Q&A with Steve Dagnall, TruPulse Rangefinder user and GNSS Mapping Specialist for Gower Bone Caves

The Gower Bone Caves of South Wales are well known within the archaeological and palaeontological community. A quick bit of research or a visit to their website makes this obvious:

“Caves of the Gower peninsula in South Wales have provided a rich source of archaeological and palaeontological discoveries. These have been of significant scientific importance, especially to the early understanding of human origins. As many of these finds included bones of fauna and humans, these sites have been referred to as bone caves.”

Dagnall is the webmaster of the Gower Bone Caves website. He is also part of an ongoing, collaborative long-term project that involves mapping caves and their entrances. In this Q&A, Degnall explains how he uses a TruPulse rangefinder for cave mapping tasks.

How did you first hear about Laser Tech and TruPulse rangefinders?

Steve Dagnall, Project Researcher working in the Gower Bone Caves, uses a TruPulse rangefinder for various cave mapping tasks.

From searching the Internet for a better solution for taking distance/bearing offset measurements than my setup at the time was capable of.

How do you use your TruPulse rangefinder for cave mapping?

The rangefinder is used to record locations of archaeological cave entrances. This task is part of a long-term personal project I’m working on with others. We’re covering an area of the UK known as the Gower Peninsula. The project also involves curating images, keeping a bibliography, and collating a digital library of appropriate documents. Many of these caves have not been accurately mapped before. Over here (in the UK), decimeter accuracy is considered good practice by the Ordnance Survey. So, that’s what I aim for.

Mapping the heights of different cave entrances is a particularly important metric. This can often become quite difficult to achieve. As these caves are mainly located close to cliff faces, and occasionally within narrow ravines, safety is a concern. There is also a high potential for bouncing signals and rarely any phone reception.

I can usually measure up to decimeter accuracy at the cave entrance just by following the Trimble guidelines for getting good, quality data. I’ll also post-process the measurements with correction data downloaded from the Ordnance Survey as a finishing touch. On the other hand, RTK (Real Time Kinematic, a technique used to increase the accuracy of GNSS signals that uses a fixed base station’s corrections) can be difficult. While it’s not impossible, the lack of a reliable phone connection can make the process tough. Whilst satellite correction data is an option, it doesn’t take long to become prohibitively expensive. This is where my TruPulse rangefinder comes into play.

In the past, I had tried using the distance/distance offset method to overcome challenges that come with error-tied bearing points. I found that the terrain in these caves did not allow for good enough geometry for this method to work. Then, I started using a rangefinder to complete distance/bearing offset routines and found success. This is now an essential part of completing the fieldwork for cave features that are difficult to safely access. I’ll also use the distance/bearing method whenever it’s impossible to record GNSS data at a feature’s location.

Do you have any favorite features?

As described in the previous question, the ability to record high-accuracy distance/bearing offsets within the challenging terrain of archaeological caves. I’m also fond of how easy it is to recalibrate the instrument and the prompts I receive whenever this needs to be repeated.

Was there a time before TruPulse rangefinders were part of your toolkit?

The Gower Bone Caves of South Wales are well known within the archaeological and palaeontological community.

Yes. I used a competing brand’s rangefinder, Trimble Geo 6000 XH with a range pole, a bipod, and an external antenna.

When did you get your first TruPulse rangefinder?

Pretty recently, in February of 2023.

Have your cave mapping workflows changed since then?

Yes they have! Target acquisition is a much more precise and positive process than it was with my previous rangefinder. Now I know pretty quickly if I have made a mistake. When necessary, repeating the measurement is not such a painful process. This is especially true as the pole mount is far more stable than before. The best part is the ease with which the instrument can be calibrated.

Would you recommend a TruPulse rangefinder for others involved in cave mapping?

Yes. For sure. It is an easy unit to both calibrate and use and I am delighted with it.

The post Project Researcher Uses TruPulse Rangefinder for Cave Mapping appeared first on Laser Tech.

The high cost of traditional total stations is fair when you consider the intensely precise accuracies they achieve. However, these accuracies can often go far past the needs of an end-user. Enter Spidercam^®, a “market leader in broadcast cable camera systems” who turns to Laser Tech’s TruPoint 300 to meet their accuracy needs at a fraction of the price.

