TRANSFORM YOUR EXCAVATOR SYSTEM

For excavators, a new edition of Topcon’s 3D modular control system, the X-53x automatic, adds hydraulic control for fully automated digging while otherwise using the same components from the original system. The new system is designed to be easily upgradeable from the 2D and 3D systems.

“We are using our own IMUs (inertial measurement units) with the system,” says Kris Maas, director of product management machine control. This includes four sensors, one each on the body, boom, stick and bucket. Those combined with a GPS antenna on the back of the machine to give you roll and pitch enables your excavator to dig fully automated to a design loaded into the machine’s control panel.

Another challenge to automating excavators is the complexity of these machines Topcon’s solution was to build a self-learning capability into the X-53x.

To calibrate a GPS control system on an excavator requires that you take exceptionally precise measurements of the bucket, stick, boom and position of the machine. Rather than pull a tape measure and typing in the measurements on a screen, on the Topcon’s X-53x the calibration is done wirelessly using a total station and stored in an app on the machine. You can also program the size and geometry of unlimited different buckets into the system and choose your bucket with a touch on the screen or enter custom bucket values as well.

“Our system looks at the RPMs and how the machine responds and how fast and what gets priority in the hydraulics,” says Maas. “It figures out the best balance on the hydraulics settings to get the ideal performance out of the machine. It will keep learning and improving itself through the lifecycle of the system.”

With fully automated GPS excavator control even relatively inexperienced operators can cut trenches, slopes, embankments and complex contours often without the need for a finish dozer or grader to clean up the work.