作。有一天，当他在三层公园上工作时，来自Mountainview Systems的Courtney Gehring停下来向他展示了Leica Icon 60机器人。“Iwas blown away by the iCON’s ability to do surfaces easily, as well as its ability to do point and line layouts,”Gerber said.“This was the technology we had been waiting for.”

速度和准确性可提供巨大的效率提高

In a matter of days, Gerber mastered the iCON workflow. Impressed with the simplicity, he spent the next several months building a business case for his firm to invest in the technology. As he finished up the three-level parkade, he used the iCON on half of the structure and his previous robot on the other half, carefully tracking the amount of time required to lay out columns and slab beds, set the tables and pour the concrete. It was a complicated project, with the tables and concrete sloped in all directions. The efficiency gains with the iCON were significant, Gerber said.

在另一个项目中，格伯（Gerber）必须通过剧院每个座位下的混凝土板布置暖气，通风和空调（HVAC）核心孔位置。与他以前的机器人一起，Gerber是able to lay out a maximum of 50 or 60 points per hour在这种类型的应用程序中。“借助Icon机器人，我很容易每小时获得80分，而且精确地获得了技术，这是该技术的头两个月。”he said.

The documented improvements made it easy for the Clark Builders’ management team to justify a complete fleet upgrade. In August 2017, the company purchased six iCON robot 60 robotic total stations, an iCON gps 60 GNSS smart antenna, and the iCON build software. After a two-hour training session, the team was confident and ready to use the technology on the job.“这是瞬间的，走吧，”said Gerber.“There was no hesitation; everybody was all in.”

Ease of use generates a fast ROI

Ease of use was a key selling point for Clark Builders. Gerber compares the iCON solution to the latest generation of consumer smartphone technology.“Moving from our previous robots to the iCON was like going from a flip phone to an iPhone,”he said.“They both do the same operation, but with the iCON it’s so much easier to do the same tasks and more. We just tap once and we're going. Same thing with lines—just tap on the line, and we're doing it. It’s very simple yet very powerful.”

Moving the data between the field and office is also much easier. The team saves AutoCAD or Revit files as a DXF, with no additional imports or exports required. Points are overlaid perfectly on the drawings, which providesvaluableinformation in the field。“The software automatically creates points at the ends of lines and centres the circles,”said Gerber.“我们只是将其保存为DXF，然后去。”

Transferring field data to the office is also easy, Gerber said. The team simply exports a CSV or DXF file from the tablet and loads it into AutoCAD or Revit as required.

Because of the faster and easier workflow, Gerber estimatesthe company now spends 25 to 30 percent less time on every project，，，，which directly impacts the bottom line.“我们的调查成本较低，因为我们的现场时间不高，并且由于我们的准确性很高而消除了返工的风险，”he said.“此外，我们提供及时，准确的方式提供布局的能力使交易能够完成工作并按时保持。我们都赢了。”

Enhanced capabilities create new opportunities

As Gerber and the other surveyors at Clark Builders have continued to push the limits of the iCON solution, they have discovered other advantages. For example,铺设表面和坡度的便利性使团队能够追求日益复杂的项目。“用角度和曲线进行高级工作要容易得多，”Gerber said.“It’s given us a huge boost of confidence.”

Gerber also sees the potential to gain even greater efficiencies by using the iCON build software with IFC files—the software’s Object Layout App loads IFC data straight from Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP)/Building Information Modelling (BIM) design software so users can select objects graphically.

With the increasing digitalisation of the building construction industry, companies that are fast, accurate and innovative will emerge as the leaders in delivering the projects of the future. Clark Builders’ forward-thinking approach through its investment in intelligent digital layout positions the firm ahead of the curve.

“技术并没有消失，并且在正确使用时，它的功能非常强大。”said Gerber.“Our approach is to embrace the technology and learn from it, and don't look back.”