Fast results and minimal preparation with mmGPS controlled sliding formwork machine

Puzzling with prefab elements to build bike paths, edging strips and boardwalks is a thing of the past for the company Superbeton. It recently purchased the first 3D shuttering machine in Belgium, equipped with Topcon's unique mmGPS technology. This not only guarantees faster results with unparalleled precision, but also makes the preparation of each site less labor-intensive because the machine operates largely autonomously.

Sliding formwork machines (slipform pavers) with mmGPS have long been very popular in America, where construction sites are often vaster and budgets more generous than in Belgium. "For smaller construction sites, 3D slipforming used to be too expensive to be an interesting investment, but Topcon's 3D control technology can be used on multiple machines simultaneously. This can be multiple sliding formwork machines, but also different types of machines simultaneously, such as milling machines, bulldozers, pavers and so on," explains Arnaud De Cnijf of Topcon.

 "If you want to invest, you have to do it right the first time. A healthy, growing company like ours does not benefit from technology that will be obsolete tomorrow," adds Frederik Laeremans, manager of Superbeton. "Superbeton wants to be and remain a forerunner in the concrete world. An intelligent slipform paver fits perfectly into that picture."

Horizontally and vertically accurate

Moreover, thanks to Topcon's single mmGPS controller - an mmGPS receiver (GNSS receiver combined with a laser receiver) and a second, regular GNSS receiver - concrete pouring accuracy is guaranteed both horizontally and vertically. This is special in the world of sliding formwork machines, which previously could not benefit from GPS technology because vertical precision left much to be desired. The laser device now successfully makes up for that deficiency. 

Signal interrupted? No problem

In addition, Topcon's mmGPS technology always performs optimally, even on busy construction sites where a large number of machines are working simultaneously in a small area. Arnaud De Cnijf: "If the signal from the receiver on the machine is temporarily interrupted, for example by a truck driving by, a prediction time of a few seconds occurs. The slipform paver pours the concrete anyway without interruptions." 

No more pickets and cords

Concrete works are seasonal and require intensive preparation. Chris Martens, project manager at Superbeton: "Even if you can pour concrete in one piece, it still takes quite a few man hours with an ordinary slide formwork machine to work to millimeter accuracy. A surveyor's crew has to strike the necessary stakes and attach cords so that the sliding formwork machine knows which line to follow."

But thanks to Topcon's mmGPS control technology, Superbeton's slipform paver no longer needs pickets and cords. Chris Martens: "Instead of a physically present cord, our slipform paver now follows a digital line. So we can always get straight to work, without having to place hundreds of pickets in advance. This is pleasant work for us and the other contractors, but also for road users and local residents. There is less tripping hazard and we can clear the road much faster."

Training with an eye for practice

Topcon believes it is important for customers to get the most out of their purchase, whatever the product. Superbeton was previously familiar with Topcon's 3D control technology, but it had not yet been installed on a sliding formwork machine. So they mapped out a personalized training path for Chris Martens. 

And he is very satisfied with this approach: "After half a day of theory, I was given a whole week to practice on site. If something didn't work out so well, the Topcon experts were happy to explain it again. Now I can simply take on the surveyor's preparatory work after a brief survey. If I still have a question, I can count on the support team at any time. Topcon plays very close to the ball and that is definitely a plus in our industry."

All (concrete) roads open

Superbeton's 3D slipform pavers are the result of an intensive collaboration between manufacturer Gomaco, machine importer De Brucyker-Kemp and Topcon Positioning Systems. Although unique in Belgium, the smart slipform pavers are already being used today in hundreds of countries for both small and large concrete works. Superbeton, too, is now considering equipping a larger machine with the mmGPS technology, so that they will soon be able to pour not only edge strips but also full concrete roads in one fluid motion with only minimal preparation work.