NIKON DTM-550 (01) PDF Document

For your safety when using the NIKON DTM-550, please adhere to the following warnings:

• Never look at the sun through the telescope, as this may cause loss of eyesight.

• The instrument does not have an explosion-protected design. Do not use it in coal mines, areas with coal dust, or near flammable substances.

• Never disassemble, modify, or repair the instrument to avoid fire, electric shock, or burns.

• Only use the specified charger Q-75U/E for the BC-80 battery pack. Using other chargers may cause fire or rupture.

• Do not cover the charger with blankets or clothing while recharging, as it can cause overheating.

• Avoid recharging in humid, dusty places, in direct sunlight, or near heaters. Do not recharge when wet.

• Take care not to short the contacts of the BC-80 battery pack, even though it has an auto-reset circuit breaker. Shorting can cause fire or burns.

• Never burn or heat the battery, as it may cause rupture or injury.

• When storing the battery pack or charger, prevent short circuits by applying insulating tape to the contact points or using other protective methods.

Please observe the following cautions when handling the NIKON DTM-550 and its accessories:

• The top of the tripod ferrule is very sharp; be careful when handling or carrying it.

• Before carrying the instrument in its case, check the shoulder strap and clasp for damage to prevent accidental falls.

• When setting up the tripod, ensure no one’s hands or feet are in the way of the legs to prevent injury.

• Firmly fasten the thumb screws on the tripod legs after mounting the instrument to prevent the tripod from collapsing.

• Securely fasten the clamp screw on the tripod after installing the instrument to prevent it from falling.

• Fasten the leveling base clamp knob securely. If it’s not secure, the leveling base may fall when you grasp the carrying handle battery.

• Before moving the instrument by the carrying handle battery, ensure the battery mounting buttons are in the LOCK position to prevent the main unit from falling.

• Do not use the plastic carrying case as a stool, as it is slippery and unstable.

• Do not swing or throw the plumb bob, as it may hit and injure another person.

Proper maintenance will ensure the longevity and accuracy of your NIKON DTM-550:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun or the heat of a closed vehicle.

• If the instrument gets wet, immediately wipe off all moisture and dry it completely before returning it to its case.

• If sudden temperature changes cause the lenses to fog, leave the instrument in a warm location with the case closed until its temperature returns to room temperature.

• Avoid storing the instrument in hot, humid locations. The battery pack should be stored in a dry location at a temperature below 30°C.

• Always store the battery pack with the battery discharged.

• When storing in extremely low temperatures, leave the carrying case open.

• Do not overtighten any of the clamp screws.

• When adjusting tangent or leveling screws, stay as close as possible to the center of the screw’s range. Use a clockwise rotation for final adjustments.

• If the leveling base will be unused for an extended period, lock down the clamp knob and tighten its safety screw.

• To clean non-metallic parts like the keyboard, use a soft cloth lightly moistened with water or a mild detergent. Do not use organic solvents like ether or paint thinner.

• To clean optical lenses, lightly wipe them with a soft cloth or lens tissue moistened with alcohol.

Unpacking:

Hold the carrying-handle and gently take the instrument out of the case. Handle the DTM-500 carefully to guard against shocks or excessive vibration.

Packing:

1. Ensure the battery pack is attached to the instrument.

2. Set the telescope in the horizontal “face-left” position.

3. Align the storage mark (●) on the bottom of the face-left keyboard with the mark (▼) on the leveling base clamp knob.

4. Lightly fasten the clamp knobs and then replace the instrument in its case.

Follow these steps for the recharging procedure:

1. Insert the power plug of the charger into an AC outlet.

2. Connect the charging plug to the battery pack’s charging connector.

3. Quick charging will start automatically. Check that the charging indicator lights up.

4. When charging is complete, the charging indicator goes out.

It is recommended to recharge the battery pack indoors within an ambient temperature range of 0°C to +40°C. If the charging indicator blinks when charging starts, there is an error in the battery pack; stop using it immediately.

Discharging the battery pack can refresh its capacity if it has been experiencing a “memory effect” (lasting for shorter periods). Discharging once every 10 recharging cycles is effective.

1. Insert the power plug of the charger into an AC outlet.

2. Connect the charging plug to the battery pack’s charging connector.

3. Press the discharge starting switch to begin discharging. Check that the discharging indicator lights up.

4. When discharging is complete, the discharging indicator will go out, and quick charging will start automatically. The charging indicator will light up during this time.

To stop discharging before completion, press the discharge starting switch again. Discharging will stop, and quick charging will begin automatically.

Always turn off the [PWR] key before attaching or detaching the battery pack.

Detaching the BC-80:

1. Release the LOCK by turning the battery mounting buttons in the opposite direction of the arrow mark until they stop in the horizontal (UNLOCKED) position.

2. While depressing the battery mounting buttons, raise the battery pack to remove it from the main body.

Attaching the BC-80:

1. Make sure the battery mounting buttons are in the horizontal (UNLOCKED) position.

2. Align the mark (●) on the battery mounting button with the mark (●) on the main body.

3. While depressing the battery mounting buttons, fit the battery pack onto the connecting pins on the top of the main body. Release your fingers from the buttons, allowing the battery pack to settle into position.