TruPoint 300 for Practical Accuracy at Fractional Costs

Laser Tech’s TruPoint 300 provides a practical alternative to traditional total stations

Members of spidercam decide to look for measurement equipment that might replace their conventional total stations. They see an ad for LaserTech’s “Affordable Total Station” and become intrigued. Shortly after contacting a Laser Tech partner, Spidercam receives a unit for testing. It doesn’t take long to find that this Laser Tech device is a better fit for their needs.

It is critical for spidercam to analyze the spatial characteristics of any filming location that will utilize their signature suspended-cable cameras. The TruPoint 300 helps by generating relative XYZ coordinates for several key points that a user measures to. These data points feed into spidercam’s processing software, which controls their cameras during filming. The whole process helps ensure that aerial camera movement is smooth, coordinated, and free from risk of collisions.

Daniel Paulete, Senior Project Engineer with spidercam, speaks on using the TruPoint 300:

TruPoint 300 used by spidercam

“The TruPoint 300 has replaced the expensive total station on our jobs and can do everything we need. It is easier to use than the total station and much more robust and waterproof. Not only are we very satisfied with the product, but the customer service was also excellent. 

The technical support was also very available and knowledgeable. They helped me set up our new device to suit our needs and are there when you need them. Because of this experience we are looking to purchase multiple units to replace all our total stations.”

Complete Your Mapping Toolkit

Many mapping applications do not require the pinpoint accuracy of a conventional total station. In these cases, Laser Tech’s TruPoint 300 device provides an effective alternative at a fraction of the price. In addition, field crews often cite the Laser Tech device’s transportability as an added benefit. Kudos to Daniel with spidercam for seeking out a more cost-effective measurement solution for his company!

The post TruPoint 300 Replaces Total Station for Spidercam® appeared first on Laser Tech.

He happily participates in a Q&A to help us learn more about how TruPulse rangefinders help make life easier for audio engineers and others working in his world of venues, loudspeakers, and live performances.

Mannheim Steamroller puts on incredibly well-reviewed live performances, highlighted for festive fans by annual Christmas tours.

They’re Kind of a Big Deal

Perhaps best known for their unique and very popular renditions of holiday classics Deck the Halls and Carol of the Bells, Mannheim Steamroller has delighted listeners since their 1975 debut album Fresh Aire. A successful run at applying their original style toward holiday classics helped Mannheim become beloved among the masses and earn their place as a staple in Christmas radio and just about every at-home Christmas collection you might come across.

The group continues to put on incredibly well-reviewed live performances, highlighted for festive fans by their annual Christmas tours. Preparing these live shows for optimal auditory performance is where Stryker steps in, an audio engineer with a TruPulse 360^° rangefinder in hand.

As an audio engineer, Stryker uses a TruPulse 360 rangefinder to make sure that each new venue is prepped for an optimal live Mannheim Steamroller auditory experience.

Q&A with Micah Stryker: TruPulse^® Rangefinder User and Audio Engineer for Mannheim Steamroller

Eager to learn more about how our technology helps Micah Stryker achieve success as a Front of House Engineer for Mannheim Steamroller, we invite him to participate in a quick and casual Q&A.

How did you first hear about Laser Tech?

I first saw some Laser Tech rangefinders being used in the field about 4 or 5 years ago. This happened when I was working with a company in Omaha, NE called Audio Visions. They taught me a lot about speaker deployment and showed me how to use a TruPulse to take the necessary measurements along the way. 

As an Audio Engineer, how do you use your TruPulse 360^° rangefinder on the job?

My TruPulse rangefinder makes it quick and easy to get the measurements I need in a short amount of time. This is a lifesaver when I’m on tour since there is usually a pretty limited amount of set-up time allowed each morning. I use my 360^° rangefinder to get the dimensions of the different listening areas in each venue we visit. My next step is feeding these measurements into our loudspeaker coverage prediction software. This helps me determine the best setup for our sound system according to each venue’s architecture. Getting accurate measurements during this process directly translates to a better listening experience for the audiences that attend our shows.

Do you have any favorite features?

M. Stryker feeds TruPulse measurements into loudspeaker coverage software while prepping for another live Mannheim Steamroller performance.

One of my favorite features is the values showing a decimal point when the reading is more accurate, and not showing one when it is less accurate. The missing line calculation is another favorite, since it speeds things up a lot for me. It’s very handy when you have to find the inclination angle, height difference, and depth of multiple balconies in a theater, or bowls of seats in an arena. I’m also a big fan of being able to use the side buttons to toggle through the different measurements taken. The long battery life is another favorite feature!

