Intelligent Machine Control

Komatsu intelligent machines offer a fully integrated 3D GNSS system supported by Komatsu, making every pass count without climbing, cables, or daily connections required between the machine and blade.

Adding a grade control system to the proven performance of a Komatsu machine significantly increases productivity during all stages of earthmoving operations.

Komatsu Intelligent Machine Control - SMS Equipment Smart Construction

This year, Winnipeg held a customer demo to showcase Komatsu’s intelligent machine technology. Was it effective? Watch our customers’ experience and decide for yourself…

Performance highlights:

With conventional construction, material needs to be moved twice – first by a dozer, then by an excavator. With intelligent Machine Control technology integrated into your smart construction solutions, materials only need to be moved once. The Komatsu PC490LCi excavator handles work that dozers used to do, freeing up contractors to use those (now idle) dozers for:

• 31 extra hours of production each month
• 372 more hours per year
• 46.5 more 8-hour work days

Smart Construction also means more yards of material moved —220,118 more yards annually—enough to fill 66 Olympic-size swimming pools. More material moved, means greater profitability. Intelligent Machine Control saves contractors:

• 31 cents per yard
• $31,000 USD per month
• $372,000 USD per year

Benefits of intelligent Machine Control include:

• Use of machine control in both rough cut and finish grade
• Complete grading operations faster
• More efficient machine use
• Greatly decrease the number of grade stakes
• Lower machine operating costs
• Better material yields
• Improved fuel efficiency
• Improved operator performance

iMC Dozer Features

Seamless Operation: Dozer automatically shifts from “rough dozing” to “finish grading” when it comes close to the target surface.

Intelligent Performance: Operator selectable dozing mode and load settings to optimized performance.

Minimizes Track Slip: Reduce track wear and damage to the grade surface caused by track slip.

Operator Selectable Load Settings: Machine control load settings can be adjusted between presets to tailor the response to material conditions. From dry loose sandy soils to wet heavy clay materials, you can target system performance can accordingly.

As-Built Surface Track Mapping: Cab top GNSS antenna provides for accurate as-built surface data collection by measuring actual elevations as the machine continuously tracks in operation. Measure progress in real time with operator selectable settings.

View our line up of iMC Dozers

iMC Excavator Features

Innovative: World’s first intelligent Machine Control Excavator which features automation, not just indication/guidance.

Auto Grade Assist: With the auto grade assist function, when the operator moves the arm, the boom adjusts the bucket height automatically, tracing the target surface and minimizing digging too deep.

Auto Stop Control: During boom or bucket operation, the work equipment automatically stops when the bucket edge reaches the design surface, thus preventing damage to the design surface.

Minimum Distance Control: The bucket is controlled automatically by selecting the point on the bucket closest to the target surface. Should the machine not be facing a sloped surface at a right angle, it will still protect the target surface

View our line up of iMC Excavators

FAQ’s

Q : What does Komatsu mean by ‘integrated’ technology?

A: Komatsu features deep integration, which provides harmony between the machine control system and the machine. All components are designed and installed from the factory as part of the machine and truly integrated.

Q : What is meant by ‘automatic dozer’?

A: When autos are engaged, the lift and tilt function of the dozer blade is controlled by the machine, allowing the operator to focus on material management.

Q : What is meant by ‘semi-automatic excavator’?

A: When autos are engaged, if any part of the bucket comes in contact with the design surface, the work equipment automatically stops. As the operator pulls back on the arm, the boom will automatically raise. These features minimize over-excavation to the design surface.

Q : What applications are iMC dozers best used for?

A: 3D GPS automatic dozers are used in many applications from mass excavation to finish grading.

Q : What applications are iMC excavators best used for?

A: Use semi-automatic excavators for trenching, slope work and high production applications.

Q : What is ‘auto grade assist’?

A: With the auto grade assist function, the operator moves the arm, the boom adjusts the bucket height automatically, tracing the target surface and minimizing digging too deep. Auto grade assist allows the operator to perform rough digging without worrying about design surface, and to perform fine digging by operating the arm lever only. The working range is expanded by holding the lever to move the boom downward.

Q : What is ‘auto stop control’?

A: During boom or bucket operation, the work equipment automatically stops when the bucket edge reaches the design surface, thus preventing damage to the design surface. Bucket edge positioning is also made easy.

Q : What is GPS machine control?

A: GPS machine control utilizes Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to determine a machines position. When used with design data, and computer assisted hydraulic control, a machine can automatically adjust its ground-engaging equipment to accurately cut the designed grade of a project without operator adjustments.

Q : What are the different modes and their functionalities?

A: Machine control settings can be adjusted between presets to tailor the response to application and material conditions. From rough cut to finish grade and dry loose sandy soils to wet heavy clay materials, system performance can be targeted accordingly.

Q : What is required for design file information?

A: Flexibility is important for our customers, and our customers can adapt to the needs of a job. If the job requires high-precision engineered surfaces, we can import these complex surfaces. If the job only requires a simple surface, it may be possible to create your design surface right inside the cab of the machine.

Q : What is ‘as-built mapping’?

A: Cab top GNSS antenna allows for accurate as-built surface data collection by measuring actual elevations as machine continuously tracks in operation. Measure progress can in real-time with operator selectable settings.

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