Total station calibration and adjustment
Checking and adjusting collimation, trunnion axis, compensator and EDM errors of electronic total stations, delivered with an inspection report.
An electronic total station is the main tool for topographic surveys, setting-out and as-built surveys. Its angular accuracy is typically 1"–5", but that figure only holds while the axes are properly adjusted. Collimation error, trunnion axis tilt, compensator index or a shifted laser plummet start at a few seconds of arc and turn into centimetres over long sights.
During the check we measure horizontal collimation and vertical index errors, trunnion axis tilt, the dual-axis compensator, ATR/tracking and the optical or laser plummet. The EDM is compared on a baseline of known length in both prism and reflectorless modes, and the additive constant is verified. Errors are corrected through the onboard calibration routines and, where needed, by mechanical adjustment.
The optics, screws and tribrach are also cleaned, batteries and memory are tested and firmware is updated. SOUTH total stations are handled under official warranty service, while Leica, Topcon, Trimble, Sokkia and Nikon models are accepted as regular service jobs.
You receive a calibration record listing the values measured before and after adjustment. It is intended for internal quality control and for your client, and it does not replace state metrological certification.
When you need it
- Planned check before the field season
- After a fall, a knock or long-distance transport
- When traverse misclosures or control checks do not agree
- When a client asks for an instrument inspection record
- Condition assessment before buying a used total station
What's included
- Initial diagnostics and visual inspection
- Collimation and V-index check and correction
- Trunnion axis and compensator adjustment
- EDM baseline check in prism and reflectorless modes
- Optical/laser plummet and circular bubble adjustment
- Cleaning of optics and mechanics, firmware update
How we work
- Intake and logging of reported issues
- Initial measurements to determine actual errors
- Adjustment, cleaning and firmware update
- Repeat control measurements
- Report preparation and handover
Deliverables
- Adjusted and cleaned total station
- Calibration record with before/after values
- Recommendations on any further repair
