CUSTOMER STORY: Designing and Surveying Foundations for Wind Farms with 3D-Win and the Xsite® Product Family

Building a wind farm requires careful work and advanced tools to maximize energy efficiency and preserve natural values. Novatron’s 3D-Win design software and the Xsite® product family solve the challenge.

3D-Win is software for generating and manipulating measurement and design data. Its versatile inspection, editing, and calculation capabilities make it a tool for many professionals. The Xsite product family includes high-quality tools for measurement personnel, site managers, and machine operators.

The Xsite PAD measurement device ensures precise and efficient data collection shared with site management and workers, reducing downtime in construction projects. At the Oosinselkä’s work site, 39 wind turbines are being installed to produce renewable energy for over 100,000 homes.

Xsite® and 3D-Win in Action at Oosinselkä Wind Farm

Novatron visited the Oosinselkä wind farm park in Eurajoki, Southern Finland, where construction company Konetyö Koskimäki has built the foundations for thirteen windmills. During the summer of 2024, 28 windmills with 143/139.5 m pole-tops will be assembled on these foundations.

Lauri Haukijärvi, a surveyor at Konetyö Koskimäki, designed the models for Oosinselkä with 3D-Win modeling software. Haukijärvi has worked at Koskimäki for eight years. He learned to use 3D-Win software entirely on his own.

I haven’t done much digging with an excavator, so I’ve never used this kind of [3D modeling] device before, but I’ve learned how to use the PAD quickly. And now, after showing it to a few excavator operators over the years, they’ve got the hang of it too The interface is the same for both products.

Lauri Haukijärvi, Surveyor, Konetyö Koskimäki Oy

In addition to his current tasks, Haukijärvi sometimes drives an excavator, a dumper, and a road roller. He uses a Novatron Xsite® PAD and a laptop as standard equipment to view the measurement points in more detail with 3D-Win.

“I have no formal training in surveying and have not used similar software. You’ll find a new button almost daily, but you can always call for help or read the instructions manual to find what it does,” says Haukimäki.

The 3D-Win software and Xsite PAD used together on-site allow for accurate terrain modeling and data management. Konetyö Koskimäki, a contractor at the Oosinselkä wind farm, chose both products to upgrade their workflow and open new project possibilities.

Integrating with Xsite® PAD: A Game-Changer for Efficiency

The joint use of Xsite® PAD and 3D-Win was a natural decision for Konetyö Koskimäki as part of their workflow development. The first machine control system was installed on the company’s excavator 8-9 years ago. Today, machine control systems can be found on nine excavators.

When asked about the PAD’s best feature, Haukijärvi answered quickly: remote support. After a laugh, he added the ease of its use. 

“I haven’t done much digging with an excavator, so I’ve never used this kind of [3D modeling] device before, but I’ve learned how to use the PAD quickly. And now, after showing it to a few excavator operators over the years, they’ve got the hang of it too. The interface is the same for the machine control system and the PAD”, Haukijärvi adds.

At the Oosinselkä, Haukijärvi used the PAD to mark removable trees, for example, after which the excavator operators strip the topsoil. Haukijärvi has occasionally gone out to mark intermediate surfaces or rocks, which have eventually been excavated out of the way. Additional modifications can be easily made to the designed models using 3D-Win if needed.

Remote Support Ensuring Smooth Operations on Site

Haukijärvi repeatedly points out the importance of Novatron’s remote support, which provides comprehensive assistance for machine control systems, surveying equipment, and 3D-Win software. Novatron’s remote support includes remote troubleshooting, repair, and training. The service minimizes downtime and maintenance visits to the site.

Especially in supporting the use of 3D-Win software, Haukijärvi feels that he has received a lot of comprehensive knowledge and support for modeling and surveying.

“There has never been a problem that hasn’t been easily solved. You can always ask for help, and Novatron’s one-of-a-kind customer service does everything they can to minimize our downtime ”, Haukijärvi continues.

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