Was there a time before TruPulse rangefinders were part of your toolkit?

There was, before I came across the rangefinders in the field. These days, the old “how many football fields away is it?” estimation method just doesn’t cut it for me anymore.

When did you get your first TruPulse rangefinder?

I’ve been using them for about three years or so now. Before I got one of my own I was borrowing one.

Have your workflows changed since then?

TruPulse rangefinders help audio engineers like Stryker discover the best placement for equipment in each new venue.

Not a whole lot, but things have definitely sped up for me since using it. There is a lot less time spent walking around all over the place to take measurements, which means more time to focus on finer details, any additional tasks, and so on. Being able to stand in one place and take 90% or so of the necessary measurements is a really cool thing for me.

Does the TruPulse 360°’s compass feature help with any tasks on the job?

The 360 compass comes in handy a lot! As mentioned, being able to stay in one place, normally I stand in the middle of the stage, to get dimensions of the listening area is great. So, with the 360, I can get length, width, and height of the whole area all from that one location.

Would you recommend the TruPulse rangefinders to others?

Absolutely. It’s a great solution for someone in my situation. I know plenty of people in this line of work who use them and love it!

The post TruPulse Rangefinder Handy for Mannheim Steamroller’s Audio Engineer appeared first on Laser Tech.

Feb 3, 2023: We receive a testimonial statement that exemplifies our mission in action.

PennWisp, LLC, recommends Joint Pole App as a Powerful Yet Low-Cost Solution

“Thanks for a great product!”

Jeff Evans is the CEO at PennWisp, LLC & Northern Tier Broadband, a company that “prides itself on being the best in customer service and satisfaction.” These high-speed Internet providers are commonly tasked with expansive and time-consuming pole audits. Enter our Joint Pole app, which works its way into the PennWisp toolkit with assured results.

While corresponding with Steve Colburn, our Applications Training Specialist, Evans shares that the “LaserSoft Joint Pole application has allowed [PennWisp] to quickly and accurately perform pole audits for submission to our local utility.” 

He points out that “the application’s many outputs allow a seamless integration into our workflow for importing to our GIS system, as well as PDF reports, that allow us to forward to the utility.” Remarks like these help us confirm that the Joint Pole app provides a modernized and user-friendly alternative to traditional methods, as intended.

“Achieving quality through dedication and innovation” remains the overall focus for our team at Laser Tech. This motto goes deeper than just the products we release. Evans experiences our extensive commitment to this notion firsthand. He goes out of his way to note that the “LaserSoft team has been easy to contact and very helpful in understanding the workflow in the field and office.” Evans expands on this tip-of-the-hat by stating that Laser Tech professionals “are willing to listen to recommendations for product improvements.”

Speaking on behalf of PennWisp, LLC, Evans sums up his experience with a recommendation:

“We recommend Joint Pole as a great solution for pole audits [that] compares to other products costing many times more.” 

Hearing that our Joint Pole app meets real-world needs at lesser costs is fuel to our engine as industry leaders. Being able to save time and money for hard-working folks like you continues to drive our mission forward.

The post Joint Pole App Earns Recommendation from PennWisp, LLC appeared first on Laser Tech.

Laser Tech (LTI) Products Modernize Stockpile Volume Assessments

Saving Time and Shedding Physical Demands

Aggregates volume estimation is one function of Laser Tech’s MapSmart solution

LTI’s TruPulse® series is known for reliability in measuring distance, inclination, and angles. The 360°R is no exception, offering azimuth measurements and accuracy when operated at every possible angle.  Whitford enjoys that TruPulse and MapSmart equipment help keep his post-retirement lifestyle sharp-minded and engaging. Still venturing out into the field offers Whitford a chance to evaluate the technology’s effectiveness.  

“The MapSmart [app] is without question an excellent thing” he shares. Paired with his TruPulse 360°R, Whitford notes how much physically easier the technology makes his work. Aggregate measuring tasks now take much less time compared to “the standard way of surveying (still used today) where you have to spend a few hours climbing up and down huge gravel piles” explains Whitford. 

Whitford makes note of how “taking shots and then spending several [more] hours calculating them for a total” is no longer an issue. He proclaims that LTI tech allows him to spend “only an hour at the most to shoot a fairly big pile (300-400 shots) and just seconds after the last shot [to receive] the total cubic metre results.” 

