Blog, Industry News, trenchless products
GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, announces the launch of the StructureScan™ Pro, a premier concrete scanning system that can accurately inspect concrete, measure slab thickness, and locate voids. StructureScan Pro is the ideal system for locating rebar, post-tension cables, and conduits; conduct real tie surveys for core clearance or post process data for reports. It reaches depths ranging from 0-18 inches. The system includes the newly updated SIR® 4000 control unit and a choice of the popular 1600 MHz or high-resolution 2600 MHz antenna. With a basic antenna upgrade, the SIR-4000 controller can also be used for utility detection and deep void detection applications.
StructureScan Pro locates embedments in real-time, showing such information as focus mode, zoom data, depth calibration and target markers. It also allows users to create x-ray-like 3D images of a survey area. The intuitive data visualization features includes the ability to slice through each data layer. Additional features include multiple color themes and save image functionality.
The updated SIR 4000 controller used with the StructureScan Pro is designed to bridge the legacy of GSSI’s traditional analog antennas with next-generation of digital offerings. The updates bring the StructureScan 2D collection module to the controller, simplifying its use for the concrete construction industry. The module includes high frequency antenna-specific set-ups to ensure survey efficiency, and enables the controller to automatically recognize smart antenna set-ups.
The updated SIR 4000 also enables the option of on-the-fly automatic gain to better enhance the data display, while still saving the file in the original raw format for post processing. Fully integrated, the SIR 4000 provides a 10.4 inch high definition LED display, a simple user interface, and plug-and-play GPS integration. The SIR 4000 is designed with a number of exclusive features, including a cast aluminum chassis that offers superior temperature stability, and an impact-resistant design that is fully IP 65 rated and can withstand tough jobsite conditions.
Offering the maximum in mobility, the StructureScan Pro system includes a lightweight, rugged handcart that is simple to transport. Also included is a 7-meter control cable, a rugged carrying case, two batteries and charger.
About GSSI
Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. is the world leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, primarily for the concrete inspection, utility mapping and locating, road and bridge deck evaluation, geophysics, and archaeology markets. Our equipment is used all over the world to explore the subsurface of the earth and to inspect infrastructure systems non-destructively. GSSI created the first commercial GPR system nearly 45 years ago and continues to provide the widest range and highest quality GPR equipment available today.
Blog, trenchless people
We are proud to spotlight NASTT’s 2017 No-Dig Show Silver Sponsor and Corporate Member Ditch Witch.
A good company is more than just the sum of its products. The Ditch Witch organization is understandably proud of the many innovative products they’ve contributed to the underground construction industry, but they reserve the full force of their pride for the thousands of employees, past and present, who have made these products possible.
Ditch Witch, a trade name of Charles Machine Works, is an American brand of underground utility construction equipment, which has been in operation since 1949. The company is based in Perry, Oklahoma.
Innovation of Ditch Witch® machines started in the 1940s when a compact trenching machine was created to replace the pick and shovel for installation of underground residential utility services.
The Ditch Witch® organization specializes in the design and manufacture of underground construction equipment. The company is a source for trenchers, vibratory plows, horizontal directional drilling systems, drill pipe, downhole tools, vacuum excavation systems, fluid management systems, and mini skid steers.
Blog, Industry News, trenchless products
Ottawa, IL, June 20, 2017 – LMK Technologies is proud to announce its continued five year partnership with Flow-Liner as a National Distributor of the Neofit System. The updated Neofit system is a durable, green, and cost effective method of trenchless rehabilitation of potable water lines, providing almost instantaneous results with increased flow rate and minimal diameter loss while creating a barrier from lead, preventing contamination and making water safe for consumers.
“LMK is very excited to continue partnership with Flow-Liner,” says Larry Kiest, Jr., President, CTO and Founder of LMK Technologies. “We look forward to promoting this technology with our highly skilled network of licensed contractors and distributors so water utilities across the country can benefit from improved water quality and meet the demand for renewed water service lines, complimenting the rise in rehabilitation of water mains.”
Neofit+ Plus System is a non-invasive pipe lining system especially designed for small diameter potable water service piping. The Neofit+ Plus Liner seals small leaks and pinholes in 1/2″ thru 2″ ID service piping. It also acts as a barrier between existing lead piping and potable drinking water. The Neofit+ Plus Liner is NSF-61 approved and has been tested to a minimum 50+ year life expectancy. LMK is promoting the advanced Neofit processing equipment, now providing lining lengths up to 300 feet. The technique necessitates minimal disturbance of surrounding ground, removing the risk of damaging other utility services. The absence of chemicals required makes it environmentally friendly and allows consumers to receive immediate return to service post processing.
To learn more about the Neofit+ Plus System, please contact LMK at 815-640-9302.
LMK Technologies, a world leader specializing in trenchless methods to renew subterranean pipeline infrastructure, has more than one hundred U.S. and foreign issued patents for its advancements in trenchless technology. Headquartered in Ottawa, IL since 1993, LMK serves the municipal, commercial and residential markets through a network of licensed and certified contractors. For more information regarding LMK, please visit www.lmktechnologies.com, call 1-815-640-9302 or email info@lmktechnologies.com.
