How to use "Shift Station"

Purpose of "Shift Station"

Shift station can only be used in association with "Control Line Stationing." It is an option to adjust the X,Y coordinates of the total station after the "Control Line Stationing" process has been completed. You may need this application to manually adjust the total station coordinates depending on any errors in your control line locations during stationing.

As the "Control Line Stationing" article mentions, the total station does not account for any errors in the Control Line Stationing process when it calculates its coordinate location. It assumes that the intersecting control lines measured in the stationing process intersect at the exact angle the digital file demands.

To explain briefly, again: The first control line measured is treated as an accurate benchmark line - laid out correctly where the design demands. The first measurement of the second line is also considered to be an accurate measurement - telling the total station where the second line exists. The total station can then visualize where these two lines intersect, and can position itself accordingly based on these three points. Again, it assumes these 3 points are accurate to the design on the controller.

The fourth point measured in the Control Line Stationing Process is a visual check for the end user, as it will likely show a deviation error (however small).

In practice, the software only calculates the error in relation to the final point measured. In theory, the error in the control lines measured could be anywhere amongst them. Finding these errors, and mitigating their impact during layout, is up to the end user.

This is where Shift Station can be useful.

How-To Step 1: Open Shift Station

Simply navigate to the home screen, and under "Edit Station," select "Shift Station."

You will be warned, upon opening, that the software will treat this as a brand new stationing location. If you were to go back and check previously staked or laid out points with this new stationing, the new station would guide you to the new position of these as well, according to how the station shifted.

How-To Step 2: Type in Your Shifts

In the right side menu, you will see the station value (the station coordinate location). As you shift your station E and N (X and Y), the new station values will appear for your reference:

Shifted 20mm north, 15mm east (notice the difference in Station Values):

Of course, visually, the Station icon on the CAD file will shift in accordance to these new values as well for your reference.

How-To Step 3: Accept the Stationing

Press the green check mark, and the tool will automatically remind you that the station shifting is completed. If you need new points to reference as backsights during your work, simply use measure and record to re-measure some points of reference you can check throughout your work day.