4. After both buttons are fully released from the depressed position, turn the mounting buttons in the direction of the arrow mark to the limit (vertical position). This engages the LOCK and prevents the main body from falling.

Setting up the Tripod:

1. Open the tripod legs sufficiently for the instrument to be stable.

2. Ensure the station point on the ground is directly beneath the center hole in the tripod head.

3. Firmly press the tripod ferrules into the ground.

4. Level the top surface of the tripod head.

5. Fasten the thumb screws on the tripod legs firmly.

6. Place the DTM-500 on the tripod head, insert the tripod mounting screw into the base plate’s center hole, and tighten.

Centering using the Optical Plummet:

1. With the instrument on the tripod, look through the optical plummet and align the station point image with the center mark (◎) of the reticle by turning the leveling screws.

2. While supporting the tripod head, loosen the tripod leg clamps and adjust the leg lengths to center the air bubble in the circular level. Then, tighten the leg clamps.

3. Proceed to the “Leveling” procedure using the plate level.

4. Look through the optical plummet again to reconfirm the station point is centered. If there’s a slight displacement, loosen the tripod mounting screw and correct the position with direct movement (not rotational).

“Leveling” refers to the precise vertical alignment of the instrument’s vertical axis. Follow these steps using the plate level:

1. Loosen the upper plate clamp. Rotate the alidade to position the plate level parallel with any two of the leveling screws (e.g., B and C).

2. Using these two screws (B and C), move the bubble to the center of the level.

3. Rotate the alidade approximately 90°. Move the bubble to the center of the level again, this time by turning the third leveling screw (A).

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to center the bubble in both positions.

5. Rotate the alidade another 180°. If the bubble in the plate level remains centered, leveling is complete.

6. If the bubble moves off-center, the plate level needs adjustment.

Proper sighting involves focusing the target image and aligning it with the reticle crosshairs. Follow these notes:

• Diopter Adjustment: Direct the telescope towards a blank area like the sky or a piece of paper. Look through the eyepiece and rotate the diopter ring until the reticle crosshairs are in sharp focus.

• Elimination of Parallax: Rotate the focusing ring to bring the target image into focus on the reticle crosshairs. Move your eye vertically and laterally to see if the target image moves in relation to the crosshairs. If the target image does not move, there is no parallax. If it moves, rotate the telescope focusing ring to eliminate the parallax.

Turn On the Instrument:

1. Press the [PWR] key to turn on the instrument. The start-up screen will appear, displaying current Temperature, Pressure, and Prism constant settings.

2. Set up the instrument in the face-left position and tilt the telescope.

3. The current Date and Time will be displayed, and the instrument will automatically resume the last job and return to where you were when you last powered it off.

Turn Off the Instrument:

1. Press the [PWR] and [ENT] keys to turn off the instrument.

2. A screen will appear with the following options:

• [2:Rst]: Re-boots the program.

• [4:Save]: Puts the instrument into sleep mode.

• [ESC]: Cancels the power-off process and returns to the previous screen.

Measuring Distances:

1. Sight the telescope crosshairs on the center of the prism reflector. The signal level will be indicated on the display.

2. Press the [MSR] or [TRK] key on the Basic Measurement Screen (BMS) or any other observation screen to take a measurement.

3. To abort the measurement, press the [MSR] or [TRK] key again, or press the [ESC] key.

Changing Measurement Mode Settings:

1. Hold down the [MSR] or [TRK] key to show the measurement mode settings screen.

2. Use the up/down arrow keys to move the cursor to the setting you wish to change.

3. Use the right/left arrow keys to change the setting. The following settings are available:

• MSR/TRK mode: Precise (Prec) or Normal.

• Distance Resolution (Reso): High or Low.

• Average count: 0 (Continuous) to 99.

• Target: Prism or Reflective Sheet (Sheet).

A “Job” organizes your survey data into a database. To manage jobs, press the [MENU] key and select [1:Job Manager].

• Opening an existing Job: In the Job list, use the up/down arrow keys to place the cursor on the desired Job name and press the [ENT] key to open it. The current open job is marked with an asterisk (*).

• Creating a New Job: In the Job list, press the [MENU] key to display the sub-function menu. Select [1:Create]. Input a Job name (up to 8 characters) and press [ENT]. You will then be prompted to confirm or change the Job settings (Scale Factor, T-P Corr, etc.) before creating the job.

• Deleting a Job: In the Job list, move the cursor to the job you want to delete. Press the [MENU] key and select [2:DEL]. A confirmation screen will appear. Press [ENT] or [4] to delete the job.

• Assigning a Control Job: A Control Job stores common data. In the Job list, move the cursor to the job you want to assign as a Control Job. Press [MENU] and select [3:Control]. Press [ENT] or [4] to confirm. The Control Job is marked with an “@”.

