Carlson FiX1 User manual

FiX1 manual - H-9944-8070-1-B March 2021
FiX1
automated stockpile monitoring system
installation manual

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Contents
1Customer information.............................................................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Dear customer .............................................................................................................................................................................5
2FiX1 system overview ............................................................................................................................................................................6
2.1 System introduction .....................................................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Operation .....................................................................................................................................................................................6
2.3 Single and multiple unit installations...........................................................................................................................................12
3FiX1 components .................................................................................................................................................................................14
3.1 FiX1 unit ....................................................................................................................................................................................14
3.2 Mounting plate ...........................................................................................................................................................................19
3.3 Ethernet cable............................................................................................................................................................................20
3.4 Power cable...............................................................................................................................................................................20
3.5 USB and serial cable .................................................................................................................................................................20
3.6 Wi-Fi and cell antennae .............................................................................................................................................................21
3.7 Transit case ...............................................................................................................................................................................22
4Hardware checks and preventative maintenance .................................................................................................................................23
4.1 In use.........................................................................................................................................................................................23
4.2 FiX1 unit ....................................................................................................................................................................................23
5Locating and installing the FiX1 unit.....................................................................................................................................................24
5.1 Safety ........................................................................................................................................................................................24
5.2 Determining the best location on-site .........................................................................................................................................24
5.3 Installing the mounting plate.......................................................................................................................................................28
5.4 Surveying in the mounting plate .................................................................................................................................................29
5.5 Attaching the FiX1 to the mounting plate....................................................................................................................................30
5.6 Mounting the cell phone and Wi-Fi antennae .............................................................................................................................31
5.7 Power connection ......................................................................................................................................................................32
6Networking the FiX1.............................................................................................................................................................................33
6.1 Data connections - introduction..................................................................................................................................................33
6.2 First connection to the FiX1........................................................................................................................................................34
6.3 Recovery mode..........................................................................................................................................................................34
6.4 Connection options ....................................................................................................................................................................36
6.5 Hub-and-spoke installations .......................................................................................................................................................45
6.6 Remote support .........................................................................................................................................................................46
7Volume computations ..........................................................................................................................................................................47

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7.1 Base surface..............................................................................................................................................................................47
7.2 Scan coverage...........................................................................................................................................................................47
7.3 Processing.................................................................................................................................................................................47
7.4 Areas of Measurement...............................................................................................................................................................48
7.5 Hub-and-spoke installations .......................................................................................................................................................48
7.6 Verification.................................................................................................................................................................................48
8FiX1 web application – introduction......................................................................................................................................................50
8.1 Remote updates and support .....................................................................................................................................................50
8.2 User access...............................................................................................................................................................................50
8.3 Web application UI.....................................................................................................................................................................51
9FiX1 Web application – Scans .............................................................................................................................................................53
9.1 Scanning....................................................................................................................................................................................53
9.2 Scan list.....................................................................................................................................................................................54
9.3 Scan graph ................................................................................................................................................................................57
10 FiX1 web application – Schedule .........................................................................................................................................................59
11 FiX1 web application – Settings ...........................................................................................................................................................61
11.1 Units ..........................................................................................................................................................................................61
11.2 Information.................................................................................................................................................................................62
11.3 Scanner .....................................................................................................................................................................................64
11.4 Reporting ...................................................................................................................................................................................67
11.5 Geo-referencing.........................................................................................................................................................................69
11.6 Surfacing ...................................................................................................................................................................................71
11.7 Network setup options................................................................................................................................................................74
11.8 Management system..................................................................................................................................................................79
11.9 Hub-spoke .................................................................................................................................................................................79
11.10 Calibration .................................................................................................................................................................................80
12 FiX1 web application – Language ........................................................................................................................................................82
13 Online 3D viewer .................................................................................................................................................................................83
14 System specifications ..........................................................................................................................................................................84
15 Product information..............................................................................................................................................................................86