Laser Tech’s MapStar® TruAngle® interference-free angle encoder is MapSmart compatible

MapSmart works with any TruPulse that has Bluetooth communication and is compatible with our MapStar® TruAngle® encoder. Integrating the TruAngle into your mapping kit introduces interference-free compass technology that expands your abilities without sacrificing workflow efficiency.  With or without the TruAngle added, MapSmart on Android™ makes it easy to collect reliable, professional field data, and calculate stockpile volumes all with the ease of using a smartphone app.

Spending less time acquiring measurements means that more jobs can be completed in shorter spans. Avoiding the physical demands that come with traditional surveying methods greatly reduces the risks of immediate or long-term injury. Whitford’s testimonial is further proof that LTI tech keeps employees safe and shortens project completion times. 

The post TruPulse® & MapSmart® Simplify Stockpile Volume appeared first on Laser Tech.

A recent project funded by the North Carolina Friends of Plant Conservation will enhance scientific understanding of how medicinal ginseng plants may be responding to environmental changes.

Using LaserGIS to Map Ginseng Plants for Scientific Analysis

Three North Carolina researchers team up to monitor the populations of these rare and beneficial plants:

• Alisa Hove, Ph.D. (Chair & Professor of Biology at Warren Wilson College)
• Jennifer Rhode Ward, Ph.D. (Professor of Biology at University of North Carolina Asheville)
• Jonathan Horton, Ph.D. (Chair & Professor of Biology at University of North Carolina Asheville)

LaserGIS offset mapping overcomes the obstacle of dense canopies disrupting GPS signals

Their immediate goal has two parts:

1. Re-locate and validate locations of wild plants that had been tagged nearly 10 years ago
2. Add new plants to the catalog along the way

Assigning coordinates to the vulnerable vegetation will create universally comprehensible maps that offer valuable data to a worldwide audience. Before the team can achieve this feat, they must overcome two natural obstacles:

1. The terrain of study areas is too steep for traditional survey equipment
2. The forest canopy is far too thick for the team to collect reliable GPS signals

The solution: Range-Azimuth LaserGIS^® offset mapping workflows via TruPulse^® 360^° laser rangefinders and LaserSoft^® MapSmart^® field data collection app for Android(tm).

The 360° model laser with its precise internal compass is a perfect instrument for this environment. There are no magnetic disturbances to worry about and the pocket-sized product will measure everything needed to locate points in 3D space

TruPulse Rangefinders and MapSmart Software Overcome GPS Obstacles

Understanding the Project

Research team member Alisa Hove describes the reason for the project:

TruPulse 360° helps map regional ginseng plants

“North Carolina is a state that is rich in plant biodiversity and endemism, and the state’s flora has played a key role in its economic development. At the turn of the last century, wild harvesting of medicinal and ornamental plants helped trigger the development of local economies in western North Carolina.

Over time, however, many plant species in this region, including the popular medicinal plant American ginseng, have declined in number due to a variety of factors, including overharvesting and environmental stress.”

Information gathered from this project will allow scientific communities to evaluate how the rare plant species is responding to regulatory protection, harvesting, and climate change.

How Range-Azimuth Offset Mapping Works

Range-Azimuth is the most simplified LaserGIS offset mapping method

LaserGIS is our term for workflows that measure distance offsets to features by recording both a GPS position and an associated distance/direction to the object of interest.

These techniques offer reliable options to professionals tasked with mapping assets within challenging locations. Of the multiple LaserGIS mapping methods available within our MapSmart data collection app, the team opts to use the Range-Azimuth method.

The Range-Azimuth offset mapping routine boasts one key advantage above the rest: coordinates can be assigned at a one-shot per asset cadence. Taking advantage of this simple process requires a TruPulse 360 series laser rangefinder, since its internal compass plays a key role. With the 360 laser connected to your data collection app via Bluetooth^®, the range-Azimuth procedure requires only a few steps.

Here’s how it works:

Laser Tech’s TruPulse 360 laser rangefinder

Step 1: Log an Origin-Point.

This requires either a solid GPS signal or a set of previously established coordinates*.

*In their GPS challenged environment, the team often uses the established coordinates of forest-monuments as origin points. 

