3D guidance

A 3D Quiz: You're familiar with GOMACO 3D... True or False?

 

3D paving is growing more popular on job sites around the world. How familiar are you with the stringless system? Please take our quiz and see how knowledgeable you are and also learn more information about GOMACO 3D.

 

GOMACO pioneered 3D on our paving equipment.

TRUE In 1999, GOMACO first recognized the potential of 3D and began paving with 3D on our equipment. Today, GOMACO equipment with 3D is being successfully used on projects all around the world and in a variety of applications, including grade trimming, curb and gutter tight radii, tunnel floors and walkways, airport runways and aprons, highways, interstates, concrete overlays, municipal projects, safety barriers, golf cart paths, and more.

GOMACO has been involved with 3D since it's inception, working closely with the major system developers, including Leica Geosystems, TOPCON Positioning Systems, Inc., and Trimble. Our Research and Development team is not adapting our controls to work with 3D like other paving manufacturers. We have developed our controllers along with 3D technology to offer the seamless 3D paving package that we have available for sale today.

 

 

 

 

3D guidance

A GOMACO paving train with 3D controls on both the PS-2600 placer/spreader and GHP-2800 at work near Cary, North Carolina.

 

 

 

3D guidance

Total stations set up on a 3D project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3D may improve rideability on paving projects.

TRUE 3D eliminates the human error that can be involved with setting a physical stringline. 3D works from a digital model with a virtual stringline, which is a constant that cannot be physically changed.

"During paving, trucks or workers can accidentally hit the line causing stringline movement and errors in paving," Kevin Klein, Vice President of Research & Development/Engineering, said. "Conventional stringline is prone to displacement. Relying on a physical string measured and 'eye-balled' by workers for set up and accuracy can build error into the paving."

Potential error is also eliminated from other sources. For example, any potential error from the surveyor's grade control stakeouts is now gone.

 

 

3D is more difficult to set up than conventional stringline.

FALSE 3D technology is not more difficult to set up. Contractors no longer have to deal with the hardware of traditional stringline... the clamps, stakes, string, and the manpower necessary to set the stringline on both sides of the slab for the entire distance of the project. When working with stringline, workers are needed to monitor and maintain the line during the paving operation. Then, at the end of the day, a crew has to go out and gather and store all of the hardware.

 

 

3D guidance

Line of sight is very important for the total stations to the paver.

TRUE Obstacles, such as trucks or workers, between the line of sight of the total station and the prism on the paver will cause signal loss. It's not just physical objects that can affect that line of sight. Caution must also be taken when paving in fog or areas with poor air quality. Care must also be taken in regards to the sun. Total stations cannot be aimed directly into the sun. The resulting glare can cause signal loss. Strategically placing the total stations can lessen or eliminate the effects of fog or sun glare.

 

 

3D paving accuracy can be affected by high winds.

TRUE It's important on windy days to make sure the total stations are not set up so wind hits them broadside, and to anchor the tripods well, possibly add weight to the tripod with sandbags, and position the total stations at closer intervals.

The total stations, Leica's for example, have two subsystems that work to guarantee the accuracy of a measurement. One is the AutoTargetRecognition (ATR) lock threshold that monitors the quality of the ATR's prism following. It makes sure the prism is reliably locked onto and tracked. It helps prevent inaccuracy potentially caused by high winds pushing or vibrating the total stations, fog, dust or heavy rain.

A second feature, the dual-axis compensator, acts as a level and ensures the total stations haven't been shaken out of level or knocked over by wind or other things. If a total station is up to 0.1 degrees off vertical, it will compensate automatically in the measurements for that inaccuracy.

 

 

Some paving products require a "black box," but GOMACO equipment does not.

TRUE GOMACO has pioneered stringless paving and digital paver control systems. Our controls and programming software seamlessly interact with 3D. The 3D computer computes the input from the total stations and prisms, compares that information to the project design model, and then outputs the elevation and steer commands to the GOMACO controller.

 

 

 

 

3D guidance

Sonic sensors are being used on GOMACO texture/cure machines to eliminate the need for stringline on slipform paving projects.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A GOMACO 9500 trims with 3D on a new highway project near Reno, Nevada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3D allows paving flexibility on the job site.

