Three dimensional (3-D) technology could eliminate the need for string lines on concrete paving projects, but Kent Godbersen, Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing—GOMACO, explains that there is a significant learning curve to use 3-D technology. “[But,] more contractors are seeing the benefits of a string-free jobsite,” says Godbersen. “3-D guidance is quickly moving beyond road paving, and contractors have successfully completed tunnel paving, slope paving, curb and gutter, sidewalk, and barrier and grade preparation projects without stringline. 3-D paving technologies promise easier access to the paver with fewer haul routes to maintain and less congestion—eliminating setting and re-setting stringline.”
Wade Bowman, National Sales Manager, Concrete Slipform Products—ISCP Organizational Member—Wirtgen America, Inc. said, “It probably won’t be much longer until we reach critical mass with stringless machine control, and it will become more mainstream. But there is a learning curve—transitioning to 3-D takes a lot of effort. It is a new way to work and learning how it all works takes some time. We have seen the largest learning curves with personnel who have been using stringline for a long time. Those who are newer to slipforming and are more comfortable with computers typically pick it up more quickly. It is actually easier than setting up a machine with stringline.”
Benefits of 3-D stringless:
- Contractors Benefits
- Improved Technology
- Savings Labor Cost
- Improve Smoothness
- Yield is better – Concrete not wasted
- Fastrack Jobsite Reopening
- Trucking Easier without stringline
- Less room for error
- Paving Machines Adapt to 3-D: “It is pretty standard now to buy a paving machine that is ready to ‘plug and play’ with these stringless systems,” says Chuck Niederriter, COO-Golden Triangle Construction, Pennsylvania, USA.
- 3-D Expands Into Curb and Gutter
Joe Allega Jr., Anthony Allega Cement Contractors Inc.-Ohio, USA, said that their company has seen the greatest return on investment from trucking and labor, but there are other benefits, as well. “It makes the trucking 100% easier not having to worry about the stringline. You have plenty of room. Now that we have gotten the hang of it, I feel that our ride quality has improved,” he said. “There is much less room for error. You are not constantly checking pins. You don’t have to worry about other things affecting the stringline—tightness, somebody missing a number. It takes the human error out of it.”
To read the original article by Curt Bennink on “ConstructionPros.com” and to view photos, please click here.