Once logged, the origin-point coordinates serve as a point of reference for assets mapped by 360 rangefinders.

Step 2: Aim and Shoot

Use the 360 rangefinder’s scope to acquire your first target, then fire its infrared pulse to obtain measurements. Repeat until all assets within sight have been recorded.

Every new shot measures the Azimuth, Inclination and Distance from your origin-point an asset.

Watch Steve Colburn, our Applications Training Specialist, walk through the Range-Azimuth LaserGIS routine:

LaserGIS: Making Maps for Today and Tomorrow

All of the team’s rangefinder data transmits wirelessly to the MapSmart app. This runs on their rugged mobile devices. MapSmart records these measurements and draws a map for the user.

The map’s control points and plant locations will remain available for future researchers to utilize. As studies on the region’s ginseng plants continue to evolve, new discoveries will build upon the team’s updated map. Our TruPulse rangefinders and MapSmart app continue to help professionals achieve mapping projects in even the toughest environments.

Learn more about the immediacy of the North Carolina Friends of Plant Conservation Ginseng project and keep up with the organization through their Facebook and Instagram updates.

Photos provided courtesy of A. Hove

The post LaserGIS® Helps Researchers Monitor Wild Medicinal Plant Status appeared first on Laser Tech.

April 2022: Ian McKinley, customer of Laser Tech Australia reaches out to see if his 26 year-old, discontinued, and thoroughly used Laser Tech (LTI) Impulse 200 forestry rangefinder can be restored to like-new conditions.

The result?

A success story that exemplifies LTI’s worldwide devotion to the phrase “Quality through dedication and innovation.”

Taking on a Challenge

Phil Lack, Managing Director / CEO of Laser Tech Australia, recalls the challenging project’s beginnings:

“We received a call from a user [McKinley] who had an Impulse 200 in need of repair. It duly arrived in our workshop along with a hand-written note detailing his use of the device and how he wanted to keep it operational, and what could we do to fix it.”

Ian McKinley reflects on the multi-decade spanning journey with his trusty Impulse 200:

“It came to me as a test unit when I worked for the New Zealand Forest Service in 1996 and I was so impressed I asked to buy it for myself. $4500 New Zealand dollars was a huge amount of money to spend, but I knew it would be worth it. I never imagined I would still be using it 26 years later and with very few problems considering the harsh conditions it has to operate in.”

McKinley has witnessed the trustworthiness and longevity of Laser Tech products firsthand. We have released many new and improved rangefinder products since the Impulse’s discontinuance. Despite this, purchasing a replacement product is not on McKinley’s mind. It’s not hard to imagine that this impulse rangefinder holds sentimental value to the seasoned Australian forester.

Luckily for McKinley, the Laser Tech Australia team had an unexpected resource at their disposal. Unlike most Laser Tech offices, a sizable amount of discontinued devices and spare parts happened to be kept on location. Rather than trying to steer McKinley toward modern products, like rangefinders from our current TruPulse line, the team agreed to take on the project of fixing up the well-worn, but still functional, 26-year-old unit.  This required a considerable amount of scouring through the scraps of units past, which fortunately avoided the usual spring-cleaning. Still, the team agreed to give it a shot and demonstrate the 3 values that define Laser Tech across the world.

Commitment to Quality

One of Laser Tech’s discontinued Impulse 200 LR forestry rangefinders

To start, the Impulse 200 unit lasted 26 years before needing service. On top of that, after an inspection, the service needed would turn out to be mostly cosmetic. Phil Lack recalls the condition of McKinley’s trusted device:

 “This unit was a very early Impulse 200 which [McKinley] has continually used daily in his job as a forestry worker and arborist. Upon inspection, we noted the unit needed new rubber button -overs and a new rubber cover for the aluminum body of the unit.”

A surface inspection does not satisfy our team members. They demonstrate a resolve to fully evaluate the device.

“On further disassembly [we] saw it had old-style button housing assemblies, where wires are prone to breakage. The hand strap was also badly worn and the beeper didn’t work, plus a lot of the red anodizing on the body of the unit had worn off leaving shiny, bare aluminum.”

It’s safe to assume that McKinley was unaware of the potential wiring issues with his device’s outdated housing assemblies. Our team would prioritize discovering and fixing this now preventable issue nonetheless. Still, a lot of time has passed since this unit’s discontinuation. Finding the right parts to achieve the repairs is not easy.

