Automated Total Station Laser Layout for Vertical Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual layout process for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in construction is tedious, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to inaccuracies in wall locations and orientations, which complicates the precise placement of construction points on vertical surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An automated method using a total station to direct a laser beam and calculate the three-dimensional location of points on vertical surfaces, iteratively adjusting the beam to find the closest point on a reference line until it is within a predetermined distance, facilitating precise marking for cuts and installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement and marking methods are used to locate construction points on walls, then workers can physically mark locations, but the process becomes tedious, time-consuming, and prone to cumulative errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement tools (tape measures, chalk lines, level) with an automated optical measurement system consisting of a total station and laser device. The total station automatically measures three-dimensional coordinates of wall surfaces and calculates precise construction point locations, eliminating manual measurement errors and significantly reducing layout time while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement and self-calculation by automatically capturing wall surface geometry through laser scanning and total station measurement, then computing optimal construction point locations without requiring manual intervention for measurement and calculation, though worker oversight remains for verification and marking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual measurement methods are used to account for wall location variations and orientations, then all variables can be measured, but the complexity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual procedures for accounting for wall variations with an automated computational system. The total station and laser device automatically capture three-dimensional wall geometry, and the system calculates construction point locations that automatically accommodate wall position variations, curved surfaces, and non-perpendicular orientations, simplifying the process while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional plan-based layout to three-dimensional coordinate-based layout by capturing actual wall surface geometry through laser measurement. This allows the system to adapt to real-world wall variations by working with actual three-dimensional parameters rather than idealized two-dimensional plans, automatically adjusting construction point locations to accommodate measured wall orientations and positions.
3Measurement precision
If iterative laser beam adjustment is performed to find the closest point on a reference line, then measurement precision improves, but the number of steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by iteratively measuring the laser-illuminated point on the wall, comparing its position to the reference line, and adjusting the laser aim accordingly. Each iteration uses the previous measurement results to refine the construction point location, with the total station providing continuous feedback on position accuracy until the desired precision threshold is achieved, automatically terminating when sufficient accuracy is reached.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces the time and error in locating construction points on vertical surfaces, enabling faster and more accurate layout processes even with curved or inaccurately positioned walls, enhancing construction efficiency and precision.
Implementation Method 1
directing a beam of laser light from an automated total station
Implementation Method 2
by detecting the light reflected from those surfaces, determine the three dimensional coordinates of the illuminated points
Data Source
AI summary
A method of directing a beam of laser light at a target point defined by the intersection of a reference line with a generally vertical surface may comprise: a.) defining the reference line, b.) calculating a three dimensional location of a point on the line, c.) directing a beam of laser light from an automated total station toward the point on the line, d.) measuring the three dimensional location of the reference point on the vertical surface illuminated by the beam of laser light, e.) determining the point on the line closest to the reference point on the surface, f.) redirecting the beam of laser light from the automated total station toward the point on the line closest to the reference point, and g.) repeating steps d.) through f.) until the closest point on the reference line is less than a predetermined distance from the reference point.