The kubit team is honored to co-host this 30 minute webinar with their friends at the Autodesk Plant Solutions team. 

This session will demonstrate how point clouds can be used effectively in plant design and integrated with Autodesk’s AutoCAD® Plant 3D software. The kubit team will help bridge the gap between clouds and intelligent design. 

• Learn to accurately model entire Plant 3D pipe runs from point cloud data
• Generate Isometric or Orthographic drawings directly from modeled lines
• Understand alternatives to modeling for locating tie-in points and tagging areas of interest
• Clash detect effectively between proposed design and existing conditions 
• Automate steel extraction from cloud data
• Gain valuable information on the Autodesk Plant Design Suite

When: Tuesday, May 1st, 2012 9:00AM – 9:30AM (Pacific Daylight Time) 

Registration: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

GS08 Network Rover explained:

GS08 in a nut-shell:
GSO8 is an lightweight and cable-free “All-in-One GNSS Network Solution” Viva Rover.

What do I get in the box?
GS08 antenna, CS10 Field Controller, 3 batteries (6-8hrs each), pole clamp & bracket

What sort of positional accuracy is achievable with this kit?
10-15mm in plan, 20-25mm in height, when dialling into SmartNet.

Do I need anything extra i.e. mobile phones, SmartNet licenses, software?
The CS10 has its own 3.5G mobile internet modem, so a sim-card sits straight into the controller, and connects to the internet. Therefore, you do not need any ancillaries. When purchased, you get a 1yr high-user subscription to SmartNet as standard. After the first year, you can choose to have either a low-user (40hrs/mnth cumulative for £1,200) or high-user (unlimited for £2,000) license through SCCS and Leica Geosystems UK. Leica Geo Office software is extra, although this is not needed if undesired.

What is GNSS?

Global Navigation Satellite Systems – at the moment there are 30 GPS SV’s and 22 GLONASS SV’s totalling 52 satellites).

Is it GLONASS enabled?
Yes, the GS08 is GPS and GLONASS enabled, making it a dual-frequency (L1 & L2), dual-constellation receiver.

What software does it have?
It runs the ‘Leica SmartWorx Viva Lite’ proprietary field software. This has slightly less functionality than the full SmartWorx Viva; it does not support RoadRunner, and lacks some TPS-specific applications.

I like keyboards; can you have it with the larger controller and a keyboard?
No, the CS15 cannot be used with the GS08 antenna. Although the CS10 does not have keyboard, it is promoted as a touch-screen driven device (similar to the Topcon GRS-1), and instead uses pop-up on-screen keyboards and buttons, instead of hot keys.

I have a 500 / 900 / 1200 / Viva reference antenna (base). Can I use the GS08 as a traditional PDL-rover?
No, the GS08 is specifically a Network Rover. Similarly, its brother, the GS12, cannot use PDL/ADL/Satel-radios for RTK corrections. Only a GS10 (backpack solution receiver) or the GS15 are full network and radio base/rovers. To use the GS08 you will need a subscription to a commercial RTK supplier; either Leica’s SmartNet or Trimble’s’ VRS-Now, or Trimble’s TopNet.

How do I get data onto and from the device?
‘SmarWorx Viva Lite’ will import Ascii (CSV/TXT), AutoCad DXF, GSI and some Mx data. Likewise, using ‘format-files’, you can export in many standard or user defined formats, for use in conjunction with 3^rd party survey software, from CAD to SCC, LSS, N4CE etc. Data transfer can be done via; SD-card, CF-Card, USB-stick, docking-station and USB-cables (using ActiveSync).

I’m unfamiliar with Leica field software. What is ‘SmartWorx Viva Lite’ like?
SmartWorx has been designed around a so call “TomTom” style user interface, with icon driven menus. Text and pictorial descriptions explain the choices available to the user, available through a stylus-enabled touch screen. Crutially, as well as installation training on product delivery, SCCS provides over-the-phone technical support, and can arrange for further equipment training on-site or in-house where necessary.

