Guidemate Track3D Excavator Machine Guidance Walkthrough
Seeing machine guidance in operation provides a much clearer understanding of how the technology works inside the cab.
In this detailed walkthrough, Brendon from Guidemate takes viewers through Track3D on an excavator, demonstrating the complete workflow—from creating a project and importing design information to viewing live GNSS data, working with an alignment and creating new site designs directly from the machine.
Watch the video below to explore the Track3D interface and see its excavator guidance and on-site design tools in operation.
Setting Up a Track3D Project
The walkthrough begins by creating a new Track3D project and selecting the appropriate coordinate system.
Track3D includes commonly used and recently accessed coordinate systems, along with the option to use predefined systems or site localisations. Calibration files can also be loaded in several formats.
The demonstration uses GDA2020 and shows how an Australian geoid can be downloaded and applied within the software.
Importing and Working With Design Data
Once the project has been configured, Brendon demonstrates how to import design information into Track3D.
The software supports surfaces, linework, alignments, points and CAD files. Files can be accessed from local storage, a USB drive or supported cloud services.
After importing a DXF file and surface, the walkthrough shows the available text, blocks and linework before selecting an alignment for the excavator to follow.
Live Excavator Guidance
Track3D displays the excavator and project information together in real time. The operator can view the bucket’s position in relation to the selected surface or alignment, along with offsets to the required line.
The walkthrough demonstrates how bucket-tip and boom offsets can be used to position the excavator along a trench alignment. Operators can also enter a required offset and adjust it using smaller increments from the interface.
This provides a clear view of the machine’s position relative to the selected design or reference line while excavation work is being completed.
GNSS and Machine Sensor Information
The Track3D interface presents live information about the positioning system and machine sensors.
The demonstration explains how operators can view:
- GNSS positioning status, including fixed, float, DGPS and standalone solutions
- Estimated horizontal and vertical accuracy values
- Machine-sensor status and live angle data
- The number of satellites being used
- RTK correction latency
- Grid coordinates, latitude, longitude and ellipsoid height
- Left, middle and right bucket focus points
The bottom information bar can be configured by the user, allowing the most relevant values to be selected, rearranged and displayed during operation.
Creating Site Designs From the Machine
Track3D can also be used to create practical site designs when an existing design file is unavailable.
In the walkthrough, the excavator is used to establish the direction and starting elevation for a new pad. Grades can be entered as percentages, rise over run or degrees, and the finished surface can be adjusted using elevation offsets.
Brendon then demonstrates how to create a more detailed road design. Points are measured using the excavator bucket to establish a horizontal alignment, followed by a vertical alignment and cross-section.
The resulting design can be viewed from different perspectives, including bird’s-eye, front and side views, while displaying the bucket’s elevation in relation to the new surface.
Demonstrated on an Excavator
This video specifically demonstrates Track3D operating on an excavator. It provides a detailed view of the software interface, excavator guidance functions, GNSS information and on-site design tools available within this configuration.
Beyond the excavator system shown in the video, Guidemate also develops machine control solutions for graders, dozers and specialised machinery.
Explore Guidemate Machine Control
GlobalPos supplies and supports the Guidemate range of machine control and positioning solutions, including the X-Track 3D Excavator Control System, which uses Track3D software.
To discuss machine compatibility, system installation or your project requirements, contact GlobalPos on 1800 636 627 or email sales@globalpos.com.au.
