For years, technology promised to revolutionize earthmoving, delivering millimeter precision right to the blade. But for many contractors, a single barrier remained: calibration. That complex, time-consuming hurdle—often involving tripods, total stations, and the indispensable (but not always available) expertise of a surveyor—was the gateway to 3D machine control.

Today, FJDynamics launches the new RTK calibration workflow for the FJD G31 PRO 3D Excavator Guidance System. Bytaking a process that once required two hours of specialized effort and cutting it down to less than 30 minutes, FJDynamics is making a bold promise: precision digital construction is now faster, simpler, and truly accessible to every contractor.  

Rethinking Calibration: Why the Old Method Affects Progress

To deploy a 3D machine guidance system—like the G31 PRO—the system needs to learn exactly where it sits in relation to the world. It must align the coordinates of the machine's sensors with the local coordinates of the design plan. This process is calibration. 

In the past, the G31 PRO, like many high-precision systems, relied exclusively on a total station for this task. The results were undeniably precise, but the real-world limitations were undeniable, too:

• Specialized Equipment: A contractor needed access to a professional total station. This equipment is expensive and often shared among multiple projects.
• Specialized Knowledge: A skilled surveyor was required. They needed to set up the station, establish known points, and perform complex alignments. An average machine operator couldn't handle it.
• Time Pressure: The workflow was tedious, often taking up to two hours in the field. On a tight construction schedule, two hours of downtime waiting for setup is unacceptable, frustrating both operators and project managers.

For smaller contracting firms, or those new to digital methods, these requirements often became the single largest barrier to adopting precision technology. If the surveyor was stuck on another job, the high-tech grader sat idle. We knew there had to be a better way. 

Introducing RTK Calibration: Building a Workflow for Everyone

Our goal was simple: redesign calibration from the ground up to eliminate the reliance on specialist tools and knowledge. The process had to be fast, repeatable, and manageable by the person sitting in the cab—the everyday machine operator.

The answer lay in leveraging the system's own high-precision positioning: RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) technology. The extensive development—which involved rigorous on-site testing across diverse terrains, climates, and machine configurations—culminated in the new G31 PRO RTK calibration workflow.

The new workflow fundamentally eliminates the complex dependency on the total station. Contractors no longer have to worry about the time-consuming process of setting up and performing the delicate alignment of the total station, establishing precise station points, or needing specialized surveying knowledge. This removes the main barriers that traditionally slowed down the start of digital projects.

The new RTK-based method requires only two pieces of standard jobsite equipment: an RTK receiver and a pole. This simplification allows operators to spend less time juggling tools and more time moving dirt. The software itself now acts as the guide, prompting the user through a few simple measurement actions.

Because the system guides the operator through every step, even a first-time user can complete the calibration confidently. This makes fast deployment a reality, ensuring machines can be put to work immediately, even when a surveyor isn't on-site.

The Time-Saving Revolution: From Two Hours to 30 Minutes

The most game-changing result of the new workflow is the sheer speed of deployment. What previously required around two hours can now be completed in under 30 minutes. This isn't an occasional best-case scenario; it is a consistent, repeatable time-saving benefit that transforms project schedules.

• Faster Deployment: Machines can be calibrated and put to work instantly, removing a critical choke point in project starts.
• Efficiency in Numbers: Teams can now calibrate multiple machines in less time, maximizing the efficiency of their entire fleet under tight deadlines.
• Confidence for Operators: The on-screen prompts guide the operator step-by-step. The system then takes over, performing automatic calculations and verifications. The result is a perfect calibration every time, reducing human error and increasing operator confidence.

This time reduction doesn't just save labor costs; it fundamentally reduces project risk associated with scheduling and specialist availability.

 

Unified Accuracy, Consistent Results

The advantages of the new RTK calibration workflow extend far beyond mere speed; the method fundamentally reinforces the stability and consistency of the G31 PRO's guidance system. By using a single, RTK-based process to establish the machine's precise alignment, the system achieves a unified coordinate alignment across all operational tasks.
 
Whether the operator is checking design data, verifying spot elevations, or switching work modes (such as changing from elevation control to slope shaping), the system guarantees stable and consistent millimeter-level accuracy throughout the entire construction project, minimizing human errors and reducing repeated field checks.

A Step Toward Truly Digital Construction

The introduction of the G31 PRO RTK calibration workflow reflects FJDynamics’ broader mission: to make high-precision digital construction accessible to teams of all sizes and expertise levels.Not every contractor has a dedicated surveyor on staff, and no jobsite could tolerate hours of downtime due to complex setup procedures. By simplifying the calibration workflow, the G31 PRO can be adopted faster and integrated into machines more smoothly than before.

As digital construction continues its rapid evolution, solutions like the G31 PRO's new RTK calibration workflow will be essential for more contractors to realize the enormous efficiency and quality benefits. The future of construction is precise, and now, it’s finally simple.