Komatsu says its new Intelligent Machine Control (iMC) technology provides a solution to one of the major challenges facing the construction industry: the lack of skilled operators at a time when clients are demanding ever-higher levels of precision combined with increased productivity. Currently available across dozer and excavator models, iMC “has already shown its ability to deliver significant improvements in efficiency and productivity for Australian contractors compared with conventional construction processes.”

Komatsu iMC is designed to let operators focus on moving material efficiently – from bulk excavation to final trim – without having to worry about over-excavation or damaging the target surface – vastly speeding up site earthworks, while delivering greater precision and accuracy. Currently covering a range of four dozers and one excavator, each model in Komatsu’s iMC range incorporates as standard a factory-installed fully integrated 3D GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) machine control system.

Komatsu iMC is part of the company’s SmartConstruction concept, which brings together a wide range of technology solutions, including drones and remote site management, to deliver more efficient, productive and cost efficient construction processes.

According to Aaron Marsh, Komatsu Australia’s Technology Solution Expert Team Manager, Smart Centre, major industry issues, including skills shortages, demands for increased construction site productivity, finite resources and project management pressures were key factors behind the development of iMC technology. “At Komatsu, we have a long history of introducing market-leading technology and innovation to the industries we serve,” he said. “Understanding the needs of our customers, we are constantly working towards enhancing and improving their productivity – including meeting the challenge of the ever-growing demand for skilled machine operators.”

All machines in Komatsu’s current iMC line-up – covering the PC210LCi-10 excavator, and D61EXi-23, D65EXi-18, D85EXi-18 and D155AXi-8 dozers, share some common features.

• Automated blade and bucket control, from bulk excavation to final grades
• Integrated factory-installed Komatsu machine control system, with all components highly secure from damage, vandalism and theft
• Multiple automated dozing modes, with auto grade assist, auto stop control and minimum distance control for the excavator, ensuring jobs are finished faster, more accurately and with minimal rework
• Conventional “bolt-on” machine control components are replaced with fully integrated factory-installed GNSS antennas, enhanced inertial measuring unit (iMU+) and stroke sensing hydraulic cylinders, ensuring Komatsu reliability, durability and quality.
• Exclusive cab-top (dozer) and handrail mounted (excavator) GNSS antennas greatly reduce the risk of damage, theft or vandalism associated with conventional blade and counterweight mounted antennas and cables – while ensuring greater accuracy through more stable GNSS antenna positioning
• Chassis-mounted enhanced inertial measuring unit (iMU+) measures machine pitch and roll to enable precision work equipment control, even when working on slopes.
• Robust stroke-sensing hydraulic cylinders use proven sensor technologies for accurate finish grade performance, allowing the iMC system to constantly track the angle and location of the blade or bucket edge.

Marsh said Komatsu’s integrated iMC technology delivered a wide range of benefits on construction sites. “IMC allows contractors to complete bulk dozing and excavation, along with grading and final trim operations faster and to closer tolerances, with fewer passes to achieve finish grades or excavation profiles. “It also allows far more efficient machine use and less rework – just dig or grade it once, then move on,” he said.

“In addition, because all 3D design data is held within an iMC machine, we can greatly decrease times required for staking, survey and even final inspection, as well as allowing contractors to complete multiple tasks with one machine.” Other benefits, said Marsh, included lower machine operating costs and whole-of-life costs, better material yields, reduced fuel consumption, and greater machine availability and uptime. “And because an iMC-equipped machine means simple operation for all operators no matter what their experience levels, we get greatly improved operator performance,” he said. “All Komatsu iMC machines are capable of operating on multiple sites with all OEM type UHF or UHF digital base solutions, including network corrections through a network base solution.”