5 Tips to improve your mapping and surveying equipment performance

Consistency in your workflow highly depends on the accuracy and performance of your equipment. If you are surveying a job site, accuracy is your top priority because it can cause a lot of problems later down the road. Inaccurate data doesn’t only clog your workflow but also comes with monetary costs. One bad measurement can end up costing a lot of time and money, and this is something the construction or any other industry can afford. To make sure your measurements are accurate, your equipment should be in very good shape. It doesn’t matter if you use an aerial survey camera with oblique photogrammetry or any other land-based mapping equipment, maintaining it in the right way should be your biggest concern.

1. Annual Servicing

Surveying and mapping equipment is usually manufactured with high-quality in mind but rugged work conditions can have an impact on their performance. This is especially the case in the construction industry. The equipment is exposed to rough conditions and physical damage is only one thing that could go wrong. When you send your equipment to an annual checkup the service team will look into it, try to identify any possible problems but also prevent those that are in the development phase.

2. Keep up with Software Updates

Software has become a key component in surveying and mapping equipment. Lightning-fast image processing would not be available without the software solutions that are built on top of it so keeping it up to date should be considered as a priority. New updates usually improve performance in one way or another. You shouldn’t be missing out on them.

3. Cleaning and Maintenance

Almost all surveying equipment can handle moisture so you should use this as an advantage. You can use soap and water for cleaning and maintaining your equipment but alcohol wipes work as well. Your lens is a different story. If you want to keep it in good shape it is important to use the lens cap whenever equipment is moved or unused. For cleaning, nothing except a specific lens cleaning cloth should be used. Maintaining this routine will ensure that your equipment isn’t damaged or faulted in any way by an external source.

4. Problem Indicators

If something is too loose or too tight on your equipment, it could indicate a possible problem. Regular troubleshooting and inspection help predict and prevent such problems. Apart from physical issues, you could also encounter software or performance-based issues. Inconsistency in measurements that defies your predictions is a clear sign that calibration should be looked into.

5. Think Twice About Do-It-Yourself Repairs

A loose screw could easily be fixed on-site but contacting your manufacturer is highly recommended. While it may seem that this equipment can easily be fixed with simple tools, it is important to remember that this equipment focuses on precision and reliability. As far as the device is concerned, a physical error made by uninformed repairs could interfere with calibration settings. Talking to your manufacturer before taking action can save money and time in most cases.

Conclusion

Your equipment is your best tool so maintaining it should be your top priority. Performance testing and troubleshooting is advised but once an error is acknowledged, contacting the manufacturer should be your very first step.The bottom line is that you should take all circumstances into consideration when taking care of your equipment. Rugged conditions on construction sites or bad weather during surveying operations are bound to have an effect on your camera. Make sure that you look into it after the job is done, look for possible physical damage, and stay informed on recent updates. If you follow all of these steps, your equipment will have a longer life-span and improved performance.