Guntert & Zimmerman says its G&Z S600, S850 and S1500 mainline concrete pavers will all be available with "Direct Connect" software interface, allowing Leica Geosystems' grade-controllers to communicate directly with G&Z's Networked Microprocessors. This significant enhancement will simplify installation and improve performance of the machine interface with Leica 3D controls. Three-dimensional control for G&Z's PS1200 Placer Spreader will also be available.
The alliance grows from a partnership the two companies started in late 2008, when G&Z and Leica paired up to delivering three-dimensional stringless paving technology to a customer base focused on ride smoothness. The substantial potential benefits of 3D stringless paving are easy to imagine, but prior to this time, contractors widely considered stringless technology better suited to airfield paving and highway paving under less stringent smoothness specifications.
This perception began to change in late 2009 when G&Z and Leica Geosystems joined Flynn Construction of Dubuque, Iowa, on a 10.5-mile Highway 65 demonstration project near Mason City, Iowa. Flynn's G&Z S850 paver was controlled using Leica's industry-standard LMGS-S stringless concrete paving system.
Under Iowa's very strict zero blanking band smoothness specification, Flynn earned 100% of the available smoothness bonus and did zero grinding. The smoothness achieved on the Flynn I-65 project established a new paradigm using Leica's LMGS-S, ride was indisputably proven to be as good as the best stringline-guided slipform paving.
Since Fall of 2009, G&Z and Leica Geosystems have successfully commissioned nine Leica stringless installations on ten North American projects. Both organizations intensively cross-trained their respective sales and service teams and G&Z's 24/7 service hotline will be expanded to support Leica users. Leica Geosystems also manage a service hotline to support users of Leica 3D stringless paving technology worldwide.
