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What is HP SitePrint? Our Blueprint Robot Explained
Cameron Cashman
|
April 2, 2024
HP is one of the leading names in printing, and our selection expands beyond personal printers for home and office use. Introducing HP SitePrint, a groundbreaking automated layout solution that will revolutionize construction site planning.
This innovative technology combines cutting-edge robotics with HP's legendary printing expertise to deliver quick, accurate, and hassle-free construction site layouts. This all-in-one solution is portable and user-friendly, making it easy to take from site to site.
Without further ado, let’s dig into the HP SitePrint: what it does, how it works, and the applications this technology has in the construction industry.
HP SitePrint: An overview
HP SitePrint is an autonomous, robotic solution that reads 2D blueprints and prints them directly onto the floor of a construction site. The device is capable of printing not only lines, but other elements such as points, arcs, and text too.
This process not only offers workers direct visual confirmation of project plans but also ensures unparalleled accuracy, effectively eliminating the potential for costly errors and revisions.
HP SitePrint is noteworthy for its remarkable adaptability to diverse construction site environments. HP offers a variety of water- and solvent-based inks, enabling SitePrint to print clearly on a wide variety of surfaces in any weather conditions. Whether it's vinyl, plywood, tarmac, or concrete, this robotic solution effortlessly prints on both porous and non-porous surfaces.
Plus, automatic obstacle avoidance and cliff sensors allow SitePrint to autonomously navigate the construction site while avoiding unexpected objects or dangerous areas.
Managing the HP SitePrint is easy: any internet-enabled device, such as a tablet, smartphone, as well as laptop and desktop PCs, can act as a control panel. Here, you can customize SitePrint’s settings based on your site’s specific needs.
SETTING UP HP SITEPRINT
The HP SitePrint setup process is simple and requires just a little prep work.
First, it’s important to have a 2D computer automated design (CAD) file. This file will be run through an HP plugin, along with additional printing details, to automatically generate a file that can be read and executed by the robot.
Next, ensure your layout area is ready, marking control points for the robot to align with and follow. Set up the Robotic Total Station, and wirelessly link it to the SitePrint device, which will allow them to communicate. Then, it's time for the Site Print to do its job - open the CAD file, select the print area, and choose the ink type.
Once initiated, it autonomously navigates the construction site, printing the desired layout directly onto the site floor. Live progress updates are displayed on the user interface map, accessed via any control panel device.
Here, end-to-end management via the HP SitePrint cloud keeps everyone in the loop, from CAD updates to job progress monitoring.
Autonomous technology has become more prevalent than ever before, and many people are already familiar with similar technology in products like vacuums and smart home devices. Still, how familiar are you with how this technology works? Here’s a quick breakdown of the innovative technology behind HP SitePrint.
The technology behind HP SitePrint
The HP SitePrint is a tri-wheeled robotic printer equipped with an internal tracking prism, which works together with a Robotic Total Station to align itself with a set of coordinates that have been set by the user. The prism allows the device to gauge the distance and angles needed to complete the layout.
Guided by this digital blueprint, HP SitePrint maneuvers throughout the construction site, dispensing ink and printing the blueprint onto the floor of the construction site. This helps bring the full-scale layout to life with unmatched accuracy.
Features & capabilities
The HP SitePrint is precise: it produces lines ranging from a mere 0.07 inches to a robust 2 inches in thickness, with an accuracy of up to 1/8th of an inch.
The device operates at an average navigation speed of 4,700 feet per hour, with a printing speed of 2,950 feet per hour - although exact timing will depend on the size and complexity of your project.
HP SitePrint is equipped with an exchangeable Lithium-Ion battery. A pair of these high-capacity batteries will seamlessly power the device through an entire work shift, or about 8 hours.
Plus, connectivity options are abundant, including Bluetooth, 4G, and wireless, ensuring seamless integration into your workflow. We’ve also incorporated P4X/NEMA1 wireless security features, ensuring protection on any network in any location.
HP SitePrint thrives in various environments, but its optimal performance zone encompasses temperatures ranging from 15°F to 105°F, with humidity levels between 20% and 80%.
The true magic of HP SitePrint lies in its seamless integration with an ensemble of cloud-based tools that make setup, integration, and management easier than ever before. From job preparation to fleet management, usage tracking and live monitoring, the HP SitePrint transforms complex operations into streamlined endeavors.
With that in mind, HP has fostered collaborations with industry giants to enhance compatibility with other automated solutions. Partnerships with Leica Geosystems, Topcon, and Trimble have resulted in seamless integration with their Robotic Total Stations and layout solutions, further expanding the horizons of what HP SitePrint can achieve in the realm of construction site layout.
The many benefits of HP SitePrint
Anyone who has worked in construction knows the industry is plagued with uncertainties. HP SitePrint reduces that uncertainty and heralds a new era in construction site efficiency. By automating the layout process and reducing errors, it grants construction companies greater control over budgeting and cost management. Utilizing HP SitePrint could result in up to 10x project efficiency.
Its advanced capabilities not only enhance efficiency but also offer scalability, ensuring resources are optimally allocated. Real-time information, delivered through direct site printing, helps reduce delays thereby bolstering project efficiency and ensuring you stay on-time and on-budget.
As demand for construction surges, HP SitePrint emerges as the key to cost-effective, efficient, and error-free construction site layouts.
SUMMARY
HP SitePrint stands as a groundbreaking solution that transcends traditional construction site practices. Its advantages and benefits are truly transformative, offering a leap in productivity and efficiency. The streamlined workflow and user-friendly interface optimize building layouts, reducing errors and rework, thereby facilitating smoother project execution.
As construction demands surge, HP SitePrint emerges as the cornerstone of cost-effective, efficient, and error-free construction site layouts, bringing innovation and productivity to the forefront of the industry.