Exemplifying Dedication and Innovation

After taking the time to thoroughly inspect the discontinued unit, our Australian team starts to act on the repairs themselves. Integrating exclusively current parts and components into a seasoned Impulse is a tricky task. Ultimately, bit of luck strikes:

One of Laser Tech’s discontinued Impulse 200 LR forestry rangefinders

“Fortunately we had a box of old spare parts and were able to rebuild the unit back to (almost) new condition using some new and used parts, so [the Impulse] was fully operational again. Cosmetically it looked great, and the unit tested fine on our alignment jig [and remained] within specs on the laser output power meter.”

Plenty of companies would choose to insist that McKinley replace his outdated unit with a current product. At Laser Tech, taking the time to search for, find, and implement old spare parts is a source of pride. With our team acting on their dedication to customer service, only McKinley’s happiness could truly measure their success. The good folks at Laser Tech Australia would make sure of this, and received a warm thanks from McKinley, who made a note to appreciate our team “for doing a great job and taking an interest.”

Phil Lack sums up the experience, which “just goes to show that even after 26 years, we can still support an old LTI laser and keep an end user happy to keep using his favourite forestry tool. It also speaks to the quality and reliability of LTI PM products and goes to show quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.”

The post LTI Restores 26 Year Old Rangefinder appeared first on Laser Tech.

December 21, 2021: @lasertechnologyinc receives a comment from @statewidespotters on an Instagram post that details a three-step wire-sag measurement technique:

“Great equipment as always, we use your TruPulse 360°R to take away the guess work from our jobs that require us to work as close as we are allowed 👏”

This inspires Laser Tech to reach out to Melbourne Australia’s Statewide Electrical Spotters, to seek more information on the safety-driven company and how they make use of TruPulse^® rangefinders.

Alex Karakostov, managing director for Statewide Electrical Spotters, agrees to share how Laser Tech’s TruPulse 360R plays a vital role in achieving the company’s promise to create and maintain safety in potentially hazardous work environments.

Karakostov candidly tells Laser Tech that “without the TruPulse 360R, our work would be all guessing.” He goes on to voice his appreciation for the 360R as “a tool that is easy to use and can be calibrated without sending to a technician!”

Getting to Know Statewide Electrical Spotters

Laser Tech’s TruPulse 360R used by Statewide Electrical Spotters, photo supplied by A. Karakostov

Alex Karakostov’s experience in contracting for major electrical companies creates first-hand experience on how to be a spotter. As excavators dig trenches along underground utility services, Karakostov discovers the importance of spotting. Quickly, he starts to value spotting as one of the industry’s most vital roles. Fast forward to November, 2018:  Karakostov starts Melbourne Australia’s Statewide Electrical Spotters.

Karakostov shares the mission for Statewide Electrical Spotters:

“Build long-term relationships with clients by providing electrical spotters who ensure an accident and injury free workforce.”

Currently, the company finds work in a large range of projects. Most frequently, you can catch Karakostov and the team spotting small contractors that work within close vicinity of powerlines.

On top of this, they work closely with larger companies in civil construction. These jobs tend to revolve around gas, water, sewer, telecommunications, or the power sector. The team also offers services to those working on multi story apartment buildings in Melbourne.

Unsure of just what Electrical Spotting is, exactly? Check out the What is Electrical Spotting page on the Statewide Electrical Spotters website.

Statewide Spotters use Laser Tech TruPulse 360°R Rangefinder to Eliminate Guesswork

Karakostov shares his experience of initially adding TruPulse rangefinders to his company’s toolkit:

Laser Tech’s TruPulse 360R used by Statewide Electrical Spotters, photo supplied by A. Karakostov

“I had come across the Laser Tech products by reading up on an online article of Citipower/Powercor, a power distribution company in Victoria, Australia. They were using the TruPulse 360 for some of their projects. I did my research and found that this can be a tool to use for practices within our organization [Statewide Electrical Spotters].”

When it’s time for Karakostov and his team to “provide electrical spotting for machinery that has to be in close proximity to powerlines, there can be guess work of how close the overhead conductors really are. That is why we like to use Laser Tech equipment, as it takes out any uncertainty we have as electrical spotters.”

Having accurate readings from a Laser Tech rangefinder helps manifest the company’s priority of keeping their clients’ safety at the forefront of all jobsite activities.