TRUE Not only does it increase flexibility, it also improves job-site logistics, such as not having to work around or be limited by stringline; no restrictions in getting concrete trucks in and out of the site; easier to pave in tight clearance conditions because extra room for stringline is not needed; and the contractor has the ability to pave anywhere on the project at any time.

"Another important advantage is a quicker move-in and move-out on construction projects," Klein noted. "For instance, if you're constructing a median barrier under traffic, and the contract only allows you to work during the evening from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. before you are required to open the road for morning rush hour. This system saves time by not having to set stringline before the machine can start producing barrier. And you do not have to tear down stringline before opening up to traffic."

 

 

3D technology is still changing and progressing.

TRUE GOMACO is always striving to create a better paving system. And stringless technology is going to continue to change at a fast rate.

"Contractors need to expect that there is going to be continued advances in this technology," Klein explained. "I like to compare it to buying a cell phone. If you wait, you know you're going to get something newer and better six months from now. But you also can't wait forever, because you will get left behind in this competitive market. Despite the changing technology, our contractors tell us they wished they had made the move to stringless paving earlier than they did. They understand the industry is changing and they don't want to be left behind. They also understand that stringless is nothing to be afraid of or intimidated by. They just have to understand concrete paving..."

"It's also a matter of getting into the game, so to speak," said Matt Morrison, 3D Machine Control Manager. "A contractor who has purchased a 3D system this year already has a season of 3D paving experience. He's used the system, is comfortable with it and can start next season with this experience. That's a huge advantage over someone who hasn't used 3D yet."

More features continue to be integrated into the system, too. For instance, 3D can now be used to control the firing of an accessory like sidebar inserters and IDBI. Different stringless systems are also available for placer/spreaders and texture/cure machines.

 

 

GOMACO has its own in-house 3D controls department.

TRUE GOMACO is committed to customer support and education. Our 3D controls team provides sales, service, and support of Topcon, Leica Geosystems, and Trimble concrete paving products on our equipment. GOMACO will continue to provide the leadership in 3D technology for the paving industry.

 

 

 

 

Stringless Since 1999

 

3D guidance

March 10, 1999
Northport, Alabama

The first stringless concrete curb and gutter radius was slipformed using a stringless guidance system. The technology of the GOMACO control systems makes it possible to adapt a stringless guidance system to GOMACO pavers.

The historical first radius was slipformed by a GOMACO GT-3600 curb and gutter machine.

 

 

 

3D guidance

September 20, 1999
Ida Grove, Iowa

Forrest Avenue was the first city street in the U.S. to be paved with a stringless system. It was slipformed with a GOMACO two-track GP-2600 paver.

 

 

 

3D guidance

 

 

 

3D guidance

A new 8000 foot (2438 m) southern runway on the Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was slipformed with a GOMACO PS-2600 placer/spreader, GHP-2800 paver with 3D stringless guidance, and T/C-600 texture/cure machine.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 43.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A GOMACO GHP-2800 with IDBI and two paver-mounted GSI® units slipforms Highway 67 with a 3D guidance system between Cash and Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A GOMACO GHP-2800 with a 5400 series mold and 3D guidance slipforms a 25 feet (7.6 m) wide, 22 inch (559 mm) thick taxiway on a project in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

 

 

 

3D guidance

One of the first GOMACO GP-4000 pavers to feature the exclusive G+ control system is at work on the Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado. It is equipped with a 3D guidance system.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 43.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This contractor is slipforming radii as tight as 2.5 feet (0.8 m) with their GT-3600 curb and gutter machine with a stringless system on a parking lot project in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 42.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A half-width concrete overlay is being slipformed by a two-track GP-2400 with a 3D guidance system on the Darr Link near Cozad, Nebraska.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 42.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

Five total stations were used on each pour on the I-15 project in Provo, Utah. Three worked with the paver, set up at 200 foot (61 m) intervals and the other two were used for grade checks.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 40.2.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This contractor is using four total stations on their four-track GHP-2800 for an overlay project. The unbonded concrete overlay is 22 feet (6.7 m) wide, and concrete was placed directly on the existing asphalt surface.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 39.2.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A two-track GHP-2800 slipform paver with a 3D guidance system slipforms a new bypass around the city of Columbus, Nebraska.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 42.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This contractor had 120 days to build the bulk of the new 14,572 feet (4442 m) long, 200 foot (61 m) wide Bay Runway (13R-31L) at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 39.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A GOMACO three-track Commander III concrete paver slipformed curb and gutter without the use of stringline in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

