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GMTracker

Geomachine is launching a data-logging software innovation which can be used to guide field research and collect and share research findings more intelligently than before. The software is the first of its kind in the world.

“Product development work for the data-logging software started with a real customer need,” says Pasi Majakangas, Geomachine Oy’s Director of Digital Business. “Currently, the biggest challenge in field research is the difficulty of collecting and reporting research findings. The GMTracker software we are launching now is the solution to this problem. It is the first in the world to record, process, visualise and transmit findings on the same device. ”

The first development version will be launched at the end of 2021. It can be conveniently accessed during maintenance on old machines as the new software is already included in the factory settings.

Superior features

GMTracker is a solution for work supervision and data storage of the most common soil investigation methods. “The project can be set up in GMTracker even before work starts, which makes actual field research work easier and more efficient,” says Pasi Majakangas. “The versatile measurement parameters of the software, on the other hand, ensure that nothing important goes unnoticed when drilling begins. Depending on the research method, the data-logger monitors, for example, drilling torque, force, reflection, time, rotation and feed rate, and depth. In addition, it can be used to make observational notes about different soil types and events during the investigation. All in all, the data-logger can be used to collect data in a really versatile way. ”

One of the most welcome features of the data-logger is its versatile reporting capabilities. “The driller can now take notes on the progress of the drilling process effortlessly and in real time. Notebooks are no longer needed, as data can be conveniently stored in GMTracker’s visual interface with the click of a button. ”

Even the finest features are useless if they don’t work in real life. “We recommend the Panasonic FZ-A3 as the software terminal. It is the most durable and reliable tablet terminal on the market. This ensures that the software works in even the most challenging weather conditions, such as extreme temperatures and humidity. The tablet can also be used when wearing work gloves, which is important in a real work situation. ”

Customer feedback as a basis for development work

GMTracker has been introduced to Geomachine’s customers in Finland and Norway during its product development phase. According to Pasi Majakangas, drillers and foremen have been very enthusiastic about the data-logger during the presentation phase. “After trying the device, our customers found it speeds up work. It was also considered important that unnecessary evening work was eliminated due to the data-logger’s reporting capabilities. GMTracker’s visual interface was praised for its clarity, ease of use, and logic. ”

The usability of the tablet terminal in construction site conditions concerned the drillers. “Doubts arose as to whether the device would withstand water splashes and frost, for example, or whether the screen would get scratched when wearing work gloves. The device is extremely weatherproof and we can protect the screen from scratches by covering it with a protective film. ”

According to Pasi Majakangas, customer feedback has been extremely important in the product development work of the device. “In designing the software, we have listened carefully to the wishes and opinions of our customers, as it is the only way to develop a tool that truly serves them. We will also test the next development versions together with our customers.”

The story is just beginning

GMTracker is designed as the first step in soil survey data management. In the future, the data generated can also be used to increase the efficiency of mineral exploration, well-drilling, and piling. According to Pasi Majakangas, however, this is just the beginning. “Our idea is that in the future, GMTracker can be used more extensively in Geomachine’s own as well as third-party machines.”

In the future, GMTracker will include even more superior features. “Next, we will develop a map view as well as monitoring the operation of the research machine. After that, we will add support for new methods of data transfer to the software and further develop work processes. The GMTracker of the future will also have more machine intelligence, data collection, reporting, and analysis capabilities. ”

At first, GMTracker will be used in Finland, but soon after that elsewhere as well. “With regard to soil research, we will expand to Sweden and Norway during 2022. These operators have their own research methods and working conditions. We offer customers in these markets versions of the data-logger tailored to their needs. ”

GMTracker software is Geomachine’s main opening for digital services. “The data-logger is the first member of our intelligent innovation product family. In future, we will also offer our customers other technology solutions that will make their work even more efficient, profitable and, high quality.”

Drillma LDA, OMRA Baltic

Growth is strongly embedded in Geomachine’s business strategy and new markets are constantly being conquered. Professional, high-quality resellers play a key role in internationalisation, and Geomachine is constantly looking to expand its network.

The latest additions to our dealer network are the Portuguese Drillma – Materiais e equipamentos de geotecnia LDA and Lithuanian OMRA Baltic.

Geomachine welcomes new dealers!

Find out more:
www.omrabaltic.lt
www.drillma.pt

SWECO NORGE AS / SWECO FELT NARVIK

Sweco plans and designs the sustainable communities and cities of the future. As a result, they are able to achieve sustainable construction and functional infrastructure, in addition to enabling the supply of electricity and clean water.

Sweco employs a total of 17,500 people in northern Europe to ensure that the company’s customers receive just the right expertise and know-how for their various projects. Every year, the company is involved in different projects in some 70 countries worldwide.

Sweco’s net sales are around two billion euros, and the company is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm AB.

Sweco established its own ground investigations department on January 2019 under the leadership of two former drilling directors from the Norwegian road administration. The directors have experience of several different types of drilling rigs and have been using the GM8 and ENVI rigs since 2011.