Image Assisted Surveying – by what measure is IAS faster than instruments with and without ATR

Speed of target aiming (source: Leica Geosystems CH, 5^th Jan 2011):

Manual: 14.48 s, + 4 s      = 18.48 s

ATR: 10.42 s, +4 s              = 14.42 s

IAS: 7.02 s, +4 s                  = 11.02 s

Based on the typical ‘Measurement Time for GPR1’: 3 – 4 s

For a hypothetic survey, lasting 8hrs, if points were measured constantly;

Number of points measured in an 8hr period

Manual:        1,558 point

ATR:               1,997 points

IAS:                2,613 points

This situation equates to a 40% increase in productivity when using the “Tap & Turn” Viva principle.

The iSTAR® is precision engineered like no other camera and its construction pushes the very limits of today’s manufacturing and lens technology.

iSTAR is available in two software models – FUSION and PULSAR‚ both of which photograph the full spherical environment. PULSAR offers extended capabilities over FUSION, including speed and time saving features to speed up productivity and provide even higher quality HDR images. It also offers a superior user interface with live full immersive video preview, network connectivity and fast capture for video surveillance.

iStar Fusion

The iSTAR® is precision engineered like no other camera and its construction pushes the very limits of today’s manufacturing and lens technology. With no moving parts and a solid steel body, it is this armour that allows the camera to operate at the highest level of precision in the harshest of environments.

iStart Pulsar

iSTAR PULSAR offers extended capabilities over the iSTAR FUSION model, including speed and time saving features to speed up productivity and provide even higher quality HDR (high dynamic range) images.It also offers a superior user interface with live full immersive view and introduces network connectivity and fast capture for video surveillance.

iSTAR® Pulsar additional features:

Enhanced image preview
Output directly to HDMI TV
Tilt and digital compass integration
Auto flip & In-picture modes
11 exposures enhanced HDR delivers superior image detail
Ethernet network support

The iStar camera will be avialable as part of a laser scanning package to either hire or buy very soon. Please contact hds@sccssurvey.co.uk or 01480 404888 for more information.

Sources:

http://facility.unavco.org/kb/questions/291/What+is+NTRIP%3F

http://gisdevelopment.net/technology/gps/images/ma06102_1.jpg
When we dial-in to SmartNet after establishing our GPRS/UMTS internet connection on our GNSS-Rover, we are greeted with the “Net 1: Connected”, then “Connected to NTRIP Caster” info messages. But what do they really mean?
NTRIP or “Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol,” is a protocol developed by the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy of Germany (BKG) that enables streaming of DGPS or RTK correction data via the internet.

There are three major parts to the NTRIP system: The NTRIPClient, the NTRIPServer, and the NTRIPCaster:

• The NTRIPServer is a PC running software (Leica Spider) communicating directly with a GNSS reference station (the physical SmartNET infrastructure).  The NTRIPServer serves as the intermediary between the network of GNSS receivers (NTRIPSource) streaming RTCM data and the NTRIPCaster.

• The NTRIPCaster is a HTTP server which receives streaming RTCM data from one or more NTRIPServers and in turn streams the RTCM data to one or more NTRIPClients via the internet.

The NTRIPClient (users in the field) receives streaming RTMCv3.1 data from the NRTIPCaster to apply as Real-Time corrections to a roving GNSS receiver (Leica SmartRover). It is the NTRIPCaster that authenticates our User Name and Password as we dial in to the “SmartNet Main” IP-address (217.146.121.50 / 7801).
For more information about SmartNet licenses please contact sales@sccssurvey.co.uk .
If you are an existing user, and need to double-check your license details or expiration dates, please contact techsupport@sccssurvey.co.uk .
For more info on Network RTK software solutions please see http://www.leica-geosystems.com/en/Product-News_934.htm?changelang=true&id=3272

Logging Raw Obs – a behind-the-scenes life saver

When creating a RTK configuration-set, (i.e. SmartRover or PDLRover), it is always worthwhile ticking the option to “Log Raw Obs” when “Static & Moving” at a Log Rate of 1Hz. If this option is ticked and raw-obs are logged, you have the ability to post-process your points (using 1s SmartRINEX data from Leica’s SpiderWeb website), in the event that your RTK corrections drop out. This is slightly dissimilar to a PPK working style, however the principles are very similar, reliant on a 10minute initialisation period at the beginning of the survey.

