The Stringless Curb machine isn’t exactly the newest invention in the concrete industry but it is definitely a game changer and technology has came a long way in allowing operators to work with the machines in an automated process. While you may be thinking machines will replace humans that actually isn’t the case at all here. At any given time on this project there were at least 5 crewmembers working at once. Really this type of technology is just an extension the operator and crew.
This particular operator had been in the concrete industry on these curb machines for over 30 years. He is a master in his work and used GPS to guide the machine before, but with Construction Engineering Solutions (CES) guiding him on the invisible GPS line there was nothing we couldn’t handle except for the occasional tree overhead that might block some signals the process was as smooth as the concrete emerging from the mold.
Those who are familiar with the machine and process would be happy to tell you they would probably much rather do stringless. Why? Simply put, the stringed machine has to follow a visible line that extends along the curb. Stakes have to be pounded into the surface in order to guide the machine on the right path. This typically will result in a surveyor staking these points on the line. Not only this could be time consuming but costly.
Stringless however is exactly the opposite. In the same way a literal string is used on a string machine, the stringless follows the same line but guided by GPS for the machine’s X and Y coordinates and lasers for elevation. With this power combo, the machine turns out curb with style.
For this project our focus was on creating the linework for the machine, connecting the machine to GPS and use lasers for data. This resulted in a variety of control points, data points, base stations, and other pieces of the puzzle that were all pulled together in a perfect sequence in order to make it happen. We even overheard some of the concrete workers who have been in the industry for more than 10 years say that the stringless was “nice.”
