A SCOTTISH civil engineering firm is introducing cutting edge global sat nav technology to the traditional building site.
Kilmac, which has bases in Dundee and Livingston, has invested a substantial five-figure sum to introduce the Trimble Earthworks Grade Control systems to its fleet of excavators.
Director Athole McDonald is confident the initial hardware and software package secured with Sitech UK and Ireland will translate into significant savings for the company and clients alike.
The technology has been going under the microscope at the site of the Dunfermline Learning Campus.
Following positive feedback, it is ready to be rolled out to various projects in the Central Belt.
Mr McDonald explained trained operators now have the latest GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) earthworks equipment at their fingertips.
Working to 2D and 3D plans mapped out by the Kilmac civil engineering team, in tandem with the client, touch screen technology in the cab guides the excavator bucket or attachment with pinpoint accuracy on the building site.
“Kilmac has never been afraid of change. Technological advances are changing the traditional face of the building industry, with benefits all round,” said Mr McDonald.
“We currently have a 12-strong fleet of excavators, with another 17 on hire.
“The trials and staff training at the Dunfermline campus over the last few months have been very encouraging.
“Our operators are upskilling through training and the implementation of technology improves accuracy and prevents errors.
“Efficiency is being improved given all the information which is now literally at the fingertips of operators.
“Design changes don’t have to be calculated and set out by traditional methods. We simply re-run the model and upload the information to the Cloud.
“The touch screen technology ensures accuracy, saving time and, crucially, money.”
