Many Contractors are Using Lasers to Enhance Construction Jobsite Productivity and Profitability

Lasers were first introduced for construction applications in the early 1960s. Since then, lasers have become increasingly user-friendly and are becoming more and more the norm on the job site. Uses include determining level, grade, vertical alignment, and distance.

A laser is like a bubble level that has a seemingly unlimited length of reach. It establishes an accurate reference over the whole work area from which all measurements can be made. Lasers offer the contractor productivity improvements over traditional methods, since they are quick and easy to set up and allow one-person operation.

Lasers are used by construction contractors for the following activities:

• Grading
• Leveling
• Alignment 

Grading

For grading and earthmoving, contractors can choose from laser-based display systems or laser-based grade control systems.

Laser-based machine guidance systems are easy-to-use modular systems that are flexible and configured to the machine and site requirements. Designed to provide visual guidance to machine operators for manual grading operations the system includes a laser transmitter that emits a rotating 360-degree beam of light and a laser receiver mounted to the machine. Depending on the transmitter, the laser beam can be either a flat plane for flat grade work or tilted for sloping work. A magnetically mounted receiver on your machine clearly displays your grade status — on, above or below. Using laser-based display systems to guide the cutting edge to grade, you can speed up grading operations, making you more accurate and more profitable. Laser-based display systems are highly flexible and can be used on a wide range of machines, including dozers, backhoes, scrapers, skid steers, and excavators.

Laser-based grade control systems have numerous benefits — including reduced stakeout requirements, improved material yields, faster job cycles, and they eliminate communication errors, rework and idle machine time. Some of the systems available can be used for jobsite management or jobsite control.

Leveling 

Leveling is a requirement of practically every construction application. A laser level provides a constant horizontal reference plane. With a receiver to detect the laser plane and grade rod the user can control level and elevation over the job site. Common applications include checking cut and fill requirements, controlling excavation depth, leveling concrete forms, and controlling concrete pours.

Alignment

For exterior and interior applications that require both level and vertical alignment, typically a horizontal and vertical laser is used to provide a horizontal and vertical reference for the job site. This allows additional applications such as alignment and plumb of concrete forms, the layout of interior walls and hanging suspended ceilings. Most feature a visible beam allowing the user to easily see the laser position without the need to use a laser receiver.

Lasers provide key competitive advantages to a contractor. They are faster than traditional methods, their one-person operation allows the reallocation of labor, and they can dramatically reduce the need for costly rework. Lasers can be used throughout the construction process and can result in increased productivity and profitability. Many of the systems have been designed for single-person operation.

Laser Applications

Lasers provide key competitive advantages to a contractor. They are faster than traditional methods, their one-person operation allows the reallocation of labor and they can dramatically reduce the need for costly rework. Lasers can be used throughout the construction process and can result in increased productivity and profitability.

 

Market	Type of Laser	Features/Benefits
Heavy/Highway Contractors	Laser-based machine display systems	Display systems usually consist of a magnetic mounted laser receiver. Display systems provide visual feedback to the machine operator to indicate on-, above- or below-grade position. Display systems can be mounted on a range of different machines, and are ideal for skid steers and mini excavators.
Site-Prep Contractors	Laser-based machine grade control systems	Grade Control Systems provide automated control for the blade along with millimeter level accuracy. With a grade control system the on-machine components are connected using a control box to the machine's hydraulics. This allows the system to control and move the blade to the on-grade position.
General Construction Lasers	Laser leveling	A flat plane laser is projected across the job site to allow for accurate elevation work.  Ideal for: Elevation control Leveling forms Cut and fill measurements
Used by General Contractors	Grade laser	Differences between the products include: Range Laser stability Accuracy Manually leveled or automatically leveled
		A laser is used with a receiver. The receiver allows for the easy pickup of the laser beam.
		Laser can be set to provide either a flat plane or a sloped plane across the job site. Ideal for: All of the above •  Construction of sloped surfaces • gas stations, parking garages, driveways  •Grade work such as earthmoving using machines
	Horizontal and vertical laser	Laser can be used to provide a horizontal level plane across the job site as well as a vertical plane for alignment work. Vertical ideal for: Alignment Checking plumb Tilt-up walls
Interior Lasers Used by Interior Contractors	Horizontal and vertical laser	As described above provides horizontal and vertical planes. Horizontal ideal for the installation of: Ceilings Raised floors Chair rails Vertical ideal for: Installing walls Installing partitions Internal alignment
	Distance Measuring Laser Tools	Has a highly visible laser beam that when aimed and projected at a distant object is able to calculate the distance. Can be used to also calculate areas and volumes. Ideal for: The measurement of distances that are in hard or dangerous to reach locations The measurement of longer distances - where the traditional tape measure may not be long enough or accurate enough.
Underground Lasers Used by Underground Contractors	Pipe laser	Has a pointing beam that is used to align and set the pipe.The pipe laser can be mounted on or inside a pipe, and can be set to a variety of grade positions.