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1 Customer information
1.1 Dear customer
The FiX1 laser scanning system is designed to offer end users ‘hands off’ operation and to deliver automated,
accurate volumetric results without any intervention required. The safe and reliable running of the FiX1, as well as
the quality of the results, are fully dependent on the correct installation and mobilization of the system on the
customer’s site.
This manual is for personnel involved in the installation, running and maintenance of a FiX1 system. It covers all
hardware components, installation, care, troubleshooting and day-to-day usage of a FiX1 system.
It is important that you read this manual carefully before beginning to work with a FiX1 system. Thereafter, always
keep the manual available for reference.
A separate FiX1 users’ manual is available for end users of the FiX1. The users’ manual is only concerned with
minor configuration of the system through its web-interface during normal day-to-day use.
This manual has been compiled with care. However, should you discover any errors, we would be grateful if you
could contact Carlson directly.
For any feedback or comments, or if there are questions about the FiX1 system which are beyond the scope of this
manual, contact Carlson.
Alternatively, for information on your local Carlson-approved service centre, visit our website: www.carlsonsw.com.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

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2 FiX1 system overview
2.1 System introduction
Computing stockpile volumes is an essential job within many industries such as quarrying, mining, agriculture, or
highway maintenance. Whether the aim of the exercise is related to optimising logistics, satisfying accounting
requirements or assisting operational planning, the required deliverables are the same: accurate, repeatable,
scheduled volumes of stockpiled material.
Commonly a team of surveyors may be employed to carry out a survey of stockpiles using GNSS systems or
traditional survey equipment. More recently drones are used to carry out surveys from the air. Sometimes rough
guesses are relied on, with volumes being arrived at via experience, visual inspections or with reference to indirect
data such as vehicle movements to and from the stockpile.
The FiX1 has been introduced to provide a fully automated stockpile measurement system which negates the need
to involve survey teams, estimates, drone operations or inaccurate, indirect calculations.
After trained staff have carried out the initial FiX1 system mobilisation, accurate volumes can be produced with no
intervention from any personnel.
The provision of accurate volumes via the FiX1’s automated scanning and processing routines helps to increase
on-site safety and operational efficiency. It ensures the absolute minimum involvement of on-site personnel. This is
invaluable in industries where sites can be dangerous or inaccessible, or where time-consuming permits and
authorisations are required for on-site access.
2.2 Operation
This section gives an initial overview of the setup and operation of the FiX1. Each stage is dealt with in greater
depth later in this manual.

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2.2.1 Installation
During the initial installation of the FiX1 by trained staff, the unit is secured in position above the stockpiles to be
scanned. The FiX1’s position should give the clearest possible view of the area of interest.
Once installed, the FiX1 is surveyed in place on the site’s local coordinate system. This ensures that all data
collected by the FiX1 is correctly georeferenced.
A base surface, geo-referenced on the same coordinate system as the FiX1 and representing the floor level beneath
the stockpile, is uploaded into the FiX1. This acts as a reference for all volumetric calculations.
Figure 1 Fix1 installation surveyed into the local coordinate system
Figure 2 The base surface file defines the floor level on the local coordinate system

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2.2.2 Data connections
You may setup a data connection to the FiX1 in a variety of ways. The recommended configuration is to connect
the unit to the local area network by Ethernet cable so the FiX1 can be accessed conveniently from any device on
the network.
The FiX1 can also be connected wirelessly to the local area network using the Wi-Fi client mode.
Local
area
network
Figure 3 Wired Ethernet connection
Local
area
network
Figure 4 Wi-Fi client mode

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The FiX1 can be set as a Wi-Fi access point, allowing direct connection from another Wi-Fi enabled device or
from another FiX1.
Alternatively, a SIM card in the FiX1 allows connection by mobile phone. This sets up a connection completely
independent of the site network.
Once there is a successful connection to the FiX1, you can access the web application which is run from the
processor onboard the FiX1. This is also where all computations are run, and all data is stored. No additional
software is required on your laptop or mobile device.
Cell phone
network
Direct
connection to
FiX1 Wi-Fi
access point
Figure 5 Wi-Fi access point mode
Figure 6 Connection using the cell phone network

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2.2.3 Scanning and results
Once fully mobilised, the FiX1 runs a laser scan across the area of interest. This can take place at scheduled times,
or on demand. When carrying out a scan, the body of the FiX1 rotates horizontally at a relatively slow speed, while
at the same time the laser head rotates vertically at a higher speed. The laser itself is firing constantly at a pre-
determined rate.
The result of this scanning action is a pattern of radial scan lines which form a dense point cloud covering the area
of interest beneath the FiX1.
Figure 7 FiX1 Scan action
Figure 8 FiX1 running radial scan lines over the targeted area