Getting accurate positioning output from a dredge requires precise calibration of the sensor-to-machine geometry. ClamVision provides a structured calibration workflow that guides the operator through every measurement required.
What needs to be calibrated
- GPS antenna offsets — horizontal and vertical distance from each antenna to the machine reference point
- Boom geometry — length of boom sections and cable/sheave geometry to compute tip position from encoder readings
- Excavator link lengths — boom, stick, and bucket dimensions for kinematic arm computation
- Inclinometer alignment — orientation of inclinometer axes relative to machine axes
- Heading alignment — offset between compass heading and the true bearing of the machine’s centerline
- Bucket center-of-dig — the specific point on the bucket that contacts the bottom, accounting for bucket shape and angle
Calibration verification
ClamVision provides graphical tools to verify calibration results. A calibration check compares computed bucket position against a known survey point or cross-check measurement, showing the residual error. Calibration parameters are stored in the project file and can be copied to new projects on the same vessel.
Sensor simulator
ClamVision includes a dedicated SensorSimulator application that generates realistic synthetic sensor data — GPS positions, encoder readings, inclinometer outputs, CAN bus messages — without requiring real hardware. The simulator is used to test and verify calibration setups in the office before mobilization, reducing commissioning time on site.