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3. Robotic total solutions
In their simplest form, robotic total stations
transfer a digital point from a BIM model onto the
real-world jobsite. That simplicity is remarkably
powerful, especially as digital workflows based on
CAD designs become more common.
"Using the total stations, we can take that CAD
directly into the field and pull it up on a tablet, so
everyone can have the most up-to-date model,"
said Bryan Williams, Trimble segment manager for
building construction field solutions.
In fact, robotic total stations improve accuracy by
up to 90%, Williams said. That kind of precision is
key to avoiding one of the biggest enemies of profits
and productivity: rework.
four people to be conducted correctly. But robotic
total stations can do the same amount of work with
only one person — a five-fold productivity increase
compared to traditional methods.
In fact, using a robotic total station enables
teams to work five times faster than they would
otherwise. The stations require fewer people — as
few as one person vs. four with traditional methods —
and allow significantly more points to be laid out in a
single day, Williams said.
"Having those accurate measurements is critically
important," Williams continued. "Once you lift those
components into place, you want to make sure
everyone's time is maximized."
As projects become more complex and prefab
becomes more common as a result, simplifying and
streamlining communication between the field and
the office is increasingly important, Williams said.
Robotic total station technology can measure where
prefabricated components are supposed to go on
the actual site to ensure that what's been digitally
mapped out will also work in the real world.
At the same time, rather than needing surveyors
whose specialized training means higher labor costs,
companies that use robotic total stations can easily
train non-surveyors to run the machines. That's key
not only for reducing labor costs but also for dealing
with the ongoing shortage of specialized workers.
When people don't use
total stations, they make
mistakes," Lawver said.
"That's where the snowball
effect starts to happen. It's
critical to be able to do your
job right the first time."
In addition to better accuracy, total stations can
also help increase productivity and profits. That's
because traditional surveying methods require up to
