Of all the construction tools in a typical toolkit, few can beat the humble tape measure. It offers simplicity and speed for small tasks. It doesn’t need calibration or batteries. And it’s cost-effective–except when it isn’t. Like when you need someone else to hold it steady while you check a measurement across the room. Or when someone accidentally writes down the wrong measurement. Or when all the other trades are waiting on you to finish your layout so they can get to work.
What you really need is a simple solution that eliminates the need for a second pair of hands, reduces human error, and speeds up the entire process.
Nate Bush, a former line and grade manager in concrete construction, says that’s what makes the new Leica iCON iCS50 robotic construction sensor so intriguing.
“Instead of pulling a tape measure, I can take two shots and get that measurement,” Nate says. “To ensure something is plumb, I can shoot the bottom as a reference, then scope up to the top with the red dot, and it’ll tell me how far in or out it is. For concrete turnbuckles, I simply align the red dot on the form, check my tablet, and adjust until the wall is straight.”
Simple to Use with Powerful Capabilities
The robotic iCS50, along with its mechanical counterpart, the iCS20, uses visual measurement technology, which enhances traditional construction layout and measurement tasks by integrating camera-based visual tracking and automated functions.
Nate says the new technology is easy to use, light, and compact. It’s also smart. “The iCS50 can do many things independently,” he says.
Here are a few of the standout capabilities.
See What You’re Measuring.
Live camera feeds and image recognition assist in precise point selection, layout, and measurement. On a connected tablet, you see exactly what the sensor sees. You can visually confirm and select layout points directly from the tablet interface.
Let the Tool Do the Work.
Visual-based target tracking keeps the tool connected to the Leica vPole (or vPen) for fast and easy layout. The tool also automatically compensates for pole tilt and automatically detects the pole height.
“The camera is reading the little red dots on that ball and doing the geometry,” Nate says, “so it knows which way it’s rotated, if it’s tilted, if it’s upside down. It’s taking a measurement distance shot and giving you your position. It’s doing all that math and giving you an updated shot every second. It’s doing a lot of the work that a person would traditionally have to do, and it’s simplifying that process.”
The tool’s ability to automatically aim at targets and set itself up with minimal user input further improves measurement by reducing setup time and human error.
Scan the Space and Get a Drawing.
The ability to perform a linear scan makes it easy to capture complex contours, such as door arches or rooms with uneven walls. Simply define the start and end point of the measurement area, as well as the measurement interval. The iCS50 automatically scans the measurement area and provides accurate results. “Within five minutes, I’ve got an outline of the room that I can kick out to a CAD file,” Nate says.
Get It Right Every Time.
Nate appreciates the ability to perform layout tasks with minimal manual intervention.
One example involves using the iCS50 to measure window and mechanical openings. Previously, the process involved setting up a rotary laser, using a tape measure for manual measurements, and recording the data on paper, which was inefficient and prone to errors. With the iCS50, you can easily collect the data by placing the vPen in the corners of each opening. The tool automatically stores the points in a visual format on the tablet.
“You can do line work between the points right on the tablet,” Nate says. “From there, you can export that to a CAD file for the designers, which will give them a detailed plan view of that opening. It provides significant time savings and also minimizes rework by making sure everything is accurate right from the outset.”
A Fast, Easy, and Portable Measurement Tool
The iCS50 construction sensor is fast, easy to set up, and intuitive to use. Its compact, lightweight design makes it easy to carry around the jobsite. And it does far more than your tape measure ever could.
“It’s like a little assistant,” Nate says, “ready to tackle any measurement challenge.”
To learn more and explore how the new iCS construction sensors can work for you, contact us.