 

 

 

3D guidance

The GOMACO four-track Commander III was used to slipform the floor and two evacuation walkways in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link connecting London, England, to Europe.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 33.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This contractor is at work slipforming 63 kilometers (39.1 mi) of canal with a four-track GP-2600 canal paver. The work is the last section of a 221 kilometer (137.3 mi) long irrigation canal which will carry water from the Atatürk Reservoir into eastern Turkey to irrigate agricultural land.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 39.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A GOMACO paving train with a 9500 placer, a PS-2600 placer/spreader, a four-track GP-4000 slipform paver, and a T/C-600 texture/cure machine were used on the John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 39.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A four-track GHP-2800 concrete slipform paver, equipped with a stringless 3D guidance package, paved passes 21.7 inches (550 mm) thick with a female keyway in the side of the slab on the London Heathrow T5 runway project.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This GP-4000 with two-lift paving system, IDBI and stringless control system slipformed a new highway in the Czech Republic.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 35.2.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This contractor slipformed 7728 cubic yards (5908 m3) of concrete in a 12.5-hour day at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. The PS-2600 placer/spreader and GHP-2800 paver were equipped with a 3D stringless system.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 37.2.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This contractor utilized 3D technology on a half-width concrete overlay project, paving 18 miles (29 km) of U.S. 18 near West Union, Iowa. They paved with a four-track GHP-2800 concrete slipform paver, and passes were 16 feet (4.9 m) wide.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 40.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A GOMACO two-track GP-2600 slipform paver and a PS-2600 placer/spreader on the Charlotte Douglas International Airport project in Charlotte, North Carolina, were controlled with a stringless paving system using both GPS units and Total Stations.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 38.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This concrete safety barrier was slipformed by a three-track Commander III equipped with a stringless system in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This GT-3600 concrete curb and gutter machine slipformed parking lot radii with a stringless system on a project in St. Louis, Missouri.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 37.2.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A GT-3600 slipformed a 2.5 mile (4 km) long section of barrier wall on Slovakia's Motorway D1 without the use of stringline.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 35.2.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This contractor equipped their GOMACO GHP-2800 with a stringless guidance system for this project at the Zurich Airport in Switzerland.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A GHP-2800, equipped with a stringless system, slipformed slabs 21.7 inches (550 mm) thick on the T5 project at London Heathrow Airport.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 32.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This contractor used their GHP-2800, equipped with a 3D stringless guidance system, to slipform the new terminal and apron at the Indianapolis Airport in Indiana.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 34.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A stringless GP-4000 slipformed a 24 inch (610 mm) thick slab at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

 

 

3D guidance

The 9500 trimmer and GP-2600 slipform paver were equipped with the stringless system on this Albuquerque, New Mexico, project.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 29.2.

 

 

 

3D guidance

A total station tracked the progress of a 9500 trimmer as it worked on a project in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

 

 

3D guidance

Barrier wall on Highway E411 in Belgium was slipformed with a 3D stringless guidance system.

 

 

 

3D guidance

The 9500, equipped with stringless technology, trimmed the cement-treated base down to the six inch (152 mm) specification on this project in Ohio.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 33.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This GHP-2800, equipped with a stringless guidance system, slipformed 10.3 miles (16.6 km) of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on the C40/A10 freeway connecting Brussels to Ostend, Belgium.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 32.1.

 

 

 

3D guidance

The grade on this project was trimmed to exacting specifications with a 9500 equipped with a stringless system.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 29.2.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This contractor used a GOMACO 9500 trimmer with a stringless system on a project in Scottsdale, Arizona.

 

 

 

3D guidance

This GHP-2800 two-track slipformed stringless on the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. The project was 18.75 feet (5.7 m) wide and 15 inches (381 mm) thick.

Read more about this project in GOMACO World 33.1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Additional Information

 

Read About The First Street In The U.S. To Be Paved Stringless

Download The GOMACO Full Line Brochure (PDF)

Stringless Information In: Deutsch - Francais - Italiano