Press the [STN] key to display the Station Setup menu. The following options are available:

• 1:Known: Setup with known coordinates or azimuth. Input the station point coordinates and instrument height (HI). Then set the backsight (BS) by either inputting its coordinates (1:Coord) or its azimuth (2:Angle).

• 2: 2-Point Resection: Determines the station’s coordinates by measuring two known points. Input and measure to the first known point, then input and measure to the second known point. The instrument calculates and displays the observation error and the station coordinates.

• 3: 3-Point Resection: Determines the station’s coordinates by measuring angles to three known points. Input and sight point 1, input and sight point 2, and input and sight point 3. The instrument then calculates the station coordinates.

• 4: Default Station: Sets up the station without coordinates. The instrument assigns a default station point name. Sight the backsight point and press [ENT] to set the current horizontal circle reading (HA) as the backsight azimuth.

• 5: Remote Benchmark: Determines the station elevation by measuring to a point with a known elevation (Benchmark). Input the BM point and height of target (HT), then measure to it. The instrument calculates the station’s Z coordinate.

• 6: BSCheck: Checks the backsight direction. Sight the backsight (BS) and press [ENT] or [4] to reset the horizontal angle to the defined BS direction.

Press the [S-O] key to display the staking out menu. You can choose one of two methods:

1. Staking out by Angle and Distance (1:Ang-Dist):

1. Display the screen for inputting the horizontal distance (HD), vertical distance (dVD), and azimuth (HA) to the stake-out point. Input the values and press [ENT].

2. The screen will display dHA (difference in horizontal angle). Rotate the instrument until dHA is close to 0°00’00”.

3. Sight the target (prism) and press [MSR] or [TRK]. The screen will display the errors for the target position: R/L (Lateral error) and IN/OUT (Longitudinal error).

4. Advise the rodman to adjust the position until the errors become 0.000.

2. Staking out by Coordinates (2:XYZ):

1. Display the screen for inputting the stake-out point. Input the point number/name (or search for it using a wildcard *). You can also specify points by Code and/or Radius.

2. Once the point is specified, the screen shows the angle and distance to the target point. Rotate the instrument until dHA is close to 0°00’00”.

3. Press [MSR] or [TRK] to measure to the prism. The screen will display the errors and advise the rodman to adjust the prism position until the displayed errors become 0.000.

Regular checks and adjustments maintain the accuracy of the NIKON DTM-550.

• Plate Level: To check, level the instrument, then rotate the alidade 180°. If the bubble moves, it needs adjustment. Use the supplied adjusting pin to rotate the plate level’s adjustment screw to eliminate half of the detected displacement. Center the bubble again using the leveling screws.

• Circular Level: After the plate level is adjusted, check the circular level. If the bubble is off-center, use the adjusting pin to manipulate the three adjustment screws to center the bubble.

• Optical Plummet: Place a paper with an X on the ground. Center the instrument’s reticle over the X. Rotate the alidade 180°. If the image of the X moves from the center, use a screwdriver on the adjustment screws to move the X image to the center point of the line between its displaced position and the reticle center.

• Zero Point Errors of Vertical Scale: This is adjusted using the calibration function. Press [MENU] then [7] to enter the calibration screen. Follow the on-screen prompts, which involve taking a face-left measurement to a prism, followed by a face-right measurement.

• Instrument Constant: This check requires a flat area. Set up the instrument at Point P and a reflector 100m away at Point Q. Measure and note the distance PQ. Then, set up the instrument at a new point R between P and Q, and measure the distances PR and QR. The sum PR+QR should be within the allowable range of error from the original PQ distance.

The following are key specifications for the NIKON DTM-550:

Telescope

Angle Measurement

Dual-axis tilt sensor

EDM (Distance Measurement)

General

Here are common error messages and the actions to take:

• DATA FULL: The data storage is full. Action: Press any key to return to the BMS. You must delete unnecessary data (via [Menu]->[4:Data]) or delete a job (via [Menu]->[1:JOB]).

• No Job Opened: You have attempted an action that requires an active job. Action: [1:Abrt]/[ESC] returns to the BMS. [4:JOB]/[ENT] goes to the Job Manager to open or create a job.

• NO STN/BS Chk: There is no Station record in the current job, or a station setup/BS check has not been performed since rebooting. Action: [4:STN]/[ENT] goes to the Station setup menu to perform a setup.

• Duplicate PT: The input point number/name you are trying to record already exists in the current job. Action: Press any key to return to the point input screen and enter a unique point name/number.

• PT Not Found: When searching, no point matches the condition you entered. Action: Press any key to return to the point input screen and check your input.

• Equal Coord.: In Station Setup, the coordinate of the BS is identical to the station, or a duplicate point/coordinate was used in a resection. Action: Press any key to return to the BMS and use a different point.

• UPLOAD ERROR (Time Out): During data upload, there has been no data received for one minute. Action: Press any key to return to the MENU screen. Check your cable connection and the program on your computer.

• UPLOAD ERROR (Check your data): An error was detected in the upload data, such as an alpha character in a coordinate field. Action: Press any key to return to the MENU screen. Check the specified line number in your upload file for errors.