Africa Surveyors September- October Digital issue 2021

INNOVATION
Epiroc launches ET51, a new tube drilling system
Epiroc launches a new tube drilling system –
ET51. It replaces the previous T51 tube drilling
system. This new system greatly outperforms
traditional speed-rod systems and allows for
straighter and deeper drilling. Unlike its predecessor,
ET51 comes with only one tube type which simplifies
procurement and management.
Straighter and deeper drilling
The ET51 tube drilling system allows for straighter
and deeper drilling while vastly improving service
life. The system’s capability of extremely straight
drilling is the result of a new tube design, a stiffer
drill string thanks to the shoulder drive, a new
coupling geometry and greatly improved bending
endurance resulting in up to twice the strength of our
previous model T51.
The new system also means that the operator can
drill deeper than before. Lighter tube ends, which
also have an improved geometry, allow more energy
to be transferred into the rock. The advantage
increases with each tube in the drill string, reducing
the rate of penetration loss per tube, adding up to
considerably deeper holes.
"Our new tube drilling system really provides a
significant advantage for the operator. Straighter and
deeper drilling means improved productivity. This is
further enhanced by fact that it comes with only one
tube type making management and procurement a
lot easier. It really is somewhat of a game changer,"
says Veselin Donchev, Global Product Manager, Epiroc
Tools & Attachment Division
Longer service life and improved
safety
Besides improving straightness, shoulder drive
reduces tube wear. The new optimized coupling
geometry, including patented threads, means less
mechanical wear. Field tests have shown that ET51
provides up to 45% longer service life. This greatly
improves personal safety for the operator through
fewer shifts. Another aspect of longer service life is
that there will be fewer tubes manufactured in total
over time, which in turn reduces the outtake of raw
material and less transportation.
"Sustainability and safety are important factors for
us when developing new products and longer service
life means less shifts which increases safety and
improves our carbon footprint. It is a win-win for both
us and our customers," emphasizes Veselin Donchev,
Global Product Manager, Epiroc Tools & Attachment
Division.
Pix4D, the market leader in photogrammetry
solutions, has just made the viDoc RTK rover
available for purchase in the USA and Canada.
Already available in Europe, the German-designed
rover attaches to the latest iOS devices to bring RTK
accuracy to terrestrial scanning on iPhones and iPads.
The viDoc rover and PIX4Dcatch solution can replace
the need for cumbersome and expensive survey tools
such as RTK GNSS rovers and terrestrial scanners for
a fraction of the price.
“The viDoc RTK is a very easy-to-use handheld
device used to 3D model just about any small area or
structure. Combined with processing in PIX4Dmatic
with both LiDAR and photogrammetry data, it’s an
exciting new and accurate product.” – Mark Paulson of
VerticalAspect, a professional surveyor with 30 years
experience and 10 years of experience working with
drones and photogrammetry in surveying.
When paired with the PIX4Dcatch mobile app, the
two products create a workflow that turns iPhones
or iPads into an accurate terrestrial scanning device,
with centimeter-accurate RTK positioning from
your existing NTRIP network. PIX4Dcatch also takes
advantage of LiDAR scanners in the latest devices,
which are also leveraged during data capture and
processing to improve scale and completeness.
The result is a survey-grade tool in the pockets of
professionals, replacing heavy LiDAR scanners and
rovers.
Pix4D Launches viDoc RTK Rover
The viDoc RTK rover for PIX4Dcatch is designed
to be seamlessly integrated with all of Pix4D’s
photogrammetry solutions. The easy workflow means
users can go from scanning a site in minutes with
the viDoc rover and PIX4Dcatch to processing on the
cloud with PIX4Dcloud for 3D-models and volume
measurements. Alternatively, they could process
the data from PIX4Dcatch in the desktop software
PIX4Dmatic and use both LiDAR and photogrammetry
data to get the desired outputs, which can be added
to PIX4Dsurvey for vectorization and be made ready
for CAD.
The ease of use, affordability, and quality of the
outputs of the viDoc RTK rover have the ability to
disrupt the AEC industry and bring new workflows to
fields including public works, accident reconstruction,
and stockpile management.
The viDoc RTK rover is available for sale from Pix4D
or licensed resellers across the United States and
Canada.
10 September-October issue l 2021 www.africasurveyorsonline.com