Using Machine Control - Simple Tutorial

Outlining Machine control usage until Manual/videos are done.

SmartBlade is simplification of the SmartGrade program optimized for running machines and doing simple grade checking. Unlike SmartGrade, there is a single mode/view that shows the position of the GPS and the cut or fill at that point. Viewing the plans or 3D view is a button press away.

SmartBlade requires an aligned ADF file to function and automatically recovers whatever alignment is in the file. You can determine if a file is aligned by the presence of the GPS symbol (green compass) next to the file name. The steps are:

1. Save an ADF of the job model from Earthwork 4D up to AGTEK Access
2. In SmartGrade go to the Access - File tab and download the file.

1. Align the file to the job with SmartGrade.
2. Save and Upload the aligned File back up to Access. This allows any other device with SmartGrade or SmartBlade to get the file without requiring a new alignment.

SmartBlade is designed to use the last file used, the last GPS instrument used, and the last login and password. The idea is to simplify and speed up the startup every time except the initial setup.

1. Login - SmartBlade will remember the first login and password. If it needs to be changed later you can do so under Settings-Preferences-Login. If it fails for some reason it will automatically display.
2. Select a key - unlike other AGTEK programs, SmartBlade never asks to checkin the key at exit. Pick the key.
3. On a first install there is no file selected and SmartBlade will automatically take you to the file screen. If the job file you wish to use was aligned with the same tablet you should see that file under the local files because files are shared across programs on the same device. If it was aligned with a different device, tap the AGTEK Access Projects name in the upper left and choose the project from the list below it. Available files display to the right with aligned files displaying the green gps/compass icon. Pick the desired file and it will load. It will also load the next time SmartBlade is started from now on until it is changed.
4. Smartblade shares its GPS settings with SmartGrade if it is on the device. If the GPS has never been configured the program will then switch to the GPS tab. Tapping on the GPS list displays every device within range. Pick the desired GPS device and press Connect. The program attempts to connect to the GPS and initialize the instrument. At a successful initialization the program automatically displays the main screen. The next time SmartBlade starts up it will automatically attempt to connect to the last GPS device and initialize it.

Upon starting the program, the last file used loads and the GPS initializes. By default you're placed in the center of screen until the first position is received from the GPS.

The GPS will go through a normal process of getting corrections. As soon as the quality becomes “Fixed” you will be asked if you wish to Set Elevation. Set Elevation adjusts for the differences in height between the GPS when it was used to align and the GPS antenna while mounted on the machine.

NOTE:It is highly suggested that you create a convenient, marked point after aligning a file. With any RTK GPS device it is a good practice to check against a known elevation prior to the start of work each day.

This adjustment is never saved but the values from the previous Set Elevation are the defaults the next time the program is started. The process is this.

1. Either move the mounted GPS over a known elevation or shoot an elevation next to the blade with the GPS device at the same rod height as was used for alignment. Press Yes to start the Set Elevation process.
2. Tap the shoot button to establish what elevation the GPS currently thinks it is at.
3. Tap in the Known Elev. text box and type in the actual elevation when the keyboard displays. Press the checkmark to close the keyboard.
4. The difference between the alignment GPS height and the Machine height displays as Adjustment. Press Accept to adjust the elevation to compensate for the different machine mounting. Your Survey Elevation should be very close to the known elevation.