Laser Tech is happy to share Karakostov’s testimonial with professionals in mining and construction, utilities, public works, and similar fields. We encourage others to follow Statewide Electrical Spotters in creating a safer world.

Keep up with Statewide Electrical Spotters on Instagram @statewidespotters and Facebook @Statewide Electrical Spotters.

A. Karakostov owns all photos in this article.

The post Testimonial: TruPulse 360°R for Worker Safety appeared first on Laser Tech.

The Dzanga Bai is where a team of four researchers from Cornell University’s Elephant Listening Project (ELP) initiate an interesting data collection project.

This is a mineral-rich clearing located in the southwestern part of the Central African Republic’s Dzanga-Sangha National Park. 

ELP research team member Ana Verahrami shares how Laser Technology Inc.’s (LTI) TruPulse^® rangefinders play a crucial role in conducting the elephant study with accuracy and precision.

The Mission 

In collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society and Andrea Turkalo, who collected nearly 30 years of demographic data on the Dzanga Bai’s regional elephant population, the Elephant Listening Project worked towards creating a classification system for vocalizations emitted by African forest elephants. This study was conducted between January and March of 2020.

The project’s progress, toward furthering knowledge on how the lovable trunk-toting herbivores communicate, was unfortunately cut short by COVID related evacuation protocols. Despite this, encouraging momentum was gained. With LTI technology in the mix, unique observational strategies helped create a foundation of new and valuable data.

 _{Photo of acoustic sensors provided by A. Verahrami}

TruPulse Maps Elephant Study’s Observation Area 

“The Village of Elephants” is a common nickname for the Dzanga Bai itself. Hosting upwards of 100 ivory-tusked travelers is commonplace. Here, the team’s first task is to implement a perimeter of nine acoustic recorders. This perimeter creates the study’s acoustic array.

Deploying and extracting the acoustic recording units are two dangerous tasks. Verahrami mentions that some elephants, who may understandably feel threatened, occasionally charge at researchers that work at ground-level. Their buffalo comrades, who also frequent the Bai, will sometimes follow suit. 

The team places all nine acoustic recorders high up in the trees, which keeps their technology safe from the heavy feet of the study’s 4,000lb-10,000lb subjects. An LTI TruPulse rangefinder captures distance and azimuth measurements between each acoustic recorder and a predetermined point within the clearing dubbed the “center origin point.” Next, the rangefinder measures height–positions for every sensor.

These steps develop a geometric map of the acoustic array.

Traversing a Jungle of Sound 

_{Photo of Verahrami and a team member provided by A. Verahrami}

All audio-recorders stationed within the Bai go live. Researchers use an observation platform to overlook elephant visitors and note the behaviors displayed during each vocalization. The team keeps an active count of how many elephants participate in each event while estimating ages and determining sex.

From time to time, using the 30-year demographic dataset collected by Andrea Turkalo, Verahrami and other ELP researchers are able to identify elephants by name. Similarly, researchers occasionally note ancestral ties and social relationships held between recognizable elephants.

The soundscape of the Bai is exceptionally dense. Wide varieties of insects, mammals, and other rainforest dwellers ensure that there is never a silent moment. As a result, positively identifying each specific elephant-vocalization within the busy audio-record is no easy task.

A two-pronged method conquers this challenge:

 _{Photo of Verahrami using a TruPulse laser rangefinder provided by A. Verahrami}

• Some researchers use TruPulse rangefinders to record the distance and azimuth between their observation platform and each elephant vocalizer 
• Others aim to estimate points of origin for each vocalization without using any rangefinder data

The estimations rely on three elements:

• Recording the time of each vocalization
• A vast knowledge of bai-specific soundwave behavior
• An intricate analysis of the array’s geometric map

Meanwhile, acquiring rangefinder data only requires a few simple point-and-shoot actions. The team isolates the proper audio recordings by first comparing these two uniquely gathered sets of data. Researchers can then assign their specific observations with confidence.

Looking Ahead 

This Elephant Listening Project study remains unfinished. Nonetheless, Verahrami anticipates that the results:

“not only further our scientific understanding of the vocal communication of forest elephants, but will additionally aid in their conservation.”

We look forward to keeping up with the ELP. New projects will build onto the groundwork of this bold and motivated team of analysts. It is humbling to know that our TruPulse technology plays a role in seeing their vision brought to life.

