PMX: confident construction
PMX revolutionises construction machine envelope control, automatically creating safe working envelopes to improve site safety and productivity.
The new JF Prolec PMX system delivers a suite of tools which provide the capability to automatically set height, reach and slew limits for machine envelope control, with minimal operator involvement.
The system increases productivity, accuracy, and safety through reduced operator workload and site-wide control of multiple machines.
Using GPS and total station theodolite (TST) technology to automatically update limit settings based on position, PMX identifies the location of hazards and continuously monitors the machine’s location and proximity to them, calculating the necessary movement restriction based on the geometry of the machine to create a safe working envelope, which is automatically re-established relative to its moving location.
London Construction Awards 2018
We've been shortlisted for 'technological innovation of the year' at the London Construction Awards for our industry-revolutionising automatic machine safety limiting system, PMX!
What is PMX?
Based on product enhancements to the James Fisher Prolec PME 500 system, which provides a widely used self-limiting function for construction equipment, PMX offers advanced functionality which can be tailored to the location and specific hazards encountered on any site.
PMX-Geo
Using a hand-held GPS rover: A hand-held GPS Rover can be used to define all hazards and their location (virtual walls, ceilings and floors).
GPS satellite: Excavator movement can also be picked up by GPS satellite, allowing it to move freely around a construction site.
GPS information is uploaded to the PMX system to create a hazard reference model that PMX compares to the machine’s location in real time. When the machine is in a work position, PMX automatically updates slew, reach and height limits to reflect the hazards around it and constrains movement to ensure this envelope is not exceeded.
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PMX-DTM
Automatic set up using digital terrain model (DTM)
This functionality can be advanced further for sites with existing survey data (LIDAR, Topographical, 3D Photogrametry etc), as designers and engineers can remotely create a detailed 3D Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the site and accurately define the position of the safe working envelope to PMX in addition to any locally created hazard reference model. This allows safety personnel to design the safety of the job at hand, enhancing the ability to analyse hazards and ensuring that those hazards will not be interacted with.
When there is no reliable GPS signal, for example in tunnels, built up areas or cuttings etc, PMX can switch to using Total Station Theodolite (TST) tracking technology to determine the machine’s position and work out its location in relation to relevant hazards using either GEO or DTM methods.
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- Hazard locations only need to be defined once (either on-site or externally)
- Increased on-site safety
- Enhanced productivity
- Increased time efficiency
- Higher levels of accuracy
- Any machine equipped with PMX can establish its own limits by comparing its location to that of hazards to create a safe working envelope with minimal additional input.
- Reduces the risk of human error
- Reduces operator workload significantly
- Quickly establish the location of complex hazards on site.
- Limits are automatically re-established relative to asset location.
- In 2018 Travel Limitation will be released as a feature to prevent either the entire machine or the body and tracks only from entering a hazardous area whilst travelling to further enhance safety but enable works to be completed without changes in process.
- Complete different tasks on site without the need for the operator to manually change machine operating limits
- Asset integrity and safety is maintained at all times.
- PMX:TST continues to monitor machine location relative to hazards in the absence of GPS allowing the same assurance in built up areas, in cuttings or within tunnels.
- PMX allows protection of fixed location hazards (eg. live traffic lanes, overhead cables, gantries etc) over larger distances (km) with very simple hazard identification work carried out beforehand.
- Update on site quickly as additional hazards are introduced.
- PMX can protect several machines in the same zone working from the same hazard reference model meaning that safety is assured at all times and that assets can be deployed more efficiently and effectively.
- Set multiple height limits based on known locations of hazards such as overhead power cables together
- Set depth limits to prevent over-dredging and maintain bank stability.
- When survey data is available PMX also offers a visual guide to the operator in instances where the tool is submerged and blind digging must take place.
pcX-Pro - the latest innovation in precision machine control
James Fisher Prolec's pcX-Pro is a highly advanced dredging guidance system which revolutionises ease of use, efficiency, and performance when compared with conventional systems.
pcX-Pro is JF Prolec's flagship dredging control system, monitoring dredging operations through machinery guidance to achieve highly accurate positioning and eliminating over-excavation.
Additional features
| Height |  |
A virtual height restriction works in the same way as a virtual wall and the system will take account of unlimited variations in height restriction at any location on any site. |
| Depth |  |
A ‘control trench’ of infinitely varying dimensions can be set to intelligently avoid buried and unseen hazards, even as ground level changes. |
| Travel limitation |  |
Sophisticated new formatting will allow for separate virtual wall limits for the machine body distinct from its tool point, which is particularly useful for riverside use where the machine might need to be positioned 2m away from a hazard, but the tool can safely extend into work zone. |
