Bill Bradley Crumb

US Patent:

59333464, Aug 3, 1999

Filed:

Jun 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/658701

Inventors:

Vernon J. Brabec - Livermore CA
Bill B. Crumb - Livermore CA
Renard T. Graham - Antioch CA

Assignee:

Topcon Laser Systems, Inc. - Pleasanton CA

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

36416707

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for controlling the cutting depth and angle of an excavator bucket to excavate a surface to a desired contour. The method includes the steps of: (1) inputting data to a machine control system to define a desired contour of the excavated surface; (2) positioning the excavator bucket close to the desired contour; (3) enabling automatic control; and (4) automatically controlling movement of the excavator bucket only when the position of the excavator bucket is within a predetermined distance or angle of the desired contour. The method is used to automatically control the excavation to a desired depth if the bucket is within a predetermined distance of a desired depth. The method is also used to automatically control the angular orientation of bucket if the slope of the bucket is within a predetermined angle of a desired slope.