Follow the ELP’s social media outlets:

Facebook @ElephantListeningProject

Twitter @ElephantRumbles

Instagram @elephantlisteningproject

Keep up with Ana Verahrami:

Twitter @ana_verahrami

Instagram @ana_verahrami

_{All images in this article, provided to LTI in Nov 2021, are owned by A. Verahrami.}

The post Laser Tech Rangefinders Help Elephant Listening Project appeared first on Laser Tech.

Recently, Wipaire Inc. installs LTI’s Universal Laser Sensor (ULS) in amphibious planes as part of a safety solution. Wipaire Inc. is a Minnesota-based company that has engineered and manufactured aircraft floats for more than 55 years. They have also provided professional services in aircraft modification, maintenance, avionics, interiors, and other float services. 

Wipaire Uses Laser Tech’s Universal Laser Sensor (ULS) to Enhance Amphibious Aircraft Safety

A Lengthy Process Done Right 

Clint Clouatre, vice president of marketing and sales for Wipaire, sums up the mission. He states that Wipaire thinks “the problem of accidents related to out-of-position landing gears can be dramatically reduced with an additional safety measure.” To tackle this goal, the company turns to laser sensor integration. 

Wipaire Marketing Manager Amy Gesch recalls the duration of the project a decade after purchasing LTI’s ULS:  

“As for the length of the project, we started in on this back around 2008. The FAA regulations we’re governed by require extensive testing which can take years, as it did in our case.” Once the testing is complete, a reliably accurate system is born. The company announces the certification of their first “smart” amphibious gear advisory system in 2014. This features LTI’s ULS installed on a Cessna 182 craft’s Wipline 3000 floats. 

With a successful debut in their rearview, Gesch proudly proclaims a plan for Wipaire to release the laser [system] to customers selectively at first, starting in 2015, and then roll it out to almost all of Wipaire’s product line in 2017. First, some technical adjustments come into play, to combat the complex nature of both Wipaire’s objective and amphibious piloting itself. 

An Element of Jeopardy 

Amphibious airplane pilots navigate routes that utilize both solid ground and bodies of water. These distinctly unique points of takeoff and landing often exist within the same trip. This regular variability designates the position of an amphibious craft’s landing-gear, whether up or down, as a critical element to both the financial success and general welfare of any given flight.  

Touching down on a runway with the wheels up, and instead landing on the plane’s pontoons, may not be a life-threatening error; however, one expects considerable damage. In contrast, landing on water with wheels down may prove to be a fatal mistake. This can trigger a pole-vaulting motion that sends planes flipping across water, nose-to-end. It goes without saying that pilots prefer smoothly coasting to a gentle upright stop. These daunting scenarios inspired Wipaire to seek LTI’s ULS due to its upstanding reputation as a measurement and detection sensing device of significant integrity. 

A Solution Arrives

Wipaire’s certified gear advisory system centers on a laser array “eye.” This detects whether the aircraft is over water or land. The eye can also be combined with a second-generation gear selector and display. Their integration can further the solution’s activity into a pilot’s habitual processes. When aircrafts have been incorrectly configurated for landing, warnings to check the landing-gear are sent to pilots via audible alerts.

These warnings rely on the surface-readings detected by the ULS laser-solution. A similar functionality is also tied to takeoff, as pilots are reminded to check the landing–gear position if not raised within 60 seconds of becoming airborne. These features are especially important to pilots who routinely fly short flights from paved airports to bodies of water. 

Wipaire manufactures its own housing and mounts the ULS on the underside of a plane’s wing, near the midpoint. Their warning system relies on laser-supplied data regarding the delta, or change, of intensity return between land and water. This information feeds into the system to provide proper landing-gear alerts to pilots as needed.

“LTI’s Universal Laser Sensor provides a critical safety feature required for the constantly shifting landing environment for the amphibious airplane pilot,” said Jeff Peltier, the engineering technician and project coordinator at Wipaire. “This sensor reliably delivers actionable equipment information necessary for pilot and aircraft safety.” 

The ULS delivers accurate measurements in a wide variety of applications, offering prowess in measuring levels, proximity, and detection, despite being just one single laser unit. The ULS, certified by Wipaire, adds in another layer of safety for the constantly changing environments faced by amphibious airplane pilots, crew, and passengers. LTI is proud to have contributed to this commendable achievement in creating a safer world. 

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