- Reference surface
- Background Plan
- Avoidance Zone
- Map Recording
- GPS Receiver Configuration
The Design Surface file can be one of several different file types.
- Road (*.dc)
- TIN (*.svd or .ttm)
- Grid (*.dtx)
- Slope (*.tsd)
- Level (*.tsd)
Note: Use AccuGrade Office in order to convert designs to *.svd and *.svl formats. The converted files will load and operate more efficiently.
The cut or fill calculation is the vertical difference from the drum edge and the elevation of the design at that point for both drum edges. The grade of the design is based on a defined design surface. This surface can be either a "planar" surface or an "irregular" surface. The design surface is created using one of the following methods:
AccuGrade System keypad - This method is normally used for planar on-site designs, such as extra building pads or temporary access ramps.
External source - An external source is any source that utilizes software packages. The software packages must be able to create design surfaces that are supported by the AccuGrade System or by AccuGrade Office.
SV Design files (*.svd) and Linework files (*.svl) were developed in order to maximize the efficiency of the AccuGrade System. These files allow very large designs to be loaded as a single file. This process allows the machine to work over a greater area without changing design. Use the AccuGrade Office software in order to convert your digital design to the *.svd format or to the *.svl format.
Road files describe a road surface by using horizontal and vertical alignments. A series of templates or standard cross sections have been applied to the alignments.
The AccuGrade System uses the *.dc file format versions 6.5, 7.0, or 7.5. If your design is not in this format, use AccuGrade Office in order to import your road design and convert the design to the *.dc file format. Most standard roading software is supported either directly or through some simple conversion tools. Refer to the on-line help in AccuGrade Office to verify that your road design format is supported.
Triangular Irregular Network (TIN) files describe a design surface by using a mesh of triangles.
A TIN is a better format than a grid for modeling design surfaces. A TIN more accurately represents sharp edges. A TIN also uses fewer points. In order to model the same design when transferring a TIN into the AccuGrade System, create the TIN as a *.ttm file.
The AccuGrade System can use these formats directly. Alternatively, use the AccuGrade Office software to convert the TIN or *.ttm files to an *.svd file.
A Grid file is a rectangular grid of points. The points are normally derived from other digital elevation information or from field survey data. An elevation is assigned to each point in the grid.
In order to transfer grid DTM data into the AccuGrade System, create the grid in *.dtx file format. The AccuGrade System can read this format directly.
Alternatively, use the AccuGrade Office software to convert the DTM or *.dtx files into a *.svd file.
Sloping Surfaces are defined by a master alignment and a slope on either side. Two different planes are defined at the same time.
Sloping Surface designs can be entered in the office. Additionally, the operator can enter information in the field by using the Display. The operator can enter new designs or the operator can edit existing designs.
A Sloping Surface can be defined in two ways.
Point / Direction - This method uses one set of coordinates, direction, grade, and left/right cross slope.
Two Point - This method uses two sets of coordinates and left/right cross slope.
Guidance is performed in the same way for either method. Use the method that is most convenient.
In order to create a new Sloping Surface design in the office, use the AccuGrade Office software. The designs can be used to define a polygon. The polygon indicates the extents of the surface design.
A Level Surface design contains a name and an elevation.
Level Surface designs can be entered in the office. Additionally, The operator can enter information in the field by using the Display. The operator can enter new designs. The operator can edit existing designs.
In order to create a new Level Surface design in the office, use the AccuGrade Office software. The designs can be used to define a polygon. The polygon indicates the extents of the surface design.
Another type of file that can be in the design folder is a Reference Surface file. A reference surface modifies one of the previous design types. This file is used in order to give vertical guidance at predetermined distances. The distances are above the design surface or below the design surface.
A number of reference surfaces can be stored in the same Reference Surface file.
In order to create a Reference Surface file in the office, use the AccuGrade Office software.
Note: An *.ofs file will not be used if the .ofs file is in a design folder with an *.svd file. This is because the *.svd files include reference surfaces as part of the design.
The Background Plan file is stored in a folder that also contains a design. The Background Plan file is loaded when the design is loaded. The Background Plan file shows any detail that is applicable to the design that the file is associated with. You can select any line in this file for horizontal guidance.
Typical Background Plan files may contain the following items:
- Contour lines
- Building pad outlines
- Lines required for horizontal guidance
- Road alignments
- Other significant points of interest
The file can also show features by color. Water features can be blue. Hazards are colored red. Examples of hazards are pipes that are buried in the ground and overhead wires. The red color is used to alert the operator to the hazard.
The AccuGrade System supports two different Background Plan file formats. The system can be in AccuGrade Linework format (*.svl) or in a DXF format.
The Background Plan file needs to use one of the following names:
- *.svl
- Background.dxf
- *.bg.dxf
The Background Plan loads when the design is loaded. There should be only one Background Plan file in the design folder. The software searches for the first available *.svl file. This is the file that is loaded. If a *.svl file is not present, then the software searches for a Background.dxf file. If the software does not find a Background.dxf file, the software searches for a *.bg.dxf file.
Note: Use the AccuGrade Linework (*.svl) format. These *. svl formats are the most efficient files for theAccuGrade System.
Design Avoidance Zone files provide information about specific areas on the design that must be avoided. These files must be *.svl files or a valid DXF format. These files are specified as either *.avoid.dxf or else *.avoid.svl. One or more files are stored in the design folder of the data card. The files are always loaded when the files are present.
Map Recording files are created in the field during machine operation. Unlike most other files in the design folder, these files are not prepared in the office.
Map Recording files, such as Radio Coverage, contain position information and attribute information that can be displayed on the plan view. Map Recording can be configured in order to record and display different types of information, such as position information.
The Map Recording files are stored within the current design directory. Individual Map Recording files are created for the different map recording types. The Map Recording file name includes the name of the design and the map recording type. All of the Map Recording files have a *.cat extension. When the design or map recording type is changed, the AccuGrade System loads the appropriate Map Recording file if the file exists.
Map Recording files are named as follows.
<Map recording type><Design file name>.cat
Refer to Systems Operation, "Map Recording" for more information.
Note: Map Recording files do not contain the productivity data. Only *.tag files contain productivity data. To ensure correct field data is logged for production analysis in the office, set Production Reporting to "Yes" in the "Installation" menu and select a valid Design file. To view the path of the machine while performing work, also select "CCV and Coverage" under the "Configuration" Menu and Map Recording.
GPS Receiver Configuration File
Note: Always check the coordinates of your drum against a surveyed stake when a new *.cfg file is loaded.
The *.cfg file is stored in either the design folder or in the root directory of the data card. When the *.cfg file is in the design folder, the AccuGrade System automatically sends the *.cfg file to the GPS receiver when the design is loaded. A *.cfg file in the root directory will be applied to any design that does not contain a *.cfg file.
The *.cfg file contains the local coordinate system parameters and the GPS calibration parameters.
In order to create the *.cfg file, use the AccuGrade Office software. Always put this file in each design folder on the data card.
Design Size Problem and Solution
If you do not use the AccuGrade Design formats (*,svd and *.svl), then the combined size of the design, DXF Site Map, Avoidance Zones and/or Background Plan files may be too large for the AccuGrade System to load from the data card.
If this occurs, then a message appears stating that the combined size of the files is too large for the system. To correct this problem, use AccuGrade Office to convert the design files to *.svd format and to convert the DXF Linework files to a *.svl format. Alternatively, review the design and then reduce the size of the design and/or the DXF files.
Use the AccuGrade Office software v7.0 with Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows XP in order to guarantee that the design, Site Map, Avoidance Zone, and Background Plan files will load into the AccuGrade System.