With the help of Sweco Sverige, the field department started operations when it acquired a GM75 rig equipped with ENVI. The lightweight soil investigation rig was an excellent 2012 model but was somewhat outdated and did not have a compressor onboard. In 2020 we decided to purchase a new drilling rig, and acquired a GM100 track-mounted rig with the same sturdy mast the GM8 model has. We chose Geomachine because our drilling managers are familiar with these rigs and the ENVI drilling system
Stig Bjarne Larsen, Director of Drilling Operations

It was important for SWECO FELT NARVIK to acquire a rig that was tried and tested and already familiar to the staff.

The company needed a drilling rig that had been proven in the field and met all requirements. The climate in northern Norway is cold, the terrain is rough and distances to the nearest repair shops are long. Geomachine supplies spare parts quickly and their customer service operates around the clock, every day of the year. Geomachine also has a reliable maintenance representative in Norway – PTO Teknikk based in Oslo.

AFRY / ÅF PÖYRY AB

The story of AFRY began in the Swedish city of Malmö 125 years ago. Today, AFRY employs more than 16,000 devoted experts within the fields of infrastructure, industry and energy, operating across the world to create sustainable solutions for the next generation. AFRY has offices in more than 40 countries and manages projects in more than 100. AFRY currently operates a large number of Geomachine soil investigation rigs in the Nordic countries carrying out operations in geotechnics and rock engineering.

In my opinion, the usability of Geomachine drilling rigs in snow, is considerably better than other brands we have tried. The support received from Geomachine when there is a problem has been excellent, which is why our trust in them is solid. When there is a problem, Geomachine staff are quickly on site to rectify any issues, which is phenomenal service and also a prerequisite for us to operate in the field.
Jörgen Noppa, Team Leader, Field Geotechnics

AFRY field geotechnicians, Evelina Almqvist and Rickard Sundström, are also happy with Geomachine products. Evelina currently operates a GM85 and Rickard a GM8. Both drilling rigs are equipped with the new CAN bus system.

Rickard and Evelina feel the rigs’ top features are their easy operability and the option for all drilling tasks to be performed by remote control. Geomachine drilling rigs operate much better in deep snow than other rig brands they have tried. If there are ever any problems, Evelina and Rickard state that Geomachine support has always been just a phone call away.

YLE, 7 July 2020

Right next to central Helsinki, drilling operations got underway in the summer of 2020 to survey the ground and seabed using Geomachine equipment. Ground and seabed surveys were conducted on the shore and sea area in Hakaniemi as part of the Crown Bridges rail line construction, the Hakaniemenranta area and the new Hakaniemi Bridge.

Read the entire Yle article here.

Photograph in the article by: City of Helsinki

Konepörssi, 25 January 2021

Geomachine Oy has delivered the world’s first electrically-propelled drilling rig for soil investigation to Multiconsult Ab in Norway. In addition to a diesel engine, the rig is equipped with an electric motor that can be used to move it as well as perform drilling operations.

Read the entire article in the Konepörssi magazine here.

Norwegian TU Building has also published a story about the Geomachine Hybrid rig. The article can be found here.

NGI

NGI is an independent Norwegian research and consultancy institute in the geotechnical engineering sector. The company’s drilling and sounding units are used for various tasks in geotechnical drilling, bedrock core drilling and different instrumentation installations in soil and bedrock.

When it was time to replace their old drilling rig in 2017, NGI selected Geomachine (GM) as the rig supplier. There were many reasons for selecting GM, not least their service agreement with PTO in Norway. Geomachine’s delivery of critical components is in a class of its own and obtaining parts and repairs for rigs is easy.

Geomachine’s strengths include the modularity of the products and an extensive options list allowing for different configurations. Rig configuration is decided in cooperation with the customer.

Geomachine’s drilling and sounding equipment have evolved a great deal since the first models were introduced. Wide tracks and a large winch capacity enable excellent functionality in various types of terrain. In comparison to competitor models, GM rigs have a more flexible tower tilt function, which enables drilling in uneven terrain where other rigs cannot operate. It is also worth mentioning that GM rigs have a system for adding water to the airflow when drilling in bedrock at shallow depths using air pressure. This makes air drilling more attractive, as there are no dust clouds. An added benefit is that Geomachine rigs can be run with both a chuck and coring unit installed at the same time as a top hammer. Rubber tracks are also a good accessory option.

At first I was a bit suspicious about replacing the joystick with a remote control, but after just a few weeks, I couldn’t imagine drilling without it. I can strongly recommend Geomachine drilling rigs.

– Martin Lian Akerholt, Director of Drilling Operations

lannen.com 26.2.2021

Geotechnics and environmental research specialists Taratest Ltd, has been using Geomachine drilling rigs for a long time. With a need for a machine that can move smoothly along the rail network, Taratest acquired a multipurpose Lännen 8800M and fitted it with a Geomachine boom. The GM drill boom is connected to the backhoe and is able to take surveys efficiently at sites where, among other things, the machine’s good reach, ability to move quickly and stability are highly valued.

Read the entire article here.