Landscape Contractor / Design Build Maintain

OCT 2016

LC/DBM provides landscape contractors with Educational, Imaginative and Practical information about their business, their employees, their machines and their projects.

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In this day and age, every time you turn around, there's some new gadget aimed at making people's lives easier or more entertaining. Virtual reality, augmented reality, wearable technology and more are slowly working their way into our everyday lives, and making work safer and more efficient. Building Information Modeling BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is, at its most basic level, a highly accurate, collaborative 3-D model. BIM takes a two-dimensional blue- print and moves it beyond 3-D to include height, depth, width, time, and cost. The design as a whole is made up of a combination of objects, and the programs to create the models include specific in - formation on those objects, such as dimensions and cost. Among the benefits of BIM is its collaborative na- ture. Each model goes from designer, to contractor, to subcontractors, to owner, allowing each profes- sional to contribute their specialized knowledge. This increases communication and visualization: builders have been able to spot design flaws and cor- rect them before materials are ordered, saving time and money in the process. There are several BIM programs available, includ- ing Autodesk and Trimble. These are software add- ons that can help turn an existing program into one that will do BIM. B-processor is a program that was created specifically for building information model- ing, and can be downloaded at www.b-processor.dk. Grade Control Technology The intent of grade control technology is to help equipment operators cut a grade accurately on the first pass, shortening the time required to complete the task and increasing efficiency. There are two types: 2-D and 3-D. Two-dimensional grade control is ideal for main - taining a specific slope angle on a flat plane, and uses sonic sensors or laser transmitters to cut, fill and finish grade. The 2-D systems are generally less expensive than a 3-D system, and work well in a constant environment. Above: Grade control technology helps equipment operators make the grade the first time, through either operator assistance or an autopilot-type function. A 2-D system uses lasers and sensors to detect grade; a 3-D system uses those in conjunction with a model uploaded to the machine's computer and GPS tracking. Grade control technology can be used for flat planes or complex curves. John Deere and Caterpillar are beginning to incorporate grade control technology into select models of their excavators, graders, and dozers. tinyurl.com/hw4wqby tinyurl.com/hlwx3yh 66 LC DBM Changing Landscape of Technology The By Alli Rael, LC/DBM

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