Blog, trenchless products
We are proud to spotlight NASTT’s 2017 No-Dig Show Silver Sponsor and winner of one of NASTT’s 2017 Innovative Product Awards, Deep Trekker.
Deep Trekker, Inc. is your complete headquarters for high-quality, commercial-grade remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), also called underwater drones, specifically designed and developed to make underwater observation easy and affordable. Deep Trekker offers an extensive selection of submersible robots with cameras that are portable, easy to use and require no maintenance. What’s more, you can deploy our ROVs and Pipe Crawlers from just about anywhere — you don’t have to set up bulky, cumbersome generators or topside boxes.
They offer three complete robotic systems that can meet a variety of needs such as video inspection, light work, etc. Different package options are available so you can further customize the ROV system to your specific requirements.
DTG2: The world’s first fully portable ROV, the DTG2 is a commercial-grade mini ROV equipped with a patented pitching system for maximum maneuverability. The internal ROV camera offers an expansive field of vision you can easily control with the handheld controller device.
DTX2: The DTX2 is the world’s first fully portable vectored ROV — it is equipped with vectored thrusters that facilitate lateral movement and working in higher currents. Based on the same principles of the flagship DTG2 ROV system, the DTX2 ROV provides robust inspections for dives up to 1000 feet.
DT340: A wheeled or track vehicle, the DT340 provides ideal traction for inspecting wet or dry pipes. With internal batteries, the DT340 pipe crawler provides the portability you need and is submersible up to 50 meters.
D
eep Trekker was awarded NASTT’s Abbott Innovative Product Award at the 2017 No-Dig Show for their DT-340 Pipe Crawler! Congratulations Deep Trekker!
Blog, Industry News
The City Director came to Phillip Clark, Water Supervisor for Tavares, FL – America’s Seaplane City, with details of a surplus in the budget. “What can we add to our fleet to work smarter and not harder? What out there in the industry is new and innovative?” He asked.
Mr. Clark is constantly researching and reading about what is innovative and groundbreaking. He says that there isn’t much at times to be found, but he saw a VAC-TRON at work on the side of the road and had to look into it. He scheduled a demo and saw how productivity would greatly improve with the use of a low profile, trailered vacuum excavator. So, it was presented to council to be able to add an invaluable machine to their fleet. Council agreed and approved.
Project Descriptions
One of the many tasks his crews must handle is checking meter boxes and cleaning around the roots and debris that collects inside. This routine usually takes an entire day to handle just six or so boxes. Due to the sprawling roots, shovels are used to dig and it has been an inefficient process.
Another task is repairing leaks in water lines and removing the water and dirt to allow for a clear area to work. A sample that Mr. Clark shared was a recent water break under a concrete driveway that had to be broken away to reveal the repair project. It was a 2-inch water break 3 feet under driveway 2 ft. of concrete.
As for all cities – locating underground utilities is a constant project where in the past typically a probe is used. Finding these lines with a probe can be dangerous and time consuming.
Challenges
-Up to a day to clean out and view a half a dozen meter boxes
-Exposure to bugs, snakes, and other elements
-Excavation for small leaks, remove water to find the source of the leak
-Safety when digging around gas and power lines
The Solution
To upgrade from traditional methods of digging to a VAC-TRON increased efficiency. Adding a trailered vacuum excavator by VAC-TRON proved to be a well-made investment. The Low Profile Series has full potholing or daylighting and clean up capabilities with a 300-gallon debris capacity, manual spin-wheel door and two (2) 50-gallon water tanks.
Results
-Easily remove water and dirt for a more productive way to repair water line breaks
-Works as a mobile pressure cleaner as well without having to have a power source
-Will equate in to quick payback for the city, per Mr. Clark
-Keeps the team away from reptiles and insects
-A much safer way to dig
-Using a VAC-TRON only took 30 minutes to clean the same 6 boxes that used to take all day
Blog, Industry News, trenchless people
We are proud to spotlight NASTT’s 2017 No-Dig Show Silver Sponsor, Digitial Control Incorporated (DCI).
DCI was founded by longtime friends, colleagues, aeronautical engineers, and avid pilots John Mercer and Peter Hambling in 1990 to create the most advanced HDD locating and tracking system in the market. They also wanted to support this system with extraordinary world-class customer service.
DCI revolutionized the HDD industry with the introduction of the DigiTrak Locating system in 1991. The unique features of the new system provided greater accuracy for measuring the depth and location of the drillhead than prior systems. More importantly the new system provided two additional vital orientation parameters, pitch and roll. By knowing the pitch and roll of the drillhead the drill operators could advance the drill much faster and pull back the product easier so the drilling operation became more accurate, productive, and profitable. Almost overnight the other locating systems available at that time became obsolete and DCI steadily built a fast-growing market share.