This option serves as a backup lifeline to your RTK survey – obviously this will not help you stakeout points in real-time as your coordinate quality is likely to be 5-10m.

For those with a SmartNet license, please follow the link below for more information about registering with SpiderWeb, or contact SCCS technical-support.

http://smartnet.leica-geosystems.co.uk/SpiderWeb/frmIndex.aspx

Image Assisted Surveying – by what measure is IAS faster than instruments with and without ATR

Speed of target aiming (source: Leica Geosystems CH, 5^th Jan 2011):

Manual: 14.48 s, + 4 s      = 18.48 s

ATR: 10.42 s, +4 s              = 14.42 s

IAS: 7.02 s, +4 s                  = 11.02 s

Based on the typical ‘Measurement Time for GPR1’: 3 – 4 s

For a hypothetic survey, lasting 8hrs, if points were measured constantly;

Number of points measured in an 8hr period

Manual:        1,558 point

ATR:               1,997 points

IAS:                2,613 points

This situation equates to a 40% increase in productivity when using the “Tap & Turn” Viva principle.

Echo Sounding – Leica SmartWorx & SonarLite for hydrographic surveys

Leica Geosystems ‘System 1200’ can now accept and record depths from an Ohmex SonarMite echo-sounder via a cable. When you measure a GPS position (RTK), the most recently received echo-sounder depth is recorded as an Annotation to that point. For shallow inshore and offshore waters, this new synchronization opens up new possibilities for hydrographic surveying. Using the correct Format File, a CSV coordinate file with measured depth in the 5th column can be exported. Using LGO, or a third party survey software such as SCC, a DTM of the river channel/sea bed can be generated – use ‘Auto Points’ to capture a point every 0.5m, allowing you to navigate the vessel.

Depth Range: 0.30m to 75.00m (Software limited)

Accuracy: +/-0.025m (RMS)

For more information and a quick-guide to configure your Rx1250 / GX1200 please contact the SCCS Technical Support team, or email us at techsupport@sccssurvey.co.uk .

Echo Sounding – Leica SmartWorx & SonarLite for hydrographic surveys

Leica Geosystems ‘System 1200’ can now accept and record depths from an Ohmex SonarMite echo-sounder via a cable. When you measure a GPS position (RTK), the most recently received echo-sounder depth is recorded as an Annotation to that point. For shallow inshore and offshore waters, this new synchronization opens up new possibilities for hydrographic surveying. Using the correct Format File, a CSV coordinate file with measured depth in the 5th column can be exported. Using LGO, or a third party survey software such as SCC, a DTM of the river channel/sea bed can be generated – use ‘Auto Points’ to capture a point every 0.5m, allowing you to navigate the vessel.

Depth Range: 0.30m to 75.00m (Software limited)

Accuracy: +/-0.025m (RMS)

For more information and a quick-guide to configure your Rx1250 / GX1200 please contact the SCCS Technical Support team, or email us at techsupport@sccssurvey.co.uk .

Source: http://www.ohmex.com/sonarmite.htm

Source: http://www.zeework.co.uk/sonarmite.htm

We are very pleased to announce the Product Release of the Leica HDS8400

The HDS8400 is a entry level laser scanning system designed for routine scanning tasks in mining and topographic survey applications. Optimized for medium sized open pit mine surveys and stock pile surveys the HDS8400 laser scanner features integrated controls and removable data storage in a compact design.

 Maximum range 700m.

 Range accuracy 20mm.

 Weight 12kg.

 Onboard controls.

 USB scan storage.

Please download the Brochure for more information… >>Leica HDS8400<<

The Leica HDS8400 is immediately available. Please contact hds@sccssurvey.co.uk or 01480 404888 for more information.