Hi guys!
I wonder what magnitude of vibration my Leica Flexline can effectively handle. I am hesitant to allow my total station in such a type of work environment. I have a feeling that extreme high vibration due to heavy machinery can break my total station down. Any experiences or any related idea?
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Arnel M. Domag
nth geograhics and geometrics
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Replies
Arnel, as you may already know, a total station, regardless of brand or model, will almost unavoidably become subject to shakes, rattles, and rolls (hopefully not too many rolls). I recall peering through the scope of more than one total station while making a measurement in the presence of heavy machinery, noticing the movement of the cross-hairs and the generally blurry image created by a vibratory roller, or some other nearby behemoth of steel and hydraulic fluid. The total stations were always able to withstand the punishment and needed only normal yearly calibrations & cleanings. Actual harm to your total station in this work environment is unlikely, however, the quality of your measurements may tend to be compromised by the dynamics of working in an environment that nearly resembles that of an earthquake. All I have to offer for advice is that you make your measurements when the disturbance is minimal and that you perform collimation adjustments on your equipment on a regular basis between its visits to the "doctor".
-Scott D. Warner, R.L.S.
Hi Scott!
Thank you for your reply.
I tried setting up my old Leica TC307 total station in a place just adjacent to a heavy machinery. I was not able to perform the electronic leveling during ts setup due to extremely high vibration. Its inclination sensor did not work since rapid undulations are well beyond its design threshold. To be able to proceed with my work, I decided to turn off the sensor and I went on measuring points with no tilt corrections.
During resection, I noticed the prism image in telescope swaying very rapidly with translations up to 2". I proceeded with my work with unleveled ts though bubble was visually leveled. I took some common point shots for checking purposes and I found out that my shots are off by roughly 2".
My concern is for my ts health during activation of EDM and other sensors for each measurement. Mechanical parts are moving during measurement with highly vibrating setup point. I have a feeling that it will fail too soon than the scheduled doctor visit if employed in such a level of punishment. And I don't want that to happen too soon since we don't have good and reliable ts doctors in the Philippines. Sending ts for repair or calibration is very costly to me.
Thank you.
Regards,
Arnel